Foreigners reminded of biometrics, SSRN processing deadline

MANILA, Philippines — The Bureau of Immigration (BI) said on Sunday all foreign nationals in the country should present themselves before the agency for biometrics capturing and issuance of a special security registration number (SSRN).

The SSRN, the BI statement explains, is an alpha-numeric number assigned to every foreign national who registers under the alien registration project (ARP).

The ARP, which will start this month and will end September 2015, intends to account for, register and reregister, capture information, update BI’s database and provide assistance for visa-related problems.

BI Commissioner Siegfred Mison said the ARP would be helpful to foreign nationals in transacting with the bureau.

Mison earlier placed the number of foreigners presently in the country at 1.5 million but only about 200,000 have registered, based on the bureau’s database.

“Registered aliens under this program may be primary beneficiaries of the future social integration and legalization programs of the government,” Mison explained.

Under the program, an alien will get a 90-day deferred administrative action to comply with the requirements to regularize stay and at the same time, a chance to benefit from any legislation that may grant a regular status.

Mison said foreigners who would fail to participate in the ARP within the compliance period would be fined P200 per month but not exceeding P2,000 per year.

Mison also clarified that foreigners participating in the program would not be cleared of their other liabilities. “Participation in the ARP is not amnesty. It will not erase previous violations,” he said,

Foreigners participating in the program could still be arrested and deported if found in violation of Philippine immigration laws, Mison said.

He said fugitives or aliens facing criminal charges in or outside the Philippines would be immediately deported.

Exempted from the program are those who have valid alien registration card or I-Card, tourists whose stay will not exceed 59 days and those who are exempt from registration pursuant to law, according to Mison

The fees for SSRN certification (for undocumented or overstaying) is P700 while I-Card (for newly-registered valid status and voluntary registrants) is $50 plus P500, excluding the postage fees.