Low Enrollment Rates for Chinese Student Visa Holders in Cagayan

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Key Takeaways:

Visa Discrepancy: Of 1,516 Chinese student visas issued in Cagayan, only 485 are enrolled, with 96 attending classes.
Proposed Actions: Immigration Commissioner calls for joint inspections and regular reporting to ensure visa compliance and genuine educational use.
Challenges and Recommendations: Lawmakers urge stricter controls, transparent reporting, revising visa conversion, and centralized authority to improve visa issuance integrity.

Why Are Only One-Third of Chinese Students Enrolled in Cagayan?

The Bureau of Immigration (BI) has revealed concerning statistics about Chinese student visas in Cagayan. Despite 1,516 visas being issued for Chinese students endorsed by a major university in the province, only 485 are currently enrolled. More troubling is that merely 96 of these students are actually attending classes. Norman Tansingco, Immigration Commissioner, believes this discrepancy necessitates a closer look at the agencies involved in granting these permits.

Low Enrollment Rates for Chinese Student Visa Holders in Cagayan

What Actions Is the Bureau of Immigration Taking?

Tansingco has called for a high-level meeting with the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) and other relevant agencies to clarify roles and ensure foreign students are genuinely using their visa for educational purposes. He emphasizes the importance of regular reporting by schools that accept international students, as mandated.

“We have requested the high-level meeting to reiterate our previous requests for immediate joint inspections, and for it to become a regular conduct by the IACFS given new developments in national security concerns,” Tansingco said.

How Many Student Visas Were Issued in 2023?

In 2023, the Bureau of Immigration granted a total of 24,189 student visas to various nationalities, with 16,190 of these being Chinese nationals. A significant portion of these students are based in the National Capital Region, highlighting the need for stringent vetting and follow-up to ensure visas are used appropriately.

Should the Conversion of Tourist Visas to Student Visas Be Scrapped?

Surigao del Norte Rep. Robert Ace Barbers has called on President Marcos to revoke an executive order by former President Joseph Estrada that allows the Bureau of Immigration to convert tourist visas to student visas. Barbers argued,

“In today’s setting, this particular power by the BI can be abused. This arbitrary power to convert visas is the worst legalized scheme that can be used by unscrupulous personnel for monetary gain.”

Barbers finds the 16,200 student visas granted to Chinese nationals in 2023 unacceptable, particularly given the tense diplomatic relationship between the Philippines and China. He further suggested that the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) should be the sole agency responsible for granting visas, given its expertise in eligibility assessments.

How Are Lawmakers Responding to These Concerns?

Multiple lawmakers share their thoughts to address these issues. Cagayan de Oro City Rep. Rufus Rodriguez advocates for the DFA’s expanded policy of stricter controls on Chinese visa applications, encompassing students, businessmen, and workers. He warns,

“Let us have a more comprehensive and stringent vetting of Chinese visa applicants for the sake of peace and order in the country, and our national security. Let us be on the lookout for Trojan horses among them.”

Cagayan Rep. Joseph Lara echoed these concerns, noting the rise in Chinese student visa applications following the announcement of a new naval base in Sta. Ana town, Cagayan, under the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement with the United States.

Rodriguez has urged the DFA, BI, and the Commission on Higher Education to conduct an inventory and more rigorous review of Chinese students in universities not only in Cagayan but also in neighboring regions like Isabela, Nueva Vizcaya, and the Cordillera Region to verify the exact number and purpose of these foreign students.

What Are Potential Solutions for Improving This Situation?

To address these discrepancies and potential abuses in the issuance and use of Chinese student visas:

Joint Inspections and Regular Audits: Implementation of consistent joint inspections and audits by the inter-agency committee on foreign students (IACFS) to validate student enrollment and attendance, ensuring compliance with visa requirements.
Transparency and Reporting: Schools admitting foreign nationals should maintain up-to-date and accurate student records, with regular submissions to the IACFS to track and monitor foreign student populations effectively.
Revise Visa Conversion Practices: Consider revising or abolishing the policy allowing tourist visa conversions to student visas to prevent misuse.
Centralized Visa Authority: Shift the responsibility of visa issuance solely to the DFA, ensuring specialized and thorough expertise in assessing visa applications.
Enhanced Security Measures: Implement stricter vetting processes and checks on Chinese nationals seeking visas for various purposes to preclude any security threats.

For more detailed and authoritative information on student visa regulations and procedures in the Philippines, you can visit the Official Bureau of Immigration website.

Understanding and mitigating the underlying issues associated with Chinese student visas in Cagayan will help streamline the process, ensuring that visas serve their intended educational purpose and contribute positively to both the student community and national security.

Learn Today:

Glossary

Bureau of Immigration (BI): The government agency responsible for enforcing immigration laws, issuing visas, and regulating the entry, stay, and exit of foreign nationals in the Philippines.
Commission on Higher Education (CHED): A government agency overseeing and regulating higher education institutions in the Philippines, responsible for ensuring quality education standards and compliance with related policies.
Inter-Agency Committee on Foreign Students (IACFS): A collaborative body comprising multiple agencies tasked with monitoring, inspecting, and regulating foreign students studying in the Philippines to ensure compliance with visa requirements and educational purposes.
Tourist Visa Conversion: The process of changing a tourist visa, initially intended for leisure travel purposes, into a student visa to allow the visa holder to pursue educational activities, subject to specific regulations and conditions.
Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA): The government department responsible for managing international relations, diplomatic missions, and foreign affairs matters, including visa issuance, consular services, and representing the country’s interests abroad.

This Article In A Nutshell:

The Bureau of Immigration flagged concerns over Chinese student visas in Cagayan. Despite 1,516 issued visas, only 96 students attend classes. Norman Tansingco called for a meeting to address the disparity. Lawmakers emphasize stricter controls, audit systems, and centralized visa issuance to uphold security and visa integrity. Swift actions are crucial.
— By VisaVerge.com