BI sets dates for 2018 Annual Report
Yes, our dear expat friends. It is that time of the year once more.
If there’s one thing all expats residing in the Philippines should never forget (apart from their work visa), it’s the Annual Report. This year, the Bureau of Immigration (BI) has declared January 1 to March 1, 2018 as the dates for you to complete your Annual Report.
IMAGE Bureau of Immigration Facebook page
In a press release issued on December 26, 2017, the BI called on all foreign nationals registered with the Bureau to report to the BI Main Office in Intramuros, Manila or the nearest participating BI Field, Satellite, or Extension Office within the first 60 days of the calendar year.
The BI also updated their guidelines for the 2018 Annual Report to include the following among others, apart from restoring the payment of the express lane fee:
- Special Power of Attorney (SPA) with a valid government-issued ID of the legal representative and presentation of a valid original passport of the applicant, in case of non-appearance, except those under V (a), (b) and (c) of these guidelines.
- Those who failed to report within the prescribed AR period shall submit a Motion for Reconsideration (MR) for late payment of AR (P500 MRF, P10 LRF and P500 Express Lane) in addition to the 200 per month with a maximum penalty of P2,000 per year. A fraction of a month shall be considered one month.
- Those not falling under V (a), (b), (c) may be exempt from appearance2 provided, (i) the alien appeared during the AR2014/2015 with an accomplished AR form; (ii) payment of P500 Express Lane for non-appearance; (iii) present a Special Power of Attorney (SPA) with valid government-issued ID of the legal representative; (iv) present applicant’s valid original passport; and (v) the alien is without any CA 613 and/or RA 562-related deficiencies/liabilities. Inability to produce a valid original passport disqualifies a representative in paying for an alien’s annual report fee.
“For aliens who are not in the Philippines during the annual reporting period, they shall make the report within 30 days from the date of their return to the country, provided they have valid Re-entry Permits,” the BI Chief added.
The Annual Report is a process all foreign nationals who reside in the Philippines are required to go through under Sec. 10 of Republic Act 562, otherwise known as the 1951 Alien Registration Act. Those who do not comply may be fined or imprisonment for violating the law.
Also read: Expat Guide: Annual Report for Foreigners
Source: Amendments to AR 2018 Guidelines – Bureau of Immigration, AR 2018 Press Release – Bureau of Immigration, Bureau of Immigration
Image source: Bureau of Immigration on Facebook
