THE Bureau of Immigration (BI) has announced that foreign minors traveling to the Philippines without their parents may now pay their fees online.
Immigration Commissioner Norman Tansingco said the application and payment for waiver of exclusion ground (WEG) for foreign minors could be accessed through the BI’s online payment portal.
“This project is part of our continuing efforts to institutionalize paperless transactions in the bureau, reduce red tape, and deliver more efficient and faster services to the public,” Tansingco said.
Under the Philippine Immigration Act, “children below 15 years of age who are unaccompanied by a parent or not coming to a parent in the Philippines, could not be allowed to enter the Philippines.
However, the minors may only be allowed entry, even if unaccompanied, if they have been issued a WEG by the BI and have paid a fee of P3,120 to the government.
According to a BI operations circular signed by Tansingco last May 25, applicants should file their WEG application within 72 hours from the minor’s scheduled arrival by logging into the BI’s online portal at e-services.immigration.gov.ph.
They should fill out the WEG application e-form and upload clear digital or scanned copies of the documentary requirements, such as affidavit of support and guarantee, the parent’s and minor’s passport information, travel consent, return ticket, and valid entry visa, if applicable.