Bureau of Immigration in Cebu.

Bureau of Immigration (BI) Office in CEBU.

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.

Cebu Immigration District Office.

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

Bureau of Immigration Cebu

Mactan-Cebu Immigration Satellite Office (Gaisano).

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

Cost of Emigration Clearance Certificate (ECC)

Cost of an ECC Emigration Clearance Certificate or Exit Clearance Certificate

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

Emigration Clearance Certificate ECC for Residents Leaving for Good

Emigration Clearance Certificate for Residents Leaving for Good

Departing holders of immigrant, and non-immigrant, visas who are leaving for good, need to apply for an Emigration Clearance Certificate, also known as the Exit Clearance Certificate.

The price shown for this ECC version is Php 1,210, including the Express Lane Fee, which is supposed to have been removed from Visa fees.

However, the screenshot below, taken on 12th March 2018, shows the price last updated at 6 March 2014. The base cost may be the same but the final cost may be Php 710, being the cost shown less the Express Lane Fee.

I am aware of one person who paid Php710 for an ECC in November 2017, although he did not say which ECC version he got.  I think it may have been this particular one.

The related Bureau of Immigration (BI) page states this ECC must be obtained at a BI office, and the procedure is:

  • Secure and fill out application form.
  • Submit duly accomplished form and attach the other supporting documents.
  • Wait for the issuance of Order of Payment Slip (OPS).
  • Pay the corresponding fees.
  • Submit the accomplished application form with the required attachments and attach original Official Receipts.
  • Present claim stub on the appointed date and time of return for releasing of Original Certification and  Receipts.
  • Acknowledge receipt by signing the duplicate copy of the Certification before releasing the original Certification and Official Receipt.

Source: www.immigration.gov.ph (at the bottom of the page)

More ECC Information at: Requirements for an ECC – Exit Clearance Certificate

Philippine Immigration Express Lane Fees from January, 2018.

Immigration Express Lane Fees Restored in January, 2018

The Philippine Bureau of Immigration (BI) restored the express transactions fees effective January 3, 2018.

The Bureau of Immigration (BI) announced today (January 3, 2018) that it is reverting to its old 7 am to 5:30 pm work schedule as a result of President Duterte’s directive to create a trust fund from which the overtime pay of the agency’s workers will be sourced.

Immigration Commissioner Jaime H. Morente also said that the Bureau will resume charging express lane fees to the transacting public. The proceeds of which will be used for overtime pay and salaries of BI employees.

Source: pia.gov.ph/news/articles/1003783

The Philippines Bureau of Immigration (BI) stopped collecting the express lane fees (ELFs) from 1st May 2017.

In 2016 the Immigration bureau was able to collect P1.4 billion in express lane fees.

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

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.

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.

Philippines BI Forms

More Information on the Exit Clearance Certificate

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.

Notice of ECC after 6 months

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.

  1. 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
  2. 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.

  1. 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.