Bureau of Immigration’s Operations During the Enhanced Community Quarantine Period

Per Advisory dated 19 March 2020 uploaded to the Bureau of Immigration’s (BI) official Facebook page, the BI announced that except for outbound passengers, the BI shall suspend its operations and cease entertaining the following transactions:

1. Applications for extension/conversion to non-immigrant/immigrant visa including hearing and interview
2. Applications regarding Filipino citizenship
3. Downgrading of visa 4. Extension of tourist visa
4. Applications for Special Work Permit/Provisional Work Permits
5. Renewal of ACR iCards
6. Implementation of BOC approved visa-applications for extension of/conversion to non-immigrant/immigrant visas

Foreign nationals whose visas are expiring during the enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) period are allowed to renew their expired visas within thirty (30) days from lifting of the ECQ.

A skeletal workforce shall remain at BI to cater to outbound passengers, who shall be required to present their valid exit ticket prior to entry to BI premises.

Per Press Release dated 18 March 2020, the BI officials clarified that foreign nationals, balikbayans, and overseas Filipino workers may depart the Philippines. The restriction to travel from the Philippines is therefore limited to Filipino tourists.

Per Press Release dated 24 April 2020, the travel restrictions shall remain during the extended ECQ and General Community Quarantine in certain areas. This is in furtherance to IATF Resolution No. 28 dated 23 April 2020, airports in areas under GCQ may operate for unhampered movement of goods only.

Click here to read the entire text of:

• Advisory dated 19 March 2020
• Press Release dated 18 March 2020
• IATF Resolution No. 28 dated 23 April 2020
• Press Release dated 24 April 2020