BI main office scales down operations

August 4, 2020

The Bureau of Immigration (BI) announced that starting Tuesday it is temporarily suspending its online appointment system for foreign clients at the agency's main office in Intramuros due to the reimposition of the modified enhanced community quarantine in Metro Manila.

In a public advisory, BI Commissioner Jaime Morente advised clients with confirmed appointments from August 8 to 18 may reapply for new schedules to transact after modified enhanced community quarantine (MECQ) is lifted.

Morente explained that suspending the online scheme was necessary because the BI will revert to a skeletal workforce at its main office while MECQ is in effect.

Nonetheless, the BI chief disclosed that the online appointment system will remain open to foreigners who are scheduled or are intending to leave the Philippines during the MECQ period.

He said the system will continue to reserve slots for departing aliens who need to secure their emigration clearance certificate (ECC), re-entry pernit and pay their updating or extension fees.

Morente said outbound foreigners should present their confirmed flight bookings or plane tickets prior to entering the bureau's premises.

According to the advisory, the following transactions at the main office are suspended:

-Applications for conversion to or renewal of immigrant visa

- Petition for recognition as Philippine citizens, including Republic Act 9225 or the dual citizenship law

- Downgrading of visa status

- Tourist visa extension

- Special work permits (SWP) and provisional permit to work (PPW)

- Renewal of alien certificate of registration (ACR I-Cards)

- Implementation of applications for visa conversion or extension approved by the bureau's board of commissioners (BOC)

The BI advised departing aliens who overstayed here for not more than six months to just pay their updating extension fees at the airport. DMS