The Bureau of Immigration has informed POGOs that foreign nationals who hold non-technical visas have up to February 15 to voluntarily switch to lower Risk”). This downgrading process enables the workers transfer from work visa to temporary visitor's visa which grants the worker 59 days to complete all the formalities of their exit from the Philippines.
The BI also wanted to note that there will be no further prolongation of this deadline. This comes after President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. order that all foreign POGO personnel must depart the country by February 2026. Immigration officer-in-charge Joel Anthony Viado said that the government is ready to address the process of facilitating compliance.
In conjunction with other government office such as DOJ and PNP, the BI will also hold what they call Implementation days which is to fast-track visa downgrades, and release exit clearances. Employees who have not complied by the time this year end will be removed and barred from future employment in the country.
The Philippine government is well poised to implement these new regulations without delay. POGO workers on the other for require urgent action to be taken in order to escape the law.
Also read: Profiling in Progress As The Future of POGO Workers in the Philippines Awaits Decision
