Immigration Commissioner Alipio Fernandez Jr. said that the BI visa extension office approved 347,718 applications for tourist visa extension from January to December, up by 71,076 over the 276,642 who applied in 2005.

"This indicates that our country succeeded in attracting more foreign visitors who came here not only for pleasure but also for business,’’ said Fernandez.

"It is also an encouraging sign of the Philippines’ improving reputation as one of Asia’s most favored tourist destinations,’’ he added.

Immigration Regulations chief Gary Mendoza explained that under the existing rules, non-restricted aliens such as Americans, Japanese, and Europeans are allowed to enter the country for 21 days, after which they may extend their stay every two months until the maximum period of one year.

He said restricted nationals such as Chinese, Indians, and Middle Eastern nationals who are required to secure entry visas in coming to the country are usually admitted for initial periods of between 14 days and 59 days and may extend their stay every month, up to a maximum of six months.

Mendoza, however, said that the BI may still extend the stay of a tourist beyond the allowable period on a case- to- case basis and if his reasons are meritorious or justified.

BI statistics showed that a total of 2.76 million foreigners arrived in the country last year, compared to the 2.65 million who came in 2005, an increase of 2.1 percent.

There were also 2.5 million Filipinos who returned from abroad the same year, or an increase of 10 percent over those who came home a year ago.

Mendoza cited as one of the factors in the upsurge of returning Balikbayans the passage of the Dual Citizenship Law which the BI started implementing in 2004.

Records revealed that more than 20,000 former Filipinos regained their Philippine citizenship as a result of that law.