The Bureau of Immigration (BI) has started accepting applications for annual registration of foreigners residing in the country.
Immigration Commissioner Norman Tansingco said all foreigners must personally report to the nearest BI office starting today until March 1.
Tansingco said foreign nationals in the country are required to comply with the 1950 Alien Registration Act, otherwise they would be fined.
BI-registered aliens are those who have been issued immigrant or non-immigrant visas. They are holders of the alien certificate of registration identity card (ACR I-Card).
“The venue of the annual report has been transferred from the BI main office to two major malls—Robinsons Place Manila and SM Mall of Asia.
The move aims to bring the service closer to the people, to provide convenience and accessibility,” Tansingco said.
Apart from the two malls, BI offices nationwide may also attend to the reporting foreigners.
Lawyer Jose Carlitos Licas, BI alien registration division chief, said that aliens going to the BI for their annual report via any immigration office nationwide are required to register with the BI’s online registration system.
Aliens must present their original ACR I-Card and valid passport, as well as pay a P300-annual report fee and P10-legal research fee.
Foreigners who are out of the country during the reporting period may 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.
For aliens below 14 years old, their parents or legal guardian are obligated to make the report on their behalf. Senior citizens and persons with disability are exempted from personal appearance and may file through a representative with a Special Power of Attorney.