Immigration scales down ops as Metro Manila reverts to MECQ

The Bureau of Immigration (BI) said it is scaling down operations and suspending the online appointment scheme in its main office in Intramuros, Manila as Metro Manila reverts to a modified enhanced community quarantine (MECQ).

Foreign clients with confirmed appointments from August 3 to 18 may reapply for new transaction schedules at the bureau after the MECQ is lifted, the BI said Tuesday.

However, the online appointment system will be open to foreigners who are scheduled to leave the country during the MECQ period, it said.

The BI said it will maintain a skeletal workforce at its main office while the MECQ is in effect.

The following transactions at the main office are suspended until August 18, according to the bureau:

• applications for conversion to or renewal of immigrant visa;
• petition for recognition as Philippine citizens, including Republic Act 9225 or the dual citizenship law;
• downgrading of visa status;

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• tourist visa extension;
• special work permits and provisional permit to work;
• renewal of alien certificate of registration; and 
• implementation of applications for visa conversion or extension approved by the Bureau's Board of Commissioners

The BI also advised departing foreigners who hold tourist visas and overstayed in the country for not more than six months to pay their visa extension fees at the airport.

President Rodrigo Duterte has placed Metro Manila, Bulacan, Laguna, Cavite, and Rizal back to MECQ from the general community quarantine for 15 days effective Tuesday, August 4.

Medical frontliners earlier asked for Metro Manila to return to an ECQ for two weeks to give them time to rest and "recalibrate strategies" against COVID-19. — Nicole-Anne C. Lagrimas/RSJ, GMA News