BI eases expiring visa rules during quarantine period

MANILA, Philippines — The Bureau of Immigration (BI) on Thursday said foreigners whose visa will expire during the Luzon-wide enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) period will not be charged penalties as long as they file their applications within 30 days from the lifting of the quarantine.

BI Commissioner Jaime Morente made the announcement as he urged foreigners in the country to stay at home instead of going out to apply for visa application amid the ECQ imposed in Luzon due to the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic.

“We have eased immigration requirements for foreigners who remain in the Philippines during the ECQ,” Morente said.

“Aliens anywhere in the Philippines whose visas will expire during the period, shall not be charged penalties as long as they file their applications within 30 days from the lifting of the ECQ,” he added.

Morente, however, reiterated that applications filed 30 days after the lifting of the quarantine and those whose visas expired prior to the declaration of the ECQ will not be exempt from penalties.

Morente said that foreigners who decided to stay in the Philippines are advised to follow ECQ protocols “as this is our best solution to buy time in the fight against COVID-19.”

“We are issuing this reiteration as there are still some aliens proceeding to our offices to file for extensions despite the quarantine,” Morente said.

“For everyone’s safety, please stay at home,” he added.

President Rodrigo Duterte earlier placed the entire Luzon under enhanced community quarantine as a part of the government’s effort to prevent the spread of the viral respiratory illness.

Under the enhanced community quarantine, “strict home quarantine shall be implemented in all households; transportation shall be suspended; provision for food and essential services shall be regulated; and heightened presence of uniformed personnel to enforce quarantine procedures will be implemented.”

GSG