The Philippines' Bureau of Immigration (BI) has launched an Online Application and Payment System (OAPS) that allows most foreign nationals to extend their Temporary Visitor's Visas (TVVs) online, effective immediately. To use the online system, applicants must first create an account on the OAPS portal. Individuals should note that the portal has been having some technical issues and so should prepare their applications in advance in anticipation of any portal outages. The requirements and fees remain the same as for the previously required, in-person 9(a) extension process. While no physical receipt is issued from the online system, applicants will receive an email confirmation after successfully filing and paying online. This new online filing option provides a convenient alternative to visiting a BI office in person, especially for those residing far from a BI Satellite Office. However, certain ineligible groups must still apply for extensions at a BI office. This streamlined online process will expedite TVV extensions, reducing the previous three to five business day processing time for in-person filings to two to three business days.
This alert is for informational purposes only. If you have any questions, please contact the global immigration professional with whom you work at Fragomen or send an email to [email protected].
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