New policy! The Philippines optimizes the entry policy of "such foreigners!

According to Philippine media, on June 14, the Philippine Immigration Bureau (BI) announced a new online payment system for foreign minors who travel to the Philippines without their parents.

The system allows unaccompanied minors to pay through the INS online payment portal.

Immigration Commissioner Norman Tancinko (Norman Tansingco) said the move is part of the bureau's ongoing efforts to simplify processes, reduce bureaucracy and provide faster and more efficient services to the public. By adopting paperless transactions, USCIS aims to enhance the overall travel experience of these young travelers.

Under section 29(a)(12) of the Philippine Immigration Act, minors under the age of 15 who travel without a parent or guardian may be barred from entering the country. However, these minors can still be admitted if they obtain an exemption from the grounds for exclusion (WEG) from the Immigration Department and pay the government a fee of P3120.

In the BI operation notice signed by Tancinco, it is outlined that the applicant must submit a WEG application within 72 hours of the scheduled arrival of the minor.

Applicants are required to complete the WEG application e-form and submit clear digital copies or scanned copies of the necessary documents, including affidavits of support and guarantee, passport information of parents and minors, travel consent form, return ticket and valid passport entry visa (if applicable).

Once the application is submitted, the prescribed fees can be paid securely online using a debit or credit card. An electronic receipt will then be sent to the applicant's registered email address.

Applications that have incomplete documents or are not paid within the 72-hour period will be automatically deleted from the system, the circular said.