DFA urges Filipinos in China to comply with visa restrictions

By: Matikas Santos - 10 years ago

MANILA, Philippines – Almost 50 Filipinos were expelled from China in 2013 for violating their visa conditions and restrictions, prompting the Philippine Embassy in Beijing to urge Filipinos to ensure their documents are in order to avoid apprehension and expulsion.

“The Philippine Embassy in Beijing has initiated an information campaign reminding all Filipinos in China to observe and comply with the conditions and restrictions of their visas to avoid arrest, prosecution, detention, deportation and eventually blacklisting in their host country,” the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said in a statement.

“The campaign was a response to the new report that about 200 foreigners were expelled from China in 2013. Out of this number, 48 or 24 percent are Filipinos,” it said.

Among the reasons for the expulsion of Filipinos were forged passports and fake Chinese visas, lack of employment permits, assuming false identities and overstaying.

“Some were arrested for illegally entering China then using it as jumping-off point for travel to other countries,” DFA said.

The Embassy advised Filipinos to follow the laws of China at all times and to adhere to immigration and labor regulations.

“If their visa is for tourism purposes only, they should not engage in any employment without proper visa or permit, whether they are compensated or not,” DFA said.

“They should not be involved in any unlawful activities or criminal acts, such as illegal drugs trade and prostitution. They should return to the Philippines on or before the expiry of their authorized period of stay in China to avoid violating immigration and labor regulations of that country,” it said.

There is an estimated 29,133 permanent, temporary, and irregular Filipinos in China as of December 2012, according to records of the Commission on Filipinos Overseas.

The vast majority, 24,725, are temporary which means their stay there is only for a limited duration.