THE Bureau of Immigration expects a 20 percent increase in foreign tourist arrival by the end of the year due to the aggressive marketing campaign to entice them to visit the country and the launch of the online visa application and extension.
BI Tourist Visa Section Chief Raymond Remigio yesterday said they recorded more than 91,000 tourist visa extensions during the first half of 2023 alone.
“This is a significant increase from July to December of last year when we only saw around 77,000 extensions,” Remigio said.
“Our aggressive information campaign and our efforts to make applications easier for the transacting public has definitely contributed to this rise,” he added.
Immigration Commissioner Norman Tansingco said they project a 20 percent increase in tourist visa applications and extensions in the next six months.
“We fully support the Department of Tourism’s drive to invite tourists to visit and stay longer in the Philippines. The recent launch of our online visa extension is a significant step to make it easy for foreign nationals to comply with BI policies and prevent them from overstaying,” said Tansingco.
Remigio also said that on-site tourist visa extensions can now be processed while the foreigner is waiting.
“With our streamlined operations, and with the management introducing online options, foreign nationals will definitely feel the change and improvements of our Bureau,” he said.
The agency had earlier launched the online platform eServices to ensure faster and easier transactions for foreigners without leaving the comfort of their homes and offices.
Initially covered under the eServices are services commonly availed by foreigners such as exit clearance, application for dual citizenship, waiver of exclusion, and extension of tourist visa.
Aside from this, the BI will also launch “green lanes” or special lanes catering to frequent travelers and those with Alien Certificate of Registration Identity Cards, and those with long-term visas.
