More requirements for Chinese seeking visitor’s visa

CHINESE nationals applying for temporary visitor’s visa in Philippine diplomatic posts will now be required to submit their Chinese Social Insurance Record Certificates, the Department of Foreign Affairs said yesterday.

The DFA said the submitted certificate must be registered for at least six months at the time of the submission of the visa application.

“Exceptions to the abovementioned visa requirement will only apply to Chinese nationals currently enrolled in primary, secondary, or college education who will be required to submit proof of enrollment, and retirees above 55 years old,” the DFA said in a statement, adding that “other exceptions to the requirement will only be considered on a case-to-case basis.”

It added that the additional visa requirement is part of the government’s continuing efforts to enhance its visa policies and regulations for the safe and efficient entry of foreign visitors to the country.

Last month, the DFA announced it would soon implement tightened visa requirements for Chinese nationals, including requiring social insurance certificates as part of the verification process.

Foreign Affairs Undersecretary Gary Domingo said it was apart from the usual documentary requirements for those who are applying for visa to enter the country, which includes proof of financial capability, a notarized letter of support from a host in the Philippines, if applying for an individual visa, and hotel and airfare bookings.

He said the DFA decided on this change due to the submission of fraudulent documents on the Chinese side.

Domingo, however, said the move is not related to national security due to the ongoing tension with China in disputed areas in the South China Sea as the reason for the more stringent requirement for Chinese visitors.

“This is intended to weed out the illegitimate and unsavory tourists from the legitimate ones,” the official said then.

Citing national security implications, Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla last year called for a stricter visa processing for Chinese nationals who want to enter the country.

Remulla said there is a need to tighten the visa issuance process to make sure that only legitimate individuals are