Immigration suspends Order to Leave for overstaying foreigners

Over a year after the Philippines implemented lockdowns, the government over the weekend said it will temporarily stop the Order to Leave (OTL) for foreigners who have overstayed their temporary visitor’s visa amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

According to Bureau of Immigration (BI) Commissioner Jaime Morente, the suspension order takes into consideration the impact of the pandemic and international travel.

“Pursuant to various resolutions from the IATF directing the public to exercise social distancing and minimize travel, and in the interest of public safety and welfare, we will be implementing this order as a form of regulatory relief for foreigners,” Morente said in an emailed statement.

The relief will cover holders of temporary visitor’s visas who have reached the 24-month period maximum stay for visa-required nationals and the 36 months maximum for non-visa required nationals as of March 1, 2020.

It will also apply to foreign nationals who have overstayed in the country from March 1, 2020, regardless of whether they have been in the country over the maximum allowable period.

The BI noted, however, that foreign nationals will continue to be assessed and will continue to be required to settle immigration fees and penalties in place of the OTL.

The Philippines has been under community quarantines since March 2020,  but international flights from the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) resumed only in July.

The National Capital Region is under the modified enhanced community quarantine (MECQ) until September 15, 2021. No guidance has been given what follows. — DVM, GMA News