Bureau of Immigration (BI) Commissioner Norman Tansingco said foreign nationals affected by the flight cancellations on Jan. 1 are given grace period extending their stay without penalties.

The BI chief said foreigners whose flights were cancelled or delayed to and from the Philippines on Jan. 1 were given a grace period on the validity of their authorized stay and their Emigration Clearance Certificate (ECC).

Those whose visas and ECCs expired during the period are given a grace period extension until Jan. 12, to allow them to rebook their flights without added immigration penalties.

“Considering what happened to many foreign nationals who were unable to leave during their scheduled flights, we issued this advisory to assist them in rescheduling, without having to worry about overstaying,” said Tansingco.

Foreign nationals are only required to present their confirmed ticket showing their cancelled flight from Jan. 1 or onwards and/or their boarding pass.

“Those who were affected did not mean to overstay their visas, hence appropriate considerations are given to them,” he added.

Tansingco also pointed out that the BI's "no leave" policy is still in effect amid the long lines seen at the BI at Immigration counters at the NAIA.

BI spokesperson Dan Sandoval, on the other hand, said the long lines seen at the BI counters were still the after effects of the Jan. 1 technical glitch.

"Lines were observed at the immigration area earlier today due to the increase in passengers, following the recovery of cancelled flights last January 1," said Sandoval.

"The BI wishes to assure the public that all officers are in full force, all counters manned, and additional personnel have been deployed to serve as backup as needed," Sandoval added.