Philippine officials issued a reminder notice to foreign nationals to complete mandatory annual reporting between Jan. 1 and March 1.

‌Key Points:

  • All registered foreign nationals holding ACR I-Cards, except individuals on temporary visitor and tourist visas, are required to report in person to the Bureau of Immigration within the first 60 days of 2024.
  • Individuals need to bring their original valid passport with their original valid ACR-I card or paper-based ACR with valid visas.
  • Applicants should complete online registration here and bring their official payment receipt or be prepared to pay the annual reporting fee in person.

Additional Information: Certain foreign nationals are exempted from the personal appearance requirement, including those aged below 14 years or 60 years and above; those who hold a person with a disability ID; and pregnant women and foreign nationals with a medical condition who can present a medical certificate.

Virtual annual reporting is available to all registered foreign nationals except for paper-based ACR holders present in the Philippines during the annual reporting period who are holders of valid visas. Individuals may register here and schedule their online interview and pay the assessed fee.

BAL Analysis: Philippine authorities will issue administrative fines or prosecute individuals who fail to report. The Bureau of Immigration offices that participate in the 2024 annual report can be found here. Foreign nationals should be aware of their reporting responsibilities and schedule their appointments accordingly.

This alert has been provided by the BAL Global Practice Group.

Copyright © 2024 Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP. All rights reserved. Reprinting or digital redistribution to the public is permitted only with the express written permission of Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP. For inquiries, please contact copyright@bal.com.

Philippine officials reiterated that registration on the eTravel system is mandatory and must be completed within 72 hours of intended travel.

Key Points:
• As BAL previously reported, the Philippine government is expanding its eTravel system, requiring more travelers to register when entering or leaving the country.
• Inbound travelers must register on the website within 72 hours of their scheduled arrival time.
• Outbound travelers must register within 72 hours but no later than three hours before their scheduled departure time.

BAL Analysis: Philippine authorities are expanding the eTravel system to streamline entry and exit procedures and decrease processing times. Foreign nationals planning to travel to the Philippines this holiday season should register in a timely manner.

This alert has been provided by the BAL Global Practice Group.

Copyright © 2023 Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP. All rights reserved. Reprinting or digital redistribution to the public is permitted only with the express written permission of Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP. For inquiries, please contact copyright@bal.com.

The Bureau of Immigration has resumed face-to-face interviews for applicants of spousal visas.

‌Key Points:

  • The issuance of Proclamation No. 297 lifted the public health emergency throughout the Philippines, making all prior orders, memoranda and issuances during the state of public health emergency withdrawn and no longer in effect.
  • As a result, the Bureau of Immigration announced that face-to-face interviews of applicants for spousal visas will resume after discontinuing the practice during the COVID-19 pandemic.
  • Only the petitioner spouse and the applicant spouse are required to attend, and they may be accompanied by a lawyer if desired.

BAL Analysis: The Bureau of Immigration has also confirmed that applicants for certain Emigration Clearance Certificates are now required to personally appear at the Main Office for processing. The Philippine government may resume additional in-person requirements for other visa processes going forward. BAL will continue to provide updates as they become available.

This alert has been provided by the BAL Global Practice Group.

Copyright © 2023 Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP. All rights reserved. Reprinting or digital redistribution to the public is permitted only with the express written permission of Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP. For inquiries, please contact copyright@bal.com.

IMPACT — MEDIUM

The Philippine government is suspending work in government offices as well as school at all levels on Aug. 31 and Sept. 1 due to ongoing weather events.

Key Points:

  • The Office of the President issued the government office and school suspension to be in effect from 3 p.m. on Aug. 31 through Sept. 1.
  • The Philippine National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council recommended the suspension due to continuous rainfall from the southwest monsoon and super typhoons Goring and Hanna.

Additional Information: Processing of immigration-related filings is expected resume when government offices reopen on Monday, Sept. 4. BAL will provide updates if the situation changes.

This alert has been provided by the BAL Global Practice Group. For additional information, please contact berryapplemanleiden@bal.com.

Copyright © 2023 Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP. All rights reserved. Reprinting or digital redistribution to the public is permitted only with the express written permission of Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP. For inquiries, please contact copyright@bal.com.

The Philippine government has lifted its Travel Pass requirement for Philippine Economic Zone Authority visa holders.

Key Points:

  • Under a change that took effect Aug. 1, PEZA will no longer require foreign nationals holding PEZA visas to secure Travel Passes. PEZA will no longer process requests for the issuance of Travel Passes.
  • Individuals who hold Travel Passes will no longer need to present them to depart the country.
  • Certain visa categories — such as the 47(a)(2) visa issued by the Department of Justice and the ROHQ visa, among others — still require a Travel Pass.

Background: The Travel Pass requirement was introduced on March 1, 2021, as part of the Philippines’ response to COVID-19. The requirement was reversed this week following the issuance of a presidential proclamation that ended the Philippines’ COVID-19 public health emergency on July 31. BAL will provide updated information as it becomes available.

This alert has been provided by the BAL U.S. Practice Group. For additional information, please contact berryapplemanleiden@bal.com.

‌Copyright ©2023 Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP. All rights reserved. Reprinting or digital redistribution to the public is permitted only with the express written permission of Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP. For inquiries, please contact copyright@bal.com.

IMPACT — MEDIUM

‌The Philippine government has announced an immigration eServices portal.

Key Points:

Individuals will be able to use the Philippines’ eServices platform to submit certain immigration forms, including:

  • Applications for entry waivers.
  • Emigration clearance certificates.
  • Dual citizenship forms.
  • Temporary visitor extension applications.

Applicants can access the eServices platform through the Bureau of Immigration page or this website.

Additional Information: More information regarding the eServices platform is available here.

BAL Analysis: Philippine authorities introduced the eServices platform to simplify immigration procedures for foreign nationals and streamline their online services.

This alert has been provided by the BAL U.S. Practice Group. For additional information, please contact berryapplemanleiden@bal.com.

Copyright © 2023 Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP. All rights reserved. Reprinting or digital redistribution to the public is permitted only with the express written permission of Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP. For inquiries, please contact copyright@bal.com.

IMPACT — MEDIUM

The Philippine government has reminded stakeholders that accreditation applications are due by May 15.

Key Points:

  • New and renewal applications for the July 1, 2023, to June 30, 2024, accreditation period are due by May 15.
  • Complete applications must be filed at the BIAU Room 208 Extension, Bureau of Immigration Main Office, Intramuros Manila for Evaluation.
  • A list of required documents to complete the accreditation application is available here.

Additional Information: Once the application has been processed, applicants will receive an Order of Payment Slip to pay required fees. Those who have questions regarding the process can contact authorities at (02) 8-465-2400 or this email.

BAL Analysis: Those who need to apply for new or renewal accreditation should do so by the May 15 deadline.

This alert has been provided by the BAL Global Practice Group. For additional information, please contact berryapplemanleiden@bal.com.

Copyright © 2023 Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP. All rights reserved. Reprinting or digital redistribution to the public is permitted only with the express written permission of Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP. For inquiries, please contact copyright@bal.com.

IMPACT — MEDIUM

The Philippine government has expanded its eTravel System, requiring more travelers to register when entering or leaving the country.

Key Points:

  • As of April 15, all air and sea travelers including crew members must register through this website.
  • Inbound travelers must register within 72 hours of their scheduled arrival time.
  • Outbound travelers must register within 72 hours but no later than three hours before their scheduled departure time.
  • Beginning May 1, Philippine authorities will no longer accept paper-based arrival and departure cards.

Additional Information: More information regarding the expansion of the eTravel System is available here.

BAL Analysis: Philippine authorities expanded the eTravel System to streamline entry and exit procedures and decrease immigration processing times.

This alert has been provided by the BAL Global Practice Group. For additional information, please contact berryapplemanleiden@bal.com.

Copyright © 2023 Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP. All rights reserved. Reprinting or digital redistribution to the public is permitted only with the express written permission of Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP. For inquiries, please contact copyright@bal.com.

IMPACT — MEDIUM

The Philippine government has announced the accreditation application window.

Key Points:

  • New and renewal applications for the July 1, 2023, to June 30, 2024, accreditation period open April 1 and are due by May 15.
  • Complete applications must be filed at the BIAU Room 208 Extension, Bureau of Immigration Main Office, Intramuros Manila for Evaluation.
  • A list of required documents to complete the accreditation application is available here.

Additional Information: Once the application has been processed, applicants will receive an Order of Payment Slip to pay required fees. Those who have questions regarding the process can contact authorities at (02) 8-465-2400 or this email.

BAL Analysis: Those who need to apply for new or renewal accreditation should do so beginning April 1 and should be aware of the May 15 deadline.

This alert has been provided by the BAL Global Practice Group. For additional information, please contact berryapplemanleiden@bal.com.

Copyright © 2023 Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP. All rights reserved. Reprinting or digital redistribution to the public is permitted only with the express written permission of Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP. For inquiries, please contact copyright@bal.com.

The Philippine government’s annual reporting period for foreign nationals is open until March 1.

Key Points:

  • Foreign nationals must report in person to participating Bureau of Immigration offices on or before March 1 and bring their:
    • Original registration identity card (ACR I-card).
    • Valid passport (except for refugees and stateless nationals).
  • Philippine authorities will not allow representatives to report on behalf of foreign nationals for the 2023 annual report except under limited circumstances. Individuals must schedule an appointment for the 2023 annual report.
  • Individuals who fail to report by March 1 may face administrative fines or other penalties.

Additional Information: All registered foreign nationals, including those who hold immigrant visas, nonimmigrant visas or alien certificate of registration identity cards, must complete the annual reporting requirement within the first two months of each calendar year.

BAL Analysis: Foreign nationals are reminded to complete registration procedures as early as possible to avoid the rush before the deadline.

This alert has been provided by the BAL Global Practice Group. For additional information, please contact berryapplemanleiden@bal.com.
Copyright © 2023 Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP. All rights reserved. Reprinting or digital redistribution to the public is permitted only with the express written permission of Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP. For inquiries, please contact copyright@bal.com.