Foreign nationals asked to report to immigration starting January
CLARK FREEPORT -- Foreign nationals registered with the Bureau of Immigration (BI) were reminded to report in person to the agency starting this January.
BI Commissioner Jaime Morente said the annual report of aliens is in compliance with the Alien Registration Act of 1950, which requires all aliens with immigrant and non-immigrant visas to report in person to the Bureau within the first 60 days of every calendar year.
The 2021 annual report period of aliens will be held from January 1 up to March 1.
Morente urged foreigners to immediately register with the BI’s online appointment system at http:/ / e-services. immigration.gov.phso they would be given their schedules on when they will make their annual report.
“As with all other transactions, we will not allow the entry of walkin foreigners who wish to make their annual report. They have to obtain their schedule via our online appointment system,” the BI chief stressed. Eight hundred slots for the AR is reserved per day, while Saturdays are reserved for those availing the services of accredited entities, as well as remote AR for bulk applicant s."
Remote AR, according to Morente, may be requested by embassies or foreign groups, and may be considered if the number of reportees exceeds 10 individuals.
He explained that under the law, foreigners who are holders of immigrant and non-immigrant visas and were issued alien certificate of registration identity card (ACR I-Card) are required to make the annual report.
“Failure to do so may result in fines, visa cancelation, deportation, or imprisonment,” Morente warned.
Aside from the BI main office in Intramuros, Manila, aliens may also report to the nearest participating BI field, satellite or extension office, he said.
Lawyer Jose Carlitos Licas, BI alien registration chief, said foreigners who are out of the country during the 60day period can still make the report within 30 days from the date of their return to the country as long as their reentry permits are still valid.
Aliens must present their original ACR I-Card and valid passport as well as pay a P300-annual report fee and P10-legal research fee, Licas said.
For aliens below the age of 14, Licas said their parent or guardian can make the report for them. Senior citizens and persons with disability are exempted from personal appearance, he added, and may file through a representative with a Special Power of Attorney.