BI suspends visa issuance for Chinese nationals amid virus scare

Updated Thu, January 30, 2020 at 2:32 PM Published Tue, January 28, 2020 at 8:00 AM

The Bureau of Immigration (BI) has temporarily suspended the issuance of Visa Upon Arrival (VUA) for Chinese nationals.

The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) has also temporarily suspended the issuance of Philippine visas to travelers from Hubei Province, China.

These measures are intended to slow down large tour groups and do not impose a total entry ban.

Chinese nationals with regular tourist visas or working visas will still be allowed entry after assessment by the Bureau of Quarantine.

Amid the novel coronavirus scare, Chinese tourists in the Philippines are seeking visa extensions from the BI provincial offices, fearing rejection in other countries.

The Chinese Consulate General in Cebu noted a decline in tourist arrivals from China due to the 2019 novel coronavirus outbreak.

China's Ministry of Culture and Tourism advised travel agencies to cancel all group tours abroad starting January 27.

Many Chinese citizens had already canceled their trips and bookings prior to the official advisory, prioritizing their health over financial refunds.

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China Department of Foreign Affairs Bureau of Immigration

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