THE Bureau of Immigration (BI) said it is now allowing foreigners with approved visa applications to leave the country even if those visas have not been implemented and stamped in their passports.

“I have instructed our Port Operations Division (POD) to allow the departure of foreigners with approved but unimplemented visas, provided they meet certain conditions during this critical period,” the BI chief Jaime H. Morente said in a statement released on Friday. “Their visas can be revalidated and implemented when they return.”

Mr. Morente said the move was to solve the predicament of foreigners who wish to immediately return to their home countries during the quarantine period, despite not fully completing the needed procedures for visa application.

In regular BI procedures, aliens whose visa applications have been approved are required to submit their passports to allow the BI to affix the visa.

BI Port Operations Division Chief Grifton SP. Medina disclosed that in compliance with the BI chief’s directive, departing foreigners with approved visas will no longer be required to have their visas affixed on their passports.

Mr. Medina added that in lieu of the visa implementation stamp, the foreigner shall present to the immigration officer their valid passport; printout of their name in the agenda when said visa was approved, a Department of Justice Indorsement, or Certification from the approving office whichever is applicable; and official receipts as evidence of payment of reentry and exit permit fees.

“Before clearing the passenger for departure the immigration officer shall instruct the alien to immediately proceed to the BI main office upon return to apply for revalidation of his visa and its implementation on his passport,” he added.

BI lawyer Jing Oliver A.Balina, however, stressed that affected foreigners should only go to the main office after the quarantine is lifted to complete the procedure of visa issuance. — Genshen L. Espedido

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