Thursday, August 28, 2008 BI to issue visa to foreign traders By Reynaldo G. Navales
CLARK FREEPORT -- The Bureau of Immigration (BI) has announced its plan to issue non-immigrant visa to foreign businessmen who wish to invest in the country and employ at least 10 Filipinos.
BI Commissioner Marcelo Libanan said the bureau is not only keeping the country safe from outside threats, but it is also doing its part to help keep the economy afloat.
"This program is our contribution to the efforts of the Arroyo administration to generate more job for our countrymen and spur the growth of investments in our country," Libanan said.
The business sector welcomed the plan of Libanan to allow the indefinite stay of foreigners engaged in certain businesses or industries, which promote employment and improve the living standards and quality of life of Filipinos.
After a series of public hearings, a draft executive order of the implementing guidelines for the visa will be submitted to Malacañang for approval by the President, Libanan said.
He explained that the proposal aims to make it easier for foreigners to do business in the country by waiving the requirements for their visa applications and granting them privilege to stay here indefinitely.
"We make it easy for investors to acquire visa that allows indefinite stay in the country so we encourage them to become serious investors in capital and technology," he said.
The immigration chief was recently cited by the US government for its effective campaign to keep terrorists out of the country.
"Public interest warrants that these documentary restrictions be waived and the foreigners concerned be admitted as special non-immigrants under our immigration act," he added.
The special non-immigrant visa shall be issued to certain classes of aliens particularly those engaged in "viable and sustainable professional, micro-/macro financing, entrepreneurial, corporate, banking, scientific, technological, industrial, telecommunications, tele-transcriptions, eco-tourism, medico-pharmaceutical, herbal-therapeutic, and commercial enterprises."
The proposed rules state that the business or industry of the visa applicant must provide business opportunities or employment to at least 10 Filipinos.
Qualified applicants shall then be considered special non-immigrants with indefinite stay in the Philippines. They may avail of the visa without need of prior departure from the country.
Allowing foreigners to stay indefinitely in the country will not violate any law as the President has the power to waive the documentary restrictions for aliens and change their admission status to special non-immigrants, according to Ronaldo Ledesma, executive chairman of the BI board of special inquiry.
Ledesma also cited the 1987 Constitution which declares the policy to promote full employment, a rising standard of living and an improved quality of life for all Filipinos.
