Ph BI now allows entry of certain Foreign Nationals, Expatriates, and Visa Holders starting Feb. 1, 2021

By: Deeryl Jade Bantilan

Relative to the Resolution No. 97 Series of 2021 issued by the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF-MEID), the Philippine Bureau of Immigration (BI) has issued a revised guideline last January 30, 2021 effective starting February 01, 2021. The Ph BI Revised Travel Restriction Guidelines, among others, updated and lifted the travel restrictions imposed on those coming from 36 countries on Covid-19 new variant threat, and starting February 01, 2021, allowed entry of certain foreign nationals, expatriates, and Philippines visa holders.

Under the revised guidelines, the following foreign nationals, expatriates, and Philippines visa holders will be allowed to enter the Philippines without the need for DFA authorization or endorsement provided that they meet the requirements prior to entry.

1. Visa holder of 9(C), 9(D), and 9(G);
2. 9(G) visa holders who departed the country on or later December 17, 2020;
3. Foreign Airline Crew;
4. Holder of 13 quota visa, 13A, 13B, 13C, 13D, 13E, 13G visas under Section 13 series of Commonwealth Act No. 613.
5. RA7919 visa holders – who entered the Philippines before June 30, 1992
6. EO324 visa holder – who entered the Philippines before January 1, 1984
7. Temporary Resident Visa (TRV) holders
8. MCL-07-021 Permanent Resident Visa holders
9. Foreign spouse and minor children of Filipinos, children with special needs regardless of age of Filipinos, foreign parent of minor Filipinos, and foreign parent of Filipino children with special needs regardless of age.
10. Foreign nationals in possession of Recognition Certificate (RC) or Citizenship Retention and Reacquisition Act of 2003 (CRPC) under RA9225 Certificate
11. Investors with an EO 226 visa, Special Investors Resident Visa under EO 226.
12. 47(a)2 visa issued by the Department of Justice.
13. Visas issued by Aurora Pacific Economic Zone, Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority, Authority of the Freeport Area of Bataan, Cagayan Economic Zone Authority and Clark Development Corporation.

The aforementioned foreign nationals, expatriates, and Philippines visa holders must present the following requirements prior to entry:

• With valid and existing visa at the time of entry;
• With pre-booked accommodation facility for at least seven (7) nights in an accredited quarantine hotel/facility;
• Subject to COVID-19 testing at the quarantine hotel/facility on the sixth (6^th) day from the date of arrival;
• Subject to the maximum capacity of inbound passengers at the port and date of entry;

All of the foregoing is without prejudice to the exercise of the mandate of the Bureau of Immigration in Arrival and Departure Formalities.

Summary:

Notably, the Philippine government has opened up its doors for certain foreign nationals, expatriates, and Philippine Visa holders on stringent conditions to do away, if not, minimize impact of Covid-19 in the country. Accordingly, while foreign nationals, expatriates and  Philippine visa holders may have a very good reason to travel to Philippines, we highly recommend to strictly comply with such health and travel standards. Please feel free to contact us should you need assistance with your Philippine visa, work permits, and related documentations.

Deeryl Jade Bantilan  is a graduate of Bachelor of Science in Business Administration major in Human Resource Development and Management from POWER School of Technology – Tanza, Cavite at the top of her class as Cum Laude. She started her career as an HR Associate in an English Tutorial Center for Japanese professionals in Makati until she was promoted as HR Manager where she was widely exposed to different facets of HR functions such as on recruitment, compensation and benefits administration, policy implementation and development, and employee relates and performance management. She has the passion for teaching as she was formerly with the academe, her Alma Mater, handling subject related to her course and is currently the HR Manager and Visa Specialist at G. Pagaspas Partners & Co., CPAs, a Makati based full service arm accounting firm.

Disclaimer: This article represents personal views of the author intended for general conceptual guidance only and is not a substitute for an expert opinion. Please consult your preferred labor or legal consultant for the specific details applicable to your circumstances.