02/11/2020
Emigration Clearance Certificate (ECC)
The Emigration Clearance Certificate (ECC) is an important pre-departure document issued by the Bureau of Immigration (BI) to foreign nationals who are holders of Immigrant and Non-Immigrant visas and are leaving the Philippines. It has two types, ECC-A (also referred to as Regular ECC) and ECC-B.
ECC-A is issued to departing foreign nationals to prove that they have no derogatory records in the country and have no pending obligations with the government at the time of the issuance. It may be secured at the BI Main Office or in selected District Offices, Satellite Offices, Field Offices, One-Stop-Shop Offices and Extension Offices. In particular, foreign nationals falling into the following categories should 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.
Meanwhile, ECC-B is issued to departing holders of Immigrant and Non-Immigrant visas with valid ACR I-cards and are leaving the country temporarily. It is a single-use receipt issued to evidence their Special Return Certificate (SRC) (for Non-Immigrants) or Re-entry Permit (RP) which is valid for one (1) year. It may be secured at the BI Main Office or in the airport upon departure.
In due time, the Bureau of will come up with automated ECC Kiosks to centralize and simplify the process of issuing the ECC.
Moreover, foreign nationals are warned against procuring fake and fraudulently issued ECCs from unauthorized private entities and individuals offering to provide this document. Any person found in possession of such spurious shall be charged for violating the Philippine Immigration Act of 1940 or Commonwealth Act 613, as amended.
Note:
1. District Offices: Batangas, Cagayan De Oro, Cebu, Clark, Legazpi, Tacloban, Tuguegarao, Davao
2. Satellite Offices: SM North Edsa, Sta. Rosa, Taytay
3. Field Offices: Baguio, Bataan, Boracay, Butuan, Isabela, General Santos, Glan, Kalibo, Lucena, Naga, Olongapo, Zamboanga, Dagupan
4. One-Stop-Shop Office: Clark
5. Extension Offices: BI Peza, BI Makati
