PH'S UK embassy suspends visa issuance until January 15
The Philippine Embassy in United Kingdom has announced the temporary suspension of visa issuance until January 15 as a “precautionary measure” to prevent the spread of the new coronavirus strain.
The embassy issued the advisory after the government imposed a temporary entry ban on flights and foreign passengers coming from the UK and 19 other countries and jurisdictions that have reported incidence of the new coronavirus strain.
"The issuance of Philippine visas is suspended until 15 January 2021. This precautionary measure is enforced by the Philippine government to prevent the spread of the new coronavirus strain, which has recently been detected,” it said in an advisory posted on its website.
It advised visa applicants to post or mail their applications after January 15.
"Those who are planning to apply for a Philippine visa are advised to post / mail their applications after 15 January 2021,” the embassy said.
"Enquiries may be sent directly to the Philippine Bureau of Immigration through [email protected].”
The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) earlier strongly advised” foreign and Filipino travelers who intend to come to the Philippines to temporarily postpone and reschedule their travel plans for a later date.
President Duterte has approved the extension of the temporary suspension of flights from 19 countries effective 12:01 a.m. of December 30, 2020 until January 15, 2021.
The DFA noted that the 17-day flight ban period, all foreign nationals, regardless of previous Philippine visas and exemptions granted, who will be flying from or been to the following countries and jurisdictions within 14 days of arrival in the Philippines-- Australia, Canada, Denmark, France, Germany, Hong Kong SAR, Iceland, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Japan, Lebanon, the Netherlands, Singapore, Switzerland, Sweden, South Korea, South Africa, Spain, and the United Kingdom –will not be permitted to enter Philippine territory.
It said the Philippines still opens doors to Filipino citizens who come from the identified areas, but they will be required to complete strictly the 14-day quarantine requirement at a government facility even if reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) tests show negative results.
"The DFA encourages those intending to travel to the Philippines to check with the nearest Philippine embassy or consulate and regularly consult the website and social media sites of the Philippine Bureau of Immigration for the latest information,” it added.