MANILA, May 16 (PNA) — The Bureau of Immigration (BI) has set the final deadline for re-stamping of the implementation for permanent resident visas under Republic Act No. 7919 (RA 7919), otherwise known as the Alien Social Integration Act of 1995, on June 30, 2015.
BI spokesperson Elaine Tan said extension was approved in response to requests by various chambers and individuals to allow more beneficiaries to comply with the requirement.
“This is the final extension and no further extension will be given. All holders of the RA 7919 visa are sternly warned to comply; those who fail to do so shall face deportation charges after the deadline,” she said in a statement.
As of May 8, 2015, only 6,129 of the 14,000 visa holders have so far complied with the re-stamp requirement. Out of the 8,549 Chinese nationals granted with the RA 7919 on record, 65 percent have not yet complied with the requirement.
Tan said that among the possible reasons for the relatively low turnout were lack of interest of holders to maintain their status, or doubts by some holders on the authenticity of their visa stamps.
“We encourage all concerned to come forward and allow the BI to assist them should they have apprehensions on the integrity of the visa that they possess,” she added.
With this, the BI official reminded those who have doubts on the authenticity of their visas but believe in good faith that they are entitled to it may proceed directly with the BI to assist them in regularizing their status.
Under the Alien Registration Program (ARP), foreign nationals without valid immigration status may come forward and present themselves to the BI without risk of arrest or detention.
The directive to holders of the RA 7919 visa to have their visa implementation re-stamped in their passports was issued with the intention to have an accurate census of foreign nationals with active visa status.
Visa holders must submit the following documents to process the re-stamping application: Duly accomplished RA7919 Re-stamping form; Photocopy of passport pages showing: Bio-data page; Latest admission as 7919 visa holder; Old RA 7919 visa imprint; New/amended name of the applicant, if any; and Photocopy of ACR I-Card (front and back).
Originally, the deadline for the re-stamping requirement was last March 15, 2015. (PNA)