www.in-philippines.com
Office Address: 8th Floor Double Dragon West Building, DD Meridian Park, 24 Diosdado Macapagal Boulevard, Edsa, Pasay City.
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Direct Line(s): (02) 8551-9567
Facsimile Numbers: (02) 8551-9567
E-mail Addresses: bi.peza@yahoo.com
Office Address: 3rd Level, Government Clearing Center, NAIA Terminal 3.
Office Hours: .
Direct Line(s):
Facsimile Numbers:
E-mail Addresses:
The Bureau of Immigration office (BI) moved to Robinson’s Galleria Mall in Cebu in December 2022.
The Bureau of Immigration office at J Center has now permanently closed.
3rd Floor Robinsons Galleria Mall Cebu,
Gen. Maxilom Avenue Extension,
Sergio Osmeña Jr. Blvd.
Cebu City,
Cebu 6000
Office Hours: 8:00 am – 5:00 pm
Direct Line(s): (032) 8345-6441, (032) 8345-6442
Facsimile Numbers: (032) 345- 6441
E-mail Addresses: cebu.do@immigration.gov.ph
BI Office Addresses: immigration.gov.ph/…/other-immigration-offices
Gaisano Mactan Island Mall,
M.L. Quezon National Highway,
Lapu-Lapu City,
Cebu 6015
Office Hours: 8:00 am – 5:00 pm
Direct Line(s): (032) 8230-7800 / 0965 826-8415
Facsimile Number: (032) 8230-7800
E-mail Adresses: bisatellitemactancebu@gmail.com
In 2014, a Philippine passport, outside Metro Manila cost 1,500 PHP.
It appears that in 2022 it is only 950 PHP.
Some interesting information for people to consider before paying anyone to get them a visa to work in Australia.
Some Social Media posts have been made offering agriculture jobs in Australia. Those posts link to unusual website names. They might be a scam.
A report dated 25 Feb 2022, states that the Philippines has formally withdrawn from Australia’s new Agriculture Visa negotiations.
That means that a Filipino is not eligible for the Australian Agriculture Visa.
This official statement on the subject.
On 28 January 2022, the Philippine government confirmed that visitors will be permitted to enter the Philippines again from the 10th February 2022.
Foreign tourists from the countries that have visa-free entry to the Philippines, and who are vaccinated and test negative for Covid-19, will not need to quarantine from 10th February 2022.
Returning Filipinos, that are vaccinated and who test negative for Covid-19, will not need to quarantine from 1st February 2022.
Visa Free Nationalities:
List of countries allowed a 30 day visa free entry: https://dfa.gov.ph
Current cost for the “Probationary 13a” and the “13a Amended to Permanent” visas are:
Php 8,620.00 Principal
Php 8,620.00 Dep-Spouse
Php 8,370.00 Dep-B16
Php 7,870.00 Dep-B14
plus $50 for the ACR-I card for each visa.
I have read that there may be other fees and ancillary expenses which might come to around 22,000PHP.
So, including those other costs, for a single applicant this might total about 30,000PHP +US$50. (US$650 or A$900 or GBP490).
I assume that these fees apply individually to both the “Probationary 13a” and the “13a Amended to Permanent visa” applications.
The cost shown at the Philippine consulate in Australia is currently shown as A$270 for the 13a.
https://sydneypcg.dfa.gov.ph/notices/schedule-of-fees
The cost shown at the Philippine consulate in Norway is currently shown as NOK 1,350 (US$151, A$210, GBP114).
https://www.philembassy.no/consular-services/schedule-of-fees-price-list
The cost shown at the Philippine consulate in New York, USA is currently shown as $150 for the 13a.
https://newyorkpcg.org/pcgny/consular-services/schedule-of-fees/
To renew your visa, please contact the Philippines Bureau of Immigration directly for advice and to make an appointment to correct any outstanding visa issues. You must wear a facemask and exercise social distancing during your visit to an immigration office.
Foreigners who overstayed for less than six months can still pay their visa overstay fees at the airport.
For foreign nationals who have overstayed for more than 6 months, process are as follows:
For foreign nationals who have overstayed for 3 year or more (see 8.2 for more details):
The above is shown at the Philippines Embassy in Australia, but should be similar for other countries too.
Migration Agent for Australian Visas.
Office in Manila by appointment only.
Philippines to Australia.
Partner Visa.
Tourist Visa.
Child Visas.
Jeff Harvie is a Registered Migration Agent from Australia, but resident in Philippines since 2010 with his Filipina wife Mila and large extended family.
Experienced with the Philippines culture, cross-cultural relationships and bureaucracy as well as Australian visas and Australian Migration Law, he writes with authority and fortunately with enough informality and humour that the average Aussie gets it!
Down Under Visa specialises in visas for Australians in relationships with ladies and gents from Philippines, Thailand, China and Vietnam.
BI Commissioner Jaime Morente has stressed that those who are eligible to enter the Philippines are required to secure an entry visa from Philippine Embassies or Consulates, prior to their arrival.
This includes foreign spouses of a Philippine citizen, who previously enjoyed visa free entry.
Nationals from 157 countries, who previously enjoyed visa free entry, have been required to obtain a visa in advance since March.
However, some people are still arriving without a visa. The law requires that these people are refused entry, even if they are a spouse of a Philippine citizen.
PRESS RELEASE – Bureau of Immigration
30 August 2020
BI eases requirements for departing aliens to prevent crowding in immigration offices
MANILA, Philippines – The Bureau of Immigration (BI) announced it is again, easing its rules and requirements, for departing foreign nationals due to the continuing rise of COVID-19 cases in the country.
Immigration Commissioner Jaime Morente issued a directive allowing foreigners with visas approved by the BI to leave the country before they could be issued their alien certificate of registration identity card (ACR I-Card).
According to Morente, the Bureau will also no longer require departing aliens with approved and implemented visas to secure an ACR I-Card waiver order.
He disclosed that the policy would be implemented until end of this year and that its effectivity may be extended or revoked earlier depending on the state of the COVID-19 pandemic in the country.
“By allowing these aliens to leave pending release of their I-Cards, the number of people going to our offices will be lessened and physical distancing will be achieved, thus preventing the further spread of the virus among our frontline personnel and clients,” Morente said.
BI Port Operations Acting Chief Grifton Medina disclosed that in compliance with the BI Chief’s directive, immigration officers at the airports will no longer require departing aliens with BI-approved visas but who do not have their I-Cards yet, to present an I-Card waiver order from the Bureau.
Medina said that in lieu of the I-Card waiver order, the passengers will be asked to present their passport with visa implementation stamp and official receipts of payment for their ACR I-Card waiver application fee, Emigration Clearance Certificate/Reentry Permit (ECC/RP) or Special Return Certificate (SRC).
“The passenger will also be advised to safekeep the copies of his official receipts as the same should be presented to our immigration officer upon his return to the Philippines,” Medina added.
It will be recalled that the BI previously allowed aliens with BI-approved visas to leave without I-Cards last March when Luzon was placed under enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) and modified ECQ which prompted the Bureau to suspend services or scale down operations in most of its offices.
The BI resumed issuing ACR I-Cards and I-Card waiver orders in June after the Bureau launched its online appointment system for clients after Metro Manila was placed under less restrictive general community quarantine (GCQ).
However, the BI recently bared that despite the implementation of stricter health protocols, more than 70 of its employees have been infected with the virus.
The Bureau of Immigration (BI) announced that it is launching an online appointment system for clients at the main office in Intramuros, Manila.
BI Commissioner Jaime Morente said “Henceforth, only clients with appointment code will be served during the specified date and time of their appointment,” and that “clients will have to present government-issued or valid identification cards before they could enter the bureau’s premises“.
This appears to only relate to Visa Extensions being done at Intramuros, Manila.
The link in the press release shown below was actually incorrect, as it left the .ph out. It should be: www.immigration.gov.ph
The cost for an ECC-A, checked at immigration.gov.ph on 29 May 2020, is either 710 or 1,210 pesos depending on age.
Under 14 years of age:
Php
ECC 200.00
LRF 10.00
Express Lane Fee 500.00
TOTAL Php 710.00
Adult:
Php
ECC 700.00
LRF 10.00
Express Lane Fee 500.00
TOTAL Php 1,210.00
Philippine Immigration Advisory to the Public
All aliens whose visa will expire during the duration of the Enhanced Community Quarantine shall be allowed to file their application within thirty (30) days from the lifting of the Enhanced Community Quarantine.
immigration.gov.ph/images/Advisory/2020/03_Mar/2020Mar19_advisory.pdf
March 19, 2020: The Philippines Foreign Affairs Secretary stated: “Starting today, all our Embassies and Consulates will temporarily suspend visa issuance to all foreign nationals as well as the visa-free privileges of all foreign nationals.”
This does NOT mention visa renewals at the Bureau of Immigration offices in the Philippines.
The rule is in place to stop any Foreign National from entering the country, and try to reduce the spread of the COVID-19 Coronavirus.
All previously issued Philippine visas to foreign nationals are now deemed cancelled. (I assume this relates to unused visas, where the holder has not entered the Philippines)
Visas already issued to foreign spouses and children of Filipino nationals remain valid.
Update: Visa Renewals. See more at: Philippines visa Extensions during COVID-19
But there are some exemptions. (Foreign Spouse and children will be allowed entry when travelling with a Filipino spouse.)
Philippines Immigration Press Release: http://immigration.gov.ph/images/News/2020_Yr/03_Mar/2020Mar20b_Press.pdf
The text of the above Press Release is shown below:
MANILA, Philippines—Bureau of Immigration (BI) Commissioner Jaime Morente announced that they will be implementing the restricted entry of foreign nationals in the country starting March 22.
Said move follows the issuance of a Foreign Service Circular by the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) suspending visa issuance and visa-free privileges for foreign nationals arriving in the Philippines due to the declaration of a State of Calamity throughout the Philippines because of the Covid-2019, and the declaration of a public health emergency throughout the Philippines.
According to Morente, all issuance for entry visas for visa-required foreign nationals were suspended by the DFA, while all previously-issued visas are deemed cancelled.
The DFA circular adds that visa-free privileges of foreign nationals are likewise temporarily suspended.
Currently, nationals of 157 countries enjoy visa free privileges. These countries include the South Korea, United States of America, Canada, Japan, and Singapore.
South Korea remains the top arrival in the country with more than 2.1M arrivals in 2019.
Exempted from this suspension are foreign spouses and children who are traveling with the Filipino national, foreign crew members, as well as foreign government and International Organization officials accredited to the Philippines.
“We will be implementing it in 48 hours, or 12mn of March 22, 2020 to give ample time to the DFA to inform foreign posts and embassies,” said Morente.
The suspension of visa issuance and visa-free privileges is tantamount to a total suspension of the entry of foreign nationals.
“Following the direction of the DFA who decides on our foreign policy, we will likewise be temporarily restricting the entry of foreign nationals who have converted to both immigrant and non-immigrant visas, those under visa waiver agreements, as well as special visa holders,” said Morente. “Only Filipinos, their spouse and children, foreign diplomats, and foreign crew members will be allowed entry,” he clarified.
DFA Regional Consular Offices are available at about 36 locations in the Philippines.
This is a list of the offices shown at the Department of Foreign Affairs website, that handle new Philippine Passports. The information at their website shows the local address and the local phone number of each office.
www.passport.gov.ph
Angeles – MarQuee Mall, Angeles, Pampanga
Antipolo – SM Cherry, Antipolo City, Rizal
Bacolod – Robinsons, Bacolod
Baguio – SM City, Baguio
Butuan – Robinsons, Butuan
Cagayan De Oro – Centrio Mall, CDO City
Calasiao – Robinsons, Calasiao, Pangasinan
Cebu – Pacific Mall, Metro Mandaue, Cebu
Cebu POW – at SM Seaside
Clarin – Town Center, Clarin, Misamis OCC
Cotabato – Mall of Alnor, Cotabato City
DFA Manila – Aseana
DFA NCR East – SM Megamall, Mandaluyong City
DFA NCR North – Robinsons Novaliches, Quezon City
DFA NCR Northeast – Ali Mall, Cubao, Quezon City
DFA NCR South – Metro ATC, Muntinlupa City
DFA NCR West – SM City, Manila
Davao – SM City, Davao
Dumaguete – Robinsons, Dumaguete
General Santos – Robinsons, Gen. Santos City
Ilocos Norte – Robinsons Place, San Nicolas
Iloilo – Robinsons, Iloilo
La Union – Manna Mall, San Fernando, La Union
Legazpi – Pacific Mall, Legazpi
Lipa – Robinsons, Lipa
Lucena – Pacific Mall, Lucena
Malolos – CTTCH., Xentro Mall, Malolos City
Pampanga – Robinsons StarMills, San Fernando
Paniqui, Tarlac – WalterMart
Puerto Princesa – Robinsons, Palawan
San Pablo – SM City, San Pablo
Santiago, Isabela – Robinsons Place, Santiago
Tacloban – Robinsons, N. Abucay, Tac. City
Tagum – Gaisano, Mall of Tagum
Tuguegarao – Reg. Gov’t Center, Tuguegarao City
Zamboanga – Go-Velayo Bldg. Vet. Ave. Zamboanga
Any foreign national wishing to work in the Philippines must obtain a valid work visa, normally the 9(G) visa.
This is a working visa that allows employers or proprietors [in the Philippines] to employ foreign nationals with skills, qualifications and experience that may be short in supply in the Philippines.
The Pre-Arranged Employees (Commercial) visa under Section 9 (g) and Section 20 of the Commonwealth Act No. 613 or Philippine Immigration Act of 1940 (PIA).
immigration.gov.ph/visa-requirements/non-immigrant-visa/pre-arranged-employment-visa
immigration.gov.ph/faqs/visa-inquiry/pre-arranged-employee-visa
Cost for the 9G Visa is currently shown as:
Php 10,630 for the Principal Applicant
Php 8,620 for the Dependent Spouse
Php 8,370 for the Dependent Child B16
Php 7,870 for the Dependent Child B14
Php 18,170 for the Principal Applicant
Php 14,960 for the Dependent Spouse
Php 14,710 for the Dependent Child B16
Php 14,210 for the Dependent Child B14
Php 25,710 for the Principal Applicant
Php 21,300 for the Dependent Spouse
Php 21,050 for the Dependent Child B16
Php 20,550 for the Dependent Child B14
There is also an Additional Fee for the ACR I-Card
US $50 for the 1 year 9G Visa
US $100 for the 2 year 9G Visa
US $150 for the 3 year 9G Visa
Many visitors to the Philippines appear to be NOT too worried about maintaining a valid visa during their stay, after all, it isn’t that important is it? What can happen? You get a short ban from coming back? That is normal in many countries.
But, this is the Philippines, and there are fines involved too.
Some of these people say the fine is miniscule, and are not concerned about paying it.
But.. (yes, another BUT), some people actually do get jailed.
Most people say that only happens to criminals. I wonder how true that it…
This news report in December 2019, shows how it can be more of a problem than they think…
Australian in jail (possibly) because he overstayed his visa by seven months
In this story, an Australian overstayed his visa by 7 months, with no valid reason, and ended up being detained at Zamboanga Airport, and jailed in the Philippines.
As at December 1st, he had been in jail for 5 weeks, and it is not a comfortable jail either. No recreation time and no food, unless you buy it yourself. He says that the prison conditions are horrific, with cells full of trash and no running showers.
Philippines officials have not confirmed to the Media what charges the Australian man is facing.
Is it ONLY for overstaying a visa, or was something else involved?
The advice from the Australian government is to keep your visa up to date or risk being detained.
This advice should be considered by ALL visitors to the Philippines.
Overstaying will cost you:
Jail time may be more common with people who cannot pay the outstanding visa fees and penalties. It may also be related to other aspects of time in the Philippines, found when checks are done on applying for an ECC.
An ECC needs to be applied for after 6 months in the Philippines.
There are fees that you have to pay to the Bureau of Immigration when you file your Request or Petition. Of course, you have to pay the minimal filing fees.
If your request is granted, you will also pay a lifting penalty of Php55,000. You can see this in the Lifting Order issued by the Bureau of Immigration.
You also have to pay the unpaid overstaying fees, if any, plus penalties when you have been blacklisted for overstaying.
You have to settle all these fees as soon as possible, otherwise, the Lifting Order will not be implemented and your Blacklist Order will remain in the immigration database.
The above information is sourced from a Philippines Immigration Lawyer that has been recommended on this site.
Source: Guzman Acain -Philippine Law Firm > How to lift your name in the Philippine immigration blacklist?
From what I have seen, some people have difficulties in clearing their names from a blacklist, as they often do not know the procedures.
A Philippines Immigration Lawyer should have the experience required to get this dealt with faster, whenever possible.
A Philippines Immigration Press Release dated 29th July 2019, has stated that a total of 2,351 aliens, of various nationalities, were refused entry into the Philippines during January to June 2019.
1,920 (82%) were turned away at Manila’s Ninoy Aquino International Airport while the rest were stopped at the airports in Mactan, Clark, Kalibo, Aklan and Davao.
According to the Bureau of Immigration (BI) port operations division chief, Grifton Medina; “They were turned back after undergoing primary and secondary inspection by our immigration officers and were declared unfit for admission into our country for a variety of reasons. They were issued exclusion orders and booked on the first available flight to their ports of origin.”
As the Philippines requires airlines to ensure that passengers enter with a return ticket, at least the cost of returning them is not born by the Philippines.
1,129 Chinese nationals topped the list of exclusions, followed by
106 Indians
87 Americans
52 Taiwanese and
67 Koreans.
The list included registered sex offenders, wanted fugitives, suspected international terrorists, and blacklisted and previously deported aliens.
Most were excluded for being public charges or persons without visible means to support themselves, and whose purpose of coming here are doubtful.
Some were turned back for being rude and disrespectful towards immigration officers, and for having incomplete travel documents.