All foreign spouses, minor children including with special needs regardless of age, and foreign parents of minor Filipino nationals, including of children with special needs regardless of age, are exempted from the temporary suspension of visa issuance to all foreign nationals amid the COVID-19 (coronavirus disease 2019) pandemic, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said on Sunday.
Citing Inter-Agency Task Force on Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF- EID) Resolution No. 60 issued on July 30, 2020, the DFA said the Bureau of Immigration (BI) may allow entry of those covered under the above-mentioned exemptions starting today, August 9, if the subject foreign nationals hold valid Philippine visas.
The exemption also includes those who previously enjoyed visa-free privileges while those with existing visas need not be issued new ones.
The foreign affairs further advised concerned foreign nationals who wish to enter the Philippines, and fall under any of the cited categories, to coordinate with the nearest Philippine Embassy or Consulate on the submission of documentary proof issued by Philippine authorities or foreign governments.
This, it said, does not include those that are inconsistent with Philippine regulations such as same-sex marriage and common-law spouse certificates.
The implementation of the exemption will be coordinated with the Immigration Bureau and the Civil Aeronautics Board.