Philippines suspends visa issuance as worldwide COVID-19 cases soar – Locsin

https://cnnphilippines.com/news/202...ance-suspension-Locsin-coronavirus-COVID.html

Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, March 19)— The Philippines will temporarily stop issuing visas to all foreigners and cancel existing ones amid the global threat of the coronavirus disease, the country's top diplomat said Thursday.

"Starting today, all our Embassies and Consulates will temporarily suspend visa issuance to all foreign nationals as well as the visa-free privileges of all foreign nationals," Foreign Affairs Secretary Teodoro “Teddyboy” Locsin Jr. tweeted.


Teddy Locsin Jr.

✔@teddyboylocsin

# here it is. Cleared with Berna because this concerns her.


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5:16 PM - Mar 19, 2020
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"Moreover, all previously issued Philippine visas to foreign nationals are deemed cancelled," he added. "Visas already issued to foreign spouses and children of Filipino nationals remain valid."


Teddy Locsin Jr.

✔@teddyboylocsin

We are stopping the issuance of visas from all posts abroad and here. This goes one imperative step forward: a total ban on incoming foreign visitors of all nationalities no exceptions. Outgoing foreign visitors should be given all the help to get out. Idiotic to detain them. https://twitter.com/cnni/status/1240520656070103041 …

CNN International

✔@cnni

Starting tomorrow, Australia will no longer allow entry to non-Australian citizens or residents, unless they are direct family members of Australians. https://cnn.it/2wjwOhG
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4:00 PM - Mar 19, 2020
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Prior to that tweet, Locsin said the government may "consider"suspending visa issuance at least for the month-long quarantine period enforced in Luzon, where the country's main airport is located. He said the agency will consult the Tourism Department about the possible move.

He also earlier said the DFA was looking into halting all visa-free privileges except for neighboring nations in Southeast Asia. His new tweet, however, shows visa-free privilege for visitors from the rest of the 10-member the Association of Southeast Asian Nations will also be temporarily stopped.

Currently, over a hundred countries— including African, European, and South American nations— enjoy the visa-free policy in the Philippines.

The government also earlier imposed travel restrictions on foreign visitors coming from China, Hong Kong, Macau and South Korea's North Gyeongsang province due to growing concerns about the spread of COVID-19. These include the Immigration Bureau's temporary suspension of the visa upon arrival scheme for Chinese nationals.

The rapid spike in COVID-19 cases in the Philippines— which topped 200 as of Thursday— prompted President Rodrigo Duterte to place the entire Luzon under "enhanced" community quarantine.

The directive restricts movement of people, and bans Luzon-wide transportation services including land, air, and sea travel until April 13.

Globally, the infectious disease has affected more than 218,000 people in 158 different countries including China, where the mysterious virus first spread. The death toll from COVID-19 has also reached over 8,800 worldwide— with 17 fatalities recorded in the Philippines.

 

I don't see any info on visa renewal's issued by Bureau of Immigration to long term residents or SRRV holders. There has to be some exemption, or some rabid clerk will take everything literally ??

 

I was just thinking that. I'm going to file this under the category of "Another overly broad and/or vague decree that we'll get back to you with details - when we actually figure them out!"

Some of the reports also said that it will affect EXISTING visas. I don't even want to think about the mess that would cause (and I don't think it will happen).

 

Which foreigners are banned from entering the Philippines has been a roller-coaster ride just in the last few days: China & some provinces-->ALL countries with localized COVID-19 infections-->China & some provinces+Italy+Iran without health certificate-->EVERYONE!

 

The last sentence of the below advisory should help clarify things. This is (apparently) intended for inbound travelers, not foreign nationals already in-country. And this is from the DFA - they don't issue SRRVs, PRA (part of the Department of Tourism) does.

https://www.facebook.com/dfaphl/

Department of Foreign Affairs, Republic of the Philippines added a new photo to the album: #DFAAdvisory (2020).
7 hrs ·
PUBLIC ADVISORY: On the Temporary Suspension of Visa Issuance and Visa-free Privilege

19 March 2020 – The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) informs the public that it is temporarily suspending visa issuance in all its Foreign Service Posts effective immediately and will be valid and effective until further notice.

The temporary suspension of visa issuance is in light of Proclamation No. 922, dated 08 March 2020, declaring a "State of Public Health Emergency" throughout the Philippines; and Proclamation No. 929, dated 16 March 2020, declaring a "State of Calamity" throughout the Philippines due to Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19).

With the temporary suspension, all visa-free privileges including those based on Visa Waiver Agreements, those under Executive Order 408, s.1960, and for holders of Hong Kong and Macau SAR passports, Macau-Portuguese passports, and British National Overseas passports, are likewise temporarily suspended, effective 22 March 2020.

It is to be noted, however, that foreign spouses and children of Filipino nationals are exempted from this temporary suspension.

The temporary suspension of visa issuance will deem all previously issued visas canceled, and foreigners with visas issued by Philippine Foreign Service Posts (primarily 9a Temporary Visitor/Tourist visas) will not be allowed entry into the country starting 22 March 2020.

However, visas previously issued to accredited Foreign Government and International Organization officials and their dependents will remain valid and will be honored when entering the country even after said date. The same is true for previously issued visas to foreign spouses and children of Filipino nationals.

This temporary suspension has no impact on foreign nationals that are already in the country or on holders of visas issued by other government agencies. END

 

That should read "as well as the visa-free ENTRY privileges" - so making it a decree that is simply saying 'don't come here foreigners as you will have no entry rights'.

 

The logic seems to be that they are cancelling existing visas for people who have not yet entered - so they don't turn up expecting to get in (which, given the state of people's thinking on this crisis, is very possible).

I see no reason they would want to impose draconian immigration-type measures on visa-holders in the country as it serves no purpose and it would be just another loss of money in the short term and long term.

 

Alien Visas remain valid, note the paragraph after #7; "All aliens whose visas will expire during the duration of the Enhanced Community Quarantine shall be allowed to file their applications for extension provided they file their appllications within 30 days from the lifting of the ECQ..

 

That advisory is only applicable to Luzon. I've seen several folks that live outside of Luzon read that advisory and say 'OK, great, I'll just hold off on renewing.' That would be a big mistake when your local BI is open and functioning. In Luzon they had decided to have the BI offices focus on some things other than extensions. But that's Luzon, not Cebu, not Negros, not Bohol.

 

Good Point Mikal, someone needs to clarify policy for Negros, althou it would be ludicrous if it was different.