Under the American regime in 1899, the Philippine Bureau of Immigration started under the Bureau of Customs. At that time, the Philippine government focuses on monitoring the entry of goods rather than controlling and regulating the foreign nationals in the country. In 1937, it was transferred under the Bureau of Labor and monitored the arrivals of Chinese nationals who owned and operated trade houses stores, and restaurants.
Also Read: Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) – Benefits, Programs, and Services
After a year, it was transferred to the Department of Justice and remains under it up until now. Its main task is to enforce and administer immigration and foreign nationals registration laws such as admission, registration, exclusion and deportation, and repatriation of foreign nationals.
Every government agency sets its vision and mission to guide them in navigating and providing services to Filipinos. Here are the Bureau of Immigration’s objectives and scope to effectively organize and provide better services.
Mandate
The Bureau of Immigration (BI) is principally responsible for the administration and enforcement of immigration, citizenship, and alien admission and registration laws in accordance with the provisions of the Philippine Immigration Act of 1940. It also plays a role in the enforcement of RA 9208, known as the Anti-Trafficking In Persons Act of 2003.
Vision
be an inclusive, modernized, and resilient border control organization that exercises a culture of excellence and accountability.
Quality Policy
“We are committed to provide quality immigration services in line with strategic directions leading to client satisfaction and compliance with applicable statutory, regulatory, and other requirements.”
Core Values
- Patriotism
- Integrity
- Professionalism
Key focus Area
- Anti-corruption
- Modernization
- National security
- Rightsizing
- Personnel empowerment
Duties and Responsibilities
The Bureau of Immigration’s main duties are to protect and serve the Filipino people. Under the Department of Justice and the President of the Philippines, it acts as an enforcement that ensures all foreign nationals follow the Philippine law. It also assists local and international law enforcement agencies in regulating foreigners that might threaten national security, public safety, public morale, and public health. It also manages the records related to entry, temporary sojourn, admission, residence, and departure of all foreign nationals in the Philippines.
Services
The Bureau of Immigration (BI) provides services and assistance for Filipinos and foreigners. The BI made sure that they provided fast and efficient programs and processes to give convenience to those who needed it. To apply for any of the services, you may go to the main office of the Bureau of Immigration, or other Immigration offices, or go to their website: https://e-services.immigration.gov.ph.
- Alien Registration
- Annual Report (A.R.)
- ACR I-Card Issuance
- Voluntary Application for ACR I-CARD
- Renewal ACR I-CARD
- Re-Issuance of ACR I-CARD
- ACR I-CARD Waiver
- Cancellation of ACR I-CARD
- Philippine-Born Registration
- Certification
- Certification for Not the Same Person
- ACR I-CARD Certification
- BI Clearance Certification
- Pending Visa Application Certification
- Certified True Copy Certification
- Travel Records Certification
- Certificate of Non-Registration/Registration
- Citizenship
- Application for Retention/Re-acquisition of Philippine Citizenship
- Inclusion of Dependents under R.A. 9225
- Recognition as Filipino Citizen
- Affirmation of Recognition as Filipino Citizen
- Cancellation of Alien Certificate of Registry (ACR)
- Accreditation
- School Accreditation
- Accreditation of School Representative/Liaison Officer
- Travel Agency or Office
- Travel Agency of Office Liaison Officers
- Missionary or Non-Profit Organization
- Missionary or Non-Profit Organization Representatives or Liaison Officers
- Law Office
- Law Office Representative of Paralegal
- Consultancy or Corporations
- Consultancy or Corporations Representative or Liaison Officer
- Joining/Repatriation
- Joining Filipino Seaman
- Signing Off Filipino Seaman
- Joining Foreign Seaman
- Repatriating Foreign Seaman
- Filipino Supernumerary
- Visa Crewlist Fee
- Penalty on Late Filing/Non-Filing of Foreign Seafarer’s Notice of Arrival (Joining Crew)
- Administrative Fine Imposed on a Foreign Crew Member if Not Properly Documented
- Penalty for Late Filing/Non-Filing of Notice of Departure
- Others
- Waiver for Exclusion Ground
- Downgrading of Visa
- Transfer of Admission Status
- Amendment/Correction of Admission
- Re-Stamping of Visa RA 7919
- Re-Stamping of Visa
- Revalidation
- Failed to Stamp-Encoded
- Failed to Stamp-Not Encoded
- Interim Extension (Grace Period)
- Special Permit
- Special Study Permit
- Provisional Work Permit-Commercial
- Special Work Permit-Artists and Athletes
- Trusted Traveler Program
- Trusted Traveler Program
Visas
Foreign nationals who plan to migrate to the Philippines must register themselves in the Bureau of Immigration for proper documentation. Here are all Visa related documents that the applicants need to apply for.
- Immigrant Visas
- Child Born Abroad of Immigrant Mother
- Child Born Subsequent to the Issuance of Immigrant Visa of the Accompanying Parent
- Immigrant Visa by Marriage (13A)
- Permanent Resident Visa (PRV)
- Returning Former Natural-Borm Filipino Citizenn (13G)
- Returning Resident (13E)
- Quota Visa (13)
- Non-Immigrant Visa
- Temporary Resident Visa (TRV)
- Temporary Visitor Visa (9A)
- Treaty Trader or Treaty Investor (9D)
- Accredited Official of Foreign Government (9E)
- Student Visa (9F)
- Pre-arranged Employment Visa (9G)
- Special Visa
- Visa Upon Arrival (SEVUA)
- Special Visa for Employment Generation
- Special Employment Visa for Offshore Banking Unit
- Special Visa under E.O. 226, as amended by R.A. 8756
E-Services
Filing documents will surely take your time and effort. To provide fast and more convenient services for Filipinos and foreign nationals, the Bureau of Immigration created the E-Services. Using your computer or mobile phone, you can request the following services:
- Annual Report
- Accreditation Renewal
- Emigration Clearance Certificate – B (ECC-B)
- Petition for Re-acquisition/Retention of Philippine Citizenship
- Tourist Visa Extension
- Visa Waiver
- Waiver of Exclusion Ground
- Existing School Accreditation
Summary
The Bureau of Immigration’s objective before is to monitor, control, and regulate the arrivals of all foreign nationals that enter the Philippine territory. But now, their juridical functions have become wider and they now have the sole authority to enforce and administer immigration and foreign nationals registration law including the admission, registration, exclusion and deportation, and repatriation of foreign nationals. The BI is also in the process of modernizing all its services, technologies, and processes to provide better services to Filipinos and foreign nationals. The BI encourages all immigrants to register and provide legal and proper documents.
The Bureau of Immigration (BI) is doing its best to provide fast and suitable services and to uphold its vision and oath. To apply BI’s services, you can visit their website at https://immigration.gov.ph/ or reach them at Direct Line: (+632) 8-524-3769, Trunk Line Number (+632) 8-465-2400 or email them at xinfo@immigration.gov.ph | immigPH@immigration.gov.ph.