BI urges airlines not to board aliens without visas

THE Bureau of Immigration (BI) appealed to different airlines not to board foreigners who do not have appropriate visas to enter the country.

Immigration Commissioner Jaime Morente said he made the appeal following reports of foreigners who were turned back at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) for not having visas.

He said similar reports of excluded foreign passengers were also received from the international airports in Mactan, Cebu and Clark, Pampanga.

According to Morente, it is the responsibility of the airlines to see to it that foreigners traveling to the Philippines have visas, as they themselves would be inconvenienced if their passengers are excluded upon arriving at the airports.

"Apart from shouldering the cost of returning these aliens to their port or origin, it is also the responsibility of the airlines to defray the expenses of their accommodation at the airport while awaiting their return flights," the BI chief added.

Morente urged the airlines to keep themselves updated on the latest issuances on international travel from the Inter-Agency Task Force on Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF).

He said these issuances are posted on the BI's website and other social media accounts for the information of the traveling public and the bureau's stakeholders.

Lawyer Candy Tan, BI Port Operations Division chief, said they have constantly reminded airlines not to board improperly documented aliens.

"We understand that sudden change in policy happens worldwide because of the pandemic. Borders keep on opening and closing, depending on the number of Covid-19 cases," said Tan. "Hence we are in close coordination with airlines to update them on the policies as directed by the IATF. We are thankful for their cooperation, it's a difficult time for everyone, especially for the airline industry, and through their support we are able to implement these measures to avoid the surge of cases in the country."

She said the bulk of the excluded foreign nationals are those who have Filipino spouses and children in the country but do not have any visas at all.

"What they have in their possession are usually their marriage certificates and the birth certificates of their children," Tan added.

Restrictions for arriving passengers have been partially lifted by the IATF.

Foreign nationals with visas pursuant to Executive Order 226, as amended by Republic Act 8756, those with 47(a)2 visas, and those visas issued by the Aurora Pacific Economic Zone and Freeport Authority, as well as the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority are now allowed to enter the country.

Foreign nationals with visas under EO 226, as amended by RA 8756 are those working as executives of multinational companies in the Philippines. Those with 47(a)2 visas are special non-immigrants whose visas are granted by the Department of Justice, while Aurora and Subic-issued visas are under special economic zones.

Filipinos, their spouse and minor children, foreign children with special needs of Filipinos, foreign parent of minor Filipinos, and foreign parent of Filipino children with special needs were allowed to enter the country are allowed to enter the country as well.

Tan emphasized that those who are eligible to enter under a tourist status are still required to secure an entry visa from Philippine embassies or consulates, prior to arrival.

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