The Bureau of Immigration (BI) announced that they will be implementing changes in travel restrictions effective immediately.

BI Commissioner Jaime Morente said that following the latest resolution of the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF), they have implemented the expanded coverage of foreign nationals allowed to enter the country amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

“Effective immediately, treaty traders and treaty investors, or those issued visas pursuant to Section 9(d) of the Philippine Immigration Act of 1940 are now allowed to enter the country,” said Morente.

According to the law, those holding 9(d) visas are alien businessmen who are in the country to carry on trade of commerce between the Philippines and the country to which he is a national of, or invest in an enterprise in the country.

Also entitled to the same visa are the alien’s spouse and minor children and the alien’s employees.

Existing rules limit holders of 9(d) visas to citizens of the US, Japan and Germany with whom the Philippines has existing reciprocal treaty or agreements on trade and commerce.

Also adding to the list of foreigners allowed are aliens with visas issued by economic zones of the Authority of the Freeport Area of Bataan, Cagayan Economic Zone Authority, and Clark Development Corporation. #