The Bureau of Immigration in the Philippines advised the foreign visitors in the country to stay home as it eases the rules on the visa renewal process.
In a statement, Immigration Commissioner Jaime Morente appealed to foreigners to stay at home and follow the guidelines of the enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) “as this is our best solution to buy time in the fight against COVID-19.”
Foreign visitors are advised mainly not to go out to apply for visa extensions during the enhanced community quarantine.
Foreigners “anywhere in the Philippines whose visas will expire during the (ECQ) period shall not be charged penalties, as long as they file their applications within 30 days from the lifting of the ECQs,” said Morente.
PH Immigration eases visa renewal for foreign visitors
“We are issuing this reiteration as there are still some aliens proceeding to our offices to file for extensions despite the quarantine,” Morente said.
“For everyone’s safety, please stay at home,” he added.
As of this writing, the country has 2,311 COVID-19 cases, 96 deaths, and 50 recoveries.
The Philippines announced on March 20 that it would temporarily suspend visa issuance to all foreign nationals, including visa-free privileges, to prevent the spread of pandemic COVID-19 in the country.
“Starting today, all our embassies and consulates will temporarily suspend visa issuance to all foreign nationals, as well as visa-free entry privileges to all foreign nationals,” Foreign Affairs Secretary Teodoro Locsin Jr. posted on his official Twitter account.
All previously issued Philippines visas to foreign nationals are deemed canceled while visas issued to foreign spouses and children of Filipino nationals remain valid, he added.
Locsin also said halting visas on arrival for foreigners depend on the Bureau of Immigration (BI).
The announcement was followed by airlines suspending all international flights until the enhanced community quarantine ends.
Foreigners from more than 100 countries are allowed to enter the Philippines visa-free for 30 days or less.
Holders of Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (SAR) passports and the Macau Special Administrative Region (SAR) passports are allowed to travel to the Philippines without a visa for a stay not exceeding 14 days.
Over 3.4 million foreign tourists have visited the Philippines between January to May of 2019.