New Visa in the works in PI (wish it was for Thailand)

[soi6 0]

BI to issue visa to foreign traders

By Reynaldo G. Navales

 

http://www.sunstar.com.ph/static/pam/2008/...gn.traders.html

 

 

CLARK FREEPORT -- The Bureau of Immigration (BI) has announced its plan to issue non-immigrant visa to foreign businessmen who wish to invest in the country and employ at least 10 Filipinos.

 

BI Commissioner Marcelo Libanan said the bureau is not only keeping the country safe from outside threats, but it is also doing its part to help keep the economy afloat.

 

"This program is our contribution to the efforts of the Arroyo administration to generate more job for our countrymen and spur the growth of investments in our country," Libanan said.

 

The business sector welcomed the plan of Libanan to allow the indefinite stay of foreigners engaged in certain businesses or industries, which promote employment and improve the living standards and quality of life of Filipinos.

 

After a series of public hearings, a draft executive order of the implementing guidelines for the visa will be submitted to Malacañang for approval by the President, Libanan said.

 

He explained that the proposal aims to make it easier for foreigners to do business in the country by waiving the requirements for their visa applications and granting them privilege to stay here indefinitely.

 

"We make it easy for investors to acquire visa that allows indefinite stay in the country so we encourage them to become serious investors in capital and technology," he said.

 

The immigration chief was recently cited by the US government for its effective campaign to keep terrorists out of the country.

 

"Public interest warrants that these documentary restrictions be waived and the foreigners concerned be admitted as special non-immigrants under our immigration act," he added.

 

The special non-immigrant visa shall be issued to certain classes of aliens particularly those engaged in "viable and sustainable professional, micro-/macro financing, entrepreneurial, corporate, banking, scientific, technological, industrial, telecommunications, tele-transcriptions, eco-tourism, medico-pharmaceutical, herbal-therapeutic, and commercial enterprises."

 

The proposed rules state that the business or industry of the visa applicant must provide business opportunities or employment to at least 10 Filipinos.

 

Qualified applicants shall then be considered special non-immigrants with indefinite stay in the Philippines. They may avail of the visa without need of prior departure from the country.

 

Allowing foreigners to stay indefinitely in the country will not violate any law as the President has the power to waive the documentary restrictions for aliens and change their admission status to special non-immigrants, according to Ronaldo Ledesma, executive chairman of the BI board of special inquiry.

 

Ledesma also cited the 1987 Constitution which declares the policy to promote full employment, a rising standard of living and an improved quality of life for all Filipinos.

 

 

 

from todays manila times there is a story also

 

http://www.manilatimes.net/national/2008/a...080828met4.html

 

100,000 new jobs seen

from latest visa program

 

 

THE Bureau of Immigration said Thursday that at least 100,000 new jobs could be generated once its proposed “job-generating visa” is approved and implemented.

 

“At least 100,000 new jobs will be created as a result of the proposed new indefinite stay visa for foreigners who will employ 10 Filipinos in viable and sustainable businesses in the Philippines,” Immigration Commissioner Marcelino Libanan said in a statement.

 

The immigration chief added that President Gloria Arroyo is expected to sign and issue an executive order early next month for the job-generation visa.

 

The proposed visa program received strong support from eight foreign business organizations in the country.

 

The Immigration chief said the issuance of the new visa will be based on the actual jobs that will be created by the investment made by foreigners in the country, instead of the actual amount of capital deposited in Philippine banks.

 

“The new indefinite stay visas will benefit Filipinos directly with tangible jobs created,” Libanan said.

 

Aside from foreign business groups, the proposed visa program was welcomed by the Departments of Labor and Employment, Trade and Industry and Foreign Affairs.

 

Foreigners that will apply for the indefinite stay visa will have to get an endorsement from the concerned government agency that oversees the industry where the foreigner will engage in.

 

“If his [or her business] is in the tourism industry, he would have to secure or show a certification coming from the Department of Tourism that he is employing at least 10 Filipinos,” Libanan said.

 

The Immigration chief added that foreigners who are applying for the indefinite stay visa will still need to secure an alien employment permit from the Labor department.

 

He added that existing immigration laws and regulations that govern employment and business endeavors of foreigners will still be applied to those who are issued the indefinite stay visas.

--Anthony Vargas

[biggles 509]

Many former pattaya stayers who now live in PI, often comment on how easy it is to stay there long-term with a lot less hassles.

[jacko 8,866]

Many former pattaya stayers who now live in PI, often comment on how easy it is to stay there long-term with a lot less hassles.

Well there has to be some compensation for all the earthquakes, typhoons, cyclones and volcano erruptions that they get there. .