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

Would be ludicrous but ...

 

Immigration office here in Dumaguete is fully functioning and processing tourist visa extension as usual (been there Thursday).

"I've been stuck on siquijor" might still be a valid excuse for a missed extension...

 

Huh. Well, after actually reading the below, it seems that BI may intend to deny entry to any foreigner not accompanied by a Filipino spouse. 13a, SRRV, etc. I should have read this thing a bit more thoroughly when I first saw it...

http://www.immigration.gov.ph/images/News/2020_Yr/03_Mar/2020Mar20b_Press.pdf

PRESS RELEASE

2020 March 20

BI to implement DFA circular on suspension of arrivals

MANILA, Philippines—Bureau of Immigration (BI) Commissioner Jaime Morente announced that they will be implementing the restricted entry of foreign nationals in the country starting March 22.

Said move follows the issuance of a Foreign Service Circular by the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) suspending visa issuance and visa-free privileges for foreign nationals arriving in the Philippines due to the declaration of a State of Calamity throughout the Philippines because of the Covid-2019, and the declaration of a public health emergency throughout the Philippines.

According to Morente, all issuance for entry visas for visa-required foreign nationals were suspended by the DFA, while all previously-issued visas are deemed cancelled.

The DFA circular adds that visa-free privileges of foreign nationals are likewise temporarily suspended.

Currently, nationals of 157 countries enjoy visa free privileges. These countries include the South Korea, United States of America, Canada, Japan, and Singapore.

South Korea remains the top arrival in the country with more than 2.1M arrivals in 2019.

Exempted from this suspension are foreign spouses and children who are traveling with the Filipino national, foreign crew members, as well as foreign government and International Organization officials accredited to the Philippines.

“We will be implementing it in 48 hours, or 12mn of March 22, 2020 to give ample time to the DFA to inform foreign posts and embassies,” said Morente.

The suspension of visa issuance and visa-free privileges is tantamount to a total suspension of the entry of foreign nationals. “Following the direction of the DFA who decides on our foreign policy, we will likewise be temporarily restricting the entry of foreign nationals who have converted to both immigrant and non-immigrant visas, those under visa waiver agreements, as well as special visa holders,” said Morente. “Only Filipinos, their spouse and children, foreign diplomats, and foreign crew members will be allowed entry,” he clarified. #

 

But then this posting on the DOT FB page says 'show proof of marriage' is enough. *shrug*

 

Very useful info! My wife will be travelling here alone in May (rebooked from March, been on the phone for hours with PAL to accomplish this!). Not thrilled about it, but that's what she wants. But I've been mildly concerned if the foreign national ban is still on at that time (hopefully not), that I would be blocked from entering if she had some type of emergency. Looks like I'd be OK with our marriage cert.

 

SRRV not allowed entry according to the BI notice? I'm a little surprised by that.
Also interesting, the DFA announcement it references DOESN'T say SRRV is prohibited from entry:


https://f.datasrvr.com/f1/720/49582/FSC29-2020.jpg

 

I understand your issue with rejoining your wife if necessary but I suggest you are cautious basing anything on what you are told - they just don't stick with rules and regulations, they change them more than I change my underwear and each individual official is a 'law unto itself'.

I am pretty sure that travel regulations will be in place for some time as the virus is going to ravage the world for many months.

May I ask if your wife will be staying in Luzon - are there any ways for her to travel elsewhere? With domestic travel shut down, the input of some into Manila (is that the only international airport open?) means Luzon is the riskiest place to be.

 

Appreciate your concern! Yes, I agree, the "rules" seem to be changing daily. Very frustrating for us, and for the airlines! My wife was originally scheduled to fly from the US on March 29. Her domestic flight was cancelled so she got a full refund, and because we didn't want her to be stuck in Manila she did a free rebooking on her international flight.
She feels the need to stop in Manila to check on some relatives. That's my real concern.
As of now she's rebooked to May 10, with onward flight to Dumaguete a few days later. This is well outside the original and enhanced quarantines, so Manila hotels are accepting reservations for that time period and domestic travel is reinstated - as of now, of course! Plenty of time to see how the situation unfolds. If things don't improve I told her we'll cancel the whole trip even though there may not be any refunds at that point.

 

THE SRRV IS, repeat, IS, A VISA... Sounds to me like the restriction includes it. Mikal's excellent posting from the BurOf Immigration specifically mentions SRRV holders not getting in. I think it means if you leave and go to another country, China, US, Iran, Italy, you ain't gettin back in for the near future... If you're here, probably not a good idea to leave. The "cancelled" part was modified when another advisory said " expiration dates are waived until 30 days after the lifting of one of the government advisories (not sure which, should keep track) and "renewals" accepted until 30 days after, etc etc...

<<The SRRV is the Special Resident Retiree's Visa that is issued by the Philippines Bureau of Immigration under the retirement program of the Philippine Retirement Authority (PRA). It gives the holder the privilege to multiple entries to the Philippines and the right to permanently reside in the country.>>

 

Well, you obviously have the brains necessary to make the correct decisions - so best wishes that the trip will eventually take place.