BY JUN RAMIREZ
The Bureau of Immigration (BI) announced that starting today it is temporarily suspending its online appointment system for foreign clients at its main office in Intramuros, Manila due to the reimposition of the modified enhanced community quarantine (MECQ) in Metro Manila.
BI Commissioner Jaime Morente advised clients with confirmed appointments to just reapply for new schedules to transact at the bureau after the new mode of lockdown is lifted.
Morente explained that suspending the online scheme was necessary because the BI will revert to maintaining a skeletal workforce at its main office while MECQ is in effect.
Nonetheless, the BI chief disclosed that the online appointment system will remain open to foreigners who are scheduled or are intending to leave the Philippines during the MECQ period.
He said the system will continue to reserve slots for departing aliens who need to secure their emigration clearance certificate (ECC), reentry permit and pay their updating or extension fees.
However, he said outbound foreigners should present their confirmed flight bookings or plane tickets prior to entering the bureau’s premises.
According to Morente, the following transactions at the main office are suspended:
-applications for conversion to or renewal of immigrant visa
– petition for recognition as Philippine citizens, including Republic Act 9225 or the dual citizenship law
– downgrading of visa status
– tourist visa extension
– special work permits (SWP) and provisional permit to work (PPW)
– renewal of alien certificate of registration (ACR I-Cards)
– implementation of applications for visa conversion or extension approved by the bureau’s board of commissioners (BoC)
The BI further advised departing aliens who overstayed here for not more than six months to just pay their updating extension fees at the airport. (Jun Ramirez)
