PRA, BI to screen retirement visa applicants

MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine Retirement Authority (PRA) and Bureau of Immigration (BI) have signed a data-sharing agreement to screen foreigners applying for a Special Resident Retiree’s Visa or SRRV.

The two agencies agreed to share the derogatory records and travel history of SRRV applicants.

An advanced online or electronic system would be introduced to facilitate the seamless exchange of information between the PRA and BI.

SRRV is a special non-immigrant visa that allows foreign nationals to retire or reside permanently in the Philippines.

The agreement is effective for five years, subject to renewal every two years.

PRA chief executive officer Roberto Zobrado and Immigration Commissioner Norman Tansingco signed the deal.

“This online data exchange system would allow for better monitoring, assisting the PRA in the implementation of its mandate, as well as allowing the BI to intercept foreigners with derogatory records attempting to reside in the country,” Tansingco said.

Meanwhile, immigration officials are reviewing the flight manifest and closed-circuit television footage amid the probe on the entry of Chinese woman Zhang Zimo, 23, into the country without a record of her arrival.

Authorities are looking into the possibility that an immigration officer helped Zhang, noting that her passport did not have an arrival stamp.

The BI apprehended Zhang on June 15 at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 3 before she could board a China Southern Airlines flight to Guangzhou.

Zhang is being held at the BI detention facility in Taguig pending her deportation.

This was the second time this year that officials have intercepted a departing foreigner without an arrival stamp, BI spokesperson Dana Sandoval said.