Question & AnswerQ&A (BI MEMORANDUM CIRCULAR NO. MCL-07-005)
The short title is the "New Rules and Procedures for VIMS (Visa Issuance Made Simple)" of the Bureau of Immigration.
It governs the processing of applications for and the issuance of visa, change of immigration status, visa extension, cancellation of alien registry, recognition as Filipino citizen, and other special permits before various bureaus of the Bureau of Immigration.
They shall be construed liberally in favor of speedy and inexpensive determination of every application, without compromising national sovereignty, internal security, national economy, and family solidarity.
The General Application Form (BI Form No. MCL-07-01) duly accomplished and notarized.
These include filing the application form with documentary requirements, quick review of submissions, verification of records, issuance of Order of Payment Slip (OPS), payment of fees, biometric enrollment, hearing, hearing officer's recommendation, Board of Commissioners evaluation, payment of visa implementation fees, and issuance of visa or permit.
Applicants are required to enroll themselves in the BI-designated biometric kiosk during the appointed hearing dates.
The processor shall advise the filer of the specifics of the derogatory record and the possible courses of action the filer may take.
Applicants must submit a notarized General Application Form, photocopy of passport showing admission and authorized stay, original proof of actual investment of at least $40,000 in the Philippines or special qualification advancing national interest, medical certificate from the Bureau of Quarantine, BI clearance certificate, and NICA clearance.
A notarized letter of application from the Filipino spouse, the duly notarized General Application Form, NSO-authorized copies of Filipino spouse's birth certificate and marriage contract, BI clearance certificate, and photocopy of alien spouse's passport showing arrival and authorized stay.
Key procedures include receiving the application with documentary requirements, verification and assessment of records and fees, issuance of Order of Payment Slip, payment and official receipt, evaluation and preparation of order by the concerned unit, approval by the Commissioner, release of the permit, and document archiving.
The Commissioner of Immigration may be delegated to act for the Board of Commissioners in such cases.
They must implement without delay the BOC-approved visa change or extension, as well as conduct registration of the alien without requiring further documentary submissions except those essential for implementation and registration.
Payments are evidenced by a system-generated Official Receipt (OR) or machine-validated deposit slip issued by authorized collecting officers or banks.
The Commissioner may suspend the application of these rules and adopt fair and reasonable alternative procedures when a particular matter demands extraordinary application, without dispensing with due process requirements.
A notarized letter request by the petitioning mother, General Application Form, the mother's ACR I-CARD, authenticated birth certificate of the child, BI clearance certificate, and photocopies of the mother and child's passports.