The Bureau of Immigration (BI) has recorded a 23.6-percent increase last year in revenues from tourist visa extensions.
BI tourist visa section chief Raymond Remigio reported that the agency registered total revenue collections of P 1,426,076,164 for 2023, a major improvement over the previous year.
Remigio attributed the growth to the “revived interest in international travel following the pandemic.”
Immigration Commissioner Norman Tansingco said the data reflected the BI’s efforts to make compliance with regulations easier by opening new offices and setting up their online services for the convenience of the public.
“We are one with the Department of Tourism in their campaign to reinvigorate international travel and tourism in the country,” Tansingco said.
“Faster and easier immigration service is our contribution to the national government’s efforts,” he added.
In 2022, the BI recorded P 1,15 billion revenue collections from tourist visa extensions.
Visa-free nationals are given an initial stay of 30 days, extendable in any of the BI offices nationwide or via the BI’s online platform.