Recent News Articles From B.i,

[Call me bubba]

here are some recent news articles about the BI

 i will post the url and part of the story

 

The Bureau of Immigration yesterday warned foreigners living in the country

that they have until March 1, 2014 to file their annual report or face deportation.

Immigration Commissioner Siegfred Mison said there would be no extensions for foreigners to submit themselves for the annual report.
About 24,298 foreign nationals have already complied with their individual registration obligation at the Bureau of Immigration office, he said.
“They have until March 1, 2014 to file their annual report in person and those who fail will be meted administrative fines or even deportation,” he said.

 

(just partial of story)

http://www.tribune.net.ph/metro-section/declare-annual-report-or-face-deportation-foreigners-in-rp-told

 

The Bureau of Immigration (BI) caught seven alleged “fixers”

who were found in possession of several visas and immigration documents of their supposed foreigner clients while inside the bureau’s premises.
Immigration Commissioner Siegfred Mison ordered the seven permanently banned from entering the premises of the BI building.

 

http://www.tribune.net.ph/metro-section/seven-fixers-nabbed-inside-immigration-bureau-offices

 

http://www.tribune.net.ph/metro-section/two-foreigners-barred-from-entering-rp

 

Immigration authorities barred two foreigners from entering the country for presenting spurious travel documents.
Barred at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport were Ethiopian Sofia Zeinu Ali and Andersen Adua Abalem, a Ghanaian citizen,

whose documents, including a stamped Canadian visa and Schengen visa, were discovered fake.
Ali arrived at the NAIA Terminal 2 via Philippine Airlines from Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, for a holiday in the Philippines.
When asked regarding her purpose, she merely shook her head and claimed she could not speak and understand English.

 

http://www.tribune.net.ph/metro-section/two-foreigners-barred-from-entering-rp

 

 

The Bureau of Immigration has vowed to improve its public service and modernize its equipment after the Department of Budget and Management

increased the bureau’s budget from P568 million to P601 million this year.
Immigration Commissioner Siegfred Mison said the increase in budget was a clear testament of the continued trust and confidence of the government to improve and implement reforms in the bureau.
“Under the 2014 budget, more than half a billion pesos are meant to further bolster border control and immigration services,” he said.
“We will do our best for our people.

We will continue our reform measures, ensure strict border controls against criminal elements and undesirable aliens, and enhance our relationships with other stakeholders this year,” Mison said.
He said the bureau will continue to safeguard the welfare of the people, most especially those victimized by human trafficking groups.
Last year, the bureau implemented a “good guys in, bad guys out” policy which resulted to a smooth re-organization, increased revenue collection and enforcement of immigration laws.
Mison assumed office last July 16, 2013, where he immediately enforced a stricter implementation of immigration law meant to discourage entry of foreign nationals with criminal records abroad.

“Before, foreigners see the Philippines as a haven of fugitives. Now, with honest enforcement of immigration laws, we were able to frustrate those who want to just stay here because they have cases abroad,” he said.
He pointed out that foreigners with good intentions are welcome to stay in our country.

“Foreigners who want to engage in illicit activities, we give them a chance to reform, otherwise, we institute deportation charges against them,” he said.
Mison also vowed to modernize their information technology systems

as well as their surveillance systems in all airports and seaports throughout the country.
“Automating the bureau’s processes eliminates human intervention, which is the main source of corruption in previous administrations,” he said.

 

http://www.tribune.net.ph/metro-section/mison-vows-improvement-in-bi-with-bureau-s-increased-budget

 

[Tukaram (Tim)]

There are hotels that offer visa renewal services, as well as some expats offering the service.   Are they considered fixers?  Or just hiring someone to stand in line for you?  We have no lines here so no worries.

[Americano]

There are hotels that offer visa renewal services, as well as some expats offering the service.   Are they considered fixers?  Or just hiring someone to stand in line for you?  We have no lines here so no worries.

 

The answers to your questions are on the Immigration Facebook page. Immigration has been arresting people who are in possession of foreigners Passports who are not authorized to have them.

[Call me bubba]

 

There are hotels that offer visa renewal services, as well as some expats offering the service.   Are they considered fixers?  Or just hiring someone to stand in line for you?  We have no lines here so no worries.

 

The answers to your questions are on the Immigration Facebook page. Immigration has been arresting people who are in possession of foreigners Passports who are not authorized to have them.

 

seems that they are starting to enforce this more recently under the new commissioner

 

 here is a related topic

http://www.philippines-expats.com/topic/18388-interesting-release-on-the-bi-facebook-the-other-day/

[Call me bubba]

another NEWS article on the  "new" guidelines for visa of staying longer

 

Foreigners may now stay in the country for one year to two years after the Department of Justice approved a new policy guidelines on temporary visitor’s visa privileges.
Immigration Commissioner Siegfred Mison said that Justice Secretary Leila de Lima

signed the new policies and guidelines that would give foreigners more time to enjoy their stay in the country.
Under the new memorandum, Mison said foreigners may extend their authorized stay for a total of not more than 24 months for visa-required and 36 months for non-visa required nationals.
The said extension period shall be counted from the date of applicant’s latest recorded arrival,

according to the memorandum.
However, foreigners who are in the derogatory list are still authorized to extend as stay as temporary visitors provided that the derogatory list is not on the ground of having overstayed in the country.

Last year, the BI had announced that it was extending the visa-free privileges of foreign visitors to spur tourist arrivals in the country

 

http://www.tribune.net.ph/metro-section/doj-approves-new-guidelines-allowing-foreigners-to-stay-in-rp-for-1-to-2-years