Citing fraud, BI cancels 528 work visas issued to foreigners

MANILA, Philippines — The Bureau of Immigration (BI) has conducted one of the biggest mass cancellations of working visas for fraud involving 528 foreign nationals.

In a statement on Tuesday, BI Commissioner Jaime Morente announced that after conducting a postaudit on visa applications from six target companies, the BI discovered that the companies’ foreign employees had submitted fake alien employment permits or AEPs, a prerequisite in applying for a work visa. The permit is issued by the Department of Labor and Employment.

“I have directed the intelligence division to conduct a case buildup against [these] companies after receiving information that they have petitioned foreign nationals by submitting fake documents,” said Morente.

He refused to name the companies pending investigations of their sister companies and affiliates, but said that the companies were involved in consultancy, residential sales, tutorial and information technology.

The 528 foreign nationals petitioned by these six companies had their visa canceled immediately because of misrepresentation and fraud, “a clear violation of Section 37 of the Philippine Immigration Act.”

“They will also be expelled and blacklisted from the country,” Morente said.

The foreign nationals were composed of 259 Indians, 230 Chinese, 14 Koreans, 11 Japanese, five Taiwanese, three Vietnamese, and a German, Burmese, Nigerian, Nepalese, Sudanese and a Yemeni.