Foreigners in The Philippines: Please take note!

 

 

The Bureau of Immigration (BI) has warned foreigners that the policy requiring an emigration clearance certificate (ECC) before they leave the country will be strictly enforced this year. 

 

Immigration Commissioner Siegfred Mison said Tuesday the ECC is being issued to departing foreigner nationals to prove that they have no derogatory records in the country or any accountability with other government agencies.

There are two types of ECC that can be secured at any BI satellite office in the country and airports: The ECC-A is being issued to foreigners who have tourist visas extending for more than six months. The ECC-B, on the other hand, is given to holders of immigrant and non-immigrant visas with valid alien certificate registration I-Cards. 

Immigration officials said the ECC has been a requirement for departing foreigners since the leadership of Immigration Commissioner Ricardo David but it was only now that it would be strictly implemented and monitored. 

Mison likewise warned foreigners not to procure fake ECC forms that are being offered by fixers, dubious law offices and shady travel agencies. He said an alien found in possession of spurious documents will be charged with violation of immigrations laws. 

The new directive came amid warnings about foreign nationals who are involved in illicit drug trafficking and cybercrimes.

Stronger Bonds with International Community

President Benigo Aquino sought stronger bonds with the Philippines and the international Community as they face the new year.

The President thanked the international community anew for the help they gave to Filipinos affected by calamities.

"As President, I am filled with happiness and hope, knowing full well that the New Year provides many opportunities to deepen our cooperation and strengthen the partnerships we have forget, " he said.

He added the Filipino people remember who their friends are, and will look for ways to repay those who stood by them in the most difficult times as part of "utang ng loob".

The President referred to the help from the international community to victims of last year's calamities, including the magnitude-7.2 quake that shook Central Visayas, and super typhoon "Yolanda" (Haiyan), which devastated Eastern Visayas and Southern Luzon.

Newly Crowned Miss International 2013

The year 2013 certainly ended on a sweet note with the crowning of Miss Philippines Bea Rose Santiago as Miss International 2013 in Japan on December 2013. During an interview with talk show host Boy Abunda in BANDILA, the model-turned beauty queen admits to undergo some lifestyle changes such as eating healthier meals and excercising almost every day.

Allow me to quote Bea:

"The whole world saw how my country suffered. One by one other countries helped. You have opened my heart and eyes on what we can do to help each other. I will uphold international camaraderie to sustain the spirit of sympathy and to continually share the message of hope. I believe that whatever calamity may come to us , as long as we have each other there will be hope!"

Very well said, Miss International 2013!

BI to Require Foreigners to Report Personally

Year after year the same procedere: Annual report for foreigners staying in the Philippines permanently. I have no problem with it.

The Bureau of Immigration (BI) is requiring all foreign nationals to report in person as a requirement for their continued stay in the country.

In the recent memorandum circular signed my Immigration Commissioner Siegfred Mison, foreign nationals staying in the Philippines are required to appear in person at the BI offices within the first 60 calender days of 2014.

Foreign nationals are asked to bring their ACR-card or paper-based ACR and accomplish an application form that can be downloaded from www.immigration.gov.ph or personally get a copy from any BI offices nationwide.

Mison said that foreign nationals  who are under 14 years of age or about 65 years old, imbecile, staying in a penal institution or confined in a hospital are not required to appear in person but those who can show sufficient proof of physical incapability to report in person can likewise send a representative to apply. 

Important: Application forms should be duly notarized before the heads of departments and divions of the BI.

HAPPY NEW YEAR! FROHES NEUES JAHR 2014!

"Shooting stars" from the brilliant Quadrantid meteor are kicking off a new year of skywatching for Filipinos.

According to the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical, and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) Acting Administrator Dr. Vicente Malano, the annual Quadrantid meteor show will be active from Jan.1 to Jan. 7.

He said the observation of its peak activity is Jan. 3-4 in which meteors or "falling stars" can be seen at the rate of at least 40 meteros per hour. The meteor shower will appear to radidate from the constellation of Bootes, which is below the Big Dipper constellation, in the northeast horizon.

Malano explained that the meteor shower hits the Earth's atmosphere at the rate of about 40 kilometers per second!

Good luck with your skywatching!

New Regulations for Foreign Tourists in The Philippines

Honorable Secretary of Justice (SOJ) Leila M. de Lima approved Immigration Memorandum Circular No. SBM 2013-003 on 23 December 2013 which was recommended by Bureau of Immigration (BI) Commissioner Siegfred B. Mison. Said issuance provides for the policies and guidelines on the extension and updating of temporary visitor’s visa (TVV).

Allowable Extensions

Foreigners admitted under Section 9 (a) of the Philippine Immigration Act (PIA) of 1940, as amended, or Executive Order No. 408, as amended, may extend their authorized stay every two (2) months for a total stay of not more than:
a) Twenty-four (24) months for visa-required nationals; and
b) Thirty-six (36) months for non-visa required nationals.

The said periods shall be counted from the date of applicant’s latest recorded arrival.

Foreigners with Derogatory Records

Foreigners included in the Bureau’s derogatory list shall be allowed to extend/ update their authorized stay as temporary visitors; Provided that, their inclusion in the derogatory list is not on the ground of having overstayed in the country.

Restrictions on Extension/Updating

The following applications for extension/ updating, accompanied by a sworn written explanation stating valid grounds and/or justifications with supporting documents, shall require the approval of the Commissioner:
a) Extensions of stay beyond the maximum allowable stay prescribed in Section 2 hereof; and
b) Foreigners who have overstayed for more than six (6) months but not exceeding twelve (12) months regardless if their stay is within the maximum allowable period.

Acquisition of Appropriate Visa/Permit

Foreigners may be granted an extension beyond the maximum allowable period provided that they shall secure appropriate visas/ permits during such extension and have not overstayed in any given period.

Overstaying Foreigners

Foreigners who have overstayed for twelve (12) months or less but have been in the country beyond the maximum allowable period already may be permitted to update their stay with order to leave the country within fifteen (15) calendar days therefrom and their names may be included in the Bureau’s blacklist upon the discretion of the Commissioner; Provided that, the Commissioner, in the exercise of sound judgment, may allow such foreigners to update and extend their stay taking into consideration their Filipino lineage, medical condition, minority and other analogous circumstances.

Foreigners who have overstayed for more than twelve (12) months regardless if their stay is within the maximum allowable period or those found to be overstaying by virtue to a complaint or Mission Order regardless of the period shall be referred for deportation.

Payment

In addition to the extension/ updating fees and other charges, the concerned foreigners shall be required to pay all immigration arrears imposed by Republic Act No. 562, as amended.

Allen meinen Leserinnen und Lesern:

Ein Frohes und Gesegnetes Weihnachtsfest und ein Frohes und Glueckliches Neues Jahr 2014!

My First German-Bisaya-English Radio Show...

Es war schon irgendwie aufregend. Und, es hat viel Spass gemacht. Ich war Gast bei ABS CBN in der Radiosendung von Ian Garcia, Freund, Mindanao Times Kolumnist, Chefredakteur des M-Magazins (Mindanao Lifestyle and Living) und TV-Moderator...

Where is Sabine? Wo ist Sabine?

What Makes Me a Global Mind? www.internations.org interviewed me...

In our InterNations Recommended Blog section we let you take the spotlight! Expat life in general is, of course, a perfect breeding ground for great, user-generated reads, and life in the Philippines makes no exception. Take your time and browse the great blogs showcased in this article!

Please tell us a little bit about yourself. Who you are, where you come from, when you moved to the Philippines, etc.

I am from Northrine Westfalia in Germany and moved to the Philippines for good in 1999 after visiting the country since 1982 regularly. Right now I am teaching German language at a state university in Davao City/Mindanao; I am a journalist for radio/print/TV and a certified translator, blogger and businessman.

When and why did you decide to start blogging about your experiences?

I started blogging some 10 years ago, because that's the easiest way to tell the whole world what you are thinking about.

Do you have any favorite blog entries of yours?

Unfortunately, I don't have any favourite entries of my blog yet.

Tell us about the ways your new life in the Philippines differs from that back home. Did you have trouble getting used to the new circumstances? Did you experience culture shock?

I got no problems in my new expat life.

Do you think you were fully prepared for what awaited you in the Philippines? If you could, would you change some decisions/preparations you made?

Yes, I was fully prepared and I would never regret that I moved to the Philippines. Many expats just came here - very blue-eyed and then complaining. My advice: plan first before you move here.

Every expat knows that expat life comes with some hilarious anecdotes and funny experiences. Care to share one with us?

Sorry, nothing available right now.

Which three tips would you like to give future expats before they embark on their new life in the Philippines?

• Check first your financial background. If you are in financial troubles, nobody will help.
• Second: Think before moving here, what you gonna do. Being bored is killing.
• Third: Try to stay in the Philippines for a year or so, before you break down all bridges to your home country.

How is the expat community in the Philippines? Did you have a hard time finding like-minded people or fellow expats?

There are a lot of expat communities in the Philippines. As a journalist I didn't have problems to find same-minded expats.

How would you summarize your expat life in the Philippines in a single, catchy sentence?

There is no paradise on earth, but it's really fun in the Philippines.

What makes me a Global Mind? There are many answers. I was always interested in foreign countries and their people and culture. And, my spouse is from the Philippines. Of course, http://www.internatons.org with an awesome large network around the globe helped me a lot connecting more global minds - not only in the Philippines.