The Bureau of Immigration (BI) on Thursday said that it expects a significant increase in foreign tourists by the end of the year.
According to BI Tourist Visa Section Chief Raymond Remigio, they saw more than 91,000 tourist visa extensions during the first half of 2023.
“This is a significant increase from July to December of last year when we only saw around 77,000 extensions,” said Remigio. “Our aggressive information campaign, and our efforts to make applications easier for the transacting public has definitely contributed to this rise,” he stated.
Commissioner Tansingco shared that they project a 20% increase in tourist visa extensions in the next six months.
“We fully support the Department of Tourism’s drive to invite tourists to visit and stay longer in the Philippines. The recent launch of our online visa extension is a significant step to make it easy for foreign nationals to comply with BI policies and prevent them from overstaying,” said Tansingco. “Whether they choose to apply for extensions on-site or on-line, it will definitely be easy and convenient for them,” he added.
Remigio also reported that on-site tourist visa extensions can now be processed while you wait.
BI projects 20% increase in foreign tourists
“With our streamlined operations, and with the management introducing online options, foreign nationals will definitely be feel the change and improvements of our Bureau,” he stated. “Commissioner Tansingco’s thrust is to modernize the BI’s operations, in line with the President’s vision of using technologies for the efficient delivery of public service,” he added.
Meanwhile, BI reminded departing international passengers to check-in at least three hours prior to their flight.
Tansingco issued the reminder in response to a viral complaint of a male passenger who alleged that he was left by his flight due to the conduct of secondary inspection.
Secondary inspection is a standard security protocol conducted for passengers who may have exhibited cautionary indicators, as part of the BI’s role under the Department of Justice – Inter-Agency Council Against Trafficking or IACAT.
The BI shared that last year, its operations at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) Terminal 3 had 26 counters, but with the expansions done by the Manila International Airport Authority (MIAA), the number rose to 42 working stations.
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