News & Updates

Bureau of Immigration Clarifies Visa Requirement for Alien Spouses, Children and Parents of Pinoys

The Bureau of Immigration (BI) announced on 08 August 2020 that foreigners who have Filipino spouses and dependents can only enter the Philippines if they have the appropriate visas.

Citing Inter-Agency Task Force on Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF-EID) Resolution No. 60, Commissioner Jaime Morente clarified that the same requirement applies to children of Philippine citizens, including children with special needs, and foreign parents of Filipinos, regardless of age.

Prior to the issuance of said IATF-EID resolution, foreign nationals married to Filipinos were allowed to enter the country upon the presentation of their marriage certificate and other proof of their matrimonial relationship.

BI Port Operations Acting Chief Grifton Medina clarified, however, that the visa requirement applies only to foreign spouses, dependents and parents of Filipinos who do not have existing visas.

Aliens who already hold valid permanent and temporary resident visas which they acquired by reason of marriage to Filipinos under Section 13(a) of the Philippine Immigration Act can enter the country anytime, as they already fall under the categories of aliens allowed to enter the country since 01 August 2020. For more information, said BI Press Release can be accessed at this link.