BI warns foreign students vs fixers

MANILA, Philippines — The Bureau of Immigration (BI) warns foreign students against engaging online fixers offering assistance with student visa processing.

BI Commissioner Jaime Morente said they have received at least four cases of foreign students who fell prey to visa tampering last month.

He said only the authorized representative of the school the foreign students attend may transact with immigration officers on their behalf.

“They should refrain from engaging the services of the so-called fixers, many of whom they just met online, as these would only bring problems to them,” Morente said.

He said an Indian student was about to claim his Alien Certificate of Registration Identity Card when the BI’s Student Visa Section found the student had no application for the ACR i-Card. The SVS also found his visa was expired and that his passport has been marked with counterfeit visa extension stamps.

The fixer who handled the student’s papers was arrested, according to Morente.