Brisk Immigration Services

06/09/2021

18/08/2021

18/08/2021

18 August 2021
PRESS RELEASE

Aliens hired to work in PH but still abroad
may now be given work visas - BI

The Bureau of Immigration (BI) announced that foreigners currently abroad who are hired to work in the Philippines by employers based here will soon be allowed to pre-apply their work visas before entering the country.

Immigration Commissioner Jaime Morente disclosed that he just issued an operations order allowing companies who wish to engage the services of foreigners who are still abroad to apply for a 9(g) working visa on behalf of these expatriates.

BI reportedly adopted the new procedure pursuant to a resolution of the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF) which authorizes the issuance of working visas to foreigners who intend to come to the Philippines for long-term employment with a Philippine-based employer.

The IATF said the visa may also be issued to foreign workers whose expertise will be tapped for foreign-funded government projects such as those in transportation and infrastructure.

Morente explained that at present, only foreigners who are already in the country and whose services are engaged by companies here are issued 9(g) visas by the BI upon the filing of a petition for issuance of such a visa by their employers.

“With the promulgation of this new policy, would-be expatriates bound for the Philippines will be able to apply for their working visas, which they would present when they enter the country,” the BI chief said.

Morente, however, stressed that as in the case of foreigners who were previously issued their 9(g) visas, the employers of these alien workers must still apply for an alien employment permit (AEP) on their behalf with the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE).

“Those who fail to secure their AEP will not qualify for the issuance of a 9(g) visa and the petition for visa issuance by their employers will be denied by the bureau outright,” he stressed.

Among others, the BI operations order provides the 9(g) working visa shall be applied for and processed in the Philippines by a Philippine-based employer, in behalf of the applicant.

Upon approval by the BI, the order granting the visa will be forwarded to the office of consular affairs of the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) which will then transmit the same to the foreign service post (FSP) abroad where the applicant is situated.

The FSP will then issue the 9(g) visa to the applicant who must travel to the Philippines within 90 days and upon arriving here he shall proceed to the BI main office to have his visa implemented and registered with the bureau.

10/08/2021

10 August 2021
PRESS RELEASE

Alien immigrants with expired ACR I-Cards can still enter PH - BI

The Bureau of Immigration (BI) said foreigners, who are holders of immigrant or permanent resident visas but whose alien certificate of registration identity cards (ACR I-Card) have expired, can still travel to the Philippines so long as they have valid re-entry permits (RPs).

In a memorandum to all terminal heads of different international airports, Atty. Carlos Capulong, BI Acting Port Operations Division Chief, reiterated an earlier directive of BI Commissioner Jaime Morente to allow the entry of alien immigrants with expired ACR I-Cards.

“We are still being besieged with queries as to whether these aliens who are permanent residents and immigrants with expired I-Cards can go back to the Philippines. They can do so as long as they can present their valid RPs,” Capulong said.

It was learned that Morente issued the directive upon recommendation of the Bureau’s Alien Registration Division (ARD) which held that arriving immigrants with expired ACR I-Cards should not be turned back but be advised only to renew their cards at the Bureau.

According to the ARD, these ACR I-Cards cannot be used as basis to admit an alien immigrant as it merely serves as proof that the latter is registered with the BI.

Capulong, however, stressed that aliens who are holders of non-immigrant visas must be in possession of valid ACR I-Cards to be allowed entry into the Philippines.

As for aliens whose re-entry permits and special return certificates (SRC) have expired, Capulong said they may renew the same upon arriving at the airport before immigration clearance.

It can be recalled that Department of Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra earlier issued a directive allowing aliens with expired re-entry permits and SRCs to extend and pay their fees at the airport.

It was noted that most of these alien visa holders failed to extend their RPs and SRCs as they were stranded abroad due to the pandemic and ongoing international travel restrictions.

26/07/2021

26 July 2021
PRESS RELEASE

Alien spouses, children, parents of Pinoys need
not present entry exemption doc starting Aug. 1 - BI

The Bureau of Immigration (BI) announced that starting Aug. 1, its officers at the ports will no longer require the presentation of an entry exemption document (EED) from foreign spouses, children and parents of Filipino citizens who are traveling to the Philippines as tourists to visit their kin here.

BI Commissioner Jaime Morente said the new policy is in compliance with the latest resolution of the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infection Diseases (IATF) which eased the entry travel requirements for foreigners related by marriage or filiation to Filipinos.

Previously, these aliens are allowed entry into the Philippines only if they have valid 9(a) tourist visas as well as an EED issued by the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) through its various embassies or consulates abroad.

Those who fail to secure and present either one of the two documents are excluded and turned back upon arrival at the ports of entry.

Under the new IATF resolution, foreign spouses, children and parents of Filipinos will only be required to present 9(a) tourist visas beginning on Saturday.

The IATF, however, instructed the DFA to include in the visa of said aliens the notation: “EED not required per IATF Resolution No. 128 (s.2021).”

“We welcome this latest ruling of the IATF as it will now be easier and convenient for foreigners whose Filipino spouses and children are currently in the Philippines to visit and reunite with their loved ones,” Morente said.

The BI chief stressed that the new travel guidelines apply only to foreigners who are not accompanied by their Filipino spouses or Filipino parents in going to the Philippines.

“Foreigners who are traveling with their Filipino spouses or parents are eligible for the Balikbayan program and they may be admitted visa-free for a one-year stay,” Morente said.

He explained that those who are not traveling with their Filipino principal must apply for a 9(a) tourist visa from a Philippine consulate abroad, which they would use for entry to the Philippines.

BI Port Operations Division Chief Atty. Carlos Capulong reminded that while the exemption on alien families of Filipinos has been loosened, the ban for those coming from 10 countries due to the Covid-19 Delta variant remains.

“Those coming from India, Pakistan, Nepal, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Oman, United Arab Emirates, Indonesia, Malaysia, and Thailand are still not allowed to enter the country,” said Capulong. “This includes those who have a travel history to said countries within the last 14 days from their date of arrival,” he added.

Said travel ban, said Capulong, remains in effect until July 31, unless extended or expanded by the IATF.

19/07/2021

Extension of the travel ban restrictions currently in place in INDIA, PAKISTAN, BANGLADESH, SRI LANKA, NEPAL, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES, OMAN effective until 31 JUL 2021.

Please be guided accordingly.

14/07/2021

BI to implement temporary ban for travelers from Indonesia

“We have received an order from Malacanang announcing the imposition of travel restrictions for all travelers coming from Indonesia, including those with a travel history to Indonesia within the last 14 days before arriving in the Philippines,” said Morente.
The travel ban is set to take effect by 12:01 AM of July 16 until 11:59 PM of July 31, 2021.

According to Morente, passengers already in transit from Indonesia who arrive before the implementation of the travel ban may be allowed to enter but will be subjected to a full 14-day facility-based quarantine by the appropriate government agency.

The recent travel ban follows the surge of Covid-19 cases in Indonesia, reportedly caused by the highly-contagious delta variant.

14 July 2021
PRESS RELEASE

BI to implement temporary ban for travelers from Indonesia

MANILA, Philippines — Bureau of Immigration (BI) Commissioner Jaime Morente announced that the BI will be implementing a temporary ban for travelers from Indonesia.

“We have received an order from Malacanang announcing the imposition of travel restrictions for all travelers coming from Indonesia, including those with a travel history to Indonesia within the last 14 days before arriving in the Philippines,” said Morente.

The travel ban is set to take effect by 12:01 AM of July 16 until 11:59 PM of July 31, 2021.

According to Morente, passengers already in transit from Indonesia who arrive before the implementation of the travel ban may be allowed to enter but will be subjected to a full 14-day facility-based quarantine by the appropriate government agency.

The recent travel ban follows the surge of Covid-19 cases in Indonesia, reportedly caused by the highly-contagious delta variant.

14/07/2021

Bureau of Immigration warns foreign vloggers not to ‘OVERSTEP’ boundaries.

Accepting local endorsements, selling products, and ENGAGING in other activities for PROFIT while holding a TEMPORARY VISITORS’ visa is considered a DEPORTABLE OFFENSE.

If found GUILTY, violators can face deportation and blacklisting from the Philippines.

12 July 2021
PRESS RELEASE

BI warns foreign vloggers not to ‘overstep’ boundaries

MANILA, Philippines—The Bureau of Immigration (BI) warned foreign vloggers in the country not to engage in any activity violating the conditions of their stay.

Bureau of Immigration (BI) Commissioner Jaime Morente stated that he issued the reminder after noticing numerous foreign vloggers posting videos in the Philippines.

According to Morente, while vlogging in itself is not prohibited, engaging in endorsements or using their platforms to sell products could be considered a violation of the conditions of their stay.

“Online videos of these influencers bring entertainment to many, which could be a source of much-needed relief from the stress brought about by the pandemic,” said Morente. “Vloggers promoting the beautiful places in our country could even help revive and boost tourism,” he said.

“However, vlogging should not be used as a means to sell products. Accepting local endorsements, selling products, and engaging in other activities for profit while holding a temporary visitors’ visa is considered a deportable offense,” he warned.

“Vloggers should not overstep their boundaries and perform actions only within the activities allowed in their visas,” said Morente. “If found guilty, violators can face deportation and blacklisting from the Philippines,” he added.

It can be recalled that in February, a social media influencer was charged by the BI for performing in gainful activity without the necessary permit or visa, after allegedly engaging in the online retail of notebooks, bags, and toiletries.

Similarly in India, New Zealand Youtuber Karl Rock has recently made headlines after he was reportedly denied entry and blacklisted for violating the terms and conditions of his visa for doing business activities on a tourist visa.

13/07/2021

05 June 2021
PRESS RELEASE

BI clarifies Retiree’s Visa Holders allowed to enter without exemption docs

MANILA, Philippines—The Bureau of Immigration (BI) announced that aliens holding the Special Resident Retiree’s Visa (SRRV) issued by the Philippine Retirement Authority (PRA) are now allowed to enter the country.

In an advisory, BI Commissioner Jaime Morente said that following the most recent Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF-MEID), upon recommendation of the Department of Tourism (DOT), those holding SRRVs are now allowed to enter the country without an entry exemption document.

Those holding tourist visas, said Morente, are still not permitted to enter the country, unless authorized by the country’s foreign posts abroad through an entry exemption document.

BI Port Operations Division Chief Atty. Carlos Capulong likewise added that all arriving passengers are still required to present their 10-day quarantine hotel or facility booking, except for those who have been fully vaccinated in the Philippines, who would only need to present a 7-day booking.

Capulong clarified that those coming from the seven travel-restricted countries namely India, Pakistan, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Oman, and the United Arab Emirates are still not allowed to enter until June 15.

Capulong added that their personnel are on standby to service passengers that may arrive through repatriation programs of government or non-government entities for Filipinos coming from the seven countries.