Registered aliens reminded to pay annual fees with BI

Registered foreigners are expected to flock the Bureau of Immigration-7 office starting this week to renew their annual fees.

BI-7 director Geronimo Rosas said their office is now catering to the renewal of annual fees of registered aliens in the province and the region.

This after BI Commissioner Marcelino Libanan told foreigners late last December not to wait for the February 29 deadline.

Rosas also told the foreigners not to go through fixers and pay their dues directly to their office.

Foreigners who are holders of any visa, except temporary visitors’ visas, have to pay annual fees of P310 until February 29 or else pay a P200 penalty for every month of delay.

Non-payment of annual dues is also a ground for arrest and deportation.

Rosas said most of the foreigners are husbands and wives of Filipinos and are working or operating their own businesses here.

A great number are also studying, as in the case of Koreans.

Companies hiring foreign workers who cannot personally pay the fees can request their office to pay the dues on their behalf.

Rosas said according to last year’s figure there are about 6,000 registered aliens in Central Visayas, but this figure may yet change pending results of the

yearend recording and inventory.   — Ferliza C. Contratista/BRP