Bureau of Immigration (BI) — Introduction
The Bureau of Immigration (BI) is the primary government agency responsible for immigration regulation in the Philippines. It operates under the Department of Justice (DOJ) and handles the entry and exit of all persons coming into or leaving the Philippines. Whether you are a Filipino citizen needing an Emigration Clearance Certificate (ECC) or a foreign national extending your visa, applying for a retiree's visa, or registering as a foreign resident — the BI is where you go. Understanding BI services and requirements can save you time and help you avoid unnecessary delays.
What is the Bureau of Immigration?
- The BI was established under Commonwealth Act No. 613 (Philippine Immigration Act of 1940) and operates under the Department of Justice
- The BI is headed by a Commissioner, assisted by two (2) Associate Commissioners, all appointed by the President
- The Emigration Clearance Certificate (ECC) is required for certain Filipino nationals and foreign nationals departing the Philippines to ensure they have no pending obligations or derogatory records
- Tourist visa extensions allow foreign nationals to stay beyond the initial 30-day visa-free period (for eligible nationalities) for up to 36 months maximum
- The Special Resident Retiree's Visa (SRRV) is a special non-immigrant visa for foreign nationals and former Filipino citizens who wish to retire in the Philippines, administered by the Philippine Retirement Authority (PRA) through the BI
- Visa downgrading allows foreign nationals with special or working visas to convert their visa status to tourist visa (9a) before departing the country
- The Alien Certificate of Registration (ACR) I-Card is a mandatory identification card for all foreign nationals staying in the Philippines for more than 59 days
- The BI Main Office is at Magallanes Drive, Intramuros, Manila, with satellite offices in major airports, seaports, and select SM malls nationwide
A Simple BI Services Overview
Example
ECC: Emigration Clearance Certificate for departing individuals
Tourist Visa Extension: Extend your stay beyond the initial visa-free period
SRRV: Special Resident Retiree's Visa for foreign retirees
Visa Downgrading: Convert special/working visa to tourist visa
ACR I-Card: Alien Certificate of Registration for foreign nationals
Step 1: Determine which BI service you need
Step 2: Prepare the required documents
Step 3: Visit the BI Main Office or satellite office
Step 4: Submit requirements and pay applicable fees
Step 5: Receive your clearance, visa extension, or ID cardExample Explained
Emigration Clearance Certificate (ECC): The ECC is a certificate issued by the BI confirming that a person departing the Philippines has no pending criminal, civil, or administrative case and has no derogatory record with the Bureau. It is required for foreign nationals who have stayed in the Philippines for six (6) months or more, and for certain Filipino nationals such as those traveling abroad for the first time or dual citizens. There are two types: ECC-A (obtained at the BI office before departure) and ECC-B (obtained at the airport upon departure).
Tourist Visa Extension: Foreign nationals from countries with visa-free agreements can enter the Philippines for 30 days without a visa. If they wish to stay longer, they must apply for a tourist visa extension at the BI. Extensions can be granted for periods of 1–6 months at a time, up to a maximum cumulative stay of 36 months (3 years). After 6 months of cumulative stay, a report-to-leave order may be issued.
Special Resident Retiree's Visa (SRRV): The SRRV is a special non-immigrant visa for foreign nationals and former Filipino citizens aged 35 and above (50 and above for the classic option) who wish to live and retire in the Philippines. It is processed through the Philippine Retirement Authority (PRA) and provides benefits such as multiple-entry privileges, tax-free importation of household goods, and exemption from exit clearance. The SRRV requires a qualifying deposit or investment.
Visa Downgrading: Foreign nationals who hold work visas (9g), student visas (9f), or other special visas and wish to leave the Philippines must first apply for visa downgrading to convert their visa status to a tourist visa (9a). This ensures that all obligations tied to their previous visa status (e.g., employment or study) are properly closed before departure.
ACR I-Card: The Alien Certificate of Registration Identity Card (ACR I-Card) is the official identification card for all foreign nationals staying in the Philippines for more than 59 days. It serves as a government-issued ID and must be carried at all times. The ACR I-Card must be renewed annually and is required for various transactions including visa extensions, opening bank accounts, and employment.
BI Services Overview
Emigration Clearance (ECC)
Obtain clearance before departing the Philippines. Required for foreign nationals staying 6+ months and certain Filipino travelers. Available at BI offices and airports.
Tourist Visa Extension
Extend your stay in the Philippines beyond the initial visa-free period. Apply at BI offices for extensions of 1–6 months at a time, up to 36 months total.
Retiree's Visa (SRRV)
A special visa for foreign retirees who wish to live in the Philippines. Provides multiple-entry privileges and other benefits. Processed through the PRA.
Visa Downgrading
Convert a special or working visa to tourist visa (9a) before departing the Philippines. Required for holders of 9g, 9f, and other special visas.
ACR I-Card
Mandatory identification card for foreign nationals staying over 59 days. Must be carried at all times and renewed annually.
BI Services Quick Reference
| Service | Who Needs It | Fee | Processing |
|---|---|---|---|
| ECC-A / ECC-B | Departing foreigners (6+ months stay) / certain Filipinos | PHP 1,120–2,880 | Same day – 3 days |
| Tourist Visa Extension | Foreign nationals overstaying visa-free period | PHP 3,000–10,000+ | Same day – 7 days |
| SRRV | Foreign retirees (35+/50+ years old) | USD 1,400+ (plus deposit) | 20–30 working days |
| Visa Downgrading | Holders of 9g, 9f, or other special visas | PHP 3,000–5,000+ | 5–10 working days |
| ACR I-Card | All foreign nationals (59+ days stay) | PHP 3,000 (initial) / PHP 3,000 (renewal) | 7–15 working days |
Note: The BI Main Office is at Magallanes Drive, Intramuros, Manila. Satellite offices are available at NAIA Terminals 1, 2, and 3, Mactan-Cebu International Airport, Clark International Airport, and select SM malls. Most services are also accessible via BI's online appointment system.
BI Office Locations
Main & Airport Offices
- BI Main Office — Magallanes Drive, Intramuros, Manila
- NAIA Terminal 1 — Parañaque City
- NAIA Terminal 2 — Parañaque City
- NAIA Terminal 3 — Pasay City
- Clark International Airport — Pampanga
- Mactan-Cebu International Airport — Lapu-Lapu City
Satellite Offices
- SM Megamall — Mandaluyong City
- SM Aura Premier — Taguig City
- SM City Cebu — Cebu City
- SM City Davao — Davao City
- Robinsons Galleria Cebu — Cebu City
- Other provincial offices — available in select regions
Key Laws and Regulations
Commonwealth Act No. 613 — Philippine Immigration Act of 1940
The primary law governing immigration in the Philippines. Established the Bureau of Immigration and defined the rules for the admission, stay, and deportation of foreign nationals.
RA 9174 — Commission on Filipinos Overseas Act
Provides for the protection and welfare of Filipino emigrants and establishes guidelines for emigration clearance procedures.
EO 1037 — Philippine Retirement Authority
Created the Philippine Retirement Authority (PRA) which administers the Special Resident Retiree's Visa (SRRV) program to attract foreign retirees to the Philippines.
BI Memorandum Circulars
Various BI memorandum circulars set specific rules for visa extensions, downgrading procedures, ACR I-Card requirements, and ECC issuance. These are regularly updated to reflect current policies.
Important Reminders
- Always check the latest requirements and fees on the official BI website before visiting — rules and fees change frequently
- Overstaying your visa in the Philippines results in penalties, fines, and potential deportation or blacklisting
- Foreign nationals must carry their passport and ACR I-Card at all times — failure to present these when requested is a violation
- Use the BI online appointment system to avoid long queues at the main office
- Beware of fixers and unauthorized agents offering to "speed up" your immigration processing — deal only with official BI personnel
- The ECC must be obtained before your departure date — ECC-A at BI offices (valid for 10 days) or ECC-B at the airport
- For SRRV applications, coordinate directly with the Philippine Retirement Authority (PRA) as they handle the processing through the BI
- All BI fees must be paid in Philippine Pesos (PHP) — credit cards may not be accepted at all offices
Disclaimer
This guide is provided for general informational purposes only. The requirements, steps, fees, and procedures mentioned here may vary depending on the Bureau of Immigration office you visit. We recommend visiting your nearest Bureau of Immigration office first to confirm the specific requirements and process before preparing your documents.