BI Proposes New ₱480 Round-Trip Border Security Fee for International Travelers

International travelers may soon have to pay an additional ₱480 on round-trip flights under a proposal by the Bureau of Immigration (BI) aimed at strengthening and modernizing the country's border security system.

Under the proposed scheme, international passengers would be charged $4, or approximately ₱240, upon departure from the Philippines and another $4 upon arrival, bringing the total additional cost to about ₱480 for a round-trip journey.

The proposed fee will help fund the Civil Aviation and Immigration Security Services (CAISS) project, a modernization initiative designed to enhance border control operations at Philippine airports and seaports.

According to the BI, the project will introduce advanced security technologies, including biometric verification systems, automated self-service electronic gates, and real-time passenger screening capabilities. Officials said the upgrades are intended to improve immigration processing, strengthen border security, and align the country's systems with international standards.

The fee, however, remains in the proposal stage and has not yet been approved for implementation. As a result, travelers are not currently being charged the additional amount at airports.

If approved, the BI said the fee would likely be integrated into airline ticket prices, allowing passengers to pay the charge as part of their travel expenses rather than through a separate airport collection process.

All international passengers arriving in and departing from the Philippines would be covered by the proposed fee.

The additional charge would come on top of existing travel-related costs, including airfare, airport charges, and the Philippine travel tax, which is currently set at ₱1,620 for economy-class passengers.

The proposal has sparked discussion among travelers and industry stakeholders, with some expressing concern over additional travel costs while others acknowledge the need for enhanced border security and more efficient immigration services.

The Bureau of Immigration has yet to announce a timeline for the project's full implementation, pending necessary approvals and regulatory requirements.