MikeLigalig.com

By EDU PUNAY
The Philippine Star

Chinese and Indian nationals can now enjoy longer stay in the country after the government has removed them from the list of aliens considered “high risk” or “restricted” as part of its immigration liberalization program.

Bureau of Immigration Commissioner Marcelino Libanan said the delisting of Chinese and Indians from the list took effect through his memorandum circular dated Sept.28 that was approved by the Department of Justice earlier this week.

Their removal from the list of “high risk” aliens would allow Chinese and Indian nationals to be granted visas for up to a six-month stay in the country – unlike in the current rule where they are only allowed to stay here for a month.

Foreign nationals included in the list of restricted aliens of the BI are those who are considered a threat to the country, especially in terms of national security. In this list are North Koreans, Palestinians and some Middle Eastern nationals.

Libanan said that the decision to remove the two nationalities from the restricted aliens list was “in view of present realities and fast changing developments in the global political and economic situation.” Libanan said he has also consulted with officials of the Department of Foreign Affairs, Department of Justice and National Coordinating Intelligence Agency.

The BI chief said it is no longer appropriate and practical to consider Chinese and Indians as threats to the country as their countries have been growing in terms of economy and have not shown any intention to harm neighboring countries.

He said the two nationalities “have in fact been acknowledged as reputable businessmen who significantly invested and transacted business in the country and immensely contributed to our economy.”

But Libanan clarified that Chinese and Indians are still required to secure entry visas before entering the country since they have not yet been removed from the list of visa-required foreigners as identified in a foreign service circular of the Department of Foreign Affairs in 2005.

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