Philippines further eases entry rules on foreigners

The Philippines said yesterday it will further relax its rules on the entry of foreigners starting next month, opening its doors to holders of investor’s visas.

The nation is gradually restarting the economy amid the coronavirus pandemic.

Presidential spokesman Harry Roque said the national task force managing the spread of coronavirus met on Thursday and decided on the measure that will take effect on Nov 1.

Mr Roque said it applies to holders of 47(A)(2) special non-immigrant visas, a company-specific visa that requires the employer’s sponsorship, as well as visas issued by the Aurora Pacific Economic Zone and Freeport Authority and the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority.

“They should have a pre-booked appointment t o an accredited quarantine facility,” he said. In August, the Philippines reopened its borders to foreign nationals with existing long-term visas.

“For us, around 150, maybe 200 Japanese have returned since then,” Nobuo Fujii, executive director and vice-president of the Japanese Chamber of Commerce and Industry of the Philippines, told Kyodo News.

He said that he hopes the new move will help more foreign business people return.

“We truly appreciate this deregulation for business promotion,” said Takashi Ishihara, the executive director of the Japan External Trade Organisation’s office in Manila. “Needless to say, public health and safety is top priority.”

As of Thursday, the Philippines had recorded 363,888 cases of the disease, with 6,783 deaths.