BI tells foreign professionals, athletes: Get work permit first

MANILA, Philippines - The Bureau of Immigration (BI) has warned professional foreign athletes and entertainers that they have to secure a special work permit (SWP) from the bureau before they could play or perform in the Philippines, lest they be arrested, deported or fined for violating the country’s immigration laws.

The BI issued the warning after receiving reports that there are some foreigners who are issued tourist visas, but visit the country to join marathons and go home after collecting thousands of dollars in prizes.

Immigration Commissioner Ricardo David Jr. yesterday said professional foreign athletes and entertainers could not engage in gainful activity in the country unless they obtain a work permit from the agency.

David said the BI has been enforcing the SWP requirement on foreign athletes and entertainers since 1999 when the bureau launched a crackdown against imports playing in the Philippine Basketball Association.

He said the regulation applies to all foreign athletes, including trainers and coaches, hired to play in any sports tournament and foreign entertainer such as singers and dancers, scheduled to perform in concerts and television shows in the country.

Lawyer Grace Lara, BI chief of staff, said that in the case of foreign athletes, the organization or sports association that sponsored the competition should endorse their SWP applications.

She said foreign entertainers on the other hand, should be endorsed by the Asosasyon ng Musikong Pilipino, Organisasyon ng Pilipinong Mang-aawit, Film Academy of the Philippines, or by the Filipino Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers.

She said the applicant needs only to submit a letter-request from his or her petitioning employer, copy of passport with updated stay, and a BI certificate stating that the applicant has no derogatory record.

The employer should also submit a written undertaking that all taxes due from the income of the applicant shall be withheld and remitted to the Bureau of Internal Revenue.

An SWP applicant is charged P6,440 as payment for application, processing, service, legal research, express lane, and clearance certificate fees.