The Bureau of Immigration (BI) advised foreigners who are leaving the country during the upcoming Undas holiday break, to comply with their immigration departure requirements early, and avoid unnecessary queuing at the airport during the date of their flights.
In an advisory, Immigration Commissioner Norman Tansingco reminded registered foreigners who are permanently living, working, or studying in the Philippines, that they may secure their re-entry permit (RP) or special return certificate (SRC) prior to departure in any of the different BI’s district, field, satellite and extension offices nationwide.
On the other hand, foreign tourists who have stayed in the country for more than six months may also secure their emigration clearance certificates (ECC) before departure.
Tansingco said securing the required permits early will decrease queueing time in half, as they will not have to line up at the BI’s airport cashiers anymore.
“We are expecting a surge in passengers at their airport this coming Undas, and this time we are seeing a tremendous increase in volume of New Year’s Day travelers with the total lifting of all Covid-related travel restrictions,” the BI Chief said.
The BI Chief reminded that other immigration services are also available online, via the BI’s e-services portal at e-services.immigration.gov.ph.
BI asks departing aliens to settle their fees early
He shared that the Bureau also has a one-stop shop (OSS) facility at Terminal 3 of the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) in Pasay City, where departing aliens may also secure the said documents.
Tansingco also reiterated previous reminders for passengers to arrive at least three hours prior to their flight, and go straight to immigration after check in.
He said that they are confident that operations will be more smooth this holiday season as they have deployed additional immigration officers, and have assigned a rapid response team as well as mobile counters for immediate deployment as necessary.
Meanwhile, BI operatives arrested on Tuesday, a South Korean wanted by authorities in his country for being an alleged member of a big-time drug syndicate that smuggles illegal drugs into Korea from the Philippines.
Immigration Commissioner Norman Tansingco said 56-year-old Choi Sun Hyeok was arrested at his residence in Bgy. Lahug, Cebu City by elements from the BI’s Fugitive Search Unit (FSU).
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