As international travel returns to pre-pandemic levels, the Bureau of Immigration (BI) said it plans to open new offices in “key areas” in the country in 2024.
In a statement, BI Commissioner Norman Tansingco said that as part of its efforts to make its services more accessible to the public, the BI has transferred many of its operations to malls and other public areas in 2023.
The BI’s offices in Cebu, Surigao, Las Pinas, Olongapo, and Nueva Ecija have transferred to bigger locations, while their Camiguin Field Office started its operations at the Provincial Capitol Building in Pandan Mambajao.
The BI’s physical annual report in Metro Manila has also been transferred from the BI’s head office to the 3rd Level Center Atrium of Robinsons Manila and the Government Service Express (GSE) Unit of SM Mall of Asia from Mondays to Fridays, excluding holidays, between 9 a.m. and 6 p.m.
Tansingco said that they are eyeing new offices in Siargao, Pagadian, Sorsogon, Davao del Sur, and other popular tourist destinations as well as the transfer of more offices to better locations.
“We are particularly looking at transferring many of our operations to malls, to make things more convenient for the transacting public. We want to give quality and comfortable public service,” he added.
Apart from opening new offices, the BI shared that many of its services, including visa extensions are now available online.
“With these developments, there will be no more excuse not to comply with immigration requirements,” Tansingco stressed.