BI: Registered foreigners can now report virtually
THE Bureau of Immigration (BI) on Friday said that registered foreigners in the country are now allowed to use virtual annual reports, instead of physical appearances at the bureau.
Under Philippine laws, the BI said aliens holding immigrant and non-immigrant visas who were issued an alien certificate of registration identity card (ACR I-Card) are required to present themselves to the bureau for the first 60 days of the year for the annual report.
«We encourage all eligible foreign nationals to embrace this innovation as part of our ongoing efforts to modernize our processes. These are lessons we have learned from the pandemic. We see the need to update our procedures for it to be more accessible to more people,» Immigration Commissioner Norman Tansingco said.
In a statement on Friday, the agency said the virtual Annual Report, accessible on the online services website at http://e-services.immigration.gov.ph, provides a seamless experience where foreign nationals can book appointments, make payments, and submit their reports from the comfort of their own homes.
Applicants are required to visit the BI's online services website to set up their appointments.
According to the agency, the virtual annual report complements the physical reporting option available at two malls in Metro Manila, as well as other BI offices nationwide.
Those choosing the traditional route in Metro Manila, the physical annual reports are available at the 3rd Level Center Atrium of Robinsons Manila and the Government Service Express (GSE) Unit of SM Mall of Asia from Mondays to Fridays, excluding holidays, between 9 a.m. and 6 p.m.
The BI's Alien Registration Division has outlined specific requirements for the annual report, including a completely filled-out online registration accessible via the BI's e-services website.
Foreign nationals also must present their original valid ACR I-Card with valid visas, along with a valid passport.
However, certain groups are exempted from physically reporting to the BI, including foreign nationals below 14 years old, those ages 60 and above, mentally or physically incapacitated individuals, pregnant women, and foreigners with medical conditions.
