DFA Asserts Role in Visa Issuance for Foreigners, Including Chinese Nationals

Manila, Philippines – The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) has defended its role in issuing visas to foreign nationals, including Chinese, emphasizing its comprehensive assessment process for visa applications.

According to Philippines News Agency, DFA spokesperson Ma. Teresita Daza, in a statement, stated that the DFA’s visa-issuing mandate is crucial for admitting foreign nationals into the Philippines. The department is the first tier of defense in gatekeeping, developing strict criteria for admissions. The DFA’s thorough visa issuance process involves obtaining security clearances from the National Intelligence Coordinating Agency (NICA) and the Bureau of Immigration (BI), and authorization from the DFA Office of Consular Affairs for restricted or visa-required nationals. The Department of Justice’s proposal to outsource visa management for Chinese nationals to VFS Global, citing its data verification capabilities, was addressed. VFS Global, which manages administrative tasks for other foreign missions, will not alter the visa decision-making process, which remains the prerogative of the contracting government or embassy. The DFA’s system is complemented by the BI, providing a second tier of defense at ports of entry under the Philippine Immigration Act. Daza highlighted that the DFA’s authority to issue visas is grounded in international and domestic laws, including the 1963 Vienna Convention on Consular Relations, the 1987 Administrative Code, and the Codified Visa Rules and Regulations of the Philippines of 2002. This function allows the DFA to vet visa applicants, ensuring they are legitimate visitors with valid reasons for traveling to the Philippines.