Issue of Overstaying Foreign Visitors
- Monitoring by the Bureau reveals that many temporary foreign visitors fail to extend or update their tourist visas.
- Despite existing programs like Visa Issuance Made Simple (VIMS) aimed at simplifying visa extensions, overstaying persists.
- Such violations of immigration requirements are deemed unacceptable and intolerable.
Classification and Treatment of Overstaying Foreigners
- Temporary foreign visitors who overstay without valid reasons are considered undesirable.
- These individuals are to be ordered to leave the country.
- Names of overstaying foreigners are to be included in the Bureau of Immigration blacklist.
Procedures for Overstaying Foreigners
- Overstaying visitors may regularize their stay by paying all required fees, fines, and penalties.
- Upon regularization, they must leave the Philippines within ten (10) calendar days.
- The circular’s provisions apply to all temporary foreign visitors overstaying on or after July 1, 2008.
Legal Remedies and Enforcement
- The circular does not prevent the Bureau from applying other legal actions or remedies against overstaying foreigners according to existing laws, rules, and regulations.
Effectivity and Dissemination
- The circular took effect on July 1, 2008.
- It mandates immediate publication in a newspaper of general circulation.
- A copy must be filed with the Office of the National Administrative Register (ONAR) and furnished to all concerned parties.