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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider DFA mulls suspension of visa-free entry for foreigners except ASEAN nationals

DFA mulls suspension of visa-free entry for foreigners except ASEAN nationals

Published Mar 19, 2020 12:00 am
By Roy Mabasa The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) is mulling the suspension of the visa-free privilege for foreign nationals entering the Philippines except for citizens of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), amid the country's efforts to mitigate the spread of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Department of Foreign Affairs (MANILA BULLETIN) Department of Foreign Affairs (MANILA BULLETIN) In a tweet on Thursday, Foreign Affairs Secretary Teodoro Locsin Jr. said the plan could include halting the issuance of visas from the various Philippine embassies and consulates abroad, as well as the visa-upon-arrival scheme mostly being used by Chinese nationals entering the Philippines. “DFA considering suspension of visa-free privilege except for ASEAN. Also stopping visa issuance worldwide during period of lockdown,” Locsin wrote. On the visa-upon-arrival scheme, Locsin added, “Even if we stamp passports with DFA stamp showing most of South China Sea & Pacific up to Guam as PH territory.” In a later tweet, Locsin clarified that the DFA will have to consult with Tourism Secretary Berna Romulo-Puyat on the possible suspension of the visa-free entry and visa-upon-arrival schemes, noting it is the tourism sector that is “taking the beating.” “Before the DFA even begins to consider suspending the issuance of visas in all or some of our foreign posts, will ask Tourism Secretary Berna first what she thinks of it because it is her sector that keeps taking a beating so she should always be consulted first,” he said.
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