It’s that time of year when foreign nationals need to make annual physical appearances before the BI (Bureau of Immigration).

This requirement follows the Philippine Republic Act (RA) 562 or the Alien Registration Act (RA 562), which states that foreign nationals must file an Annual Report of Aliens (ARA) within sixty (60) days after their registration. It requires all aliens with immigrant and non-immigrant visas to physically report to the bureau within the first 60 days of every calendar year.

Exempted from fulfilling the physical appearance requirement are the following:

• Children below 14 years old who may be represented by their parent/s or legal guardian
• Foreign nationals who are 65 years old and above or are mentally or physically incapacitated (a PWID will be required as proof of incapacity)
• Pregnant women and those who are unwell but can present a medical certificate issued by the attending physician or hospital where they are confined

The yearly period of the annual report of aliens is January 1 to March 31. Penalties for non-compliance can be harsh, ranging from administrative fines to imprisonment to deportation. You may read the 2022 Annual Report guidelines here.

The annual report document is not an optional form and should be submitted on time to avoid potential deportation out of the country.

Where to Go

Before making an annual physical appearance, you’ll need to file for an appointment within the prescribed period of January until March 1, 2022. Setting an appointment should be done using the online appointment system via the BI’s e-services portal here.

To avoid any trouble, prepare yourself before the due date. The Bureau of Immigration shall allow no more than 800 slots per day, Mondays through Fridays, so it is best to work on this soon. The number of slots may vary depending on the alert level in Manila. Slots on Saturday may be granted upon the request of a company, such as us.

Who is Exempted from filing the Annual Report?

Exempted from filing for Annual Report are foreigners who are holders of a permanent SIRV visa, SRRV visa holders, tourist visa holders, and Filipinos with dual citizenship.

Help is Available

You may always contact the BI to seek more information on the annual AR requirement. The BI has several offices nationwide, which are all open to cater to the needs of the transacting public.

Perhaps the best alternative is to let our professionals work to help you get your Annual Report filed without you having to make a personal appearance at the Bureau of Immigration office.

If you’re interested in having us file your Annual Report for you and not personally showing up at the BI office, call us at +63 (02) 8540-9623 or email info@tripleiconsulting.com, or contact us here.