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.
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).
Contacts
Additional Resources
Footnote
1 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.
Disclaimer
The information contained in this newsletter was submitted by the KPMG International member firm in the Philippines.
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