The Bureau of Immigration announced yesterday that it is ready to implement the streamlined requirements set by the Commission on Filipinos Overseas or CFO for departing Filipino tourists.

According to BI Commissioner Norman Tansingco, a memorandum of agreement signed by the bureau with the CFO last May has assured interoperability and real-time data sharing between them.

The closer coordination between the BI and CFO would result in a more efficient system of collecting, processing, and verifying the data of Filipinos departing the country, he said.

It may be recalled that the CFO announced early this month that Filipino fiancés, spouses, and other partners of foreign nationals holding tourist visas are no longer required to undergo the CFO Guidance and Counseling Program.

However, Filipinos departing with immigrant or long-term permanent residence visas, fiancé, spouse, or partner visas, J1 visa holders bound for the United States, and au pair visa holders bound for Europe would still be required to secure the GCP before departure.

Tansingco said they have cascaded the advisory to all immigration officers at all ports of entry and exit.