BI calls for PHL-based foreigners to file annual report

Foreigners residing in the Philippines were advised to personally go to Bureau of Immigration (BI) offices starting Monday, Jan. 3, 2011, to submit their annual report. Those who fail to make the annual report could face administrative fines or deportation for being improperly documented aliens, warned Immigration chief Ronaldo Ledesma on Monday. Ledesma said the Philippine Alien Registration Act of 1950 requires all foreigners living in the country to report to the BI within the first 60 days of every calendar year. Danilo Almeda, BI alien registration division chief, said that under Sec. 10 of RA 1950, all aliens holding immigrant or non-immigrant visas must make the annual report either to the BI main office in Intramuros, Manila, or any of its extension, district, subport, or satellite offices throughout the country. He advised foreigners to go directly to the cashier’s office to pay their fees to avoid falling prey to fixers. The annual report fee is P300 plus P10 legal research fee, he said. Aliens making the annual report should bring their ACR (Alien Certificate of Registration) I-Cards, Certificate of Residence, and official receipts of the annual report fee paid during the previous year. Foreigners holding the old paper-based ACR and whose visas are not exempt from paying immigration fees shall not be allowed to make the annual report until they apply for an ACR I-Card, Almeda said. For aliens aged below 14 and 65 and above, parents, legal guardians or representatives could make the report on their behalf, the bureau said – KBK/VS, GMANews.TV