NRIs have to re-apply for CENOMAR if they have exceeded its validity. Such people have to get it again if they want to get married with the citizens of Philippines.

Since an unfortunate outbreak of COVID 19 is all around, most of the countries have taken precautionary steps by ceasing flights or aerial transportation. Even, immigration departments had stopped issuing new visas to break the chain of this infection. Several applications were cancelled and people were left with broken hearts.

Now, it is good to hear that the Bureau of Immigration of Philippines has allowed the entry foreigner spouse of Filipinos. But, this can happen on a condition that such foreigners must have existing visas. Simply put, those who have got the visa but unfortunately, did not allow staying here previously.

The Immigration Commissioner Jaime Morente has stamped this fact, stating that aliens have permission to enter the country given that they should have the validity remaining of their visas.  For this purpose, people need not have to have entry visa, which one must mandatorily have from the port of origin.

The commissioner has issued directions, clearing all doubts to the competent authority so that it can address report of alleged confusion. Earlier, Morente had pronounced that all foreign spouses, their dependents and parents had to show the appropriate visas before entering the country.

Objections Before Allowing Entry

The BI Chief found it really impractical to compulsorily show off new visas for NRIs or other foreigner spouses, dependents and the parents of Filipinos. According to him, if the validity of their visa is still remaining, why they could not use it.  He said, “This implication should be applicable in the case of only foreigners who have solemnized marriage with Filipinos but do not have valid visa. Only such people should be barred from entry.”

NRIs To Renew CENOMAR & ACR I-Cards

Now, this is going to be a real trouble for NRIs, as they have to re-apply for the certificate of no marriage (CENOMAR) if its validity is going to end. It is noteworthy that this certificate would be valid for six months only. Upon that period, one has to re-apply and get this certificate again to tie knot in Philippines.

The trouble for them is not going to end here. There is a condition for Alien Certificate of Registration Identity Cards (ACR I-Cards) also.  The non-residents have to check its validity as well. If it is expired, they won’t be able to get permission for entry.  Therefore, they have to renew it as soon as possible, but before taking a flight to this country.

A memorandum has been issued in this regard on 12^th of August 2020, wherein the BI Port Operations Division Acting Chief Grifton Medina have confirmed over the fact that valid visa would be a licence to enter the country for alien spouses, minor dependents and parents of minor Filipinos.

Medina has specifically underscored the fact that the valid visas would be associated with the marriage to Filipinos. Let’s say, an Indian having a valid 9(g) working visa or a Special Retiree’s Resident Visa (SRRV) can have the permission to come there if he/ she is married to the resident of this country. No new visa application will be needed from the Philippine Consulates abroad.

As a matter of fact, the foreign spouses of this country’s citizen would be exempted from the travel ban, since he/she would be naturalized as its citizen. Such spouses have all rights to meet their spouses and children here as long as they want to live there with valid visa.