The
Bureau of Immigration (BI) in the Philippines has tightened its rules on the
screening of applications for foreign student visas and permits following
reports of “fake” foreign students in the country.
In a statement, Immigration Commissioner
Ricardo David Jr. on Wednesday said he has issued new guidelines on the
issuance of student visas and special study permits (SSP) to foreigners
enrolled in various schools of the country.
Under a new memorandum, the school’s
designated liaison officer or representative, who must be an employee of the
school, should represent or assist the foreign student in applying for a visa.
The commissioner said the new rule was imposed
after reports reached him that unscrupulous travel agents have been conniving
with foreigners in submitting fake or fraudulent transcripts of school records
for student visa applications.
"We have to make sure that only
foreigners actually studying in the Philippines are given these visas. This anomaly should be stopped because these
fake foreign students are blatantly violating our laws," the BI chief
said.
David said he has already instructed Lawyers
Ma. Antonette Bucasas-Mangrobang, BI acting intelligence chief, and Anna
Katrina Sy-Gil, BI student desk head, to investigate and identify the “fake”
alien students so their visas can be canceled and they can be arrested and
deported.
The new rules also state that only schools
accredited by the BI, Department of Education, Commission on Higher Education,
Technical Education and Skills Development Authority, and Federation of
Accrediting Agencies are authorised to accept foreign students.
A student visa is issued to a foreigner, at
least 18 years old, who will be taking up a course at a university, seminary,
college, or school duly authorised to admit foreign students.
On the other hand, an SSP is issued to a
foreign student below 18, who will be studying in the elementary, secondary or
special tertiary course of less than one year.
Schools are now required to establish a
foreign student unit and submit to the BI a periodic report on foreigners
enrolled in their school. Each school will designate its representative who
will deal with the BI for the issuance or renewal of study visas or SSPs of
foreign students.
BI alien control officers in the areas where
the schools are situated were also required to submit to the bureau’s main
office a monthly report on study visas and permits processed by their
respective offices.
Jerome Aning
Philippine Daily Inquirer
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