Undas 2023: BI reminds foreigners to comply early with departure rules
The Bureau of Immigration logo is superimposed over the airport scene. INQUIRER.net FILES
MANILA, Philippines — The Bureau of Immigration (BI) advised foreigners who will leave the country during the Undas (All Saints’ Day and All Souls’ Day) holiday break to comply ahead of time with their immigration departure requirements.
According to the BI on Wednesday, complying early with the requirements would reduce queueing time in half as it would avoid unnecessary lines, particularly in the bureau’s airport cashiers on the day of their flights.
BI reminded the “registered foreigners who are permanently living, working, or studying in the Philippines” to secure a re-entry permit or a special return certificate in any of the bureau’s district, field, satellite, and extension offices nationwide before leaving the country.
For tourists who have stayed in the country for more than six months, the BI said they may also get emigration clearance certificates before departure.
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“We are expecting a surge in passengers at their airport this coming Undas, and this time we are seeing a tremendous increase in the volume of New Year’s Day travelers with the total lifting of all Covid-related travel restrictions,” BI Commissioner Norman Tansingco said in a press release.
Tansingco further reminded the bureau’s e-services portal, which can be accessed through https://e-services.immigration.gov.ph/, is available for online immigration services.
He added that departing foreigners may secure the documents in the bureau’s one-stop shop facility at Terminal 3 of the Ninoy Aquino International Airport.
The BI reminded passengers to arrive at least three hours before their flight and go straight to immigration after checking in.
According to the Commissioner, the bureau is confident that operations this holiday season will be smoother as they deploy more immigration officers. They likewise assigned a rapid response team and mobile counters for immediate deployment as necessary.
