BI: Annual reporting of foreigners starts Jan. 4 up to March 1

“The law requires all foreign nationals to report annually within the first 60 days of a calendar year. They have only until March 1 to comply,” Immigration Commissioner Jaime Morente said in a statement. (File Photo: Bureau of Immigration, Republic of the Philippines/Facebook)

MANILA – Foreigners issued immigrant and non-immigrant visas may visit starting today until March 1 the Bureau of Immigration’s offices nationwide for the law-mandated annual reporting.

“The law requires all foreign nationals to report annually within the first 60 days of a calendar year. They have only until March 1 to comply,” Immigration Commissioner Jaime Morente said in a statement.

Foreign nationals are reminded to register with the online appointment system to obtain their slots via http://e-services.immigration.gov.ph to set a schedule for their annual report.

“We reiterate that to achieve social distancing we will not allow the entry of walk-in foreigners who want to make their annual report. They have to obtain their schedule via our online appointment system,” Morente said.

A total of 800 slots for the annual report is reserved per day, while Saturdays are reserved for those availing the services of accredited entities and remote reporting for bulk applicants.

Lawyer Jose Carlitos Licas, BI alien registration division chief, said embassies or foreign groups may request remote annual reporting if the number of reportees exceeds 10 individuals.

Foreigners who are out of the country during the 60-day period can still make the report within 30 days from the date of their return to the country, so long as their re-entry permits are still valid.

“Aliens must present their original ACR I-Card and valid passport and pay a PHP300 annual report fee and PHP10 legal research fee,” Licas said.

Parents or guardians of aliens, aged 14 and below can make the report for the young foreign nationals.

Senior citizens and persons with disabilities are exempted from personal appearance and may make their report through a representative with a special power of attorney.

The annual report of aliens is provided under the Alien Registration Act of 1950. Failure to comply may be meted sanctions, including fines, visa cancellation, deportation, and imprisonment.