Philippines’ strict visa rules disrupt Chinese businesses and local economy

Manila’s visa rules to combat fraud are hindering legitimate Chinese businesses, affecting the local economy and increasing Sinophobia

Reading Time:3 minutes

People buying food at a restaurant in Chinatown, Manila, Philippines. Photo: Shutterstock

Published: 4:26pm, 22 Nov 2024

The Chinese community in the Philippines is grappling with the effects of Manila’s strict new visa restrictions, a policy designed to combat immigration fraud and other illegal activities but which are also impacting legitimate businesses.

Observers say the government’s crackdown has inadvertently ensnared Chinese traders with long-standing ties to the country, creating hurdles for law-abiding entrepreneurs and affecting sectors vital to the local economy.

Wilson Lee Flores, a political-economic analyst and honorary chairman of the Anvil Business Club in Manila, said that several Chinese-Filipino businessmen are struggling to secure visas for their factory and shop workers from the Philippine Embassy in Beijing.

“All visa applicants from China coming to the Philippines are having a hard time. No approvals … no quota … nothing,” Flores told This Week in Asia.

I mentioned to my friend, the Philippine ambassador in Beijing, that my friend owns a noodle factory and has a technician ready, but the new machine from China can’t be operated without him, the situation is “very bad for both countries”, Flores said.

In May, the Philippine Department of Foreign Affairs tightened visa policies to address fraudulent applications that have caused illegal entries and overstays. This includes closer scrutiny of applications from high-risk countries and better collaboration with immigration authorities to verify supporting documents.