BUREAU of Immigration (BI) Commissioner Norman Tansingco on Thursday issued a reminder to foreign travelers who are required to present additional documentary requirements before they may be cleared for departure.

He urged foreign tourists who have stayed in the country for more than six months to secure their emigration clearance certificates in any of the different BI’s district, field, satellite, and extension offices nationwide.

He also reminded that registered foreigners with ACR I-Cards may secure their re-entry permits in other BI Offices or at the BI NAIA “one-stop-shop” before proceeding to their flight.

He said securing their required permits early “will decrease queueing time in half because they will not have to fall in line in the separate counter for immigration cashiers.”

Tansingco also reminded Filipino government officials and employees to present their required authority to travel abroad from their respective department heads.

He also advised parents of unaccompanied minors to make sure that the latter secure the required clearance from the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) prior to their flight.

The BI likewise urged overseas-bound travelers to check in at least three hours before their flight and proceed directly to the immigration area for processing to avoid airport congestion.

Tansingco said that while slight queues in immigration are expected, they have ensured that their manpower is in full force during the peak season.

The BI earlier reported fielding 155 additional immigration officers to ensure that all counters are fully manned to service arriving and departing passengers.

He added that the recently-installed “e-gates” at the BI’s arrival areas in major international airports are also expected to decrease processing time from 45 seconds to as low as eight seconds.

The BI said it expects the number of travelers to rise this weekend. BY JUN I. LEGASPI & HECTOR LAWAS

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Jun I. Legaspi