Joel Anthony Viado, the Director of the Bureau of Immigration, emphasized the urgency of the issue at the beginning of December, noting that foreign nationals have only 31 days left to comply with the Philippine government's directive to cease offshore gaming operations.
The Bureau of Immigration stated that it aims to ensure that affected foreign workers can smoothly and orderly complete their departure procedures, thus reminding them to adhere to the final deadline.
Affected individuals should make all necessary travel arrangements in a timely manner.
Viado reported that as of November 7, a total of 21,757 foreign nationals associated with offshore gaming operations voluntarily downgraded their work visas to temporary visitor visas.
Of the approved downgrade applications, 10,821 foreigners have left the country.
In October, the Bureau of Immigration issued a cancellation order to 12,106 foreigners who had not yet downgraded their visas. The order requires those who have not voluntarily downgraded their visas and left the country to do so by the end of the year.
Viado warned that those who fail to leave by the deadline will be subject to deportation proceedings and will be blacklisted.
The Bureau of Immigration expects that approximately 20,000 foreign POGO workers will leave in the coming weeks.
