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e-Visa for Chinese nationals suspended for system improvement — DFA

Philippines | National

e-Visa for Chinese nationals suspended for system improvement — DFA

By Joseph Pedrajas

The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said Friday it has suspended the issuance of e-Visa to Chinese nationals until further notice for assessment.

In a new advisory, the agency said the suspension will improve its future operations, including the payment processing systems.

"This is to inform the public that the Philippine e-Visa system, which has undergone a period of beta testing in Philippine Foreign Service Posts in China, is currently undergoing a period of re-assessment," DFA said.

"Applicants in China are advised to contact the nearest Philippine Embassy or Consulate General in lodging their visa applications and for further inquiries," it added.

DFA first issued the advisory on Thursday.

It came after the Department of Justice (DOJ) found irregularities in the process of issuance of e-Visas to Chinese nationals and suggested that a third-party service provider would take over such responsibility instead.

DFA asserted its mandate, saying it is is anchored on international and local laws.

It also said it is performing "the first tier of defense gatekeeping," that is done through "stringent admissions criteria for foreign nationals," and the Bureau of Immigration (BI) an agency under the DOJ, is providing "“second tier of defense gatekeeping" to assist the DFA in the issuance process.

Related Tags

e-visa Department of Foreign Affairs Chinese

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