MANILA --  The Bureau of Immigration (BI) will be opening their services to foreigners at Robinson’s Place, Manila for the upcoming 2023 annual report (AR).

According to BI Commissioner Norman Tansingco, the move to hold the AR services at the mall rather than at their main office is to provide ease of access to the public.

“The off-site venue will be open from 9 a.m. til 6 p.m. The space that we will be using in Robinson’s mall will also be larger, so it will very much benefit the transacting public,” said Tansingco.

The BI signed the memorandum of agreement with Robinson’s management last Oct. 25.

"We thank the Robinsons management for the opportunity to partner in providing better service to the public who may now file their reports in a more comfortable venue," said Tansingco. "The improvement of services is really one of the major goals of this administration, and we are happy to be partnering with Robinsons Land Corporation in this endeavor," he added.

Tansingco then explained that under the Alien Registration Act of 1950, foreigners holding BI-issued immigrant and non-immigrant visas are required report in person to the bureau within the first 60 days of every calendar year.

“This means that those who are living, working, and studying here are required to present themselves for the annual report," clarified Tansingco. "Those who would fail to file their AR may be meted sanctions such as payment of fines and penalties and even deportation,” Tansingco added.

The Commissioner urged the foreigners to personally file their ARs from Jan. 1 to Mar. 1, 2023.

Only aliens who are under 14 years old and below and those who are aged 65 years and above, pregnant women, and persons with disabilities and those who are mentally and physically incapacitated may be exempted from personally appearing at the bureau, provided that a proof of exemption is presented by an authorized representative.

Tansingco further shared that AR filers must present their original alien certificate of registration identity card (ACR I-Card) and their valid passport.

The BI Chief then disclosed that aside from the AR venue at Robinson’s Place, Manila, aliens may also file their AR at the different field and district offices of the bureau nationwide. (BI)