Foreigners reminded to report to Immigration until March 3

Bureau of Immigration INQUIRER PHOTO/ ALEXIS CORPUZ

The Bureau of Immigration (BI) reminded all foreign nationals registered with the bureau that they only have until March 3 to report in person and pay their annual report fee.

BI Chief Jaime H. Morente said that as of Jan. 26, a total of 50,414 aliens have already made their annual report as required under Republic Act 562 or the Alien Registration Act of 1950.

Under the alien registration act, all registered foreign nationals are required to make their annual report within the first 60 days of every calendar year.

Morente said the annual report period is non-extendible and failure to comply may result in imposition of administrative fine or imprisonment at the option of the commissioner.

Fortunato Manahan, Jr., Acting Chief of the Alien Registration Division said that under the rules, each alien shall pay the government an annual report fee of P300 and legal research fee of P10.

Manahan said the parents or legal guardian shall report on behalf of those aged less than 14 years.

Those who report should present their original and valid alien certificate of registration identity card (ACR I-Card), and original passport.

The BI said an alien may no longer report in person if he had personally appeared in at least one of the Annual Reports held in 2014, 2015, or 2016 and upon presentation of a special power of attorney (SPA) and valid identification document by his legal representative.

An alien who returns to the Philippines with a re-entry permit, if he has not yet made the required annual report, shall make such report within 30 days from the date of his return to the Philippines.

Morente on the other hand said foreign nationals can report to the BI main office in Intramuros as well as to 49 field, satellite and extension offices of the bureau nationwide. ​Recently added to the list of participating offices is the BI satellite office at the SM Aura mall in Bonifacio Global City, Taguig. JE