The Bureau of Immigration (BI) announced the temporary suspension of the Order to Leave (OTL) of foreigners who have overstayed their temporary visitor's visa in the country due to the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreak.
BI Commissioner Jaime Morente said that the order to suspend the OTL was imposed in consideration of the effects of the pandemic to domestic and international travel.
“Pursuant to various resolutions from the IATF directing the public to exercise social distancing and minimize travel, and in the interest of public safety and welfare, we will be implementing this order as a form of regulatory relief for foreigners,” he said in a statement.
Morente further stated that the suspension also reciprocates the leniency extended by other countries to Filipinos who may be experiencing the same problem.
The BI chief said that the extended stay shall apply to holders of temporary visitor’s visas who have reached the 24-month period maximum stay for visa-required nationals and 36-month period maximum stay for non-visa required nationals, as of March 1, 2020.
He said the same lenient policy also applies to those who have overstayed beginning March 1, 2020 regardless whether they have been in the country beyond the maximum allowable period.
However, Morente said that concerned foreigners will still be assessed and shall still be required to settle their immigration fees and penalties in lieu of the OTL.