March 1 last day for foreigners’ annual reporting

THE Bureau of Immigration (BI) reminded all foreign nationals that the deadline for their annual reporting is March 1.

Immigration Commissioner Norman Tansingco said on Monday the 60-day reporting period will not be extended and failure to comply could result in fines or even deportation.

“We have transferred our annual reporting operations to more accessible locations, and have put up an online portal for virtual reporting,” said Tansingco.

“What we are doing is facilitative — we want to make it easier for foreign nationals to comply with the law to ensure better regulation,” he added.

To streamline the process, the BI has outlined specific requirements, including a filled-out online registration accessible via the BI’s e-services website.

Foreign nationals must also present their original alien certificate of registration identity card (ACR I-Card) with valid visas, along with a valid passport.

All foreigners holding immigrant and non-immigrant visas who were issued an ACR I-Card are required to physically report annually to the BI.

Exempted are foreigners who are below 14 years old or over 60 years old, those mentally or physically incapacitated, pregnant women, and foreigners with medical conditions.

“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,” Tansingco said.

The physical annual report for the BI’s head office is being conducted at the 3rd Level Center Atrium, Robinsons Manila, and at the Government Service Express (GSE) Unit of SM Mall of Asia, from Mondays to Fridays, between 9 a.m. and 6 p.m.

Other BI offices may also cater to reporting foreigners.

The virtual annual report for foreign nationals present in the Philippines during the annual report period may also be downloaded from the BI’s e-services platform at http://e-services. immigration.gov.ph.