the Bureau of Immigration (BI) issued a directive implementing stricter guidelines for visa applicants.

MANILA, Philippines – In a bid to eliminate fixers, the Bureau of Immigration (BI) issued a directive implementing stricter guidelines for visa applicants.
In a memorandum, BI chief Ricardo David said that only travel agents and lawyers accredited by the bureau may transact business for and in behalf of foreign clients.
David said accredited travel agents and lawyers, or their authorized liaison officers, are the only ones who will be allowed to file applications for visas and other immigration documents at the bureau’s transaction windows and other frontline offices.
The memorandum also said that foreigners who do not want to engage the services of travel agents should file their visa applications in person.
But foreigners who are unable to personally file their applications may send their authorized private representatives, provided the latter possesses a special power of attorney.
BI Administrative Chief Felino Quirante Jr. said the measures are aimed at eliminating fixing and facilitation not only by unauthorized private individuals but also by immigration employees.
He said the rules are part of measures being initiated by the new BI management to curb irregular transactions in the agency.
He added that David had earlier instructed members of the bureau’s civil security unit to implement anti-fixing measures such as enforcing a “no ID, no entry” policy and banning outsiders and employees from loitering in the bureau’s lobby and premises.
Travel agents, lawyers and their liaison officers are also required to attach their IDs in all visa applications they would file as proof that they have been accredited by the BI.
Upon approval of visa applications, only the foreign applicants or their travel agents or lawyers who originally filed the application can go to the BI executive office to facilitate the implementation of the approved visas. - By Jun Pasaylo (Philstar News Service, www.philstar.com)