Tourist Visa Immigration law "modernization" visa changes

arrrgh Jim lad

 

I think the main reason for this law and as mentioned before is the fact it includes a salary upgrade for BI personnel.

 

The sound of petition going plop into a trash bin.

 

Good video and this girl is certainly no pea-brain. Refreshing to see a Filipina on Youtube wanting to give information as clearly as she can and not simply show herself off.

For those who were too busy to view it, the main facts (subject to he final version of the law) appear to be:

1. The visa on entry will allow for a stay of 59 days and not the 30 days currently. Good.
2. A Visa obtained before entering the country will allow an initial 90 days. Good.
3. Both Visas above will allow extensions to a total of 36 months, as currently. Good.
4. Every foreigner will have to obtain exit-clearance irrespective of the time spent in the country. BAD!
5. No mention in the video about the BB waiver.

With tourism still re-building every country really wants to make entry and exit seamless - and the Philippines already starts with a low tourist base compared with countries like Thailand. So make life easy and take tourists away from countries where there are some hassles!

The exit-clearance system is not always easy and can be time consuming - so how many tourists will come for a short stay if they know the hassle they will have to go through to obtain a 'Get out of jail card'? It used to be the case in the UK that many Filipinos overstayed after entering as a student or on a limited work Visa and then worked in the black economy - followed by simply leaving! I am not sure if that is still the case. I think the government was pleased just to see them go and saw no point getting their knickers in a twist about it (and why not?).

So tourists will start to rethink visits here if they know they have to apply to get out again! They may well find (with the obvious increase in the number of people requiring an exit-clearance and the bureaucratic incompetency of the country) that most of their visit is taken up with the process and stress of ensuring they can get out again in time. This will especially be so if they are not near an immigration office that provides exit-clearances (does Boracay, for example?). There is the chance you can get one at the airport but it would be unwise to rely on that. Not a sensible move I think on this one issue. It might prove to be a shot in the foot for short-term tourism.

On another point: It is said that an exit-clearance is required to ensure that the foreigner has not committed any crime and that (according to the expert on the video) it will be valid for 30 days - therefore anyone who obtains an exit-clearance and then commits undetected crime for the next 29 days will be fine! Have I missed something?

 

I read the proposal, and to my understanding the exit clearance is not required unless you have gone over 59 days. This is the same as now. You don't believe? It is just something you pay when you extend or at the airport. I shall quote the Philippine Embassy.