Bureau of Immigration (BI) Commissioner Norman Tansingco on Thursday, issued a reminder to certain travelers who are required to present additional documentary requirements before they may be cleared for departure.
He urged foreign tourists who have stayed in the country for more than six months, to secure their emigration clearance certificates in any of the different BI’s district, field, satellite and extension offices nationwide.
He also reminded that registered foreigners with ACR I-Cards may secure their re-entry permits in other BI offices or at the BI NAIA one-stop-shop before proceeding to their flight.
He said securing their required permits early “will decrease queueing time in half, because they will not have to fall in line in the separate counter for immigration cashiers”.
Tansingco also reminded Filipino government officials and employees to present their required authority to travel abroad from their respective department heads.
He also advised parents of unaccompanied minors to make sure that the latter secure the required clearance from the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) prior to their flight.
BI reminds issues reminders on required travel documents
The BI likewise urged overseas-bound travelers to check-in at least three hours before their flight and proceed directly to the immigration area for processing to avoid airport congestion.
Tansingco said that while slight queues in immigration are expected, they have ensured that their manpower are in full force during the peak season.
The BI earlier reported fielding 155 additional immigration officers to ensure that all counters are fully manned to service arriving and departing passengers.
He added that the recently-installed e-gates at the BI’s arrival areas in major international airports are also expected to decrease processing time from 45 seconds to as low as 8 seconds.
The BI said it expects the number of travelers to rise starting this weekend.
Meanwhile, the Bureau of Immigration (BI) announced the arrest of two foreign fugitives wanted by authorities in their countries for serious crimes.
Immigration Commissioner Norman Tansingco said the two aliens, a South Korean and a Chinese national, were arrested recently in separate operations conducted by the BI’s Fugitive Search Unit (FSU) in Pampanga and Manila.
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