BI launches eServices for easier transactions

The Bureau of Immigration (BI) has launched eServices, an online platform that seeks to make transactions faster and easier for foreign nationals, agency spokesperson Dana Sandoval said Monday.

“Instead of having to go to our offices, fall in line, physically fill up forms, they would just have to go online po, magpupunta lang po sila sa website at doon na po sila puwedeng mag-apply dito po sa mga transactions ng BI,” Sandoval said during the public briefing.

(Instead of having to go to our offices, fall in line, and physically fill out forms, they would just have to go online, they will just visit the website and they can apply for BI transactions.)

Sandoval said clients may also pay online through payment portals.

The BI spokesperson said they initially launched services that are common to foreign nationals, including the online waiver of exclusion ground, application for dual citizenship, online exit clearance, and the online visa waiver and online tourist visa extension.

According to Sandoval, the BI also seeks to expand the eServices to include all visa applications by September.

“So mga iba’t ibang visa, ‘yung nag-aaral, nagta-trabaho, nakatira po dito, residente po dito, maari na pong mag-apply online,” she said.

(So different kinds of visas for those studying, those working, and those who live here or are residents here may also apply online.)

“This is the plans po of the Commissioner for the end of the year. By September po maila-launch na rin po ito. We already have the systems in place, kailangan na lang po ng tweaking siguro per transaction but it’s ready na po at kayang-kaya po natin i-launch ‘yan,” Sandoval added.

(This is what the Commissioner is planning for the end of the year. By September, we may launch this. We already have the systems in place and it may only need some tweaking per transaction but this is ready and we can launch this.)

Sandoval said they will also launch “green lanes” for travelers. These are special lanes for frequent travelers or those with Alien Certificate of Registration Identity Card, residents of the country, and those with long-term visas.

“With the green lanes, there are less tedious interviews and faster processing po. Ang long-term goals po natin is magkaroon po ng man-less counters na dito sa mga green lanes natin,” she said.

She expressed hope that the green lanes will be launched by the end of the year.

Meanwhile, when asked about the traveler who was offloaded after the traveler was allegedly asked for 10 birth certificates, Sandoval said the traveler was disallowed to board flight not because of the birth certificates but because the document presented did not match the purpose of travel.

“During the interviews po nakikita ng evidence ng ating Immigration personnel na ang purpose of travel po ng pasahero is magtrabaho po abroad,” Sandoval said.

(Our Immigration personnel found out during the interview that the traveler’s purpose of travel is to work abroad.)

She said the traveler should have shown a proper working visa and clearance from the Department of Migrant Workers. —KBK, GMA Integrated News