DOJ eyes outsourcing visa issuance functions

Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla. (File Photo: Boying Remulla/Facebook)

MANILA – The government is considering outsourcing the process of issuing visas following the discovery of irregularities in visas issued to Chinese travelers.

Department of Justice (DOJ) Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla told the media on Monday that they would recommend to President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. that instead of the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) handling the visas of Chinese nationals entering the Philippines, it will be handled by visa outsourcing and technology services specialist VFS Global.

VFS Global works with governments and diplomatic missions worldwide, with more than 3,000 application centers and operations in 149 countries.

“VFS has the capability to check the authenticity of submitted data,” Remulla said in Filipino.

Remulla said anomalous visas are usually processed through travel agencies and companies, delivered to recipients without undergoing scrutiny.

He said the matter has been discussed with the DFA and the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) for plans to delegate the function to VFS Global.

“Mas malaking problema ang papasok sapagkat maraming national security issues na involved sa mga dayuhan na papasok ng Pilipinas (You will have bigger problems coming in because there are many national security issues involved with foreigners entering the Philippines),” he said.

Remulla said he has already ordered an investigation into alleged illegally issued visas, particularly to Chinese nationals.