THE Bureau of Immigration (BI) has given foreigners stranded in the Philippines until November 30, 2021, to renew their visas.
For humanitarian reasons, BI Commissioner Jaime Morente said the agency is allowing foreigners whose converted visas expired from March 16, 2020 up to July 4, 2021, to file their applications for visa renewal or amendment up to November 30.
Morente said this deadline will not be extended. He warned aliens who fail to renew visas before the said date will be subjected to deportation proceedings for illegally staying in the country.
Foreigners with expiring visas were also given a grace period of six months from the expiry of their visas to file for renewal or extension.
"The order applies to renewal and amendment of already converted visas, meaning those who have work, student, or resident visas here. Grace period does not apply to tourists in the country," Morente said.
The chief said the order was issued in response to numerous requests from foreigners.
The Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases also requested the BI to give foreigners a grace period.
Morente stressed that the privilege may only be availed by foreigners who never left the country since the Covid-19 pandemic started.