The Bureau of Immigration (BI) announced that starting August 1 this year, it will no longer require the presentation of an entry exemption document (EED) from the foreigner spouses, children, and parents of Filipino citizens who are traveling to the Philippines as tourists to visit their kin here.
BI Commissioner Jaime Morente said the new policy was in compliance with the latest resolution of the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infection Diseases (IATF), which eased the entry travel requirements for foreigners related by marriage or filiation to Filipinos.
Previously, these aliens were allowed entry into the Philippines only if they have valid 9(a) tourist visas as well as an EED issued by the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) through its embassies or consulates.
Under the new IATF resolution, the foreigner spouses, children, and parents of Filipinos will only be required to present 9(a) tourist visas beginning on Saturday.
The IATF, however, instructed the DFA to include in the visa of said aliens the notation: “EED not required per IATF Resolution No. 128 (s.2021).”
“We welcome this latest ruling of the IATF as it will now be easier and convenient for foreigners whose Filipino spouses and children are currently in the Philippines to visit and reunite with their loved ones,” Morente said.
The BI chief stressed that the new travel guidelines apply only to foreigners who are not accompanied by their Filipino spouses or Filipino parents in going to the Philippines.
“Foreigners who are traveling with their Filipino spouses or parents are eligible for the Balikbayan program and they may be admitted visa-free for a one-year stay,” Morente said.
He explained that those who are not traveling with their Filipino principal must apply for a 9(a) tourist visa from a Philippine consulate abroad, which they would use for entry to the Philippines.
BI port operations chief Carlos Capulong reminded the public that while the exemption on alien families of Filipinos has been loosened, the travel ban on those coming from 10 countries in connection with the dreaded Delta variant of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) remains.
“Those coming from India, Pakistan, Nepal, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Oman, United Arab Emirates, Indonesia, Malaysia, and Thailand are still not allowed to enter the country,” said Capulong. These individuals include those who have a travel history to said countries within the last 14 days from their date of arrival, he added.
Capulong said the travel ban remains in effect until July 31, unless extended by the IATF.