Visa and Passport – Page 9 – Philippines Information

Requirements for an ECC – Exit Clearance Certificate

Requirements for an ECC

The Philippines Bureau of Immigration (BI) has stated that the following are needed to get an ECC – Exit Clearance Certificate (also called Emigration Clearance Certificate)

Completed application forms. (They supply numerous forms for you to fill in !!)
6 pcs. colored photo (size 2×2 ) white background. (NOTE: SIX were needed, not the FIVE that web sites say.
Photocopy of passport (3 Pages: biopage, latest arrival stamp and last visa extension stamp).
Photo of both sides of Alien Certificate of Registration ACR card. (Must be Current NOT Expired)
Photocopy AND Original of the Receipt for payment of last visa extension fees. (To be issued with an ECC, you need up to date valid visas)
Current ACR-I card
A personal appearance is required for fingerprinting, both electronic scanning and manual ink, and photograph.

There are various forms available for download at: http://immigration.gov.ph/index.php/downloads/application-forms but… not for the Emigration Clearance Certificate (ECC) as it is now called.

More Information on the Exit Clearance Certificate

http://www.abcdiamond.com/philippines-and-the-exit-clearance-certificate-ecc

Who needs an ECC Emigration Clearance Certificate or Exit Clearance Certificate

An Emigration Clearance Certificate [ECC] is needed when Foreign Passport Holders are leaving the Philippines after a stay of 6 months or more.

Your passport may be stamped like this, when you get a visa renewal that takes you past 6 months after entry.

Any child, born in the Philippines, but travelling on a Foreign passport, NEEDS an ECC to leave the Philippines. A notice to this effect is on display at a Bureau of Immigration office.

Requirements for an Emigration Clearance Certificate [ECC]

To be issued with an ECC, you need up to date valid visas, and an ACR-I card.

Cost of an ECC Emigration Clearance Certificate or Exit Clearance Certificate

Cost of ECC-A

The cost for an ECC-A in 2014 was 500 pesos. There has been some recent talk about it being free, by some people, but two recent comments shown below, show that there is still a charge being made.

ken hogan on January 17, 2018 at 12:52 pm
i just got my ECC today 17/1/ 2018 at J Mall Mandaue 500 php total
Edward on November 2, 2017 at 5:15 pm
I just got my ECC and the total cost was 710 pesos at the J centre mall on the second floor in mandaue

Cost of ECC-B

The cost for an ECC-B in 2015 was mentioned by one person at 2,850 pesos. The cost was mentioned again in October 2018.

Friendly Citizen on October 30, 2018 at 5:37 am
I paid 2,860 + 500 (express fee) = 3,360.

ECC-A for Visitor Visa Holders

The ECC-A may be secured at the BI Main Office or in select District Offices, Satellite Offices, Field Offices, One-Stop-Shops.
ECC-A is issued to departing holders of Tourist Visas who have stayed for 6 months or more. A valid ACR-i card is required for this when the Visitor visa holder has been in the country for over 2 months.
ECC-A is issued to departing holders of Immigrant and Non-Immigrant visas with valid ACR I-Cards and are leaving the country permanently.

ECC-B for other Than Visitor Visa Holders

The ECC-B may be secured at the BI Main Office or in the airport upon departure.
ECC-B is issued to departing holders of Immigrant and Non-Immigrant visas with valid ACR I-Cards and are leaving the country temporarily.

Update:

Confusion between ECC-A and ECC-B for Tourist Visa Holders

There is confusion on whether a Tourist Visa holder, leaving the country temporarily, and holding an ACR-I card, requires the ECC-A or the ECC-B.

Tourist Visa in the country over 6 months: ECC-A with no confusion. (ECC-A is issued to departing holders of Tourist Visas who have stayed for 6 months or more)

Tourist Visa in the country under 6 months: This is where the confusion arises, as the Tourist Visa holder must also have an ACR-I card (after 2 months) and the rules state: ECC-B is issued to departing holders of Immigrant and Non-Immigrant visas with valid ACR I-Cards and are leaving the country temporarily.

However, even if the Tourist Visa holder is only leaving temporarily, their visa will normally expire on leaving, meaning it is a permanent exit on that visa, and they will return on a new visa, automatically given for most nationals, for a 30 day period, with the same conditions applying for a new temporary visa entry.

If the Immigrant or Non-Immigrant visa can be used for re-entry, then it could be classed as ‘leaving the country temporarily’, and selecting the ECC-B.

It is possible that some Tourist Visas may be able to be used for re-entry under those circumstances.

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:

The ECC-A is being issued to foreigners who have tourist visas extending for more than six months. (A tourist visa holder in the country for over two months will also have a tourist ACR-i card)

The ECC-B, on the other hand, is given to holders of immigrant and non-immigrant visas with valid alien certificate registration I-Cards.

Singapore Embassy, Manila

No. 505, Rizal Drive (cor. 5th Avenue)
Bonifacio Global City,
1634 Taguig City,
Metro Manila,
Philippines

Tel: 02 856 9922 (General Line)
Tel: 02 856 9922 Ext 110 (Consular Services)
Tel: 02 856 9922 Ext 113 (Visa Services)

Web: www.mfa.gov.sg

Visa Requirements

All visitors to Singapore must meet the following entry requirements:

Valid travel document (minimum validity of 6 months at the time of departure)
Onward or return ticket (if applicable)
Entry facilities to the next destination; and
Sufficient funds to stay in Singapore and visa for entry into Singapore (if applicable)

Check if You Need Entry Visa

Department of Foreign Affairs, Philippines

Department of Foreign Affairs

Cebu
4th Level, Pacific Mall, Metro Mandaue, U.N. Ave, Mandaue City 6015
Telephone:(032) 520 5898

Manila
2330 Roxas Boulevard, Pasay City, Philippines
Telephone: (632) 834-4000

DFA Passport Appointment System

Aseana Business Park, Diosdado Macapagal Blvd, Paranaque, Manila

Retirement Visa for the Philippines

The Philippines is a popular place for people from many countries to retire to, mainly because of the lower costs of living when compared to their home countries.

The Philippine Bureau of Immigration provides the (SRRV), Special Retiree’s Resident Visa for this purpose.

This Visas comes at a cost, but is available for those aged 35 upwards.
It does have the main advantage of SRRV holders being exempt from ACR, I-card, exit clearance and re-entry permit requirements.

For the younger retiree, aged between 35 and 49 years, they must make a US$50,000 time deposit. (SRRV SMILE)
For the older retiree, aged over 50, they need to make a US$20,000 time deposit. (SRRV CLASSIC)

Retirees with an overseas pension of at least US$800 per month, are able to apply for the SRRV with a reduced time deposit amount:

This is only available for the older retiree, aged over 50, and they only need a US$10,000 time deposit.

You do have to ensure that the the proof of your pension is in an acceptable form to the Bureau of Immigration.

The SRRV CLASSIC allows the retiree to convert the deposit into into a Ready For Occupancy condominium or long-term lease of House and Lot. However, the Investment, if converted this way, must be at least US$50,000.

The Fees for these options are:

Application Fee: US$1,400 (PHP56,000)
Annual Fee: US$360 per year. (PHP14,400)

This information is current at July 2013.

Updated information can be seen at the Philippine Bureau of Immigration website: http://immigration.gov.ph
Search for “Special Retiree’s Resident Visa”.

Visa Extensions in Puerto Galera

There is an Immigration Office in Puerto Galera, even though it isn’t shown on the the official website.

It’s current operating hours are:

Monday: 8:30 am to 12:00 noon.

Tuesday: 8:30 am to 12:00 noon.

Wednesday: 8:30 am to 12:00 noon.

For those who say it is open all day on Monday and Tuesday…. it isn’t. Trust me, as I turned up on Tuesday at 1pm, and it was closed. They changed their opening hours between my last two visits, sometime between May 2013 and July 2013.

Location:

The Puerto Galera Immigration office is in a small room near the shopping area just above the main public market. The building also houses the Public Library and a Western Union Office.

On both sides of the Public Market there are concrete stairs, and you need to go up ONE floor, to the second floor. [The ground floor of buildings in the Philippines is called the first floor, so the Second Floor is the first one you get to when going up the stairs]

Go up the stairs on the Right [When facing the market], then turn right when you reach the next floor.
After facing right, you will see that straight ahead on the left is Western Union, and on the right is a shopping area, turn right and follow the line of dresses on sale. Halfway down on the right is a small door, this is the Immigration Office.

If you take photocopies of the photo page of your passport, and the page(s) with your Philippines entry stamps (especially the first entry one), then you could be out again within 10-15 minutes. That is how long it took me today, but I do already have the ACR photo card, so that may speed up the process.

This office also did not object to me wearing shorts 😉 Not like the very strict Cebu office.

The cost for a 2 month extension (May 2013) was 3,030 pesos. (I expect the same price in July 2013)

P 300 Application Fee
P 1,000 Extension Fee
P 500 Certificate Fee
P 30 LRJ
P 1,000 Express Fee

It was 4,500 pesos in July 2013, as there was an extra charge for the Temporary Resident permit, after 6 months. !!

Visa Fees so far:

FREE 21 day entry visa
PHP 3,030 after 21 days, lasting for another 38 days, total 59 days.
PHP 7,340 after 59 days, lasting for another 2 months and including the ACR Photo card ( I-Card)
PHP 3,030 after 4 months, for another 2 months.
PHP 4,500 after 6 months, lasting for another 2 months and including the Certificate of Residence (Temporary Visitor).

ACR Card:
Front: Philippine Immigration ACR Card Front Back:

Philippines Long Stay Visa for Visitors

Philippines Long Stay (6 Month) Visitor Visa

Foreigners intending to stay longer in the Philippines can now apply for a six-month, long-stay tourist visa that has been created by the Bureau of Immigration (BI).
Previously, the BI granted foreign tourists a maximum stay of two months each time they apply for visa extensions.

A spokesperson said: “Through long stay visa, we expect lesser crowding in our offices due to the decreased volume of visa extension applicants”

This will be more beneficial for those who do stay longer, and will avoid the waiting every two months at the Immigration office. However, there appears to be no financial savings.

ALIENS ADMITTED AS TOURIST VISA (9A 59 DAYS)

All aliens who will stay for more than 59 days are required to register with the following fees:

	ADULT (15 years old & above)	MINOR (14 years old & below)
Application	300.00	300.00
Monthly Extension	500.00	500.00
Alien Certificate of Registration (ACR)	1,000.00	500.00
Re-issuance of ACR for (2nd entry of every entry after 59 days)	250.00	150.00
Exit Clearance (ECC)	700.00	200.00
Legal	40.00	40.00
Express Fee (Certification)	500.00	500.00
Express Fee (For processing)	500.00	500.00
Certification Fee	500.00	500.00
Head Tax	250.00
Express Lane Fee (For Processing of I-Card)	500.00	500.00
Additional Payment for I-Card	US $ 50.00	US $ 50.00

maximum extension for restricted nationals is one (1) month up to six (6) months only (for all expired visa, the updating fees for the payment of express fee will based in the number of months of extension)
for non-restricted nationals is two (2) months up to two (2) years (for all expired visa, the updating fee of express if every two months)
aliens who will stay for more than six (6) months are required to pay CERTIFICATE OF RESIDENCE TEMPORARY VISITOR in the amount of P 1,400.00.