Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Quezon City 
TWENTIETH CONGRESS 
First Regular Session 
HOUSE BILL NO. 2685 
Introduced by: 
HONORABLE JAIME EDUARDO MARC D. COJUANGCO 
Representative, 1st District, Tarlac 
AN ACT MODERNIZING THE BUREAU OF IMMIGRATION BY DEFINING ITS 
POWERS AND FUNCTIONS, FURTHER PROFESSIONALIZING ITS 
ORGANIZATION, UPGRADING THE COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS OF ITS 
OFFICIALS AND EMPLOYEES, AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
This Bill was approved on Third Reading by the House of Representatives during the 19th 
Congress. This reflects the resounding recognition of the urgent need for reform and 
modernization of our current Bureau of Immigration. 
As a background, the Bureau of Immigration (BI), established under Commonwealth Act 
No. 613 or the Philippine Immigration Act of 1940, remains governed by antiquated laws and 
structures ill-suited for the evolving demands of national security, global mobility, and 
international migration. More than eight decades since its creation, the Bureau continues to 
perform a critical role in enforcing immigration laws and regulating the entry, stay, and exit of 
foreign nationals. However, it does so with outdated legal mandates, organizational limitations, 
and constrained fiscal support. 
This bill seeks to modernize the Bureau of Immigration by defining and strengthening its 
institutional powers and functions, professionalizing its personnel structure, and upgrading the 
compensation and benefits of its officials and employees. It proposes a holistic framework to 
capacitate the Bureau as a competent, corruption-free, and responsive institution that can uphold 
our sovereignty, enhance border control, and deliver efficient immigration services aligned with 
international standards. 
Among the salient features of the proposed measure are the following: 
1.
Reorganization of the Bureau to reflect a more modern, efficient, and
accountable institutional structure that is aligned with its expanded mandate; 
2.
Clarification and expansion of its powers and functions, including border
control, enforcement of immigration laws, coordination with international counterparts, 
and modernization of its information and communication systems; 
3.
Professionalization of its human resources, including merit-based
recruitment, training, and career development; 
4.
Upgrading of compensation and benefits, comparable to those of similarly
situated law enforcement and regulatory agencies, to attract and retain highly qualified 
personnel; 
July 30, 2025
4:19 pm


5.
Creation of mechanisms for transparency, internal discipline, and
anti-corruption, ensuring public trust and institutional integrity; 
6.
Appropriation of sufficient funding to support the implementation of the
modernization program. 
With the increasing threats of transnational crimes, human trafficking, terrorism, and the 
misuse of migration pathways, there is an urgent need to recalibrate and empower the Bureau of 
Immigration to meet the complex demands of the 21st century. 
In view of the foregoing, the immediate passage of this bill is earnestly sought. 
JAIME EDUARDO MARC D. COJUANGCO 
Representative, 1st  District, Tarlac 


Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Quezon City 
TWENTIETH CONGRESS 
First Regular Session 
HOUSE BILL NO. 2685 
Introduced by: 
HONORABLE JAIME EDUARDO MARC D. COJUANGCO 
Representative, 1st District, Tarlac 
AN ACT MODERNIZING THE BUREAU OF IMMIGRATION BY DEFINING ITS 
POWERS AND FUNCTIONS, FURTHER PROFESSIONALIZING ITS 
ORGANIZATION, UPGRADING THE COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS OF ITS 
OFFICIALS AND EMPLOYEES, AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress 
assembled: 
TITLE I 
GENERAL PROVISIONS 
SEC. 1. Short Title. — This Act shall be known as the “Immigration Modernization 
Act”. 
SEC. 2. Declaration of Policy. — In the conduct of its relations with other States, the 
Philippines shall give paramount consideration to national sovereignty, territorial integrity, 
national security, national interest, the right to self-determination, the enhancement of economic 
diplomacy, and the protection of overseas Filipinos in destination countries as it adheres to the 
policy of peace, cooperation, and amity with all nations. To this end, Philippine immigration 
policies, rules and regulations under this Act shall be applied and administered as instruments for 
the promotion of domestic and external interests of the Philippines, in recognition of:  
(a)
the necessity for encouraging and enhancing capital investments, trade and
commerce, cultural exchanges and other forms of friendly relations and
cooperation;
(b)
the need to support technological and scientific development in the country;
(c)
the goal to promote the conditions for social welfare and economic security of the
people;
(d)
the fulfillment of obligations and compliance with standards set by international
law in the admission and exclusion of foreign nationals;
(e)
the modernization of structures and mechanisms necessary for the administration
of immigration laws in keeping with the changing demands of the country’s role
in the global community; and
(f)
the professionalization of the immigration service by instituting a rigid system of
screening and selection of immigration officials and employees and promoting
their development.


SEC. 3. Definition of Terms. — As used in this Act:  
 
(a)​
Admission refers to the process by which a foreign national arriving at a port of 
entry in the Philippines is allowed into the country whereby a status or entry 
category is granted by the immigration authorities; 
 
(b)​
Border Control Officer refers to any person authorized to man the Border Control 
Checkpoints as provided in this Act; 
 
(c)​
Captain refers to the master of a vessel or pilot of an aircraft;  
 
(d)​
Child or children refers to a person or persons below eighteen (18) years of age;  
 
(e)​
Citizen refers to any person who is a citizen of the Philippines under Section 1, 
Article IV of the Constitution of the Republic of the Philippines;  
 
(f)​
Commissioner refers to the Commissioner of the Bureau of Immigration;  
 
(g)​
Commitment Order refers to an order issued by the Commissioner under this Act 
that directs the taking into custody of a foreign national after it has been 
determined that probable cause exists that a foreign national committed acts or 
omissions in violation of Philippine immigration laws, rules and regulations, or 
during the pendency of deportation proceedings against such foreign national: 
Provided, That such custody shall not exceed three (3) months, unless there exists 
other legal grounds for continued custody;  
 
(h)​
Consular Officer refers to any consular, diplomatic, or other officer of the 
Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) who has been duly granted a consular 
commission for the purpose of issuing visas under this Act;  
 
(i)​
Derogatory Information refers to details about persons and travel documents 
relating to immigration consisting of the following:  
 
(1) ​
Blacklist Order refers to an order issued by the Commissioner that 
prevents a foreign national from entering the territorial jurisdiction of the 
Philippines; 
 
(2) ​
Hold Departure Order refers to an order issued by the Commissioner 
preventing a foreign national from leaving the territorial jurisdiction of the 
Philippines in cases where bail or recognizance is granted pending 
implementation of a Deportation Order, or a directive implementing an 
order issued by the appropriate court preventing a person from leaving the 
territorial jurisdiction of the Philippines;  
 
(3) ​
Monitor Order refers to an order issued by the Commissioner under this 
Act that requires immigration personnel to monitor the travel of any 
person for a period of thirty (30) days, and to notify the concerned 
government agencies of the Philippines; and  
 
(4) ​
Alert Order refers to an order issued by the Commissioner pursuant to a 
validly issued warrant of arrest;  
 
(j) ​
Entry refers to the arrival of a foreign national into any designated port of entry in 
the Philippines from a place outside the Philippine territorial jurisdiction;  
(k) ​
Exclusion refers to the act of Immigration Officers denying admission of a foreign 
national into the country on grounds provided in this Act;  


(l) ​
Foreign national or alien refers to any person who is not a citizen of the 
Philippines;  
(m) ​
Immigrant refers to any foreign national, other than a non-immigrant, granted 
resident status in the Philippines under the provisions of this Act and other laws 
granting immigrant status;  
(n) ​
Immigration laws refer to this Act and other laws presently existing or which may 
hereafter be enacted relating to the movement of natural persons to and from the 
Philippines;   
(o) ​
Immigration Officer refers to any person appointed under Title II, Chapter 8 of 
this Act or any employee designated by the Commissioner to perform the powers, 
duties and functions of an Immigration Officer as specified under this Act;  
(p) ​
Non-immigrant refers to any foreign national who is allowed entry and admission 
into the Philippines for a temporary or limited period of stay;  
(q) ​
Non-refoulement refers to a principle of international law which prohibits the 
forced or involuntary return of refugees or those seeking asylum in the Philippines 
to a state or territory where there are valid reasons to believe that the life or 
freedom of such refugee or asylum seeker would be threatened on account of race, 
religion, nationality, membership in a particular social group, or political opinion;  
 
(r) ​
Passport refers to a document issued by a government to its citizens requesting 
other governments to allow such citizens to pass through or enter into a territory 
of other states safely and freely, and in case of need to give them all lawful aid 
and protection;  
 
(s) ​
Person refers to a natural person or a juridical person such as a partnership, 
corporation, company, or association;  
 
(t)​
Port of entry refers to any port designated by the Commissioner through which a 
foreign national may enter or exit the Philippines;  
 
(u) ​
Refugee refers to a person who, owing to a well-founded fear of being persecuted 
for reasons of race, religion, nationality, membership in a particular social group, 
or political opinion, is outside such person’s country of nationality, and is unable 
or, owing to such fear, unwilling to avail of the protection of that country; or a 
person who, not having a nationality and being outside such person’s country of 
former habitual residence, is unable or, owing to such fear, unwilling to return to 
it;  
​
 
(v) ​
Seaman, Seafarer or Crewmember refers to a person actually employed in the 
operation or service in any capacity on board a vessel;  
​
 
(w) ​
Stateless person refers to a person who is not considered a national by any state 
under the operation of its laws;  
​
 
(x) ​
Travel document refers to a certification or identifying document containing the 
description and other personal circumstances of its bearer, issued for direct travel 
to and from the Philippines valid for short periods or a particular trip. It is issued 
only to persons whose claim to Philippine citizenship is doubtful or who fall 
under the category enumerated in Section 13 of Republic Act No. 8239, otherwise 
known as the “Philippine Passport Act of 1996”, as amended;  
​
 
(y) ​
Vessel refers to all means of conveyances, whether aircraft or sea craft; and  


​
 
(z) ​
Visa refers to an endorsement on a passport or any travel document issued by a 
Consular Officer abroad authorizing the holder thereof to proceed to a designated 
port of entry in the Philippines and there, to apply for entry and admission under 
the status specified therein; or an endorsement on a passport or any travel 
document, or any equivalent digital or electronic endorsement, granted by the 
Bureau under this Act, or by any other person authorized by existing laws.  
 
TITLE II 
THE BUREAU OF IMMIGRATION 
 
CHAPTER 1 
THE BUREAU 
  
SEC. 4. Overview. — The Bureau of Immigration, hereinafter referred to as the 
“Bureau”, shall be under the control and supervision of the Department of Justice (DOJ). The 
Bureau shall be principally responsible for the administration and enforcement of this Act, and 
the implementation of all laws, rules and regulations, or orders of any competent authority 
concerning the entry and admission into, stay in and the departure from the Philippines of all 
persons. The Bureau may seek the assistance of other government entities in the enforcement of 
laws, rules and regulations relating to immigration, border control, and anti-trafficking in 
persons. 
 
CHAPTER 2 
THE BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS 
 
SEC. 5. Composition and Qualifications. — The Bureau shall be administered by the 
Board of Commissioners, hereinafter referred to as the “Board”, headed by the Commissioner as 
Chairperson, and two (2) Deputy Commissioners as members, all of whom shall be natural-born 
citizens of the Philippines, holders of a college degree, with proven capacity for administration 
and, at the time of their appointment, at least thirty-five (35) years of age: Provided, That at least 
one of the members shall be a member of the Philippine Bar in good standing for at least five (5) 
years prior to the appointment: Provided, further, That at least one (1) member of the Board shall 
come from the ranks of the Bureau.   
  
SEC. 6. Powers and Functions. — The Board shall have the following powers and 
functions:   
  
(a)​
Decide on applications or cases relative to:  
​
 
(1)​
Deportation;   
 
(2)​
Issuance of all visas; and  
 
(3) ​
Legalization of residence in accordance with law;   
  
(b)​
Cite and punish for contempt in relation to the discharge of its quasi-judicial 
functions, in accordance with the Rules of Court;   
 
(c) ​
Prescribe and promulgate rules of procedure for proceedings before it;   
 
(d) ​
Prepare and publish operations manuals, including schedules of fees for all 
transactions entered into by the Bureau with the public; and   
 
(e) ​
Such other powers and functions as provided in this Act and other existing laws, 
rules and regulations not inconsistent with any of the provisions of this Act.   
 


SEC. 7. Decisions. — All cases or proceedings before the Board shall be decided with 
the concurrence of the majority of the members of the Board. A decision of the Board or a 
resolution on a motion for reconsideration shall become final and executory fifteen (15) days 
from notice thereof by the concerned party, unless before the expiry of such period, a motion for 
reconsideration or an appeal is filed before the Office of the Secretary of Justice or the Office of 
the President.  
 
SEC. 8. Appeals. — The decision of the Board or a resolution on a motion for 
reconsideration may be appealed to the Secretary of Justice or the Office of the President within 
fifteen (15) days from notice thereof by the concerned party. Unless otherwise ordered by the 
Secretary of Justice or the President, the filing of an appeal shall not stay the execution of the 
decision or resolution appealed from.  
 
SEC. 9. Meetings. — In all cases, the Board of Commissioners shall convene and act as a 
collegial body in all matters referred to in Section 6 of this Act. The Board shall meet at least 
once a week. Members of the Board shall be notified accordingly, and the presence of the 
Chairperson and one (1) member shall constitute a quorum. 
 
CHAPTER 3 
THE COMMISSIONER AND THE DEPUTY COMMISSIONERS 
 
SEC. 10. Appointment of the Commissioner. — The Commissioner shall be appointed 
by the President and shall have the same rank, salary, and privileges of an Undersecretary of a 
Department.  
 
SEC. 11. Powers and Duties of the Commissioner. — In addition to the duties as 
Chairperson of the Board, the Commissioner shall also undertake the following:  
  
(a) ​
Supervise, direct and coordinate the overall operations of the Bureau;  
 
(b) ​
Exercise control and supervision over the officers and personnel of the Bureau, 
including the power to appoint, designate, and reassign personnel, and  
recommend to the Secretary of Justice appointments and promotions to senior  
positions, subject to civil service laws, rules and regulations;  
 
(c) ​
Issue the following:  
 
(1) ​
Mission Orders, after determination of the existence of probable cause for 
the purpose of deportation;  
 
(2) ​
Commitment or Release Orders;  
 
(3) ​
Warrants of Deportation;  
 
(4) ​
Orders to inspect the documents, premises, and records of persons covered 
by this Act; and  
 
(5) ​
Derogatory information orders defined in Section 3(i) of this Act;  
 
(d) ​
Delegate authority to subordinate immigration personnel and employees of the 
Bureau, except the powers and functions enumerated in paragraph (c) of this 
section, which may be delegated only to a Deputy Commissioner;  
 
(e) ​
Control the opening and closure of posts, landing places, airports or ports 
classified as points of entry or exit, whether limited or unlimited;  
 
(f) ​
Increase, reduce, or waive immigration fines, penalties, and other charges;  


 
(g) ​
Issue Certificates of Naturalization to foreign nationals who have been granted 
Philippine citizenship;  
​
 
(h) ​
Promulgate rules and regulations as may be necessary or proper for the effective 
discharge of the duties and responsibilities of the officials and personnel of the 
Bureau, and for the effective exercise of the powers and functions of the Bureau;  
 
(i) ​
Deputize any official or employee of the national government and local 
government units, including uniformed personnel of the Armed Forces of the 
Philippines, the Philippine National Police, and the Philippine Coast Guard to 
assist immigration personnel in the performance of their duties and functions;  
 
(j) ​
Seek the assistance of relevant government agencies for intelligence data 
gathering and sharing;  
​
 
(k) ​
Authorize and prescribe, with the concurrence of the Board, the form and the 
amount of cash bonds for the provisional release of respondents in deportation 
proceedings;  
 
(l) ​
Impose reasonable fines and penalties for violations of immigration and alien 
registration laws in accordance with this Act and the guidelines adopted by the 
Board;  
 
(m) ​
Accept donations of materials, equipment or technical services from any foreign 
government, international or domestic organization, to upgrade the efficiency and 
operations of the Bureau;  
 
(n) ​
Provide an express lane system for the rendition of services performed for 
individuals and entities upon payment of fees that may be prescribed, and deposit 
in an authorized government depository bank such fees received under a trust 
fund subject to auditing and accounting rules, fifty percent (50%) of which shall 
be made available for the augmentation of the salaries of the employees of the 
Bureau, and fifty percent (50%) of which shall be remitted to the national 
treasury;  
 
(o) ​
Submit to the President and to Congress, annually or as may be directed, a report 
on:  
 
(1) ​
the number and status of foreign nationals in the Philippines;  
 
(2) ​
foreign nationals admitted or granted change of status as permanent 
residents;  
 
(3) ​
foreign nationals who have been excluded or deported from the 
Philippines;  
 
(4) ​
the estimated number of illegal foreign nationals in the Philippines in each 
calendar year and actions taken to arrest them, grouped by nationality, for 
each region in the Philippines; and  
 
(5) ​
such other transactions of the Bureau;  
​ 
(p) ​
Determine the manning levels of Immigration Officers of the Bureau nationwide 
in accordance with the number of arrivals in each port of entry;  
 


(q) ​
Exercise disciplinary authority over personnel of the Bureau charged with less 
grave and light administrative offenses, in accordance with civil service rules: 
Provided, That the disciplinary authority over those charged with grave 
administrative offenses under civil service rules shall belong to the Secretary of 
Justice;  
 
(r) ​
Prescribe, with the concurrence of the Board, the appropriate forms, bonds, 
reports, entries and other papers in accordance with this Act;  
 
(s) ​
Require all vessel operators to submit advance passenger information and 
prescribe penalties for the violation hereof;  
 
(t) ​
Engage foreign counterparts pertaining to border control;  
 
(u) ​
Designate Senior Immigration Officers who will oversee and supervise 
immigration operations in all international airports and seaports; and  
 
(v) ​
Perform such other functions inherent to the Bureau.  
 
SEC. 12. Appointment and Rank of Deputy Commissioners. — There shall be two (2) 
Deputy Commissioners who shall be appointed by the President. They shall have the rank, salary 
and privileges of an Assistant Secretary of a Department.  
 
SEC. 13. Duties of Deputy Commissioners. — In addition to their duties as members of 
the Board, the Deputy Commissioners shall perform such duties as may be required by law or 
regulation, or as may be specified by the Commissioner not otherwise inconsistent with law.  
 
CHAPTER 4 
THE BOARDS OF SPECIAL INQUIRY 
 
SEC. 14. Creation of the Boards of Special Inquiry. — There shall be created up to five 
(5) Boards of Special Inquiry (BSI) as required in the exigency of service as determined by the 
Board. Each BSI shall be composed of a Chairperson and two (2) members. The BSI shall be 
designated according to their areas of specialization to be determined by the Board.  
 
SEC. 15. Appointment and Qualifications of the Chairpersons and Members of the 
BSI. — The Chairpersons and members of the BSI shall be appointed by the Commissioner, 
shall be natural-born citizens of the Philippines and, at the time of their appointment, at least 
thirty (30) years of age, members of the Philippine Bar in good standing and have been engaged 
in the practice of law for at least three (3) years prior to appointment.  
 
SEC. 16. Powers and Functions. — The BSI shall:  
 
(a) ​
Recommend to the Board for final resolution cases and applications relative to:  
 
(1)​
Deportation;  
 
(2)​
Revocation of immigration status; and  
 
(3)​
Legalization of residence in accordance with law;  
​ 
(b)​
Recommend to the Commissioner for appropriate action cases and applications 
relative to:  
 
(1)​
Citizenship matters; and  
 


(2) ​
Issuance of alien certificates of registration to asylum seekers, refugees 
and stateless persons;  
 
(c) ​
Issue subpoena in cases being heard by the BSI;  
 
(d) ​
In the exercise of its quasi-judicial power, cite and punish persons for contempt in 
accordance with the Rules of Court;  
 
(e) ​
Recommend to the Commissioner the imposition, waiver, or reduction of fines, 
penalties and other charges, subject to existing laws, rules and regulations;  
  
(f) ​
Administer oaths in connection with the performance of their duties, as may be 
authorized by the Commissioner;  
 
(g) ​
Promulgate rules and regulations governing matters within its assigned mandate, 
subject to the approval of the Commissioner; and   
 
(h) ​
Perform such other duties and functions as may be directed by the Commissioner.  
 
SEC. 17. Proceedings. — The proceedings before the BSI shall be public and recorded. 
In all cases, the BSI shall meet and act as a collegial body. Only members of the Philippine Bar 
in good standing may appear for and in behalf of any party before the BSI.  
 
SEC. 18. Creation of Positions. — The positions created under the BSI shall have the 
following classification and salary grades:  
 
DESIGNATION 
POSITION 
SALARY GRADE 
Chairperson 
Attorney V 
25 
Members 
Attorney IV 
23 
 
CHAPTER 5 
DIVISIONS AND OTHER OPERATING OFFICES OF THE BUREAU 
 
SEC. 19. Divisions and Other Operating Offices of the Bureau. — The Bureau shall 
have the following Divisions and other operating offices, namely:  
 
(a)​
Divisions:  
​ 
(1) Administrative; 
  
(2) Alien Registration;  
 
(3) Finance and Logistics;  
 
(4) Human Resource Management and Development;  
 
(5) Immigration Regulation;  
 
(6) Information and Communications Technology;  
 
(7) Immigration Intelligence;  
 
(8) Immigration Law Enforcement;  
 
(9) Legal Affairs; and  
 
(10) Planning and Research;  


 
(b) ​
Regional Offices that shall be proposed by the Board according to political or 
administrative regions, and created pursuant to authorization by Congress; and  
 
(c) ​
District and Field Offices.  
 
SEC. 20. Heads of the Divisions and Other Operating Units. — Each Division shall be 
headed by a Division Chief with a Salary Grade (SG) of SG-24, except the Legal Affairs 
Division, which shall be headed by an Attorney V, SG-25: Provided, That the Chief for Legal 
Affairs shall be a member of the Philippine Bar in good standing and must have been engaged in 
the practice of law for at least three (3) years prior to appointment, and that the Chief for Finance 
and Logistics must be a Certified Public Accountant in good standing for at least three (3) years 
prior to appointment.  
 
No person shall be appointed as Chief of any of the Divisions enumerated in Section 19 
(a) of this Act unless such person meets the qualification standards set by the Bureau and 
approved by the Civil Service Commission (CSC).  
 
SEC. 21. Organizational Structure and Staffing Pattern of the Bureau. — The Board 
shall determine the organizational structure and staffing pattern of the Bureau in accordance with 
the revised compensation and position classification system, subject to the review and approval 
of the Department of Budget and Management.  
 
SEC. 22. Administrative Division. — The Administrative Division shall have the 
following functions:  
 
(a)​
Develop and implement an administrative support strategy for the Bureau;  
 
(b)​
Coordinate all administrative functions of the Bureau;  
 
(c)​
Monitor and evaluate all policies and programs of the Bureau, and recommend to 
the Board such policies, programs and measures for the effective and efficient 
administration of the Bureau; and  
 
(d)​
Perform such other tasks as may be directed by the Commissioner.  
 
SEC. 23. Alien Registration Division. — The Alien Registration Division shall have the 
following functions:  
 
(a)​
Formulate plans and policies for the implementation of the Alien Registration 
Program;  
 
(b)​
Establish and implement measures for the effective registration, monitoring and 
accounting of aliens, including the collection and safekeeping of biometric data of 
all aliens pursuant to this Act and other laws, rules and regulations;  
 
(c) ​
Monitor and evaluate all policies, programs and measures relative to alien 
registration, and recommend to the Commissioner such measures to improve the 
system of alien registration; and  
 
(d) ​
Perform such other tasks as may be directed by the Commissioner.  
 
SEC. 24. Finance and Logistics Division. — The Finance and Logistics Division shall 
have the following functions:  
 


(a) ​
Formulate and supervise the implementation of policies pertaining to 
procurement, fiscal management, auditing and accounting in support of the 
overall plan and strategic direction of the Bureau;  
 
(b)​
Direct and manage all the procurement activities of the Bureau;  
 
(c)​
Implement sound fiscal policy;  
 
(d)​
Supervise the preparation of the Annual Procurement Plan;  
 
(e)​
Initiate projects in the furtherance of the improvement of the Bureau;  
 
(f)​
Set performance targets for the Bureau in order to meet its objectives, plans and 
programs; and  
 
(g)​
Perform such other tasks as may be directed by the Commissioner.  
 
SEC. 25. Human Resource Management and Development Division. — The Human 
Resource Management and Development Division shall have the following functions:  
 
(a)​
Develop and execute human resource strategies in support of the overall plan and 
strategic direction of the Bureau especially in the areas of selection, hiring and 
promotion; 
 
(b)​
Design employee training modules;  
 
(c)​
Develop comprehensive strategic recruitment and retention plans to meet human 
capital strategy goals;  
 
(d)​
Set qualification standards and implement competency-based hiring and 
promotion policies;  
 
(e)​
Oversee the recruitment, selection and promotion of employees of the Bureau;  
 
(f)​
Set performance standards for the employees of the Bureau in order to meet its 
objectives, plans and programs;  
 
(g)​
Prepare and implement schemes to strengthen the relationship between 
management and employees; and  
 
(h)​
Perform such other tasks as may be directed by the Commissioner.  
 
SEC. 26. Immigration Regulation Division. — The Immigration Regulation Division 
shall have the following functions:  
 
(a)​
Formulate plans and programs for the effective enforcement of immigration laws 
relating to the admission, sojourn, and exit of aliens;  
 
(b)​
Enforce immigration laws relating to the admission of aliens on primary 
inspection, as well as their exclusion, deportation and repatriation, and those 
relating to administrative penalties against sea vessels;  
 
(c)​
Establish policies for the effective surveillance, monitoring and supervision of all 
bay service operations of all vessels while in Philippine territory;  
 
(d)​
Oversee and supervise all Regional, District, and Field Offices, and Border 
Crossing Checkpoints;  


 
(e) ​
Maintain administrative control over aliens admitted for limited periods by 
enforcing and implementing policies for temporary visitors’ visa extension and 
permits;  
 
(f) ​
Assist the Commissioner in administering issuances of student visas, permits and 
other orders related thereto;  
 
(g) ​
Assist the Commissioner in the preparation of all orders pertaining to 
downgrading of visas, transfer, amendment and correction of admission;  
 
(h) ​
Represent the Bureau in the enforcement of the RP-Indonesian Agreement, the 
RP-Malaysian Anti-Smuggling Agreement, and other subsequent similar 
agreements; and  
 
(i) ​
Perform such other tasks as may be directed by the Commissioner.  
 
SEC. 27. Information and Communications Technology Division. — The Information 
and Communications Technology Division shall have the following functions:  
 
(a) ​
Formulate policies, plans and programs on management information systems, 
network, cybersecurity, and information and communications technology (ICT) 
resources of the Bureau;  
 
(b) ​
Supervise the implementation of all the information and communications 
technology projects of the Bureau;  
 
(c) ​
Review, evaluate, and recommend for approval by the Commissioner the 
integration of all existing ICT systems of the Bureau;  
 
(d) ​
Initiate the conduct of ICT research, development, and standardization; and  
 
(e) ​
Perform such other tasks as may be directed by the Commissioner.  
 
SEC. 28. Immigration Intelligence Division. — The Immigration Intelligence Division 
shall have the following functions:  
 
(a) ​
Develop plans and programs for the gathering and collating of intelligence 
through effective management of all intelligence and counter-intelligence 
activities of the Bureau;  
 
(b) ​
Manage the conduct of intelligence and counter-intelligence activities of the 
Bureau;  
 
(c) ​
Serve as the linkage between the Bureau and foreign counterparts or embassies;  
 
(d) ​
Initiate development of intelligence training modules; and  
 
(e) ​
Perform such other tasks as may be directed by the Commissioner.  
 
SEC. 29. Immigration Law Enforcement Division. — The Immigration Law 
Enforcement Division shall have the following functions:  
 
(a) ​
Develop plans and programs for effective law enforcement actions against foreign 
nationals who violate immigration laws, rules and regulations;  
 


(b) ​
Exercise command, control, direction, coordination, and supervision of all law 
enforcement activities of the Bureau, such as the deployment of personnel, subject 
to the power of the Commissioner under Section 11(b) of this Act;  
 
(c) ​
Develop and implement law enforcement training modules;  
 
(d) ​
Establish an effective monitoring tool for fugitives and undesirable foreign 
nationals;   
 
(e) ​
Direct operations regarding the control, security and administration of staff, 
persons deprived of liberty, and equipment at the immigration detention facility; 
and   
 
(f) ​
Perform such other tasks as may be directed by the Commissioner.   
 
SEC. 30. Legal Affairs Division. — The Legal Affairs Division shall have the following 
functions:   
 
(a) ​
Serve as the legal office of the Bureau, in coordination with the Office of the 
Solicitor General;   
 
(b) ​
Develop guidelines for the summary deportation of foreign nationals who are 
fugitives, overstaying, undocumented, or convicted of crimes involving moral 
turpitude or crimes where the penalty of deportation is imposed;   
 
(c) ​
Assign lawyers in the division as Special Prosecutors for regular deportation 
proceedings;  
 
(d) ​
Implement deportation orders;   
 
(e) ​
Review contracts affecting the Bureau and submit recommendations to the Board 
relative thereto;   
 
(f) ​
Render legal opinions on matters arising from the administration and operation of 
the Bureau; and   
 
(g) ​
Perform such other tasks as may be directed by the Commissioner.   
 
SEC. 31. Planning and Research Division. — The Planning and Research Division shall 
have the following functions:   
 
(a) ​
Formulate and implement the Bureau’s programs, projects and processes for 
planning and research;   
 
(b) ​
Facilitate and organize strategic planning sessions for the entire Bureau;   
 
(c) ​
Conduct workload assessment and forecasting;  
 
(d) ​
Assist the Board in the implementation and establishment of a risk management 
process;   
  
(e) ​
Implement a monitoring feedback measurement and evaluation system for the 
implementation of all Bureau policies, projects, and programs;  
 
(f) ​
Represent the Board in meetings relating to planning and research; and   
 
(g) ​
Perform such other tasks as may be directed by the Commissioner.   


 
CHAPTER 6 
IMMIGRATION OFFICERS 
 
SEC. 32. Qualifications of Immigration Officers. — No person shall be appointed to the 
position of Immigration Officer unless such person meets the qualification standards set by the 
Bureau and approved by the CSC.   
 
SEC. 33. Powers and Duties. — The Immigration Officers shall have the following 
powers and functions:   
​ 
(a) ​
Examine, with the assistance and advice of medical authorities in appropriate 
cases, foreign nationals at the port of entry concerning their admissibility to enter 
and their qualifications to remain in the Philippines;   
 
(b) ​
Exclude foreign nationals not properly documented, and to admit foreign 
nationals complying with the applicable provisions of immigration and related 
laws;   
 
(c) ​
Administer oaths in connection with the performance of their duties, as may be 
authorized by law;   
 
(d) ​
Search for foreign nationals on any vessel believed to be used to illegally 
transport foreign nationals into the Philippines, and to take into custody without 
warrant any foreign national who, in the presence or view of the Immigration 
Officer, is entering or is about to enter the Philippines in violation of immigration 
and related laws, rules and regulations;   
 
(e) ​
Act as control personnel with authority to prevent the departure of passengers 
who do not comply with duly published departure requirements;   
 
(f) ​
Detect and report violations of the immigration and alien registration laws and, 36 
in appropriate cases, take necessary actions upon the instructions of the 
Commissioner, including follow-up on the stay of non-immigrants to prevent 
overstaying;   
 
(g) ​
Detect and report subversive activities of aliens in the interest of national security;   
 
(h) ​
Investigate any case at the instance of the Commissioner and submit the required 
reports;   
 
(i) ​
Report on the activities of aliens inimical to national interest with a view to taking 
appropriate action in accordance with law;   
 
(j) ​
Locate and conduct surveillance against foreign nationals in violation of 
immigration laws, rules and regulations;   
 
(k) ​
Provide actionable operational, tactical and strategic intelligence to the operating 
units;  
 
(l) ​
Conduct case build up, analysis and other in-depth research, as well as provide 
analytical reports on foreign nationals who violate or are in violation of 
immigration laws, rules and regulations;   
 
(m) ​
Coordinate with other local and international law enforcement agencies in the 
gathering of intelligence information related to immigration law violations;   
 


(n) ​
Conduct counter-intelligence operations;  
 
(o) ​
Enforce lawful orders relating to the exclusion, deportation and repatriation of 
aliens;  
 
(p) ​
Take charge of the physical detention of aliens pending their exclusion, 
deportation or repatriation;   
 
(q) ​
Attend to the deportation of aliens;   
 
(r) ​
Monitor all arriving and departing suspected terrorists, drug couriers or members 
of crime syndicates;   
 
(s) ​
Assist and escort deportees, excluded passengers and transiting restricted 
passengers until finally boarded;   
 
(t) ​
Investigate and escort from ports of entry intercepted passengers who are found in 
possession of spurious travel documents;   
 
(u) ​
Implement Warrants of Deportation and Mission Orders involving foreign 
nationals who violate or are in violation of immigration laws, rules and 
regulations; and  
 
(v) ​
Perform such other functions as may be assigned by the Commissioner from time 
to time.   
 
Qualified Immigration Officers and Immigration Agents with the requisite training and 
experience may be assigned to the Intelligence, Law Enforcement, Alien Registration, or 
Immigration Regulation Divisions depending on the exigencies of the Bureau.   
 
CHAPTER 7 
CAREER DEVELOPMENT PATTERN 
 
SEC. 34. Career Development. — The Bureau shall:   
 
(a) ​
Establish and strengthen the Philippine Immigration Academy which shall be 
under the control and supervision of the Commissioner;   
 
(b) ​
Create a continuing program to enhance the knowledge, skills and competence of 
all personnel through a career advancement training and education prior to their 
promotion; and   
 
(c)​
 Formulate training requirements to implement the provisions under this Title.   
 
CHAPTER 8 
OTHER OFFICES 
 
SEC. 35. Changes in the Composition, Distribution and Assignment of Personnel. — 
The Commissioner may make changes in the composition, distribution and assignment of 
regional, district and field offices as well as its personnel, based on the demographics of foreign 
nationals and as the exigency of the service requires, subject to civil service rules and regulations 
 
SEC. 36. Border Control Checkpoints. — In addition to international airports and 
seaports, there shall be established Border Control Checkpoints which shall be manned by 
Immigration Officers appointed as Border Control Officers by the Commissioner. The Border 
Control Checkpoints shall be placed in specific areas. Border Control Officers shall perform the 
following duties:  


 
(a) ​
Conduct immigration formalities to foreign nationals passing through their areas 
of responsibility;  
 
(b) ​
Enforce immigration laws, rules and regulations;   
 
(c) ​
Coordinate with other law enforcement agencies in the enforcement of 
immigration laws, rules, and regulations;   
(d) ​
Apprehend and take into custody illegal entrants; and   
 
(e) ​
Perform such other functions as may be directed by the Commissioner.   
 
TITLE III 
IMMIGRATION 
 
CHAPTER 1 
NON-IMMIGRANTS 
 
SEC. 37. Categories of Non-immigrants and Types of Visa Issued. — Foreign nationals 
departing from any place outside the Philippines who are otherwise admissible and qualify under 
any one of the following categories may be admitted as non-immigrants:   
 
(a) ​
Temporary visitors (A Visas): Visitors coming to the Philippines for a temporary 
period for reasons of business, pleasure or health:   
 
(1) ​
Business (A-1 Visa): Temporary visitors engaged in activities of a 
commercial or professional nature for a foreign employer or for 
themselves that will not result in gainful employment in the Philippines. 
As used herein, the term “business” refers to conventions, conferences, 
consultations and other legitimate activities of a commercial or a 
professional nature, but does not include local employment or labor for 
hire;   
 
(2) ​
Pleasure (A-2 Visa): Temporary visitors who stay in the Philippines for 
holiday, including sightseeing, recreation or visiting relatives; and   
 
(3) ​
Health (A-3 Visa): Temporary visitors who stay in the Philippines to avail 
of medical treatment;  
 
(b) ​
Transit Persons (B Visa): Persons in transit through the Philippines solely for a 
layover and who have a confirmed connecting flight to another country, or 
passengers in immediate and continuous transit to a destination outside the 
Philippines;  
 
(c) ​
Crewmembers (C Visa): Persons required for the normal operation and servicing 
of vessels that come to the Philippines on a temporary basis, either arriving with a 
vessel or intending to depart the Philippines on the same vessel or any other 
vessel;  
 
(d) ​
Treaty Traders (D-1 Visa) and Treaty Investors (D-2 Visa): Citizens of a country 
that has a trade treaty with the Philippines, including their family members, and 
who come to work in the Philippines for either a company they own or one that is 
at least fifty percent (50%) owned by nationals of their home country and which 
company is engaged in substantial trade between the Philippines and their home 
country, shall be granted a D-1 visa;   
 


Citizens from a country that has an investor treaty with the Philippines, including 
their family members, and who come to work in the Philippines for a business they own 
or one that is at least fifty percent (50%) owned by nationals of their home country, 
which business is supported by a substantial investment from nationals of their home 
country, shall be granted a D-2 visa;   
 
(e) ​
Accredited Foreign Government Officials, Their Families and Household 
Member (E Visas): Foreign government officials, their families and household 
members coming to the country for official purpose, pursuant to international 
conventions and bilateral agreements, shall be granted E Visas, in accordance 
with the following categories:  
 
(1) ​
Persons eligible for E-1 Visa: The E-1 Visa shall be issued to the 
following classes of foreign nationals:   
 
(i) ​
Heads of State and Heads of Government and their personal 
representatives;   
 
(ii) ​
Members of reigning royal families from countries recognized by 
the Philippine Government;   
 
(iii) ​
Governors-General, Governors, and High Commissioners of 
dependent territories and their personal representatives;   
 
(iv) ​
Cabinet ministers and their deputies, and officials with cabinet 
rank of ministers;   
 
(v) ​
Presiding officers of national legislative bodies;   
 
(vi) ​
Justices or judges of the highest national judicial bodies;   
 
(vii) ​ Diplomats and career consular officials on foreign assignment in 
the Philippines;   
 
(viii) ​ Military, naval, air and other attaches assigned to a diplomatic 
mission; and  
 
(ix) ​
Accompanying spouses and unmarried dependents of foreign 
nationals within the abovementioned categories;   
 
(2) ​
Persons eligible for E-2 Visa: The E-2 visa shall be issued to an official of 
a foreign government recognized by the Philippines and who is a national 
of the country whose government he represents, and is proceeding to the 
Philippines on a long-term basis in connection with official business for 
such foreign official’s government.   
 
This category includes, inter alia, the following classes of foreign 
nationals: 
 
 
(i) ​
Administrative and technical members of the staff of a diplomatic 
or consular mission;   
 
(ii) ​
Officials participating in programs under the auspices of the 
Philippine Government or recognized international institutions; 
and   
 


(iii) ​
Accompanying spouses and unmarried dependents of foreign 
nationals within the abovementioned categories;   
 
(3) ​
Persons eligible for E-3 Visa: The E-3 visa shall be issued to an official of 
a foreign government recognized by the Philippines, is a national of the 
country whose government he represents, and is proceeding to the 
Philippines on a short-term basis in connection with official business for 
such foreign official’s government.  
 
(i) ​
Diplomatic couriers regularly and professionally employed as 
such;   
 
(ii) ​
All members of official special missions of a diplomatic character;   
 
(iii) ​
Members of delegations proceeding to or from an international 
conference of a diplomatic or official nature; and   
 
(iv) ​
Such other officials going to the Philippines on diplomatic or 
official missions;   
 
(4) ​
Persons eligible for E-4 Visa: The E-4 Visa shall be issued to the private 
employees and household members of persons to whom E-1 and E-2 visas 
have been granted, as well as their immediate dependents.   
 
This category includes, inter alia, the following classes of foreign 
nationals:   
 
All visas described in this subsection (e) shall be exclusively issued and 
renewed by the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA), which shall also determine 
the type of E-Visa of Foreign Government Officials not identified in the foregoing 
lists. The grant of immunities and privileges shall be subject to applicable 
domestic and international law and international agreements to which the 
Philippines is a party, as well as in consideration of the principle of reciprocity;   
 
(f) ​
Students (F Visa): Foreign students having means sufficient for their support and 
education in the Philippines who seek to enter the Philippines temporarily for the 
sole purpose of taking up a course of study higher than high school at a university, 
seminary, academy or college accredited to admit such foreign students by the 
Commission on Higher Education (CHED) in coordination with the Bureau;   
 
(g) ​
Employment (G Visa): Foreign nationals coming to the Philippines on 
prearranged employment, including their family members accompanying or 
following to join them within the period of their employment. This category 
includes intra-company transferees, professionals, performing artists, athletes, and 
cultural exchange workers under a work exchange program;   
 
(h) ​
Religious Workers (H Visa): Duly ordained or professional missionaries and 
religious ministers, including members of their family, coming to the Philippines 
to join a religious congregation or denomination duly registered with the 
Securities and Exchange Commission, upon invitation, sponsorship or guarantee 
of such religious congregation or denomination, solely for the purpose of 
propagating, teaching and disseminating their faith or religion;  
 
(i) ​
Representatives of Accredited International Organizations and Government 
Agencies (I Visa): Foreign officials and staff of accredited international 
organizations, including their dependent family members, staff, and household 
members shall be granted I Visas in accordance with the following categories:  


 
(1) ​
Persons eligible for I-1 Visa: The I-1 Visa shall be issued to the principal 
officials of accredited international organizations, as well as their 
accompanying spouses and dependents;   
 
(2) ​
Persons eligible for I-2 Visa: The I-2 visa shall be issued to the other 
officials and staff of accredited international organizations, as well as their 
accompanying spouses and dependents;   
 
(3) ​
Persons eligible for I-3 Visa: The I-3 visa shall be issued to officials and 
staff of international organizations who will perform short-term official 
work with the international organization upon its invitation; and   
 
(4) ​
Persons eligible for I-4 Visa: The I-4 Visa shall be issued to the private 
employees and household members of persons to whom I-1 and I-2 visas 
have been granted, as well as their immediate dependents.   
​ 
Accredited international organization includes any public international 
organization  engaged in activities of which the Philippines participates pursuant 
to any treaty or under the authority of any act of the Congress of the Philippines 
authorizing such participation or making an appropriation for such participation 
and such other international organizations, institutions, agencies, programs, 
foundations and entities which are recognized by the government of the Republic 
of the Philippines, including those existing and already recognized as such at the 
time of the effectivity of this Act.   
 
All types of visas described in this subsection (i) shall be exclusively 
issued and renewed by the DFA, which shall also determine the type of I Visa of 
officials and staff of international organizations that are not identified in the 
foregoing list. The grant of immunities and privileges shall be subject to 
applicable domestic and international law, relevant Headquarters Agreements, and 
international agreements to which the Philippines is a party;   
 
(j) ​
Media Workers (J Visa): Foreign media personnel or correspondents, duly 
accredited by the government agency concerned, who are bona fide 
representatives of a foreign press, radio, satellite, television, film, or other 
information media, and are coming to the Philippines solely to engage in 
gathering information principally for dissemination abroad, including their family 
members accompanying them or subsequently joining them during the period of 
the assignment in the Philippines;   
 
(k) ​
Exchange Visitors (K Visa): Foreign nationals entering the Philippines to teach,  
study, observe, conduct research or receive training in a specific Exchange Visitor  
Program duly approved by the Philippine Government;   
 
(l) ​
Refugees (L-1 Visa) and Stateless Persons (L-2 Visa): Refugees as defined in this 
Act and in the 1951 Convention Relating to the Status of Refugees and its 1967 
Protocol shall be issued L-1 Visas. Stateless persons as described in this Act shall 
be issued L-2 Visas. The President or the Secretary of Justice, for humanitarian 
reasons not inimical to public interest, shall have the exclusive authority to admit 
refugees and stateless persons in such classes of cases and under such conditions 
as they may prescribe. The President or the Secretary of Justice shall likewise 
have the exclusive authority to cancel, revoke, or cease the refugee or stateless 
status of an individual; and   
  
(m) ​
Special Non-Immigrant Visa (M Visa): Such other foreign nationals including 
their family members who may be admitted as non-immigrants under special 


laws, or foreign nationals not otherwise described in this Act who are coming for 
temporary periods only, and whose admission is authorized by the Board or the 
President in the interest of the public or for humanitarian considerations and under 
such conditions as they may prescribe.  
 
All other visas issued by other agencies and offices authorized to issue visas in 
accordance with existing laws, except the DFA, shall be implemented by the Bureau 
subject to requirements prescribed by the Commissioner.   
 
CHAPTER 2 
IMMIGRANTS 
 
SEC. 38. Quota Immigrants. — Subject to the conditions set forth in this Act, there may 
be admitted into the Philippines, based upon immigration reciprocity and upon allotment by the 
Commissioner, “quota immigrants”, not to exceed two hundred (200) of any one nationality for 
any one calendar year. The following order of preference shall be observed in the allotment of 
quota immigrants:   
 
(a) ​
First Preference: Those whose service and qualifications show high educational 
attainment, technical training, specialized experience, or exceptional ability in the 
sciences, arts, professions, or business as would reasonably enhance and 
contribute substantial benefits prospectively to the national economy, or cultural 
or educational interests or welfare of the Philippines, including their family 
members, accompanying or following to join them, who shall likewise be allotted 
individual quota numbers;   
 
(b) ​
Second Preference: Parents of a naturalized Philippine citizen;   
 
(c) ​
Third Preference: Spouses or minor children of foreign nationals who are lawful 
permanent residents of the Philippines; and   
 
(d) ​
Fourth Preference: Parents of foreign nationals who are lawful permanent 
residents of the Philippines.   
 
SEC. 39. Allotment of Quota. — The Commissioner shall, with respect to the first 
preference, allot not more than fifty percent (50%) of the annual quota allotment up to the end of 
June of each year: Provided, That if the fifty percent (50%) allotment for the first preference by 
any nationality is not utilized, the balance thereof shall be given to the second, third, and fourth 
preferences for the same nationality in accordance with the preceding section. Any unused quota 
allotment for a calendar year shall not be carried over and utilized for the ensuing calendar year.   
 
SEC. 40. Basis in Determination of Quota Allotment. — The numerical limitation 
imposed under Section 38 of this Act shall be on the country of which the immigrant is a national 
or a citizen. 
 
SEC. 41. Non-Quota Immigrants. — The following immigrants, known as “non-quota 
immigrants”, may be admitted without regard to numerical limitation and immigration 
reciprocity:  
 
(a) ​
The spouse of a Philippine citizen: Provided, That abandonment by the foreign 
spouse, the failure to give support by the foreign spouse to the Filipino spouse and 
family, and the legal separation or termination of the marital status by annulment, 
declaration of nullity of marriage or divorce where the cause is attributable to the 
foreign spouse, shall constitute grounds for cancellation of the immigrant visa 
issued to the foreign spouse;   
 
(b) ​
A person of Filipino descent regardless of generation;   


 
(c) ​
A child born to a mother during her temporary visit abroad, the mother being a 
foreign national and lawful permanent resident of the Philippines, if accompanied 
by or coming to join the mother who applies for admission within five (5) years 
from the birth of the child;   
 
(d) ​
A child born subsequent to the issuance of an immigrant visa to the 
accompanying parent, the visa not having expired or revoked;   
 
(e) ​
A foreign national who had been previously lawfully admitted into the Philippines 
for permanent residence who is returning from a temporary visit abroad to an 
unrelinquished residence in the Philippines;   
 
(f) ​
A natural-born citizen who becomes a naturalized citizen of a foreign country and 
is returning to the Philippines for permanent residence therein, including the 
spouse and minor children accompanying or following to join such person; and   
 
(g) ​
Spouse, parent, children, legitimate siblings of a foreign national who is gainfully 
employed and holder of a permanent resident status for a period of seven (7) 
years.   
 
CHAPTER 3 
NATIVE-BORN FOREIGN NATIONAL 
 
SEC. 42. Status of Children Born to Immigrants. — A child born in the Philippines to a 
parent who is a foreign national and a lawful resident of the Philippines shall be deemed a 
native-born permanent resident.   
 
SEC. 43. Status of Children Born to Non-immigrants. — A child born to parents who 
are both non-immigrants shall be deemed a native-born non-immigrant or temporary resident and 
may remain in the Philippines only during the period of authorized stay of the parents, unless the 
child reaches the age of eighteen (18) years while continuously residing in the Philippines, in 
which case such child may apply for naturalization under existing laws or for an appropriate visa.   
 
CHAPTER 4 
ADJUSTMENT OF STATUS 
 
SEC. 44. Conditions for Adjustment of Status of Foreign Nationals. — The status of 
a foreign national admitted into the Philippines as non-immigrant may be adjusted by the Board 
to that of a foreign national lawfully admitted as a permanent resident if:   
  
(a) ​
the foreign national makes an application for such adjustment;   
  
(b) ​
the foreign national is eligible to receive a quota or non-quota immigrant visa  and 
is admissible to the Philippines as a permanent resident; and   
  
(c) ​
a quota immigrant visa is immediately available to the foreign national at the  
time of application, without the need of first departing from the Philippines.   
  
In all such cases, the personal appearance of the foreign national shall be required during 
the consideration of the application.   
  
SEC. 45. Effect of Approval on Application for Adjustment. — Upon the approval of an 
application for adjustment of status under the preceding section, the Commissioner shall record 
the foreign national’s lawful admission as a permanent resident as of the date of the approval of 
the application.   
  


SEC. 46. Adjustment of Status, When Not Allowed. — Adjustment of status under this 
Act shall not be applicable to:  
 
(a) ​
foreign nationals who have violated or are in violation of immigration laws, rules 
and regulations, unless the violation is for purely technical reasons or without the 
fault of the foreign national; and  
 
(b) ​
transients.  
 
SEC. 47. Loss of Status. — A registered foreign national, except a temporary visitor, 
who fails to return to the Philippines within a period of one (1) year from departure shall lose the 
status granted under this Act. Such foreign national may apply for an extension of the period 
within which to return prior to its expiration and pay the prescribed fees and charges in order to 
maintain the status or type of visa granted.  
CHAPTER 5 
DOCUMENTATION AND ADMISSION OF NON-IMMIGRANTS 
 
SEC. 48. Documentary Requirements of Non-immigrants. — Non-immigrants must 
present for admission into the Philippines valid passports issued by the governments of the 
countries to which they owe allegiance or other travel documents showing their nationality and 
identity as prescribed by regulations, a valid visa granted by the Consular Officer, if required, 
and such other relevant documents as may be required under existing laws, rules, regulations, or 
multilateral or bilateral agreements.  
 
SEC. 49. Conditions and Period of Authorized Stay of Temporary Visitors. — The 
initial period of authorized stay of a foreign national admitted as a temporary visitor under 
Section 37(a) of this Act shall not exceed fifty-nine (59) calendar days from the date of arrival, 
subject to bilateral, regional and multilateral visa agreements entered into by the Philippines: 
Provided, That the conditions for extensions and total period of authorized stay shall be 
prescribed by the Commissioner: Provided, further, That during the foreign national’s authorized 
stay, such foreign national shall not: 
 
(a) ​
take any employment, whether paid or unpaid;   
  
(b) ​
establish or join in any business; or   
  
(c) ​
enroll or become a student at a school, college, university, academy, or other  
educational institution, unless granted, upon proper application, a conversion to 
another immigration status provided under this Act.  
 
SEC. 50. Submission of Crew List and Passenger Manifest. — Simultaneous to the 
vessel’s departure from the port of origin, the master, captain, agent, owner or consignee of any 
vessel arriving in the Philippines shall submit to the Bureau, within a reasonable time prior to 
such arrival, the crew lists, passenger manifests and such other information concerning the 
persons arriving on such a vessel. In the same manner and condition, the master, captain, agent, 
owner or consignee of any vessel departing from any port in the Philippines shall submit to the 
Bureau, within a reasonable time prior to such departure, the crew list, passenger manifest and 
such other information concerning the persons departing on such vessel. The crew list of an 
incoming sea craft shall contain the appropriate visa granted by the Consular Officer.  
 
SEC. 51. Inspection of Crewmembers. — It shall be the duty of the master, captain, 
agent, owner or consignee of any vessel arriving in the Philippines to have available on board, 
for inspection by Immigration Officers, any foreign crewmember employed on such vessel and, 
when required by the immigration authorities, to detain such crewmember on board after 
inspection or to remove such crewmember. No crewmember on board such vessel shall be 
discharged while the vessel is in port without the permission of the Commissioner.  
 


SEC. 52. Permission for Temporary Landing of a Foreign Crewmember. —A foreign 
crewmember on a vessel arriving in the Philippines may be permitted to land temporarily under 
such conditions as may be prescribed by the Commissioner. All expenses incurred by the Bureau 
while the crewmember is on land shall be borne by the master, captain, agent, owner or 
consignee of the carrying vessel.  
 
CHAPTER 6 
DOCUMENTATION AND ADMISSION OF IMMIGRANTS 
 
SEC. 53. Documentary Requirements of Immigrants; Instances When Not Required. 
— Immigrants must present for admission into the Philippines valid passports or travel 
documents issued by the government of the country to which they owe allegiance, showing their 
nationality and identity and valid immigrant visas indicating the date of issue and the period of 
validity thereof. Immigrant visas shall not be required of the following:  
(a) ​
A child born subsequent to the issuance of a valid immigrant visa to the 
accompanying parent;  
 
(b) ​
A child born during the temporary visit abroad of the mother who is a lawful 
permanent resident of the Philippines and a holder of a valid re-entry permit, if 
the child is accompanied by either parent within five (5) years from the date of the 
child’s birth; and  
 
(c) ​
A foreign national who is returning to an unrelinquished lawful permanent 
residence in the Philippines after a temporary residence abroad and presents for 
admission a valid re-entry permit.  
 
CHAPTER 7 
VISA ISSUANCE 
 
SEC. 54. Nature of Visa. — A visa by itself does not authorize or guarantee entry into 
the Philippines. Nothing in this Act shall be construed to automatically entitle any foreign 
national, to whom a visa or other travel document has been issued, to enter the Philippines if, 
upon arrival at a port of entry, such foreign national is found to be inadmissible under this Act or 
any other law.  
 
SEC. 55. Visa Policy. — The procedure for the application and issuance of visas referred 
to in this Act shall be formulated by the Bureau, in consultation with the DFA and other 
concerned government agencies and offices when appropriate.   
 
CHAPTER 8 
RE-ENTRY AND EMIGRATION CLEARANCE 
 
SEC. 56. Re-entry. — In all instances when a registered foreign national, except a 
temporary visitor, departs or is about to depart temporarily from the Philippines with the 
intention to return within one (1) year from departure, the foreign national must secure a re-entry 
permit or, if the authorized stay is less than one (1) year, a Special Return Certificate, and pay the 
corresponding fees and charges therefor.  
 
SEC. 57. Emigration Clearance. — A registered foreign national who departs 
permanently from the Philippines shall surrender all Philippine immigration documents and 
apply for and be issued an Emigration Clearance Certificate, subject to the following conditions:   
  
(a) ​
The immigrant has no pending obligation with the government or any of its 
agencies or instrumentalities;   
 
(b) ​
The immigrant has no pending criminal, civil, or administrative proceeding which 
requires continued presence in the country; and   


 
(c) ​
There is no ongoing legislative inquiry where the immigrant is called upon to 
testify as a witness.   
 
A temporary visitor departing from the Philippines shall, after the expiration of the initial 
authorized stay, apply for emigration clearance and pay the prescribed fees and charges therefor.   
  
CHAPTER 9 
PRESIDENTIAL PREROGATIVES 
  
SEC. 58. Presidential Prerogatives. — Any provision of this Act to the contrary 
notwithstanding, the President may:   
  
(a) ​
Deny the entry and admission into the Philippines of, or impose such restrictions 
as may be deemed appropriate on, any foreign national or a class of foreign 
nationals, whenever the President finds that such entry would be  detrimental to 
the interest of the Philippines;  
 
(b) ​
Waive passport or documentary requirements for non-immigrants and immigrants 
under such terms and conditions as may be prescribed;   
  
(c) ​
Change the status of non-immigrants by allowing them to acquire permanent 
residence status without necessity of a visa;   
 
(d) ​
Deport any foreign national, subject to the requirement of due process;   
 
(e) ​
Admit non-immigrants not otherwise provided for in this Act for humanitarian 
considerations and when not detrimental to public interest, under such terms and 
conditions as may be prescribed; and  
 
(f) ​
Exercise, with respect to foreign nationals in the Philippines, such powers as are 
recognized by the generally accepted principles of international law.   
 
TITLE IV 
PROVISIONS RELATING TO ENTRY 
 
CHAPTER 1 
CLASSIFICATION OF PORTS OF ENTRY 
  
SEC. 59. Authority to Classify Ports. — The Commissioner shall classify and designate, 
from among the ports of entry established by law for immigration purposes, limited or unlimited 
ports of entry through which foreign nationals may be admitted into the Philippines. Only such 
classes of foreign nationals as provided under the rules and regulations prescribed by the 
Commissioner may be admitted at limited ports of entry. The Commissioner may, after due 
notice to the public, close designated ports of entry in the interest of national security or public 
safety.   
  
CHAPTER 2 
PROCEDURES ON ARRIVAL 
  
SEC. 60. Arrival Formalities. — A foreign national seeking admission or readmission 
shall present a valid passport and visa, if required, to the Immigration Officer at the port of entry 
and shall be subject to primary inspection. The decision of the Immigration Officer to admit any 
foreign national may be challenged by another Immigration Officer on any ground provided in 
this Act. The final determination on the admissibility of such foreign national shall be 
determined by the Commissioner or his/her authorized representative. The resolution shall be 
reflected in the system of the Bureau.   


  
SEC. 61. Arrival Notice Requirements of Vessel. — The immigration authorities shall be 
given prior notice of the arrival of any vessel before such vessel comes into any area in the 
Philippines from any place outside thereof.   
 
If, upon arrival in any area other than the designated port and there is no available 
Immigration Officer therein, the master, pilot, captain, agent or consignee shall not allow the 
passengers and crew members to disembark or leave the primary inspection area until the 
Immigration Officer shall have conducted the primary inspection formalities. 
 
CHAPTER 3 
FOREIGN CREWMEMBER 
  
SEC. 62. Conditional Permit to Disembark. — A foreign crewmember of a vessel under 
Section 37(c) of this Act may be granted a conditional permit, in a form prescribed by 
regulations, to disembark temporarily from the vessel on which such crewmember arrived while 
the vessel remains in port under such terms and conditions as may be prescribed by the 
Commissioner.   
  
SEC. 63. Confiscation and Cancellation of Permit; Deportation from the Philippines. 
— Upon the determination that the foreign national is not a bona fide crewmember or does not 
intend to depart on the vessel that brought him, the Commissioner shall cancel and confiscate the 
conditional permit already issued, take such foreign national into custody, and require the owner, 
operator, captain, master, pilot, agent or consignee of the vessel on which the foreign national 
arrived to receive and detain the foreign national on board. The expenses for removal of the 
foreign national, including the cost of detention and other expenses incidental thereto, shall be 
borne by the owner, operator, captain, master, pilot, agent or consignee of such vessel.   
  
SEC. 64. Liability for Overstaying Foreign Crewmember. — A foreign crewmember 
who remains in the Philippines in excess of the period allowed in the conditional permit issued 
shall be solidarily liable with the owner, operator, captain, master, pilot, agent or consignee of the 
vessel for the payment of the penalties prescribed in Section 109 of this Act.   
  
SEC. 65. Liability for Unauthorized Discharge of Foreign Crewmember. — It shall be 
unlawful for any person, including the owner, operator, captain, master, pilot, agent or consignee 
of any vessel, to discharge any alien employed as a crewmember on a vessel arriving in the 
Philippines without first obtaining the prior permission of the Commissioner or his/her 
authorized representative. Otherwise, such person or owner, operator, captain, master, pilot, 
agent or consignee of the vessel shall pay such fines as may be prescribed under this Act. No 
vessel shall be granted clearance from any port in the Philippines while such fines remain unpaid 
or while the validity thereof is being determined: Provided, That a clearance may be granted 
prior to such determination upon deposit of a sum or cash bond sufficient to cover such fines as 
approved by the Commissioner.   
  
SEC. 66. Duty to Report Desertion or Illegal Landing of Foreign Crewmember. — The 
owner, operator, captain, master, pilot, agent or consignee of any vessel shall immediately report, 
in writing, to the Immigration Officer all cases of desertion or illegal disembarkation in the 
Philippines from the vessel, together with a description of such foreign nationals and any 
information that shall facilitate their apprehension.   
  
SEC. 67. Requirement for Submission of List of Newly Employed, Discharged and 
Illegally Landed Foreign Crewmembers. — Prior to the departure of any vessel from the last 
port in the Philippines destined to any place outside thereof, the owner, operator, captain, master, 
pilot, agent or consignee thereof shall deliver to the Immigration Officer at that port a list 
containing:   
  


(a) ​
The names of crewmembers who were not employed thereon at the time of the 
vessel’s arrival on such port but will depart thereat on the same vessel;  
 
(b) ​
The names of those who have been discharged, if any;   
  
(c) ​
The names of those who have deserted or illegally landed at that port, if any; and   
  
(d) ​
Such other additional information as the Commissioner deems necessary.   
 
 ​
SEC. 68. Liability for Failure to Submit Complete, True and Correct Report.  — The 
owner, operator, captain, master, pilot, agent, or consignee who fails to submit a true and 
complete list or report of foreign nationals or to report cases of desertion or illegal landing shall 
pay such sum as may be prescribed under Chapter 6, Title VI of this Act. No vessel shall be 
granted clearance to depart from any port in the Philippines while such fines remain unpaid or 
while the validity thereof is being determined: Provided, that clearance may be granted prior to 
such determination upon deposit of a sum or cash bond sufficient to cover such fines as approved 
by the Commissioner.   
 
CHAPTER 4 
EXCLUSIONS 
  
SEC. 69. Exclusion Grounds. — The following classes of foreign nationals shall not be 
allowed entry and shall be excluded from the Philippines on the following grounds:   
  
(a) ​
Health-Related Grounds   
 
(1) ​
Those who are found to be suffering from a communicable, dangerous or 
contagious disease, unless excepted under existing laws, rules and 
regulations;   
 
(2) ​
Those who are found to be suffering from psychiatric disorder that may 
pose a threat to persons or danger to property; and  
 
(3) ​
Those who are found to be suffering from addiction to prohibited or 
regulated substance;  
 
(b) ​
Economic Grounds  
 
(1) ​
Those likely to become a public charge; and   
 
(2) ​
Those seeking entry for the purpose of unskilled manual labor;   
 
(c) ​
Moral Grounds  
 
(1) ​
Those coming to the Philippines to practice polygamy or who advocate the 
practice of polygamy unless the person’s religion allows such practices;   
 
(2) ​
Those who are pedophiles, sexual perverts or those coming to the 
Philippines for immoral purposes;   
 
(3) ​
Those who are engaged or who seek to engage in prostitution or to procure 
or attempt to procure prostitutes, or who receives in whole or in part the 
proceeds of prostitution; and  
 
(4)​
Those who, at the time of primary inspection by the Immigration Officer, 
exhibit any contemptuous or disrespectful behavior towards the said 
officer, any employee of the Bureau, or any government official;  


​
 
(d) ​
National Security, Public Order and Public Safety Grounds  
 
(1) ​
Those who have been convicted of a crime involving moral turpitude or 
who admit to the Immigration Officer of having committed such crime, or 
who attempt and conspire to commit the crime;  
 
(2) ​
Those who have been convicted of, or who admit having committed, or 
are committing, acts which constitute the elements of a violation or 
conspiracy to violate any law or regulation of the Philippines or a foreign 
country relating to a controlled, regulated or prohibited substance, or who 
admit having attempted or conspired to commit such acts;   
 
(3) ​
Those that the Philippine Government knows or has reason to believe are 
or have been traffickers of any controlled, regulated or prohibited 
substance, or accomplices, accessories, abettors, or co-conspirators in the 
illicit trafficking of any controlled, regulated or prohibited substance;   
 
(4) ​
Those who are fugitives from justice;   
 
(5) ​
Those who seek to enter the Philippines to engage in:  
 
(i) ​
espionage or sabotage, or a violation or evasion of laws prohibiting 
export of goods, technology or sensitive information;   
 
(ii) ​
any activity aimed to promote membership in an organization of 
syndicated criminal activities;   
 
(iii) ​
any activity, the purpose of which is to overthrow the Philippine 
government by force, violence, or other unlawful means; and   
 
(iv) ​
any other unlawful activity;   
 
(6) ​
Those who are engaged or believed to be engaged or likely to engage in, 
aid, abet or finance, any terrorist activity and members or representatives 
of a foreign terrorist organization;   
  
(7) ​
Those who have been identified by competent authorities, local or foreign, 
as having engaged or are engaging in human trafficking and smuggling;   
 
(8) ​
Those who have been identified by competent authorities, local and 
foreign, as having engaged or are engaging in importation of contrabands 
and other prohibited articles into the country; and   
 
(9) ​
Those who are under fifteen (15) years of age and unaccompanied by or 
not coming to join a parent, except if otherwise admissible and with a 
written consent to travel from either parent and affirmed by a Consular 
Officer, citing the purpose thereof.  
 
SEC. 70. Temporary Custody of Excludable Foreign Nationals. — For the purpose of 
ascertaining whether a foreign national arriving in the Philippines belongs to any of the 
excludable classes of foreign national provided in this Act or related laws, the Immigration 
Officer, for a period not exceeding seventy-two (72) hours, may temporarily take into custody for 
investigation such foreign national either on board the vessel or at a place designated for the 
purpose at the expense of the owner, operator, master, captain, pilot, agent or consignee of the 
carrying vessel.   
  


SEC. 71. Finality of Exclusion Order. — An order by the Immigration Officer to 
exclude a foreign national who is excludable under this Act is final and executory unless revoked 
by the Commissioner upon a timely appeal prior to the implementation of the exclusion order.   
 
SEC. 72. Authority to Waive Grounds for Exclusion. — The Commissioner may waive 
any of the grounds for exclusion mentioned in Section 69 of this Act, except for the grounds of 
exclusion under Section 69(d), subparagraphs 1 to 8.   
  
SEC. 73. Procedure of Removal and Cost Thereof. — Foreign nationals arriving in the 
Philippines who are ordered excluded shall be immediately removed to the country where they 
boarded the vessel on which they arrived, in accommodations of the same class, unless the 
Commissioner determines that immediate removal is not proper and practicable pursuant to 
applicable Conventions, laws, rules and regulations, in which case such excluded foreign 
nationals shall be ordered detained. The cost of removal, detention and other expenses incidental 
thereto shall be borne by the owner, operator, master, pilot, captain, agent, or consignee of the 
vessel on which such foreign nationals arrived.   
  
SEC. 74. Country Where Removal is to be Directed. — If the government of the country 
designated in the preceding section will not accept the foreign national into its territory, the 
removal of the foreign national shall be directed, at the Commissioner’s discretion to any of the 
following:   
 
(a) ​
The country of which the excluded foreign national is a citizen or national;  
 
(b) ​
The country of birth;  
 
(c) ​
The country of the foreign national’s habitual residence; or  
 
(d) ​
The country willing to accept the foreign national into its territory, if removal to 
any of the foregoing countries is impractical or impossible.   
 
SEC. 75. Obligation of Owner, Operator, Master, Captain, Pilot, Agent or Consignee. 
— It shall be unlawful for an owner, operator, master, captain, pilot, agent, or consignee of a 
vessel to refuse or fail to:   
 
(a) ​
Board a foreign national ordered excluded and removed in the same vessel or 
another vessel owned or operated by the same company;   
 
(b) ​
Detain a foreign national on board any such vessel at the port of arrival when 
required by this Act or when so ordered by an Immigration Officer;   
 
(c) ​
Deliver a foreign national for medical or other examinations when so ordered by 
an Immigration Officer;  
 
(d) ​
Remove a foreign national from the Philippines to the country to which the 
individual’s removal has been directed; or  
 
(e) ​
Pay the cost of detention and such other costs and expenses necessary or 
incidental to the removal of the excluded foreign national as provided in this Act.   
 
SEC. 76. Penalty for Non-compliance of Obligation. — The owner, operator, master, 
captain, pilot, agent, or consignee of a vessel who violates Section 75 of this Act shall pay the 
fines prescribed in Chapter 6, Title VI of this Act. No vessel shall be granted clearance from any 
port in the Philippines while such fines remain unpaid or while the validity thereof is being 
determined: Provided, That clearance may be granted prior to such determination upon deposit 
of a sum or cash bond sufficient to cover such fines as approved by the Commissioner.   
  


TITLE V 
DEPORTATION 
 
CHAPTER 1 
DEPORTABLE FOREIGN NATIONALS 
  
SEC. 77. Classes of Deportable Foreign Nationals. — The following foreign nationals 
shall be taken into custody upon the order of the Commissioner and deported upon 
recommendation by the BSI and approval by the Board:   
  
(a) ​
Those who entered the Philippines: (1) by means of misrepresentations or false or 
misleading statements or documents, or (2) without inspection and admission by 
the immigration authorities;   
 
(b) ​
Those who were not lawfully admissible at the time of entry;   
 
(c) ​
Those who abet or aid in the practice of prostitution, including the owner or 
manager of a prostitution den, or who are pedophiles;   
 
(d) ​
Those who, at any time after the date of entry, have become a public charge;   
 
(e) ​
Those who remain in the Philippines in violation of any period of limitation or 
condition under which they were admitted;   
 
(f) ​
Those who believe in, advise, advocate, teach, or otherwise engage in any activity 
the purpose of which is the opposition to, or the control or overthrow of, the 
Government of the Republic of the Philippines or any of its duly constituted 
authority by force, violence, or other unlawful means, or those who do not believe 
in or are opposed to organized governments, or those who advise, advocate or 
teach the assault or assassination of public officials, or those who advise, advocate 
or teach the unlawful destruction of property, or those who are members of or 
affiliated with any organization entertaining, advocating or teaching such 
doctrines, or those who in any manner whatsoever extend assistance, financial or 
otherwise, in the dissemination of such doctrines;   
 
(g) ​
Those who engage in, abet, aid or finance any terrorist activity;  
 
(h) ​
Those who, at any time after entry, are charged of a crime involving acts or 
omissions punishable under Philippine penal laws cognizable by the Regional 
Trial Courts and the Sandiganbayan;   
  
(i) ​
Those who are convicted by final judgment of a crime involving moral turpitude 
punishable under Philippine penal laws;   
 
(j) ​
Those who were admitted as non-immigrants and who obtained an adjustment of 
their admission status for convenience, or through fraud, falsification of 
documents, misrepresentations or concealment of material facts;   
 
(k) ​
Those who violated Philippine labor and taxation laws, rules and regulations;   
 
(l) ​
Those who are found to be undesirable and whose further stay in the Philippines 
is inimical to public welfare and interest, or the dignity of Filipinos or the 
Republic of the Philippines as a sovereign nation;  
 
(m) ​
Those who forge, counterfeit, alter or falsely make any document; or use, attempt 
to use, possess, obtain, accept or receive, or provide any forged, counterfeit, 
altered or falsely made document; or use, attempt to use, provide, attempt to 


provide, accept or receive a genuine document, even of another person, without 
authority to do so for the purpose of satisfying or complying with the 
requirements of the Bureau;   
 
(n) ​
Those whose presence or activities in the country may result in adverse 
consequences to Philippine foreign policies as determined by the Secretary of 
Foreign Affairs;   
 
(o) ​
Those who misrepresented themselves as Filipino citizens in all immigration 
matters; and   
 
(p) ​
Those who violate any of the provisions of this Act, independent of any criminal 
action which may be brought against them: Provided, That in the case of a foreign 
national who, for any reason, is convicted and sentenced to suffer both 
imprisonment and deportation, said foreign national shall first serve the entire  
period of the sentence before being deported.   
 
 
 
CHAPTER 2 
DEPORTATION PROCEEDINGS 
 
SEC. 78. Nature of Deportation Proceedings. — Deportation proceedings shall be 
independent of any action that may be instituted against a foreign national: Provided, That no 
deportation order shall be issued against foreign nationals facing preliminary investigation, 
prosecution and trial before competent authorities.   
 
SEC. 79. Non-Prescription of Deportation Cases. — The right of the State to initiate 
deportation proceedings shall not prescribe.   
 
SEC. 80. Formal Charge of Deportation. — A formal charge for deportation shall be 
issued upon determination of the existence of a prima facie case against the foreign national. 
 
SEC. 81. Bail. — Pending final determination of the foreign national’s deportation case, 
the foreign national shall, upon the discretion of the Commissioner, remain under detention or be 
released on bail or recognizance. The bail may be revoked and confiscated in favor of the 
government if there is sufficient evidence that the foreign national is evading the proceedings or 
is attempting to abscond, in which case such foreign national shall be taken into custody and 
placed under detention by order of the Commissioner.   
 
SEC. 82. Custody of a Foreign National Convicted of a Felony or an Offense. — After 
service of the sentence or compliance with the conditions of parole or probation, as the case may 
be, the foreign national shall be taken into custody for immediate deportation by order of the 
Board.   
 
SEC. 83. Voluntary Deportation, When Authorized. — The Commissioner may waive 
the deportation proceedings and order the departure of the foreign national within the period 
specified in the voluntary deportation order if the foreign national does not contest the formal 
charge and opts to voluntarily leave the country and pays for all expenses: Provided, That the 
foreign national has not committed any criminal offense or has no pending criminal 
investigation: Provided, further, That the said foreign national so deported shall be barred from 
re-entering the country without prior written authorization from the Commissioner.   
 
SEC. 84. Period to Enforce Order of Deportation. — The order of deportation shall be 
enforced immediately but in no case shall exceed three (3) months from the date it has become 
final and executory. If deportation is not enforced within the prescribed period, the foreign 
national may be released on bail or recognizance.   


  
SEC. 85. Suspension of Deportation Order. — The Commissioner may suspend the 
implementation of the deportation order and order the release of the foreign national on bail or 
recognizance, taking into account the following factors:   
  
(a) ​
Age, health, family or conduct;   
 
(b) ​
Period of detention;   
 
(c) ​
Impact on national security and public welfare;   
 
(d) ​
Unavailability of travel documents;   
 
(e) ​
Existence of an application for refugee or statelessness status; or   
 
(f) ​
Other humanitarian considerations.   
 
SEC. 86. Reinstatement of a Deportation Order. — A deportation order previously 
implemented against a foreign national who unlawfully re-entered the Philippines shall be 
deemed automatically reinstated and shall be implemented in accordance with this Act. This 
provision shall also apply to a foreign national who departed voluntarily under Section 83 of this 
Act and re-entered the Philippines unlawfully or without prior written authorization from the 
Commissioner.  
 
SEC. 87. Country of Destination of a Deportee. — Except as provided for under an 
existing treaty or international agreement, a foreign national shall be deported to the country of 
which the person is a citizen or national, or the foreign national’s country of birth, or the country 
of which the foreign national is a resident, or the country from which the foreign national 
embarked for the Philippines, subject to the acceptance by the receiving country. 
 
SEC. 88. Cost of Deportation. — The owner, operator, captain, master, pilot, agent or 
consignee of a vessel shall bear the cost of deportation of any of its foreign crewmembers 
deemed deportable under Section 77 of this Act. In all other cases, the cost of deportation shall 
be borne either by the deportee, by the concerned consular office, nongovernment organizations 
or people’s organizations with which the Bureau has an agreement on this matter, or shall be 
charged to the appropriations for the implementation of this Act.  
 
SEC. 89. Liability of Owner, Operator, Captain, Master, Pilot, Agent or Consignee of a 
Vessel. — Failure or refusal on the part of the owner, operator, captain, master, pilot, agent or 
consignee of a vessel to take on board, guard safely and transport the deportee to the foreign 
national’s country of destination, or to shoulder the cost of deportation of the foreign crew 
member as provided in the preceding Section, shall be subject to the administrative fines 
prescribed under Chapter 6, Title VI of this Act.  
 
SEC. 90. Designation of Accompanying Person. — The Commissioner may, for security 
reason or by reason of the mental or physical condition of the deportee, direct an employee of the 
Bureau to accompany such deportee to the country of the deportee’s destination, subject to the 
provisions of Section 88 of this Act.  
 
CHAPTER 3 
INDIGENT FOREIGN NATIONALS 
 
SEC. 91. Removal of Indigent Foreign Nationals. — At any time after entry, the 
Commissioner may remove indigent foreign nationals from the Philippines to either the country 
of which they are citizens or nationals, their country of birth, or their country of residence, as the 
case may be. The cost of deportation may be charged against the available funds of the Bureau. 


Any foreign national removed under this section shall be barred re-admission except upon 
written authorization of the Board.  
 
This provision shall not apply to a foreign national declared as an indigent by any 
Philippine court for purposes of filing a case or to pursue an action which resulted in the 
individual’s indigency until such case or action is resolved with finality: Provided, That no other 
grounds for deportation exist during the pendency of such case or action.  
 
TITLE VI 
MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS 
 
CHAPTER 1 
REGISTRATION OF FOREIGN NATIONALS 
  
SEC. 92. Requirement of Registration. — All foreign nationals, regardless of any 
exemption provided by law, shall register with the Bureau or any Immigration Office nearest to 
their place of residence on or before the sixtieth (60th) day of their latest arrival in the 
Philippines.  
 
SEC. 93. Registration Form and Oath. — Applications for registration shall be under 
oath and in such form as prescribed by the Bureau. Upon registration, a certificate of registration 
shall be issued to the registrant.  
 
SEC. 94. Amendment of Registration. — Registered foreign nationals shall notify the 
Bureau in writing of any change of information in their registration documents not later than 
seven (7) days from such change. 
 
SEC. 95. Presentation of Certificate of Registration. — Every foreign national required 
to register under this Act or the parent or guardian of such foreign national shall present, upon 
demand by any personnel authorized by the Commissioner, a certificate of registration of such 
individual, and failure to do so without justifiable cause shall be dealt with in accordance with 
the provisions of this Act.  
  
SEC. 96. Reportorial Requirements. — Every foreign national registered under this Act 
shall, within the first sixty (60) days of every calendar year, report in person to the Bureau. The 
Commissioner may exempt personal appearance of foreign nationals registered under this Act 
subject to certain requirements and conditions as may be prescribed in the rules and regulations 
issued for the purpose.   
  
SEC. 97. Failure to Comply with Requirements. — A foreign national, or the  parent or 
guardian of the foreign national, who, without justifiable reason, fails to comply with all the 
requirements under this Act, or who files an application for registration containing statements 
known by the individual to be false, or who utilizes registration documents other than that of the 
individual, shall be dealt with in accordance with the provisions of this Act and other existing 
laws.   
  
SEC. 98. Cancellation of Registration of Foreign National. — In case of death of a 
foreign national registered under the provisions of this Act, the legal heir, representative or 
administrator of the foreign national must inform the Bureau within sixty (60) days from such 
death, and the Bureau shall cancel the registration of the deceased foreign national. The Local 
Civil Registrar or other civil registry officer of the locality where said foreign national died shall 
furnish the Bureau with a copy of the Certificate of Death within thirty (30) days from issuance 
thereof. Failure on the part of the persons concerned to comply with the requirements specified 
in this Section shall be dealt with pursuant to the provisions of existing laws.   
 
CHAPTER 2 
BONDS AND DEPOSITS 


 
SEC. 99. Bonds, When Required. — The Bureau shall have the authority to require cash 
bonds in such amounts and under such conditions as it may prescribe in order to:   
 
(a) ​
control and regulate the admission into, and departure from, the Philippines of 
foreign nationals applying for temporary admission;   
​
 
(b) ​
insure against foreign passengers liable to be excluded as likely to become public 
charges; and  
​
 
(c) ​
ensure the appearance of foreign nationals released from custody during the 
course of deportation proceedings instituted against them.   
 
SEC. 100. Requirement of Cash Deposits for Services Rendered. — The Bureau shall 
likewise have the authority to require cash deposits in such amounts as may be necessary from a 
vessel’s owner, operator, captain, master, pilot, agent, or consignee or other persons served for 
services rendered as established by the implementing rules and regulations.  
 
SEC. 101. Cancellation and Forfeiture of Bonds. — When the conditions of the bond 
are fulfilled, or in case the Commissioner determines that the likelihood that a foreign national 
shall become a public charge no longer exists, or in case of death of the foreign national in whose 
behalf the bond is posted, the bond shall be cancelled and released to the depositor or the legal 
representative of the foreign national. In case of violation of the conditions of the bond, the same 
shall be forfeited and deposited in a trust fund account which may be utilized for the purchase of 
passage tickets for the removal of indigent foreign nationals and to cover the costs of operations 
in locating deportees who jump bail.  
 
CHAPTER 3 
RECOGNIZANCE 
 
SEC. 102. Petitions for Recognizance, Sanction for Breach of Conditions. — The 
Commissioner may order the release of a foreign national upon recognizance of the foreign 
national’s lawyer or a person who is of good standing in the community, under such terms and 
conditions as the Board may prescribe. Failure to comply with the terms and conditions of the 
recognizance shall subject said lawyer or person to a fine of not less than Fifty thousand pesos 
(₱50,000.00) but not more than One hundred thousand pesos (₱100,000.00), without prejudice to 
other administrative sanctions or proceedings against the erring party.   
 
CHAPTER 4 
COOPERATION AND COORDINATION WITH OTHER OFFICES 
 
SEC. 103. Interoperability. — The Bureau shall cooperate and coordinate with relevant 
government agencies and offices for purposes of the implementation of this Act.   
 
CHAPTER 5 
FEES AND CHARGES 
 
SEC. 104. Authority of the Board to Prescribe, Impose and Collect Fees and Charges. 
— The Board is authorized to prescribe, impose, and collect fees and charges for services 
rendered, pursuant to the provisions of this Act.   
 
CHAPTER 6 
ADMINISTRATIVE FINES 
 
SEC. 105. Fine for Failing to Submit Crew List or Passenger Manifest, or Failure to 
Account Every Passenger and Crew. — Any owner, operator, master, captain, pilot, agent, or 
consignee of a vessel arriving at any port in the Philippines from a place outside thereof who 


fails to submit to the immigration authorities a complete and accurate crew list or passenger 
manifest, or fails to produce or account every crewmember or passenger whose name appears in 
said list or manifest shall be subject to fines of One hundred thousand pesos (₱100,000.00) and 
Fifty thousand pesos (₱50,000.00) for each unaccounted crewmember or passenger, respectively.   
 
SEC. 106. Fine for Violation of Obligation on the Landing or Removal of Foreign 
Nationals. — Any owner, operator, master, captain, pilot, agent, or consignee of any vessel 
arriving at a port of the Philippines from a place outside thereof having a foreign national on 
board in violation of this Act shall be fined not less than Fifty Thousand pesos (₱50,000.00) but 
not more than Two hundred thousand pesos (₱200,000.00) for each act or violation consisting of:  
 
(a) ​
Failure to prevent the landing of such foreign national in the Philippines at any 
time or place other than as designated by the Immigration Officer;  
 
(b) ​
Refusal or failure to detain a foreign national on board any such vessel at the port 
of arrival when required by this Act or so ordered by an Immigration Officer;  
 
(c) ​
Refusal or failure to deliver a foreign national for medical or other examinations 
when so ordered by an Immigration Personnel;   
 
(d) ​
Refusal or failure to pay the cost of maintenance and other costs, as required by 
this Act, of such foreign national when temporarily removed from the vessels for 
examination by order of the Immigration Officer;   
 
(e) ​
Refusal to receive such foreign national on board for removal from the 
Philippines if the foreign national is excluded, or to pay the cost of removal as 
required under this Act;  
 
(f) ​
Refusal or failure to take on board, guard safely and transport the deportee to the 
foreign national’s country of destination, or to shoulder the cost of deportation of 
the foreign crew member; and  
 
(g) ​
Making any charge against such foreign national for the cost referred to in item 
(d) above, or for the cost of the removal of the foreign national from the 
Philippines if the latter is excluded or taking any security from the foreign 
national for the payment of any such costs.  
 
SEC. 107. Fine for Bringing Undocumented Foreign National, or Foreign National 
Afflicted with Communicable or Contagious Disease, or Suffering from Mental Disorder. — 
The owner, operator, master, captain, pilot, agent, or consignee of the vessel arriving at a port in 
the Philippines from a place outside thereof bringing on board an undocumented foreign national 
shall be fined One hundred thousand pesos (₱100,000.00) for each foreign national. If the 
foreign national is afflicted with a communicable or contagious disease or is suffering from 
psychiatric disorder that may pose a threat to persons or danger to property as stated in Section 
69 of this Act, the fine shall be not less than Two hundred thousand pesos (₱200,000.00) but not 
more than Three hundred thousand pesos (₱300,000.00) for each foreign national.  
 
SEC. 108. Fine for Bringing a Foreign National to Assist His Illegal Entry or 
Misrepresenting a Foreign National as a Member of the Crew. — The owner, operator, master, 
captain, pilot, agent, or consignee of the vessel arriving at any port in the Philippines from a 
place outside thereof bringing on board a foreign national bound for the Philippines to assist the 
illegal entry of the foreign national, or misrepresenting the foreign national to the Immigration 
Officer at the port of arrival as a bona fide member of the crew, shall be fined not less than One 
hundred thousand pesos (₱100,000.00) but not more than Two hundred thousand pesos 
(₱200,000.00) for each foreign national.   
 


SEC. 109. Fine for an Overstaying Crewmember. — Any foreign crewmember who 
willfully remains in the Philippines beyond the period allowed for temporary landing shall be 
fined not less than Fifty thousand pesos (₱50,000.00) but not more than One hundred thousand 
pesos (₱100,000.00). The owner, operator, master, captain, pilot, agent, or consignee of the 
vessel shall be solidarily liable for the fine imposed on such overstaying crewmember.  
  
SEC. 110. Fine for Assaulting Immigration Personnel. — Any form of assault directed 
to any personnel of the Bureau is an act of disrespect. In case the assault is committed by a 
foreign national at the ports of entry and exit, such foreign national shall be excluded or 
deported, as the case may be, and shall be fined Two hundred thousand pesos (₱200,000.00) 
without prejudice to the right of the aggrieved Immigration Personnel to file appropriate 
criminal, civil or administrative cases against such person.   
  
For purposes of this Act, an Immigration Officer shall be considered a person in authority 
while in the performance of official duty.   
  
SEC. 111. Fine for Violation of Other Provisions of this Act. — The owner, operator, 
master, captain, pilot, agent, or consignee of any vessel arriving at any port of the Philippines 
from a place outside thereof who violates any other provision of this Act not specifically 
provided in this Chapter shall be fined not less than Fifty thousand pesos (₱50,000.00) but not 
more than Two hundred thousand pesos (₱200,000.00) for each violation.  
  
 
 
 
CHAPTER 7 
PENAL PROVISIONS 
  
SEC. 112. Prohibited Acts and Penalties. — Any person who shall commit any of the 
acts specified hereunder shall, upon conviction, suffer the penalty of imprisonment for not less 
than five (5) years but not more than ten (10) years, or a fine of not less than One hundred 
thousand pesos (₱100,000.00) but not more than Five hundred thousand pesos (₱500,000.00), or 
both imprisonment and fine, at the discretion of the court:   
  
(a) ​
Impersonating another individual, or falsely appearing in the name of a deceased 
individual, or evading immigration laws by using an assumed or fictitious name 
when applying for an immigration document;  
 
(b) ​
Issuing or otherwise delivering an immigration document or an immigration 
accountable form to any person not authorized by law to receive such documents;  
 
(c) ​
Obtaining, manufacturing, printing, accepting or using any immigration or travel 
document knowing it to be false, or using an immigration accountable form that is 
not legally issued;  
 
(d) ​
Entering or leaving the Philippines without inspection and admission by the 
immigration authorities, or obtaining entry into or departure clearance from the 
Philippines through fraud, misrepresentation, or concealment of material facts;  
 
(e) ​
Misrepresenting oneself to be a citizen of the Philippines;  
 
(f) ​
Knowingly making any false statement under oath regarding any immigration 
matter; or  
 
(g) ​
Bringing into, or landing in the Philippines, or concealing, harboring, employing, 
or giving comfort to, any person not duly admitted by an Immigration Personnel 


or not lawfully entitled to enter into or reside within the Philippines, or 
attempting, conspiring with, or aiding another to commit any such acts.  
 
Where the offender of any act specified in paragraph (g) of this section is a corporation, 
partnership or other juridical entity, the president, general manager, managing partner, or chief 
executive officer thereof shall be held liable. Dismissal of the employee by the employer before 
or after apprehension shall not relieve such employer from any liability arising from the offense: 
Provided, That if the offender is the owner, operator, master, captain, pilot, agent, or consignee, 
or other person in charge of the vessel that brought the foreign national into the Philippines from 
any place outside thereof, the fine imposed under this section shall constitute a lien against the 
vessel which may be enforced in the same manner as fines are collected and enforced under 
existing laws. Such vessel shall not be allowed to depart without prior clearance issued by the 
Bureau. Where forfeiture is justified under the particular circumstances of the case, the forfeiture 
of the vessel in favor of the government in lieu of the fine shall be decreed.  
  
Conviction by final judgment of any offense punishable under this Act or other related 
laws shall result in the automatic revocation or cancellation of any immigration document issued 
to the offender, including that of the foreign national’s spouse and unmarried children, if 
applicable.  
 
SEC. 113. Penalty for Aiding the Escape of Detained Foreign National. — Any person 
who shall be found to have helped, assisted, supported, caused or ministered the escape, 
including harboring and concealing, of a detained foreign national shall, upon conviction, be 
imprisoned for not less than five (5) years but not more than ten (10) years and a fine of not less 
than Two hundred thousand pesos (₱200,000.00): Provided, That if the person liable is a foreign 
national, such person shall be deported after service of sentence: Provided, further, That any 
tools, equipment, implements or vehicles used in the escape of a detained foreign national shall 
be destroyed or forfeited in favor of the government.   
  
SEC. 114. Penalty for Failure to Comply with Subpoena. — Any person who, having 
been duly served with a subpoena, fails to comply without valid and justifiable reasons, shall 
suffer the penalty of imprisonment of not more than fifteen (15) days or a fine of not more than 
One thousand pesos (₱1,000.00), or both, at the discretion of the court.   
  
SEC. 115. Imposition of Maximum Penalty, When Applicable. — A person convicted 
under Republic Act No. 3019, as amended, otherwise known as the “Anti-Graft and Corrupt 
Practices Act”, or other laws against corruption and bribery, in relation to any violation or 
circumvention of any provision of this Act, shall suffer the maximum penalty under the said 
Republic Act or other laws against corruption and bribery, as the case may be.   
 
CHAPTER 8 
UPGRADING OF POSITIONS, COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS 
 
SEC. 116. Creation of New Positions, Reclassification of Existing Positions and 
Upgrading of Salary Levels. — The following positions in the Bureau are hereby created, and 
the existing positions reclassified or upgraded, with the corresponding salary grade levels: 
 
EXISTING POSITION 
RECLASSIFIED POSITION/ 
NEWLY CREATED POSITION 
SALARY 
GRADE 
From 
To 
Commissioner  
Commissioner III  
30 
30 
Deputy Commissioner  
Deputy Commissioner III  
29 
29 
Attorney V 
(Board of Special Inquiry)  
Attorney V, Board of Special 
Inquiry  
25 
25 
Attorney IV 
(Board of Special Inquiry)  
Attorney IV, Board of Special 
Inquiry  
23 
23 


Attorney III 
(Board of Special Inquiry)  
Attorney III, Board of Special 
Inquiry  
21 
21 
Attorney V (Legal Division)  
Chief Legal Affairs Officer  
25 
25 
Attorney IV (Legal Division)  
Attorney IV, Legal Division  
23 
23 
Attorney III (Legal Division)  
Attorney III, Legal Division  
21 
21 
Chief Administrative Officer 
(Administrative Division)  
Chief Administrative Officer  
24 
24 
Supervising Administrative Officer 
(Administrative Division)  
Supervising Administrative Officer, 
Administrative Division  
22 
22 
Chief Immigration Officer  
(Alien Registration Division)  
Chief Immigration Officer  
(Chief Alien Registration Officer)  
24 
24 
Intelligence Officer V  
(Intelligence Division)  
Intelligence Officer V  
(Chief Immigration Intelligence 
Officer)  
24 
24 
Chief Immigration Officer  
(Law Enforcement Division)  
Chief Immigration Officer  
(Chief Immigration Law 
Enforcement Officer)  
24 
Chief Immigration Officer  
(Immigration Regulation Division)  
Chief Immigration Officer  
(Chief Immigration Regulation 
Officer)  
24 
24 
Chief Personnel Specialist  
Chief Personnel Specialist  
(Chief Human Resource 
Management Officer)  
24 
 
Supervising Human Resource 
Management Officer 
22 
 
EXISTING POSITION 
RECLASSIFIED POSITION/ 
NEWLY CREATED POSITION 
SALARY 
GRADE 
Chief Administrative Officer  
(Finance and Management 
Division)  
Chief Administrative Officer  
(Chief Finance and Logistics 
Officer)  
24 
24 
Supervising Administrative Officer 
(Finance and Management 
Division)  
Supervising Administrative Officer, 
Finance and Logistics Division  
22 
22 
Planning Officer V  
(Planning and Policy Division)  
Chief Planning and Research 
Officer  
24 
24 
Planning Officer IV (PPD)  
Planning and Research Officer IV  
22 
22 
Planning Officer III (PPD)  
Planning and Research Officer III  
18 
18 
Planning Officer II (PPD)  
Planning and Research Officer II  
15 
15 
Planning Officer I (PPD)  
Planning and Research Officer I  
11 
11 
Information Technology Officer III  
(Management Information System 
Division)  
Information Technology Officer III  
(Chief Information and 
Communications Technology 
Officer)  
24 
24 
Supervising Immigration Officer  
(IRD, ARD, POD)  
Supervising Immigration Officer  
22 
22 
Intelligence Officer IV  
Senior Immigration Officer  
Senior Immigration Officer  
19 
20 
Immigration Officer III  
Immigration Officer III  
16 
18 
Intelligence Officer III  
Immigration Officer II  
Immigration Officer II  
13 
15 
Intelligence Officer II  
Special Investigator II  
Immigration Officer I  
Immigration Officer I  
11 
13 


Intelligence Officer I  
Special Investigator I  
Administrative Officer V  
(Administrative Officer III)  
Administrative Officer V  
18 
18 
Administrative Officer V (Cashier 
III) 
Administrative Officer V (HRMO 
III) 
Administrative Officer V (Records 
Officer III) 
Administrative Officer V (Supply 
Officer III) 
Administrative Officer V 
(Procurement) 
Administrative Officer V 
(Management and Audit Analyst 
III) 
Administrative Officer V (Budget 
Officer III) 
Computer Programmer II  
Information Technology Officer I 
15 
19 
Computer Maintenance 
Technologist II  
 
 
 
EXISTING POSITION  
RECLASSIFIED POSITION/  
NEWLY CREATED POSITION  
SALARY 
GRADE  
 
Regional Programs Coordinator 
 
22 
 
Training Specialist III 
 
18 
 
Psychologist III 
 
18 
 
Document Examiner III 
 
18 
 
Training Specialist II 
 
15 
 
Project Development Officer II 
 
15 
 
Psychologist II 
 
15 
 
Security Officer II 
 
15 
 
Computer Programmer I 
 
11 
 
Upon the recommendation of the Commissioner, and subject to existing civil service 
rules and regulations, the Secretary of Justice shall reorganize, upgrade, or otherwise make 
adjustments in the offices of the Bureau as required by the implementation of this Act: Provided, 
That to the extent possible, the incumbent chiefs of sections and divisions whose offices are 
hereby affected may be upgraded to positions of comparable rank in the reorganization: 
Provided, further, That for the new positions created under this Act, the Board shall designate the 
personnel thereof.  
 
SEC. 117. Additional Grant of Benefits. — The Bureau shall provide its employees with 
the following benefits:  
 
(1) ​
Night shift differential which shall be subject to Republic Act No. 11701; and  
 
 


(2) ​
Overtime pay for actual work rendered in accordance with the existing rules and 
regulations.  
 
SEC. 118. Establishment of Immigration Trust Fund. — An Immigration Trust Fund 
(ITF) is hereby created sourced from thirty percent (30%) of the immigration 18 fees, fines and 
penalties, and other income that may be collected by the Bureau for the 19 effective 
implementation of this Act: Provided, That the amount shall not exceed One 20 billion two 
hundred million pesos (₱1,200,000,000.00) every year: Provided, further, That any excess in the 
collections under this paragraph shall accrue to the general fund of the national government.  
 
The ITF shall be managed by the Board in accordance with existing government auditing 
rules and regulations, and shall be used exclusively for the following:  
 
(a) ​
50% for the modernization of equipment, facilities and offices used by employees 
of the Bureau, including capital outlay for the establishment of new buildings and 
field offices for the effective implementation of this Act;  
 
(b) ​
30% for the payment of employee benefits provided in this Act, and as may be 
hereafter provided by the Board with the approval of the Secretary of Justice; and  
 
(c) ​
20% for the further professionalization of the employees of the Bureau including 
trainings, seminars and other career advancement programs.  
 
All interest income, dividends and earnings accrued from the ITF shall also form part of 
the fund. No portion of the ITF shall revert to the general fund of the national government, 
except when the ITF is no longer necessary for the purposes for which it was established.  
 
Collections from express lane fees under Section 11 (n) of this Act shall not form part of 
the ITF, and shall be used strictly in accordance with the said provision.  
 
 
CHAPTER 9 
ELECTRONIC TRANSACTIONS 
  
SEC. 119. Development and Implementation of Electronic Systems. — The Bureau 
shall develop and implement electronic systems to facilitate transactions through the use of 
digital and electronic technology, including the processing of admission, visa transactions, 
citizenship, and alien registration, as well as the submission of reports, notices and documents 
required under this Act.  
  
The Bureau shall develop and implement an infrastructure plan to facilitate the electronic 
transmission and conveyance of government services in order to:  
  
(a) ​
Facilitate convenience in arrival and departure processes through e-systems;   
 
(b) ​
Accept the creation, filing or retention of such documents in the form of 
electronic data messages or electronic documents;   
 
(c) ​
Issue permits, visas, certification or approval in the form of electronic data 
messages or electronic documents;  
 
(d) ​
Require or accept payments, and issue receipts acknowledging such payments, 
through systems using electronic data messages or electronic documents; and  
 
 


(e) ​
Accept or issue any document in the form of electronic data messages or 
electronic documents upon the adoption, promulgation and publication of 
appropriate rules, regulations and guidelines.  
 
CHAPTER 10 
TRANSITORY PROVISIONS 
 
SEC. 120. Interim Period. — The incumbent Commissioner and the two Deputy 
Commissioners, if qualified under this Act, shall continue to discharge the functions of their 
position unless otherwise removed by the President. All personnel of the present Bureau of 
Immigration shall continue to discharge the functions of their positions pending the 
reorganization as provided in this Act.  
 
SEC. 121. Reorganization of the Bureau. — Upon approval of this Act, all employees 
of the Bureau of Immigration covered by civil service rules and regulations shall continue to 
hold their present positions pending the reorganization of the Bureau in accordance with the new 
staffing pattern: Provided, That the salaries, wages, allowances and other benefits of incumbent 
officers and employees of the Bureau shall not be subject to diminution: Provided, further, That 
employees who have been dismissed for cause shall no longer qualify for any position in the 
Bureau.   
  
SEC. 122. Inventory and Transfer of Properties, Accounts, Assets, Liabilities and 
Obligations to the Commission. — All buildings, properties, equipment, facilities, accounts, 
other assets, liabilities and other obligations as well as records of the Bureau of Immigration 
shall be properly inventoried and transferred to the Bureau.  
 
SEC. 123. Force of Treaty or Agreement. — Any treaty or agreement entered into 
between the Philippines and any foreign state before the effectivity of this Act shall remain in 
force and effect.  
 
SEC. 124. Pending Cases. — Any prosecution, suit, action, proceeding, or any act or 
matter, civil or criminal, pending at the time of the effectivity of this Act shall not be affected by 
any of the provisions of this Act unless otherwise explicitly stated herein.  
CHAPTER 11 
ADMINISTRATION AND IMPLEMENTATION 
 
SEC. 125. Implementing Rules and Regulations. — Within sixty (60) days from the 
effectivity of this Act, the Commissioner shall, in coordination with the Secretaries of Justice, 
Foreign Affairs and Budget and Management, promulgate the rules and regulations for the 
effective implementation of this Act.  
  
SEC. 126. Appropriations. — The amount necessary for the initial implementation of 
this Act shall be charged against the current year’s appropriation of the Bureau of Immigration. 
Thereafter, such sums as may be necessary for the continued implementation of this Act shall be 
included in the annual General Appropriations Act. 
 
CHAPTER 12 
FINAL PROVISIONS 
  
SEC. 127. Separability Clause. — Should any provision of this Act be declared invalid, 
the remaining provisions shall continue to be in force and effect.   
  
SEC. 128. Repealing Clause. — Commonwealth Act No. 613, otherwise known as the 
“Philippines Immigration Act of 1940”, as amended, Republic Act No. 562 entitled “Alien 
Registration Act of 1950”, as amended, and Republic Act No. 750 entitled “An Act Designating 
as Special Agents of the Bureau of Immigration All Provincial, City and Municipal Treasurers, 
and Providing for the Allocations to the Provincial, City, and Municipal Governments of Ten Per 


Centum of Certain Fees Collected in Their Respective Territorial Limits”, are hereby repealed. 
All other laws, presidential decrees, executive orders, proclamations, memorandum orders, 
instructions, rules and regulations or parts thereof inconsistent with this Act are hereby amended 
or modified accordingly.  
 
SEC. 129. Effectivity. — This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication 
in the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation.  
 
Approved,