BI asks foreigners to register

THE Bureau of Immigration (BI) has reminded registered foreign nationals in the Philippines to comply with the mandatory annual report, which must be completed from Jan. 1 to March 1, as part of strict alien registration and immigration monitoring.

In a statement on Saturday, the BI said the requirement is mandated under Section 10 of Republic Act No. 562, the Alien Registration Act of 1950, as amended, which requires all registered aliens to report annually to the bureau.

Foreign nationals are required to complete online registration through the BI e-services portal and present a valid Alien Certificate of Registration Identity Card (ACR I-Card) or original paper-based ACR, a valid passport, and the official receipt for payment of the previous year’s Annual Report fee during reporting.

“The in-person Annual Report for the BI Main Office in Intramuros will be conducted at Robinsons Place Manila (3rd Level, Center Atrium) from 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., Mondays to Fridays, except holidays,” the agency added.

The BI also announced that a virtual Annual Report system remains available for qualified foreign nationals who are physically present in the Philippines and hold valid visas. The online system operates on a 24-hour basis, including weekends and holidays, allowing registrants to complete the process and pay the assessed fees via digital payment methods through the BI e-services platform.

The bureau stressed that registered foreign nationals who intend to depart the country must settle their Annual Report obligations before an Emigration Clearance Certificate can be issued.

“Failure to comply with the Annual Report requirement may subject the concerned foreign national to administrative fines or prosecution, in accordance with existing laws,” the BI said. — Erika Mae P. Sinaking