Korean community opposes new I-card immigration law
By Jasmine Park March-25-2010
Waiting lounge in the Bureau of Immigration taken by Jasmine Park
The Manila Korean community council has raised objections to the bureau of immigration’s new I-card (ISSUANCE OF ALIEN CERTIFICATE OF REGISTRATION IDENTITY CARD) policy during a gathering held on February 7th 2010 in Malate Manila.
“Requiring I-card which needs complex process will be too tough for short-stay travelers, and paying additional fee for the visa will not be attractive to those who want to visit the Philippines,” said Pastor Yang who has lived in the Philippines for the past ten years.
Before, I-card was only needed for those who are staying in the Philippines for the purpose of college education or business. Now, every foreign national who stays for more than 59 days in the Philippines including travelers and students should have a valid I-card together with their monthly visa extension. Issue of I-card requires many documents including valid student visa and NBI clearance.
With the new implementation, travelers without study permit would have to pay the bureau of immigration PHP 3,000 pesos for the issuance of an I-card. Also, visa extension will still be needed which costs about PHP 3,000 every month.
According to the Bureau of immigration’s announcement in November, 2009, its purpose is to improve efficiency and security of the alien registration, identification and monitoring system as memorandum order No. MCL-09-026 has stated.
“Requiring I-card which needs complex process will be too tough for short-stay travelers, and paying additional fee for the visa will not be attractive to those who want to visit the Philippines,” said Pastor Yang who has lived in the Philippines for the past ten years.
Before, I-card was only needed for those who are staying in the Philippines for the purpose of college education or business. Now, every foreign national who stays for more than 59 days in the Philippines including travelers and students should have a valid I-card together with their monthly visa extension. Issue of I-card requires many documents including valid student visa and NBI clearance.
With the new implementation, travelers without study permit would have to pay the bureau of immigration PHP 3,000 pesos for the issuance of an I-card. Also, visa extension will still be needed which costs about PHP 3,000 every month.
According to the Bureau of immigration’s announcement in November, 2009, its purpose is to improve efficiency and security of the alien registration, identification and monitoring system as memorandum order No. MCL-09-026 has stated.
