The Department of Justice (DOJ) announced today that effective immediately, the Bureau of Immigration (BI) shall no longer require the presentation of printed or hard copy of onward or return tickets for passengers at the international ports of entry and exit.

Electronic tickets may be used through mobile devices such as smart phones, tablets.

“This is another simple step to improve access to basic government services," said Secretary Leila M. De Lima of the DOJ. "We shall continue to work with all stakeholders to inject common sense and process logic into our systems," she said.

The new policy is embodied in Operations Order No. SBM-2013-003 entitled "Removing the Requirement of Presentation of the Printed Hard Copy of Return and/or Onward Passage Ticket" dated last 12 August 2013 a copy of which may be downloaded at www.immigration.gov.ph.

"Competition reforms begin with the understanding that the users and consumers are at the heart of any government work," said DOJ Assistant Secretary Geronimo L. Sy.