Annual report ends March 1, BI reminds registered aliens

Foreign nationals registered with the Bureau of Immigration (BI) were reminded that they have only until March 1 to appear in person to the agency for their 2021 annual report.

BI Commissioner Jaime Morente said that as in previous years this year’s annual report of aliens will not be extended.

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He explained that the Alien Registration Act of 1950 requires all aliens with immigrant and non-immigrant visas to report in person to the bureau within the first 60 days of every calendar year.

Morente again warned that any failure to comply with the report may result in fines, visa cancelation, deportation, or imprisonment.”

The BI chief also advised foreigners who have not yet made the report to immediately register with the BI’s online appointment system at http://e-services.immigration.gov.ph to obtain their slots.

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He reiterated that 800 slots for the annual report are reserved per day while Saturdays are reserved to accredited entities and remote reporting for bulk applicants.

Annual report ends March 1, BI reminds registered aliens

Lawyer Jose Carlitos Licas, BI alien registration division chief, meanwhile, said foreigners who are out of the country during the 60-day period can still make the report within 30 days upon their return to the country, provided their re-entry permits are still valid.

He said that aside from the main office in Intramuros, Manila, aliens may also report to the nearest participating BI field, satellite or extension office.

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Licas also reported that as of end-January a total of 77,303 aliens already filed their report, which is 10-percent less than the 86,683 who complied last year.

He said 19,166 of the aliens appeared at the BI main office in Manila while the remaining 58,137 filed their report in the different immigration subports throughout the country.

Last week, Malacañang announced that the Philippines would allow the entry of more foreigners with valid visas starting February 16.

According to Presidential spokesperson Harry Roque, the government’s task force against COVID-19 on Thursday decided to ease travel restrictions on foreigners with visas issued as of March 20, 2020, and are still valid at the time of arrival in the Philippines.

“Tourists not allowed still unless with exemption,” Roque said.

Source: Bureau of Immigration, Republic of the Philippines