The Department of Justice is set to impose stricter guidelines on the issuance of visa upon arrival to Chinese nationals who will visit the country as tourists, businessmen, athletes, or delegates to international conferences.
DoJ Undersecretary Markk Perete said yesterday that a department circular will be published as notice to Chinese nationals who would be qualified for Visa Upon Arrival (VUA).
Perete said the new guidelines impose, among other things, the presentation of a round-trip ticket within the 30-day period of the VUA and confirmed itinerary in the country.
“Aside from the round-trip ticket, if they are coming in as tourists, they must have booked accommodations for every stop in their itinerary. The tour operator must be, of course, accredited. The tour operator must provide all the details where they will be staying and proof of accommodations,” he said.
Perete said the VUA expires once the visitor leaves the country and even if the 30-day validity has not been consumed.
He added Chinese nationals qualified for VUA cannot convert their VUA into a work visa or a resident’s visa.
With the new guidelines, Chinese tourists could not overstay or seek employment in the Philippines.
Asked why the VUA and the new guidelines would apply only to Chinese nationals, Perete explained that the VUA was a privilege granted by the late President Corazon C. Aquino to foreigners for tourism-related projects.
Thereafter, he said, then DoJ Secretary Vitaliano Aguirre II granted the privilege to Chinese nationals. (Rey Panaligan)
