Emigration Clearance Certification (ECC) to be available at Airports

Emigration Clearance Certification (ECC) to be available at Airports

Visitor Visa Holders can now get the ECC at the Airport..

IF

a) Is leaving the country within twenty-four (24) hours and with Boarding Pass;
b) Stayed in the Philippines for six (6) months but not more than one (1) year;
c) Is a holder of a valid Temporary Visitor’s Visa (TVV);
d) Has no pending obligation with the Government, its instrumentalities, agencies and subdivisions, and has no pending criminal civil or administrative action which by law requires his presence in the Philippines; and
e) Is registered under the Alien registration Program (ARP) and was issued a Special security Registration Number (SSRN).

The Cost is either 1,210 pesos or 500 pesos depending on if you paid an ECC Fee  with your First Temporary Visitor’s Visa extension.

The official document on this is shown at: www.immigration.gov.ph/…/OOSBM%202015-009.pdf and is copied below:

 

REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES
DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE
BUREAU OF IMMIGRATION
MAGALLANES DRIVE, INTRAMUROS
1002 MANILA

OPERATIONS ORDER NO. SBM-2015-009

AUTHORITY TO ISSUE EMIGRATION CLEARANCE CERTIFICATE (ECC) AT INTERNATIONAL PORTS OF EXIT

WHEREAS, foreign nationals with Temporary Visitor’s Visa (TVV) who stayed in the country for six (6) months or more are required to secure an Emigration Clearance Certification (ECC) before they are allowed to depart from the Philippines;

WHEREAS, under present regulations, ECCs are only issued at the Bureau of Immigration (BI) Main Office, through the Alien Registration Division (ARD), and Sub-Port Offices; WHEREAS, statistics show that the primary reason for deferred departure of foreign nationals is their failure to secure an ECC prior to their intended departure;

WHEREAS, the incidence of deferred departures of foreign nationals shall substantially decrease if bi offices at the international ports of exit are authorized to issued ECCs and will facilitate their travel;

NOW THEREFORE, pursuant to book IV, Chapter 6, sections 29 and 36(2) of Executive Order No. 292, as amended, otherwise known as the “Administrative Code of 1987”, in relation to Section 3 of Commonwealth Act No. 613, as amended, otherwise known as the “Philippine Immigration Act of 1940”, the following rules are hereby ordered:

Section 1. Issuance of ECC at the International Port of Exit. – An Emigration Clearance Certificate may be issued to a foreign national at the international port of exit who:

a) Is leaving the country within twenty-four (24) hours and with Boarding Pass;
b) Stayed in the Philippines for six (6) months but not more than one (1) year;
c) Is a holder of a valid Temporary Visitor’s Visa (TVV);
d) Has no pending obligation with the Government, its instrumentalities, agencies and subdivisions, and has no pending criminal civil or administrative action which by law requires his presence in the Philippines; and
e) Is registered under the Alien registration Program (ARP) and was issued a Special security Registration Number (SSRN).

Section 2. Duties of the Airport Operations Division (AOD). –

Upon finding that the foreign national qualifies for issuance of ECC under Section 1 hereof, the Airport Operations Division (AOD), through its duly authorized Collecting Officer /Cashier, shall collect from the foreign national the amount of Seven Hundred Ten Pesos (Php 710.00) as ECC Fee and Five Hundred Pesos (Php 500.00) as express Lane Fee; Provided, however, that if the ECC Fee was already paid upon the First TVV extension, only the amount of Five Hundred Pesos (Php 500.00) as Express Lane Fee shall be collected.

Section 3. Deferred Departure. – A foreign national without an ECC and not qualified for issuance thereof pursuant to Section 1 hereof shall not be cleared for departure and shall be referred to the nearest BI Office authorized to process and issue such ECC.

Section 4. Duty of the Immigration Officer. –
the Immigration Officer on primary inspection shall indicate in the Border Control Information System the:
a) Official receipt Number/s covering the fees paid at the international port of exit; or
b) ECC Number issued by the BI Main Office or Sub-Port Offices.

Section 5. Supercession Clause. – All circulars, memoranda, orders and other issuances inconsistent with this Circular are hereby repealed, amended of modified accordingly.

Section 6. Effectivity. – This Order Shall take effect fifteen (15) days after publication in a newspaper of general circulation.

Let a copy of this Order be furnished to the Office of the National Administrative Register (ONAR), U.P. Law Center, University of the Philippines, Diliman, Quezon City. City of Manila, Philippines.
16 April 2015
Signed
SIEGFRED B. MISON
Commissioner

Old Philippines Passports after 31 October 2015

Old Philippines Passports to be phased out by 24 November 2015

All Filipino machine readable-ready passports (MRRP; green passports) and machine readable passports (MRP; maroon passports) will be completely phased out by November 24, 2015. Those who fail to travel with a new E-Passport will likely encounter difficulty at immigration checks when traveling through ports of entry around the world after October 2015.

Old Philippines Passports to be phased out by 24 November 2015

From the Department of Foreign Affairs

International Civil Aviation Organization Worldwide Passport Rules

Per the regulations of the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) and the standards set by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), all non-machine readable passports may no longer be extended beyond October 31, 2015 and must be completely phased out by November 24, 2015.

All Filipino machine readable-ready passports (MRRP; green passports) and machine readable passports (MRP; maroon passports) will be completely phased out by November 24, 2015.

Philippines Passports Green Philippines Passports Maroon

Holders of the above Passports must apply for a new e-Passport as soon as possible before the expiry of these MRRP (green) or MRP (maroon) passports.

The Dark Maroon passport below is the only type to be Valid from November 2015

Philippines E-Passports Dark Maroon

Those who fail to travel with a new E-Passport will likely encounter difficulty at immigration checks when traveling through ports of entry around the world after October 2015.

www.gov.ph

 

Australian Working Visa 457

Temporary Work (Skilled) visa (subclass 457) for Australia

​​​​​​​This visa lets a skilled worker travel to Australia to work in their nominated occupation for their approved sponsor for up to four years. ​​

To get the 457 Visa you need:

To have been sponsored by an approved business
To have the required skills to fill a position nominated by an approved business

You must be sponsored by an approved business. A business can sponsor someone for this visa if they cannot find an Australian citizen or permanent resident to do the skilled work.

The basic cost for this Visa is AUD 1,060 (35,000 to 40,000 pesos depending on FX rate) July 2015.

More details at: Australian Government Department of Immigration and Border Protection

Australian Medicals for Visa in Manila

Medical Examination Procedures for Australian Visa Applicants

This information is provided from the St. Luke’s Medical Center Extension Clinic, but should be similar to all other Medical options.

All Australian Visa Applicants (except for those applying for subclass 457, 856, or 857) must first lodge their visa application either through eVisa system or at the Australian Embassy in Makati before coming to St. Luke’s Medical Center Extension Clinic for their Medical Examination.

Australian Visa applicants can register online at the St Lukes Clinic:  Online Registration Form

All Applicants must present the Health Examination List (from the Australian Embassy) or the Examination Referral Letter (for eVisa/eHealth applicants) at the Australian Reception Area on the day of the medical exam.

For Subclass 457, 856 and 857 visa applicants, you may still have your medical screening examination before lodgement of visa application.

REQUIRED DOCUMENTS

  1. Health Examination List (sample)From the Australian Embassy, or Examination Referral Letter (sample) for E-Visa Applicants
  2. Valid Passport
    If not available, the following identification documents may be presented:

    • national ID (SSS, postal ID, voter’s ID, PRC ID, driver’s license, school ID) or
    • birth certificate
  3. 2 PHOTOCOPIES of the passport/ national ID/ birth certificate (click here for format)
  4. 2 pieces recent passport-sized photos (white or blue background)
  5. furtherance letter, if applicable
  6. Regardless of current marital status, applicants who have had previous marriages that were nullified through annulment are required to present the annulment papers (court decision) before their medical report can be completed.

http://www.slec.ph/australian-visa-applicants.shtml#required-docs

 

Filipinos Offloaded at Manila, Cebu, Clark Airports

Many Filipinos are being reported as being offloaded at airports for often unknown reasons. The word "offloaded" is technically incorrect, as they never get to board the plane in the first place.

Filipinos offloaded at airports are not allowed to travel

Many Filipinos are being reported as being offloaded at airports for often unknown reasons. The word “offloaded” is technically incorrect, as they never get to board the plane in the first place.

What happens is that the Immigration Officer checking their papers on leaving, may request an interview for one of many possible reasons.

This interview may show probable cause for the Immigration Officer to decide that the passenger should not be allowed to travel.

BI Commissioner Siegfred Mison said the Bureau and Inter-Agency Council against Trafficking (IACAT) has come up with a set of clear-cut rules under the Guidelines on Departure Formalities for International Bound Passengers approved by the Department of Justice.

The said Guidelines were formulated by a technical working group pursuant to RA 9208 or the Anti Trafficking in Persons Act of 2003 and is in effect since January 2012.

BI Commissioner Siegfred Mison said: “Offloading is not a policy but a consequence of the implementation of the Guidelines.”

How do people travelling, especially alone, get past this possible problem of being offloaded?

Passengers heading for Dubai, Hong Kong, Malaysia, Singapore and Thailand, are considered transit points accounting for high incidents of human trafficking, and therefore will be more closely targetted.  Maybe choose a different holiday destination?

I was reading a BoI notice to All Philippine Airports etc, and one part said this:

Partners and spouses of foreign nationals intending to depart to meet and/or marry his/her fiance without the CFO Guidance and Counseling Certificate, will be subjected to secondary inspection.

This has caused problems in that past when a BoI officer relied on the wording exactly.
The young lady was going overseas to meet her boyfriend, and therefore came under the above section. However, the CFO did not apply to her as he was not emigrating.

The Young lady did the right thing.
The CFO did the right thing in not giving a CFO stamp to a Tourist
The BoI officer followed the rule correctly, as printed.

No-one was wrong, other than the rules not being specific enough and overlapping in the wrong way.

So… What chance do you have ?

  • Know were you are going, know everything about who and where you are visiting, have ALL the right paperwork. Avoid giving the BoI officer cause for concern about your safety.
  • Have enough funds to support your stay.
  • If you travel with your boyfriend/partner etc., you have a better chance of leaving, even without own funds in a bank account. Even without having a bank account.
  • But nothing is guaranteed.

Some Numbers to put it Offloading in perspective:

According to the Bureau of Immigration, about 40 Filipinos get offloaded at the Manila NAIA Terminal 1 every day for various reasons. That is almost 15,000 each year.

However, over 1 million Filipinos travel overseas each year. That means at least 985,000 of them do NOT get offloaded.

2,700+ are OK to leave each day
40 are offloaded each day

New ACR Cards July 2015

New Color Coded ACR I-Cards from July 2015

Manila, Philippines—The Bureau of Immigration (BI) will issue ACR I-Cards (Alien Certificate of Registration Identity Cards) with the new, color-coded design. These shall be issued beginning Thursday, July 16, 2015.

The new design, with specific colors designated for particular visa types, shall be microchip-embedded, and with added security features to protect against fraud.

Pursuant to Operations Order No. SBM-2015-017, the new ACR I-Cards will be issued in ten different colors to represent the various visa categories issued by the BI, i.e.,

Visa Category and Assigned Color

Permanent Resident – Light Yellow
Native Born – Bronze
Special Non-Immigrant – Dark Purple
Worker – Blue
Probationary Resident – Light Purple
Voluntary Registrant – Red
Tourist – White
Student – Aqua Blue
Treaty Trader – Gray
Gratis – Green

BI Commissioner Siegfred Mison said that the new design intends to facilitate immigration processing, both at the airports and the BI offices.

The color codes will help identify various types of visas even from afar. All information encoded in the cards will likewise be accessible at the airports (initially at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport) through the updated Border Control Information System (BCIS).

With the new design, visa holders need not bring along the documents to support the issuance of the ACR I-Cards because all information shall be encoded in the microchip.

The design will also state additional, key information such as the name of the school (for student visa), the name of the company (for work visa), and the Special Security Registration Number (SSRN)—a unique number assigned to every registered foreign national.

New Links for Australian Visa Classes

Australian Visa Classes at www.border.gov.au

Following more changes to the Immigration Website www.immi.gov.au and www.border.gov.au, we have changed our links for some relevant Visa Classes.

Spousal – Partner visas

Visitor visas

Family visas

Working and skilled visas

Studying and training visas

Refugee and humanitarian visas

Other visas

Family and partner visas

US and Philippine Dual Citizenship

How will an application for dual citizenship under R.A. 9225 affect a U.S. citizenship?

The Philippines Consulate General in Los Angeles advises that Prospective applicants for dual citizenship under R.A. 9225 are advised to visit and read the contents of www.travel.state.gov/…/citizenship_778.html, the website of the U.S. Department of State which contains information about current U.S. government policy on dual nationality, or to seek legal advice from a U.S. immigration lawyer.

A natural born Filipino CAN hold Dual Citizenship with other countries, as far as the Philippine Law is concerned.

Can a US Citizen who renounces US Citizenship to become another nationality be considered a US Citizen ?

There is at leasat one case where a US Citizen had renounced US Citizenship when taking another Nationality, but was still treated as a US Citizen by US Authorities.
This appears to say that US Citizenship is not lost even after renouncing it.

Kawakita v. United States, 1952, 343 U.S. 717

Philippines Immigration – Letter of Invitation

What is an Invitation Letter for Visitors to the Philippines?

Some statements taken from a Philippines Embassy website MAY help to work out if an Invitation Letter is applicable or even appropriate.
However, this information was taken from an Overseas Philippines Embassy and refers to a Filipino in another country inviting a relative to visit from the Philippines to that other country.

What is an Invitation Letter?

A: The Bureau of Immigration requires that this document, in the form of an affidavit of support or guarantee, be authenticated at ….
A: The so-called “invitation letter” is just another affidavit issued by an Embassy.

How to do an Invitation Letter?

A: If you have determined that your relative requires an invitation letter, please come to the Embassy during office hours…. Processing takes two working days, as any other authentication.

Is an Invitation Letter a guarantee of the visitor being accepted?

A: During the application for the “invitation letter” at the Embassy, we always mention at the counter that this document is not a guarantee that the invited party will not be offloaded.
A: The assessment of the Immigration Officer, at the point of entry, is the final decision on whether the preson is allowed in or is turned back.

This page is intended to give a guide to some aspects of the “invitation letter” and is not to be taken as expert opinion in any way.

Australian Visa Application – Medical Locations

Immigration Visa for Australia and need a Medical ?

Locations of medical panel doctors authorised to carry out Medicals for Australian  Immigration.

Australian Visa Application – Medical Locations

MANILA

Nationwide Health Systems AUX Inc
2nd Floor Annex, Zeta Building
191 Salcedo Street, Legaspi Village
Makati City 1299
Metro Manila

St Luke’s Medical Center Extension Clinic – Global City
Room 1002 Medical Arts Building,
St. Luke’s Medical Center – Global City
Bonifacio Global City
Taguig
Metro Manila

St Lukes Medical Centre Extension Clinic
1177 J. Bocobo St
Ermita
Metro Manila

BAGUIO

Nationwide Health Systems Baguio, Inc.
Room 1, Ground Floor
EDY Building
144 Kisad Road (near BGH Rotonda)
Baguio City
Benguet 2600

CEBU

Nationwide Health Systems Cebu Inc.
G/F Gillamac’s Building
169 Sanciangko
Cebu City 6000

DAVAO

Nationwide Health Systems Davao Inc.
Suite 4, Pelicano Building
Ecoland Phase 1
36 Quimpo Boulevard
8000 Davao City

Source: http://www.border.gov.au/Lega/Lega/Help/Location/philippines

Commission on Filipinos Overseas Program

An emigrating Filipino, or one who has been granted an immigrant-class visa, is required to register with the Commission on Filipinos Overseas before leaving the country to settle in a foreign land. They need to attend a seminar to help in understanding what their new life may be like.

Pre-departure Orientation Seminar (PDOS) or the Peer Counseling Seminar

  • CFO = Commission on Filipinos Overseas
  • The Guidance And Counselling Certificate of Attendance = Seminar Attendance Certificate needed for the CFO Certificate.
  • The CFO Certificate = The Stamp in the Passport, needed to leave Philippines as an Emigrant.

Why do you need a CFO clearance ?

Who needs the CFO Seminar Stamp?

An emigrating Filipino, or one who has been granted an immigrant-class visa, is required to register with the Commission on Filipinos Overseas before leaving the country to settle in a foreign land. They need to attend a seminar to help in understanding what their new life may be like.
Note: Emigrants attending the PDOS or Peer Counseling Session must be at the CFO office at least 1 hour before their schedule to complete the registration requirements.

Starting 30 January 2017, the Commission on Filipinos Overseas (CFO) will be strictly implementing the ONLINE RESERVATION AND REGISTRATION requirement for J1 visa holders or Exchange Visitor Program (EVP) participants attending the mandatory pre-departure orientation seminar.

Does a Tourist Visa holder need to attend the CFO Seminar?

No. Only those who are leaving the country to settle in a foreign land will need to attend this seminar.

The CFO website now shows this statement:

If you are fiancé (e)/ spouse/partner of a foreign national or a former Filipino and you hold a visitor/ tourist visa, you only need a guidance and counseling certificate from our office. Kindly present the CFO Guidance and Counseling Certificate (GCC) to the port of exit and show them your temporary/ visit visa and other requirements asked by your host country.

What is the CFO Seminar?

The Pre-departure Orientation Seminar (PDOS) or the Peer Counseling Seminar, is a brief, two-hour seminar on settlement issues and concerns such as finding employment, rights and obligations of immigrants as well as policies and procedures on how to secure foreign citizenship.

Exemptions from attending the PDOS include: Those who are 60 years old and above

One of the requirements for the CFO is to show proof of the relevant of Visa Grant. However, they seem to be not very strict on this, as I know of at least one person who went there with a Tourist Visa grant.  She got the CFO stamp but didn’t actually need it.  Another, also on a Tourist Visa, went for the seminar, but was turned away saying it wasn’t needed for her.

How long is the CFO stamp valid

The CFO Guidance and Counselling Certificate is a lifetime copy and has no validity dates. (see image below [click for larger picture])
However, if you change your partner, you do need to re-attend.

CFO Stamp Lifetime Validity

http://www.cfo.gov.ph/

CFO – MANILA
Citigold Center, 1345 Pres. Quirino Ave.
corner Osmena Highway (South Superhighway)
Manila, Philippines 1007
Telephone: (+632) 552-4700
Email: info@cfo.gov.ph

CFO – CEBU
4th Floor, K&J Building
#4 Don Julio Llorente St.,
Capitol Site, Cebu City 6000
Telephone: (032) 255-5253
Email: cfocebu@cfo.gov.ph

CFO – CLARK EXTENSION DESK
One-Stop Processing Center in Clark (OSPC)
Clark Polytechnic Compound,
Jose Abad Santos Ave., Clark Freeport Zone
Telephone: (045) 499-8119
Email: info@cfo.gov.ph

CFO – DAVAO SATELLITE OFFICE
5th floor, AMQ Building, Lakandula St.
corner, Dacudao Ave., Agdao, Davao City
Telephone: (+6382) 228-2432
Email: info@cfo.gov.ph

Indian Nationals entering the Philippines as Tourist

Visa for Indian Tourist into Philippines

A Visa is required before arrival

The visitor must apply for a visa at the Philippine Embassy or Philippine Consulate in the country of legal residence.

HOWEVER:

Effective 20 April 2015, Indian passport holders do not require a visa for tourism travel not exceeding fourteen (14) days provided that they hold a valid visa or permanent residence permit issued by a specified country:

These countries are (as at April 2015)

Australia
Japan
Schengen countries
Singapore
U.K.
U.S.A.

This exemption is currently only valid for arrivals at NAIA airport in Manila.

Philippines Visa for Indian

Letter of Invitation to Philippines

If a Visa is required, then a Letter of Invitation may also be required, at the same time as the Visa is applied for. This must contain several elements such as: Length of Stay, Relationship Details, Purpose of Travel and Finances/Support.

This may be something along the lines of:

Dear Sirs

I have invited xxx to visit me in the Philippines in Month Year, for about xxx weeks [=length of stay].
He has been a friend for xxx amount of time, [=explaining the relationship] and we have discussed meeting each other for a while. [=purpose of travel.]
He has sufficient funds to look after himself, but could stay with my family (=Finances/Support)

My contact details are:

Name
Address
Phone Contact
Email

British Passport Renewals in the Philippines

Renew a British Passport in the Philippines.

A British passport is renewed when in the Philippines, by lodging an Application in the UK.

The application can be started at: www.gov.uk/overseas-passports

Emergency Travel Document

You can apply for an emergency travel document if you’re abroad and your passport has been lost or stolen, damaged or expired, and you can’t get a new or replacement passport in time to travel.

Apply online for an emergency travel document If the person needing the emergency travel document is under 16, a parent or guardian should apply on their behalf.

If you are travelling in more than 3 weeks, check if you can get a new or replacement passport in time to travel.

The British Embassy does NOT normally renew passports.

The British Embassy is located at:

120 Upper McKinley Road,
McKinley Hill
Taguig City
Metro Manila 1634
Philippines

www.gov.uk/…/british-embassy-manila

Update 24 May 2022

UK Passport Photos.

The UK government now allows two ways to do a passport photo, but only one is available for people overseas.

These two options can easily confuse people.
They are:
How to get a digital passport photo

  1. Photo with a code
  2. Take a digital photo at home

The first option is only available in the UK, where you use a special E-Photo booth, so you need to ignore that option, and just select “I’ll take or upload a digital photo” and the take a normal photo with your mobile phone.

Digital Photo UK passport

Australian Passport Renewals in the Philippines

Renew an Australian Passport in the Philippines

An Australian Passport can be renewed in Manila, Philippines.

Appointments should be made at least two weeks in advance to lodge passport applications/renewals. Passport interviews are available from 9am to 11.30am Monday to Friday

  • From 1 July 2015 all passport applications/renewals will require a face to face interview with the applicant, with the exception of minors (below 18) who require an interview with a parent or a person with parental responsibility.
  • Provide a pre-paid pre-addressed DHL or LBC satchel during your interview if you wish to have your new passport sent to a Philippine address.
  • From 1 July 2015 all passport applications/renewals lodged overseas will be charged an additional ‘Overseas Application Fee’ of $100.00 for adults (including senior citizens) and $50.00 for minors (below 18).
  • Passport Information and Electronic Applications
  • Recognised professions for passport application guarantors in the Philippines
  • Passport Fees – Only Philippine Peso (cash) or a Bank Manager’s Cheque (in Peso) made payable to ‘Australian Embassy’.

Consular Section
Australian Embassy
Level 23 – Tower 2, RCBC Plaza
6819 Ayala Avenue
Makati City 1200
Metro Manila,
The Philippines

Telephone: 02 757 8100
http://philippines.embassy.gov.au/mnla/consular.html

Balikbayans can stay for 3 years

How long can a Balikbayan stay in the Philippines?

This is from the Bureau of Immigration (BI) official website:

Those who are admitted as Balikbayans are given an initial stay of one (1) year.

They may extend their stay for another one (1), two (2) or six (6) months provided that they present their valid passport and filled out the visa extension form and submit it to the Visa Extension Section in the BI Main Office or any BI Offices nationwide.

An additional requirement will be ask for Balikbayans who have stayed in the Philippines after thirty six (36) months.

http://www.immigration.gov.ph/index.php/faqs/visa-inquiry/balikbayan-previlege

BoI Balikbayan 3 years

Who can enter the Philippines without a Visa?

Can I enter the Philippines without a Visitor Visa?

Under Executive Order No. 408, nationals of the countries listed below may enter the Philippines without a visa.

If you are a foreign national from a country with diplomatic ties or bilateral agreement with the Philippines, you are allowed to enter the country without securing an entry visa and will be given an initial stay of thirty (30) days provided that you are a holder of a passport valid for at least six (6) months beyond your contemplated stay in the Philippines and present a return or onward ticket.

Allowed to enter for a period not exceeding 59 days.

Brazil
Israel

Allowed to enter for a period not exceeding 30 days.

Andorra
Angola
Antigua and Barbuda
Argentina
Australia
Austria
Bahamas
Bahrain
Barbados
Belgium
Belize
Benin
Bhutan
Bolivia
Botswana
Brunei
Bulgaria
Burkina Faso
Burundi
Cambodia
Cameroon
Canada
Cape Verde
Central African Republic
Chad
Chile
Colombia
Comoros
Congo
Congo, Democratic Republic
Costa Rica
Cote d’Ivoire
Croatia
Cyprus
Czech Republic
Denmark
Djibouti
Dominica
Dominican Republic
Ecuador
El Salvador
Equatorial Guinea
Eritrea
Estonia
Ethiopia
Fiji
Finland
France
Gabon
Gambia
Germany
Ghana
Greece
Grenada
Guatemala
Guinea
Guinea-Bissau
Guyana
Haiti
Honduras
Hungary
Iceland
Indonesia
Ireland
Italy
Jamaica
Japan
Kazakhstan
Kenya
Kiribati
Korea (ROK)
Kuwait
Kyrgyzstan
Laos
Latvia
Lesotho
Liberia
Liechtenstein
Lithuania
Luxembourg
Madagascar
Malawi
Malaysia
Maldives
Mali
Malta
Marshall Island
Mauritania
Mauritius
Mexico
Micronesia
Monaco
Mongolia
Morocco
Mozambique
Myanmar
Namibia
Nepal
Netherlands
New Zealand
Nicaragua
Niger
Norway
Oman
Palau
Panama
Papua New Guinea
Paraguay
Peru
Poland
Portugal
Qatar
Romania
Russia
Rwanda
Kitts and Nevis
Saint Lucia
Vincent and the Grenadines
Samoa
San Marino
Sao Tome and Principe
Saudi Arabia
Senegal
Seychelles
Singapore
Slovak Republic
Slovenia
Solomon Islands
South Africa
Spain
Suriname
Swaziland
Sweden
Switzerland
Tanzania
Tajikistan
Thailand
Togo
Trinidad and Tobago
Tunisia
Turkey
Turkmenistan
Tuvalu
Uganda
United Arab Emirates
United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland
United States of America
Uruguay
Uzbekistan
Vanuatu
Vatican
Venezuela
Viet Nam
Zambia
Zimbabwe

Source: www.immigration.gov.ph/…/travel-req

Visiting the Philippines as a Tourist

What are the Requirements for visiting the Philippines as a Tourist?

VISA

Most visitors do not need a Visa to enter the Philippines, and will be given a FREE stay of 30 days on entry.  Some countries are excluded from this option though, and need a Visa before they arrive.  www.in-philippines.com/who-can-enter-the-philippines-without-a-visa

If the visitor intends to stay more than 30 days, they MUST get an extension from a Bureau of Immigration Office [BoI] before that 30 days expires.

This first Extension will be given for 29 days, at a cost of 3,030 pesos (as at April 2015)

If staying longer than 59 days, then another extension is needed and an Alien Certificate of Registration [ACR-I Card]

This next extension is often done for 2 months, but can be done for 6 months at the major BoI offices.

The current price for a 1 month extension is quoted as: 4,400 pesos
The current price for a 2 month extension is quoted as: 4,900 pesos
– See: www.in-philippines.com/philippines-visitor-visa-extension-cost
The current price for a 6 month extension is quoted as: 11,500 pesos
– See: www.in-philippines.com/6-month-tourist-visa-for-philippines

The ACR-I card has a cost of US$50 + 500 pesos

Visas for most visitors can be extended up to a maximum of 36 months, before they MUST leave the country.

RETURN TICKET

Most airlines will not allow a traveller to board a plane to the Philippines unless they have an onward ticket to depart the Philippines.

Some people will buy a cheap one way ticket to Hong Kong, or similar, to get around the need to have an expensive return ticket back to their home country if they do not know when they will be returning.

Very rarely though do Philippine Immigration actually check if you do have a return ticket. But.. sometimes they do.

Tourist Visa Extension at Philippine Airports

Can a Tourist Visa be Extended at a Philippine Airport?

Some Airports have the ability to extend a Tourist Visa beyond the initial Visa Free period of 30 days.

Most foreign tourists will receive a 30 days Visa Free waiver on arrival at the immigration desk in ports and airports.

This can be extended during the first 30 days by another 29 days, and is normally done at one of the Bureau of Immigration offices around the country. It does have a cost of about 3,030 pesos.

Some people do get this 29 day extension at the airport immediately after they arrive. But many others say they have tried but have been unable to get it there.  Some get told that it cannot be done at the Airport.  Others say they have done it, and at a lower cost of nearer 2,800 pesos.

Why does the Philippines have the Emigration Clearance Certificate [ECC]

The reason for the Emigration Clearance Certificate.

When the ECC was enforced in 2013 the reason for this certificate was given as follows:

Immigration Commissioner Siegfred Mison said that the ECC is being issued to departing foreigner nationals to prove that they have no derogatory records in the country or any accountability with other government agencies.

There are two types of ECC that can be secured at any BI satellite office in the country and airports: The ECC-A is being issued to foreigners who have tourist visas extending for more than six months. The ECC-B, on the other hand, is given to holders of immigrant and non-immigrant visas with valid alien certificate registration I-Cards.

The new directive came amid warnings about foreign nationals who are involved in illicit drug trafficking and cybercrimes.

“Before, foreigners saw the Philippines as a haven of fugitives. Now, with honest enforcement of immigration laws, we are able to frustrate those who want to just stay here because they have cases abroad,” the immigration commissioner said in a statement.

And so…  the six month old child, born in the Philippines, to a Foreign parent, travelling on a foreign passport NEEDS to get this certificate to prove it has no derogatory record in the Philippines (see no 4 below)

Or…

Or what ?  I can’t think of another reason.  it cant be for the collection of 500 pesos can it ?

Who needs an ECC

The following foreign nationals must secure an ECC-A prior to their departure:

  1. Holders of Temporary Visitor Visa (also referred to as tourist visa) who have stayed in the Philippines for six (6) months or more;
  2. Holders of expired or downgraded Immigrant or Non-Immigrant Visas;
  3. Holders of valid Immigrant or Non-Immigrant Visas but are leaving for good;
  4. Philippine-born foreign nationals who will depart from the Philippines for the first time;
  5. Holders of Temporary Visitor Visa with Orders to Leave;
  6. Bona fide seafarers who have stayed in the Philippines for 30 days or more and has a duly approved discharge from BI.

ECC-B is issued to departing holders of Immigrant and Non-Immigrant visas with valid ACR I-Cards and are leaving the country temporarily.