The Bureau of Immigration announced the guidelines for the 2024 Annual Report Compliance of all registered foreign nationals in the Philippines. The Bureau also introduced a virtual Annual Report procedure.
WHY THIS MATTERS
The Annual Report is intended to enhance strict enforcement in respect of compliance with Philippine immigration laws in the interest of national security, public safety, and public order. The new virtual Annual Report option is expected to make the procedure more convenient for foreign nationals and should promote a higher rate of compliance.
The Annual Report is a vital tool used by the Philippine government to track the presence and activities of foreign residents. It is recommended that employers make sure that their foreign national employees comply with this requirement on a timely basis to avoid consequences which can include fines, visa cancelations, or deportations.
2024 Annual Report Procedure
All registered foreign nationals who are holders of the Alien Certificate of Registration Identity Card (ACR I-Card) and paper-based Alien Certificate of Registration (ACR) with a valid visa, shall report in person to the Bureau of Immigration or to any of its offices within the first sixty (60) days of every calendar year (i.e., from 2 January 2024 to 1 March 2024). 1
Exempted from physical reporting to the Bureau’s offices are registered foreign nationals who are 14 years old and below, those 60 years old and above, those mentally and physically incapacitated, pregnant women, and foreign nationals with medical conditions.
The requirements include filling out the online registration which can be accessed through the Bureau’s e-services website (https://e-services.immigration.gov.ph/) and presenting the ACR I-Card, valid visa and passport, and payment of the Annual Report fee.
The virtual Annual Report shall be available to all registered foreign nationals, except for paper-based ACR holders, through online registration at the e-services website. Interviews will be conducted via Google Meet according to the selected appointment schedule.
KPMG INSIGHTS
As part of the Bureau of Immigration’s modernization projects, the e-services website provides an alternative method of accessing immigration services, which now includes the Annual Report process. It is recommended that foreign nationals review travel plans accordingly to help ensure that they meet the Annual Report deadline on 1 March 2024.
If companies need assistance with understanding the Annual Report procedures, and their compliance obligations, they may reach out to their immigration counsel or a member of the Immigration team with KPMG in the Philippines (see the Contacts section).
FOOTNOTE
1 For more on the 2024 Annual Report Guidelines, see, Bureau of Immigration, “Advisory: 2024 Annual Report” (in .pdf) at: https://immigration.gov.ph/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/AP2024_adv.pdf .
* Please note that KPMG LLP (U.S.) does not provide any immigration services. However, KPMG Law LLP in Canada can assist clients with U.S. immigration matters.
The information contained in this newsletter was submitted by the KPMG International member firm in the Philippines.
CONTACTS
Connect with us
- Find office locations kpmg.findOfficeLocations
- kpmg.emailUs
- Social media @ KPMG kpmg.socialMedia
Stay up to date with what matters to you
Gain access to personalized content based on your interests by signing up today
GMS Flash Alert is a Global Mobility Services publication of the KPMG LLP Washington National Tax practice. The KPMG name and logo are trademarks used under license by the independent member firms of the KPMG global organization. KPMG International Limited is a private English company limited by guarantee and does not provide services to clients. No member firm has any authority to obligate or bind KPMG International or any other member firm vis-à-vis third parties, nor does KPMG International have any such authority to obligate or bind any member firm. The information contained herein is of a general nature and is not intended to address the circumstances of any particular individual or entity. Although we endeavor to provide accurate and timely information, there can be no guarantee that such information is accurate as of the date it is received or that it will continue to be accurate in the future. No one should act on such information without appropriate professional advice after a thorough examination of the particular situation.
© 2024 R.G. Manabat & Co., a Philippine partnership and a member firm of the KPMG global organization of independent member firms affiliated with KPMG International Limited, a private English company limited by guarantee. All rights reserved.
For more detail about the structure of the KPMG global organization please visit https://kpmg.com/governance.