CHINESE NATIONALS visiting the Philippines are now given a Visa Upon Arrival (VUA) and may stay in the country for up to six months, the Bureau of Immigration (BI) announced on Thursday.

Chinese tourists leaving their hotel in Manila -- AFP
Chinese tourists in Manila leave their hotel in this file photo taken on August 24, 2010. AFP

In a statement, Immigration Commissioner Jaime H. Morente said the move is in line with the government’s “bid to draw more tourists and investors” from China.

The program applies to Chinese nationals who are part of tour groups organized by operators accredited by the Tourism department; businessmen endorsed by local and foreign chambers of commerce and other government agencies; and athletes and delegates to conventions and exhibitions.

Mr. Morente also cited Department Circular 041 issued by Justice Secretary Vitaliano N. Aguirre II that ordered the grant of VUA to Chinese nationals.

Under the rules, visiting Chinese nationals “may apply for landed visas at the BI for an initial authorized stay of 30 days and they may apply for an extension up to a maximum period of six months.”

“Through this scheme we aim to facilitate the expeditious entry and admission of Chinese nationals into the country and thus attract more tourists and investors from China,” Mr. Morente added.

The VUA program will be implemented at the main airport, Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA), and eight other international air- and seaports across the country, namely: Clark, Mactan, and Kalibo airports; and Manila, Puerto Princesa, Subic, Laoag, and Caticlan seaports.

VUA applicants should be holders of valid passports, with a return ticket, and should not be in the BI’s blacklist or subject of an Intepol red notice.

A fee of $25 plus P10 legal research fee will be charged for every applicant. Applications should be filed at least 10 working days before arrival in the Philippines.

“If the applicants are qualified, the BI commissioner shall issue an order approving the VUA and the same shall be presented by the Chinese passengers to immigration officers upon their arrival in the country,” the BI also said.

Immigration officers, who will implement the VUA program, are also furnished with the order.

In a statement last March 10, the BI said that Chinese nationals topped the Bureau’s list of registered aliens. According to the BI’s Annual Report of Aliens, there are 28,189 Chinese nationals currently in the country.

However, Chinese nationals also topped the BI’s list of foreign nationals barred from entering the country. According to the NAIA-BI Statistics, 1,594 Chinese nationals were barred from entry at the country’s main gateway. — Kristine Joy V. Patag

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