DFA pushes back on call to outsource visa processing to private firm

MANILA — The Department of Foreign Affairs on Monday pushed back against Ombudsman Jesus Crispin Remulla’s call to take away its power to issue visas amid renewed debate over the screening of foreign nationals entering the Philippines.

In a statement Monday, the DFA rejected Remulla’s allegation that the department had turned visa issuance into a business, saying his remarks undermined the institutional integrity of the agency and unfairly maligned the Philippine Foreign Service and its personnel.

“The DFA’s visa-issuing mandate is grounded on both domestic law and international convention,” the department said.

The dispute followed Remulla’s remarks, where he questioned the DFA’s capacity to screen foreign nationals and proposed transferring visa processing to VFS Global, a private company that provides administrative support for visa applications.

“The DFA should no longer assume that visa processing automatically falls under its responsibility. We have to take it away from them,” he said.

Outsourcing visa services to private firms has led to high and often arbitrary fees, according to a cross-border investigation that Lighthouse Reports published in May.  The investigation specifically looked into VFS Global operations in several countries.

Remulla argued that visa issuance should be treated as an immigration concern under the Department of Justice rather than a function of the country’s diplomatic service. 

He also accused the DFA of prioritizing revenue over diplomacy, claiming that visa issuance in China had become a business.

The DFA countered that visa issuance is not merely a clerical task and involves assessing applications, verifying documents and exercising official judgment under Philippine laws and regulations.

“These responsibilities require the exercise of official judgment pursuant to the applicable Philippine laws, rules and regulations, and cannot be reduced to just the administrative receipt and processing of documents,” it said.

The department clarified that private service providers such as VFS Global may assist with administrative tasks, particularly receiving applications, but do not assume the government’s authority to approve or deny visas.

“This authority remains a governmental responsibility, as exercised by the Philippine Embassies and Consulates,” the DFA said.

“The DFA does not tolerate corruption and remains committed to accountability, transparency, and utmost professionalism in the delivery of public service.”

The issue revives a disagreement between Remulla and the DFA dating back to November 2023, when Remulla also proposed allowing VFS Global to handle visa applications from Chinese nationals, citing concerns about the screening of foreign visitors and the entry of potentially undesirable individuals into the country.