The Bureau of Immigration (BI) on Wednesday advised foreigners that they may apply for visa extensions online through the BI’s eServices portal without having to visit the BI in person.
BI commissioner Joel Anthony Viado issued the reminder after a foreign national claimed on social media that the BI field office in Siargao Island, Surigao del Norte was “down” following a typhoon.
Viado confirmed that the office was among those affected by the recent typhoons. He assured that efforts are ongoing to restore full operations.
“Please bear with us as we deal with the damage caused by the typhoon. Many of our personnel and facilities were affected, but the majority of our offices nationwide remain operational,” Viado said in a statement.
He added: “For those in affected areas, our online services remain available.”
Viado said foreigners can conveniently process their visa extension applications and other immigration-related transactions through the BI’s eServices platform without having to visit BI offices.
The BI eServices portal may be accessed here.
“Our eServices portal allows foreigners to extend their visas and access several other services wherever they are. This is part of our ongoing modernization efforts to make immigration services more efficient, secure, and accessible,” Viado added. — JMA, GMA Integrated News
