Downgrading Application Changes May Impact Foreign Nationals' Departure Plans From The Philippines

The Bureau of Immigration PEZA Extension Office (BI PEZA) implemented key changes to the downgrading application process ('downgrading' refers to the in-country work visa cancellation process whereby the work visa is downgraded to a 9(a) temporary visitor visa). First, it now sends an email as formal notice that the downgrading application for a Philippine Economic Zone Authority (PEZA) Visa has been approved. Second, if the formal notice indicates an Order to Leave (OTL), the foreign national will have 15 calendar days upon receipt of the email notice to depart the country. Previously, the applicant's passport would have to be submitted to the BI-PEZA for stamping of the downgraded visa in the passport first, and, thereafter, a physical copy of the Downgrading Order would have been issued. Then, if there was OTL in the Order, it would have commenced on the date when the passport was submitted to the BI-PEZA. Other changes include faster completion of the visa