MANILA, Philippines — The Bureau of Immigration (BI) said on Saturday that it recorded a 23.6 percent increase in revenues from extensions of tourist visas.
According to BI tourist visa section chief Raymond Remigio, the agency collected P1,426,076,164 for 2023, and the increase was attributed to interest in the country for tourism in the post-pandemic.
In comparison, the agency collected P1.15 billion in 2022.
According to BI Commissioner Norman Tansingco, they are with the Department of Tourism to reinvigorate tourism in the country.
“We are one with the Department of Tourism in their campaign to reinvigorate international travel and tourism in the country,” Tansingco said.
“Faster and easier immigration service is our contribution to the national government’s efforts,” he added.
The BI added that visa-free nationals can stay in the country for 30 days, and they can extend further with the agency.
READ: BI: Work visas may now be issued to foreigners still overseas