Tourist visa extensions increased by 23.6 percent, generating more than a billion in revenues for the Bureau of Immigration (BI) in 2023, which the agency attributed to revived interest in international travel following the Covid-19 pandemic.
Raymond Remigio, the tourist visa section chief, reported a total revenue of P1,426,976,164 for the BI, indicating an improved tourism activity for the Philippines from the previous year.
Immigration Commissioner Norman Tansingco said that the data reflects efforts of the BI to make complying with regulations easier by opening new offices and setting up online services for the convenience of the transacting public.
“We are one with the Department of Tourism in their campaign to reinvigorate international travel and tourism in the country,” said Tansingco.
“Faster and easier immigration service is our contribution to the national government’s efforts,” he added.
In 2022, the BI recorded P 1,153,748,535.50 in revenues for tourist visa extensions.
Visa-free nationals are given an initial stay of 30 days, which they could extend in any of the BI offices nationwide or via its online platform.