THE PHILIPPINES – Representatives Permitted to File Annual Reports on Behalf of Foreign Nationals
In the Philippines, foreign nationals are required to file an Annual Report with the Bureau of Immigration within the first 60 days of the new calendar year. Previously, it was required that all foreign nationals must appear in person to file their Annual Reports. The Bureau of Immigration has determined that for certain foreign nationals, filing may be done by a third-party representative in 2015. In order to qualify for this option, the foreign national must meet the following requirements:
- The foreign national must have submitted an Annual Report in person in 2014;
- The foreign national must submit a special power of attorney with a valid government-issued form of identification of their legal representative;
- The foreign national must pay 500 Philippine pesos (~ $10 USD); and
- The foreign national is in compliance with all immigration and alien registration laws under the Philippine Immigration Act of 1940 and the Alien Registration Act of 1950.
Those who do not meet the above exemption criteria must still appear in person (either at the Bureau of Immigration’s main office or at a branch office that has jurisdiction over their place of residence). Foreign nationals who did not submit their Annual Report in 2014 are required to appear in person in 2015 and present the following: their original Alien Certificate of Registration Identity Card (ACR I-Card) and a printed confirmation number along with the other details issued via the Annual Report 2015 online system. Additionally, it should be noted that parents or legal guardians must report on behalf of any children under 14 years of age. Lastly, please remember that Annual Reports are to be submitted by March 1st, 2015.