THE PHILIPPINES is seeking to participate in an initial implementation
of a unified visa for foreigners outside the Association of Southeast Asian
Nations (ASEAN), a Cabinet official yesterday said.
"The Philippines is one of
the countries working hard for a unified ASEAN visa," Tourism Secretary
Ramon R. Jimenez, Jr. told media during a briefing at the Pacific Asia Travel
Association in Manila.
The plan to implement a single
visa for non-ASEAN residents will streamline travel requirements and open the
region to foreign tourists similar to the Schengen visa of the European Union.
"There are five countries,
soon six, that are ready to implement the single visa," said Mr. Jimenez.
He said in an interview after the
briefing that the five countries are Brunei, Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand and
Vietnam.
"These five countries are
ready to go and already have data facilities for the unified visa’s
implementation," he said.
Mr. Jimenez added that scheme
could partially take off with the participation of a majority of the 10-nation
bloc.
"If six or seven countries
are ready, then it [unified ASEAN visa] will be subjected to initial
implementation. And we want to be part of this," he said.
Other members of ASEAN are
Cambodia, Indonesia, Lao PDR and Myanmar.
Mr. Jimenez, meanwhile, said part
of preparations for the initiative is the modernization of visa application
processing.
"We, together with concerned
agencies, are working hard to whatever extent we can render information on the
digital age," he said.
Mr. Jimenez said the visa plan
"could be fully implemented in the region within five years."
Implementing a unified travel
visa for the region was reportedly raised at the ASEAN foreign minister’s
meeting last year. The move is seen to attract more tourists to the region.
ASEAN members also plan to
introduce free visas for all residents to boost inter-region tourism. Only
seven members currently issue free visas for its residents on a limited period.
Myanmar, Laos and Cambodia are expected to soon follow suit.
Antonio Siegfrid O. Alegado
Business & Investment Opportunities
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