DFA warns foreigners vs ‘travel exemption fee’ scam

MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) has warned the public against scams related to the entry of foreigners in the Philippines.

The DFA, in a statement Tuesday, said it does not collect a “travel exemption fee” or “any kind of fee whatsoever for the purpose of allowing foreign nationals to enter the country.”

Further, the DFA reiterated that entry restrictions to the Philippines “are still currently in place.”

“Foreign nationals should be guided by the latest advisory of the Bureau of Immigration as to who are allowed to enter the Philippines during the State of Public Health Emergency,” the department added.

Currently, only Filipinos, their spouse, and minor children are allowed to enter the country holding tourist visas. Restrictions allow the foreign children with special needs of Filipinos, the foreign parent of minor Filipinos, and the foreign parent of Filipino children with special needs to enter the country.

Those who are eligible to enter are required to secure an entry visa from Philippine embassies or consulates, prior to their arrival.

The Philippine government also recently allowed the entry of foreigners with existing long-term visas and investors’ visas.

/MUF

Read more...