In partnership with Visa, Rizal Commercial Banking Corp. (RCBC), and its unit RCBC Bankard Services Corp. (RCBC BSC) launched their latest consumer-centric credit card product, the RCBC Bankard Visa Platinum, for jet setters and leisure travelers.
Philippine Visa
The Government of Qatar opened its first official Qatar Visa Center (QVC) in the Philippines to streamline the visa application and approval process of applicants for Qatar residency in the country on Wednesday last week.
The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) officially opened its first authentication service center in Visayas. The new DFA Cebu Consular Office in Mandaue, Cebu is expected to reduce the burden faced by the residents of the Visayas region in obtaining travel documents.
The House of Representatives recently approved House Bill (HB) No. 300, an amendment for the Foreign Investments Act (FIA), which seeks to remove constraints on foreigners practicing their profession in the Philippines. The bill will enable more foreigners to pursue a career in the country and directly reduce the local hire threshold for businesses with foreign investors.
Officials from the Consular Section of the United States (US) Embassy in Manila stated during their relaunch of the #WalangSikreto campaign earlier this month that the US visa application process in the Philippines is now easier and more transparent, adding that the current approval rate is also exceptionally ‘high’ for all applicants.
The United States (US) Embassy in Manila cautioned eager visa applicants in the Philippines to be wary of transacting public documents with “expediters” and “fixers” for their visa applications, as they may permanently lose eligibility to travel to the US.
The Department of Tourism (DOT) declared its willingness to review the current Visa Upon Arrival (VUA) policy issued to foreign visitors in response to the security concerns brought about by the recent influx of undocumented foreigners in the Philippines.
On Wednesday, July 24, the Bureau of Immigration (BI) alerted the people of the nation to be wary of ‘fixers’ and nonaccredited travel agents who peddle their assistance and ‘short-cut’ services in exchange for fees.
The Bureau of Immigration reminds foreign nationals residing or visiting the Philippines to refrain from engaging in any political activity in the country.
The Bureau of Immigration (BI) recently issued new guidelines on the granting of Special Work Permits and Provisional Work Permits to foreigners who intend to work in the Philippines.