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‘Filipinos on visa runs face risks’
The Philippines’ Department of Foreign Affairs has reported the continuing practice of undocumented Filipinos working in the ASEAN member states of Thailand, Myanmar, Laos, Cambodia, Vietnam, and Malaysia using the visa runs mode.
Visa runs refers to the process or facility by which foreign visitors continue to stay in a country by exiting through border control before their allowed period of temporary stay (usually 30 days) expires and then return for a renewed period, usually for another 15 days or up to two or three months, depending on the type of visa issued and at the discretion of the border officer.
Visa runs is considered one of the means being used by human traffickers and drug syndicates. The department is strongly warning against using these modes of entry or exit in order to avoid possible risks to their welfare and safety.
Prospective applicants seeking employment in Thailand, Myanmar, Laos, Cambodia, Vietnam, or Malaysia are advised to take the legal processes and take extra precautionary measures to establish the authenticity of employment offers by verifying the job orders with the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration through its website at www.poea.gov.ph and its hotlines at 722-11-44 and 722-11-55.
The advisory was issued at the behest of POEA administrator Hans Leo J.Cacdac.
