Push Admin

Immigration official notes exodus of foreigners from PH amid pandemic

Article (news)

Angela Coloma, ABS-CBN News

<div class="embed-wrap"><figure data-feedback="fb:likes,fb:comments"><img src="https://sa.kapamilya.com/absnews/abscbnnews/media/2020/news/07/21/20200320-coronavirus-lockdown-naia-outbound-md-58.jpg"/><figcaption>The Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 3 in Pasay City is almost empty of passengers on March 20, 2020, after the 72-hour window for domestic flights prior to the air travel ban under the enhanced community quarantine in Luzon. <em>Mark Demayo, ABS-CBN News/File</em></figcaption></figure></div><p>MANILA - The Bureau of Immigration is seeing an uptick in foreign departures compared to arrivals in the country as the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic continues.</p><p>In a public press briefing, Immigration spokesperson Dana Sandoval said there was an &quot;exodus&quot; of foreigners leaving the country, with around 2 million departures for the year, adding that this may have an effect on the country&#x27;s economy by year-end.</p><p>This is higher compared to the 1.5 million arrivals tallied by the office, a trend Immigration sees happening until the end of the year as travel restrictions remain in place.</p><figure class="op-interactive"><iframe height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/hnpB_TGvBM4?enablejsapi=1" width="560"></iframe></figure><div class="iwantbar">Watch more in <a href="//www.iwantv.com.ph/">iWantv</a> or <a href="//tfc.tv/">TFC.tv</a></div><div style="text-align:center"><em>Video courtesy of PTV</em></div><p>&quot;This has a bigger effect dahil for the past few years upward ang trend ng foreign arrivals following the efforts ng DOT, malaki ang magiging impact nito sa ating ekonomiya,&quot; Sandoval said.</p><p>(The trend of foreign arrivals have been upward for the past few years following DOT&#x27;s (Department of Tourism) efforts. This will have a big impact on our economy.)</p><p>The tourism industry was paralyzed for months earlier this year when government implemented lockdown restrictions to limit movement as it sought to contain the COVID-19 spread.</p><p>Several tourist spots have since reopened as quarantine restrictions eased, but they are limited to local tourists.</p><p>The government this week said it was allowing the entry of Filipinos&#x27; foreign spouses and their children starting December 7. It also permitted entry of former Filipino citizens, including their spouses and children, according to a pandemic task force resolution released Friday.</p><ul class="op-related-articles">	<li><a href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/11/27/20/asawang-banyaga-anak-ng-mga-pinoy-maaari-nang-pumasok-sa-bansa-mula-disyembre-7">READ: Asawang banyaga, anak ng mga Pinoy, maaari nang pumasok sa bansa mula Disyembre 7</a></li></ul><p>The travelers are allowed visa-free entry. However, they are required to pre-book a quarantine facility and COVID-19 test, Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque said in a statement.</p><p>The official said the move would allow families to reunite come Christmas time, reminding foreigners traveling to the Philippines to follow health protocols.</p><p>Sandoval clarified that these will only cover those who will be coming from countries with visa-free access to the country. The rest will have to secure visas before departure to the Philippines, along with other needed travel documents amid the pandemic.</p><p>&quot;[Compared] sa previous years hindi ito papalo ng ganoong karami and following itong pag-allow ng mga balikbayan it will be allowing Filipinos to be reunited with their families,&quot; Sandoval said.</p><p>(Compared to the previous years, we will not expect a high number of arrivals and now that we&#x27;ve allowed balikbayans in the Philippines, it will be allowing Filipinos to be reunited with their families.)</p>

<p>MANILA - The Bureau of Immigration is seeing an uptick in foreign departures compared to arrivals in the country as the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic continues.</p>

MANILA - The Bureau of Immigration is seeing an uptick in foreign departures compared to arrivals in the country as the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic continues.

Immigration official notes exodus of foreigners from PH amid pandemic

News

Entertainment

Lifestyle

Sports

Metro.Style

More

Sudoku

Word of the Day

Lotto

Horoscope

News

Immigration official notes exodus of foreigners from PH amid pandemic

Angela Coloma,

ABS-CBN News

Published November 28, 2020 12:47 PM PHT

|

Updated November 28, 2020 02:45 PM PHT

Read More:

COVID-19 pandemic

foreigner

Bureau if Immigration

Filipino citizens

foreigners

ABS-CBN is the leading media and entertainment company in the Philippines, offering quality content across TV, radio, digital, and film. Committed to public service and promoting Filipino values, ABS-CBN continues to inspire and connect audiences worldwide.

Corporate

Investors

Governance

International Distribution

Corporate

Governance

Investors

International Distribution

NPC Seal of Registration

Privacy Policy

AI Policy

Terms of Service

Advertise with Us

© 2026 ABS-CBN Corporation. All Rights Reserved.

NPC Seal of Registration

Privacy Policy

Terms of Service

AI Policy

Advertise with Us

© 2026 ABS-CBN Corporation. All Rights Reserved.

NPC Seal of Registration

Privacy Policy

Terms of Service

AI Policy

Advertise with Us

© 2026 ABS-CBN Corporation. All Rights Reserved.