Annual Report 2014

Like each year, foreign nationals staying in the Philippines need to submit their annual report to the Bureau of Immigration. There is a new Annual Report Form, which can be downloaded here: ANNUAL REPORT .pdf NEW

Update Feb 05-2014: The Bureau of Immigration Office in Dumaguete can process “updated reports”. For more info one need to get in touch with the BoI

Submit Annual Report at the BoI in Cebu

While in the last years the annual reporting was possible in the Bureau of Immigration Satellite Office in Dumaguete, in 2014 is for the whole region VII –where Dumaguete belongs to- the Cebu office the only options.

If you stumbled upon this side from another Region, the picture below shows the offices of all regions, where one can submit the annual report form.

Bureau of Immigration Offices accepting the Annual Report 2014

Press Release from the Bureau of Immigration

Foreign nationals staying in RP required to report at the Bureau of Immigration in person from January to February 2014

Foreign nationals are required to report in person starting this coming January 2014 up to the last day of February as a requirement for their continued stay in the Philippines, the Bureau of Immigration in an official memorandum circular says.

Memorandum Circular No. SBM 2013-007 signed by BI Commissioner Siegfred B. Mison last December 12, foreign nationals staying in the Philippines are required to appear in person at the Bureau of Immigration offices within the first sixty days of the calendar year. This policy is in compliance with the Section 10 of Republic Act 562 or the Alien Registration Act. The circular aims to strictly enforce compliance of the immigration law in the interest of national security, public safety and public order.

Foreign nationals are asked to bring their ACR Icard or paper-based ACR and accomplish an application form. Applicants can download the application form from the bureau’s website (www.immigration.gov.ph) or personally get a copy from any of the BI offices nationwide. An application fee of 310 pesos is required to be paid as part of the requirements for reportage.

Travel agencies, law firms and other entities transacting with the Bureau of Immigration are prohibited from accomplishing the application form or paying the corresponding application fees on behalf of their clients, except if they fall on the exceptions as stated in the Memo Circular SBM 2013-002.

Foreign nationals who are under 14 years of age or about 65 years old, imbecile, staying in a penal institution or confined in a hospital are not required to appear in person. Those who can show sufficient proof of physical incapability to report in person can likewise send a representative to apply.

Those who are outside the country are likewise not required to appear personally for as long as he pays the application fee within thirty days upon arrival. Other applicants whose appearance has been waived by the Bureau can just send their representatives.

Application forms should be duly notarized before the ACOs or heads of departments and divisions of the bureau. The Alien Registration Division has been tasked to strictly manage the annual report, particularly the reports submitted weekly by district field offices which are now required to report on a weekly and monthly basis the number of foreign nationals within their jurisdiction.

Download the application form for the annual renewal here:

ANNUAL REPORT .pdf NEW

Our advice to our foreign friends:

As a visitor, guest or permanent resident of the Philippines, stick to the rules. Visa Extensions or any Visa related issues should be processed by the rules and regulations of the Bureau of Immigration and not some unverified rumors published in confusing manner somewhere in the worldwide web. The rules, regulations and requirements are all public. For any questions get in touch with the offices in charge, in this case, the BI Head Office in Manila.

Do yourself a favor, stick to the rules to fully enjoy your stay in the Philippines. Those who spread all those wrong information, half-truths or special deals won’t surely be around to help you if something goes wrong.

Should you have any immigration-related queries, please do not hesitate to call the BI Helpdesk Hotline at (632) 524-3824 or (632) 524-3769 Trunk line: (632) 465- 2400, visit the BI website at www.immigration.gov.ph