A New Zealand national and Swiss national were arrested for allegedly operating a resort business in Siargao, Surigao del Norte despite holding only tourists visas.

According to the Bureau of Immigration (BI), the foreign couple was arrested by operatives of the BI Intelligence Division’s Mindanao Regional Intelligence Operations Unit on July 1, 2026.

BI said the operation was launched after it received information that the two had been allegedly managing personally the homestay and café while also offering yoga sessions to guests without the required work visas or permits.

To validate the information, BI intelligence operatives acted as prospective clients and attempted to book the entire resort for a team-building activity.

BI said the New Zealand national met with the undercover operatives, showed them around the property, provided details on room rates and accommodation packages, discussed available yoga sessions, and facilitated the booking.

Authorities said the actions of the foreigner indicated his active involvement in the daily operations of the business.

While the couple maintained that they were only investors, investigators found that they were directly involved in managing the establishment and interacting with customers despite staying in the country on temporary visitor status.

“A tourist visa is not a license to work or run a business in the Philippines,” BI Commissioner Joel Anthony Viado said.
“We welcome foreign visitors who respect our laws, but those who abuse the privilege of their stay by engaging in unauthorized employment or business activities will be arrested, deported, and barred from returning. No one is exempt from our immigration laws,” he added.

The couple was placed under BI custody and will face deportation proceedings for allegedly violating the terms and conditions of their temporary visitor status.