The Bureau of Immigration (BI) reminded all foreign nationals working for Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGOs) to voluntarily downgrade their visas before the October 15 deadline or face arrest and deportation.
BI Commissioner Joel Anthony Viado reiterated that there will be no extensions for adjusting their visa status, and those trying to file after the set deadline will be ordered to leave the country immediately.
Viado said more than 10,000 POGO workers have already filed for visa downgrading, and he expects the number to increase as the deadline nears.
Visa downgrading allows foreign nationals to revert their status from a work visa to a temporary visitor visa, thereby enabling them to remain legally in the Philippines for 59 days while winding down their affairs.
The 59-day period from the deadline aligns with the directive of President Marcos, who has ordered all foreign POGO workers to leave the country by the end of the current year.
“We are expediting the downgrading process to comply with the President’s directive. We encourage POGO workers to file as early as possible to avoid complications,” said Viado.
As part of the government’s initiative to wind down POGO operations, an interagency task force composed of the BI, Department of Justice (DOJ), Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), PAGCOR, and other key agencies has been formed to oversee the closure of POGOs and assist affected workers.
The BI stressed that procedures have been simplified to ensure compliance, and those who fail to downgrade by the deadline or leave the country by December 31 will face deportation and blacklisting.
When Mr. Marcos announced the banning of POGOs in July, the BI said there were around 20,000 foreigners working at online gaming businesses in the country.
