STARTING August 1, the Bureau of Immigration (BI) will no longer require foreign spouses, children and parents of Filipino citizens to present an entry exemption document (EED) to visit their loved ones here in the country.

BI Commissioner Jaime Morente said the new policy is in compliance with the latest resolution of the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF) easing the entry travel requirements for foreigners related by marriage or filiation to Filipinos.

The new resolution, however, does not cover travelers from 10 countries where there is an existing ban due to the Covid-19 Delta variant.

"Those coming from India, Pakistan, Nepal, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Oman, United Arab Emirates, Indonesia, Malaysia, and Thailand are still not allowed to enter the country," said BI Port Operations Division Chief Atty. Carlos Capulong. "This includes those who have a travel history to said countries within the last 14 days from their date of arrival," Capulong said.

Said travel ban, according to the BI official, remains in effect until July 31, unless extended or expanded by the IATF.

Prior to the implementation of the new policy, the BI had been requiring foreigners to secure valid 9(a) tourist visas as well as an EED issued by the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) through its various embassies or consulates abroad before going to the country.

Those who fail to secure and present either one of the two documents are excluded and turned back upon arrival at the ports of entry.

However, under the newly issued IATF Resolution 128 (s.2021), foreign spouses, children and parents of Filipinos will only be required to present 9(a) tourist visas beginning on Saturday.

"We welcome this latest ruling of the IATF as it will now be easier and convenient for foreigners whose Filipino spouses and children are currently in the Philippines to visit and reunite with their loved ones," Morente said.

The BI clarified that the new travel guideline applies only to foreigners who are not accompanied by their Filipino spouses or Filipino parents when going to the Philippines.

"Foreigners who are traveling with their Filipino spouses or parents are eligible for the Balikbayan program and they may be admitted visa-free for a one-year stay," Morente said.

Read full article on BusinessMirror