Report to BI or face sanctions, registered foreign nationals warned

MANILA, Philippines — The Bureau of Immigration (BI) on Wednesday warned registered foreign nationals that those who will fail to submit their annual report to the agency from January until March 11  this year will face sanctions.

“Two months is a long time,” said BI Commissioner Jaime Morente.

“There is no reason for foreigners to miss the annual report. Those who will fail to comply will be sanctioned,” he added.

Under the 1950 Alien Registration Act, Morente said registered foreigners are required to report to the agency. Non-compliance may result in fines and the cancellation of their registration.

Morente explained that the said act requires all BI-registered aliens “to report to the BI main office in Intramuros, Manila or the nearest participating BI field, satellite or extension office from their place within the first 60 days of every calendar year.”

He added that in the annual report, each foreign national must present his/her original alien certificate of registration identity card (ACR I-Card) and valid passport and pay a P300 annual report fee and P10 legal research fee.

BI-registered aliens refers to resident foreign nationals who have been issued immigrant or non-immigrant visas and are holders of the ACR I-Card, Morente noted.

“Foreigners who are out of the country during the annual reporting period may make the report within 30 days from the date of their return to the country, provided they have valid re-entry permits,” he added.

While foreigners below 14 years old are exempted from reporting personally to the immigration office, the BI said it will be the duty of their parent or guardian to report to the agency on their behalf.

Meanwhile, senior citizens—65 years old and above—are also exempted from personal appearance at the immigration office but are nevertheless required to pay the fees and fill out the form.

BI Alien Registration Divison (ARD) Chief Jose Carlitos Licas ikewise appealed to all registered aliens to avoid the rush in filing the report.

“It has always been an issue that people file on the last few days of the annual report period, making the process burdensome for everyone,” Licas said.

“We are urging foreigners to avoid [the] deadline rush by making their report earlier,” he added. /ee