BI asks Filipinos to be patient in waiting for foreign partners

[scott h]

5 hours ago, Jollygoodfellow said:

All three claimed not to know that they were supposed to get a visa before traveling to the Philippines.

They were either just hoping to bluff their way through, were counting on the incompetence of BI officials or had cash to bribe someone. 

 

[RBM]

9 hours ago, Jollygoodfellow said:

Well some either dont check anything or just hope they can get away with things just by turning up only to find they are sent out on the next flight. Surprised the airlines let them board but I guess with so many changes it's hard for them to know.

 

Cebu airport turns away 3 foreigners

October 09, 2021
LOVE does not conquer all.

Three foreigners, all with romantic interests from the Philippines, were turned away on their arrival at the Mactan-Cebu International Airport recently after they failed to present valid entry visas, according to the Bureau of Immigration (BI).

Two of the passengers, an Australian and a German, were turned back by immigration officers on Tuesday after arriving from Singapore.

The third passenger, an American, was turned back after he arrived on Saturday, Oct. 2, from Los Angeles, USA, the bureau said on its Facebook page Wednesday, Oct. 6, 2021.

Two of the foreigners said their spouses were Filipinos who were not traveling with them, while the third foreigner said he was here to visit his Filipina fiancée.

All three claimed not to know that they were supposed to get a visa before traveling to the Philippines.

These incidents prompted BI Commissioner Jaime Morente to remind foreign nationals that the Philippines is still closed to foreign tourists due to the Covid-19 pandemic, and that only aliens with valid and existing visas are allowed entry.

Morente advised tourists or temporary visitors coming to the Philippines for business, humanitarian or other meritorious reasons to apply for 9(a) visas and entry exemption documents from any Philippine embassy or consulate abroad.

Morente said airlines also have the responsibility to check that foreigners who booked their flights to the Philippines have valid visas.

“Airlines are subjected to administrative fines if they board improperly documented foreign nationals,” said Morente. “Hence we wish to reiterate the importance of proper documentation to avoid such incidents.”

He did not name the airlines involved in the incidents. (CTL)

https://www.sunstar.com.ph/article/1909706/Cebu/Local-News/Cebu-airport-turns-away-3-foreigners

Yes had this sent to me a few days ago........Sounds very strange or fishy.

From everything read and heard about airlines are extremely strict checking requirements before boarding. As understood they can be liable for deporting same if their visas not in order.

Something strange here.

[Snowy79]

46 minutes ago, RBM said:

Yes had this sent to me a few days ago........Sounds very strange or fishy.

From everything read and heard about airlines are extremely strict checking requirements before boarding. As understood they can be liable for deporting same if their visas not in order.

Something strange here.

My friend who I advised many times to ensure he had a valid visa and at the time an Entry Exemption Certificate which was required was one who never listened.  He arrived in Cebu after boarding in Dubai where no one checked his paperwork other than flight ticket and RT-PCR.  On arrival in Cebu immigration did do the checks and sent him back to Dubai via Clark on the next available flight.  Emirates airlines picked up the bill.  Currently he thinks he isn't blacklisted and shall be returning again later this month with the required paperwork hopefully.

[Jollygoodfellow]

10 hours ago, Snowy79 said:

Currently he thinks he isn't blacklisted and shall be returning again later this month with the required paperwork hopefully.

There are ways to check if blacklisted but if he does not bother then hope he enjoys his flight.

 

[Jollygoodfellow]

https://www.facebook.com/immigration.helpline.ph/posts/232127202281463

10 October 2021
PRESS RELEASE
BI optimistic in eased travel restrictions soon
MANILA, Philippines—after being separated due to travel bans and border closures during the global pandemic, binational couples cry: ‘Love is not tourism’.
Love is Not Tourism is a global social media campaign dedicated to lobbying to ease travel restrictions for foreigners seeking to reunite with their partners.
Bureau of Immigration (BI) Commissioner Jaime Morente recognizes some of the looming effects of the imposed travel restrictions.
"Travel bans have also had a profound impact on unmarried couples and families. Some were forced to weather the pandemic without their loved ones.  We hear you, and we understand your plight," said Morente.
Supporters of the online petition using the hashtag #LoveIsNotTourism assert that the movement is not about looking for ways to take a holiday; it is about love being regarded as essential in the time of pandemic.
At present, in the Philippines, while the ban on non-essential outbound travel has been lifted, only Filipinos, balikbayans, and foreigners holding valid and existing visas from green and yellow list countries are allowed entry into the Philippines.
However, Morente further advised, however, that while their agency recognizes their cause, the decision will still come from the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF).
"We see your comments in our different channels, and we hear you. However, please bear with us as we implement what the IATF deems necessary. We trust their wisdom in deciding policies, and developing guidelines for safe inbound travel," Morente added.
Morente also expressed the hope that the Philippines will eventually open international tourism in the near future.
"With aggressive vaccination campaigns ongoing worldwide, we are optimistic that travel restrictions will ease up soon," he said.
Morente said the Bureau likewise supports the Department of Tourism’s campaign to keep the country's top-of-mind destination for foreign tourists. "Once the IATF sees that it’s safe, we will b

[RBM]

To many what ifs....maybe....its all unpredictable. Already in process of applying the PRA visa, not cheap, not dead simple, as expected.  If successful will definitely remove ifs and buts....

For some I am aware of its just carry on under the radar, if content to stay put, simple life, hard to imagine they would ever have a problem.....providing they kept mouth well and truly shut.

[Jollygoodfellow]

1 hour ago, RBM said:

For some I am aware of its just carry on under the radar, if content to stay put, simple life, hard to imagine they would ever have a problem.....providing they kept mouth well and truly shut.

I certainly would not recommend anyone to stay here without a visa. For a start if you were ever having to leave you need an exit clearance so you will be hit for past fees and fines for every month overstaying plus risk being blacklisted.

Then staying under the radar is not as easy as years ago. I read often they arrest fugitives staying here and also who do you trust, you break up with a GF or wife who knows or suspects you have no visa so they will dob you in.

Anyone remember the dob a foreigner campaign they had maybe 7 years back where rewards were paid? 

.......................................

PRESS RELEASE
07 NOVEMBER 2014
 

BI LAUNCHES “SA IMMIGRATION MAGSUMBONG”
REWARD AND INCENTIVE PROGRAM
 
MANILA, Philippines – Anchored on the “Bad Guys Out,  Good Guys In” program of Bureau of Immigration (BI) Commissioner Siegfred B. Mison, the BI launched a Reward and Incentive Program granting monetary reward to any person who shall report to the BI any overstaying foreign national that will result to apprehension.
 
Under Immigration Memorandum Circular No. SBM-2014-017 signed on October 27, 2014, “Sa Immigration Magsumbong” aims to identify all temporary visitors or tourists who have stayed in the country beyond their authorized stay or commonly known as “overstaying aliens”.
 
Individuals or groups with personal and qualified information on overstaying foreign nationals may report such fact to the BI’s National Operations Center (BINOC) through text message (SMS) to the following mobile phone numbers: Globe: +63917-573-3871 ; Smart: +63908-894-6644 ; Sun: +63932-894-6644.
 
Reports containing the pertinent information must specifically be sent in the following format: SIM <space> Full Name of Foreigner <space> Complete Address <space> Name of Informant.
 
Upon sending of the message, the informant will receive a reply from the BI acknowledging receipt with a statement that such information will be verified and validated. Once validated, the informant will be advised of the results of the verification and investigation.
 
A financial incentive of Php 2,000.00 shall be given to the informant upon successful apprehension of the overstaying alien. 
 
Any information received by the BI will be treated with utmost confidentiality. (30)

https://immigration.gov.ph/95-november-2014-press-releases/695-bi-launches-sa-immigration-magsumbong-reward-and-incentive-program

[graham59]

Wish they were so efficient in my country. Half the population of London would be packing their bags. 

[Jollygoodfellow]

https://www.facebook.com/officialbureauofimmigration/posts/232660022235111

[Clermont]

Starting to look more promising about getting over there, but I'll bet they don't get rid of hotel quarantine for fully vaccinated people and replace it with home quarantine. Arr well a week away from the wife wont be too bad.