EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
First Regular Session
SENATE
S.B. NO. 885
T9 
AUG 13 
A8 50
REC.i
Introduced by SENATOR IMEE R. MARCOS
AN ACT MODERNIZING THE BUREAU OF IM M IG RATIO N, DEFINING 
ITS POWERS AND FUNCTIONS, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES
EXPLANATORY NOTE
The 1987 Constitution provides that the prime duty of the government is 
to serve and protect the people. It further provides that the maintenance of peace 
and order, the protection of life, liberty, and property, and the promotion of the 
general welfare, are essential for a democratic government.
This bill seeks to modernize Commonwealth Act 613, the "Philippine 
Immigration Act of 1940" -  and now 79 years old! While several laws have been 
enacted to address more recent national concerns, such as R.A. 9165 or the 
"Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002," R.A. 9208 or the "Anti- 
Trafficking in Persons Act of 2003," R.A. 9372 or the "Human Security Act of 
2007," and R.A. 10168 or the "Terrorism Financing Prevention and Suppression 
Act of 2012," a thorough and substantial revamp of Philippine immigration law 
has not yet been undertaken.
President Rodrigo Roa Duterte's war against illegal drugs launched in 2016 
is challenged by drug syndicates, operating international courier and smuggling 
networks, largely unabated through national airports, ports, and other points of


entry. The Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency admits that at least four 
international drug cartels freely trade within Philippine territory, including the 
notorious Golden Triangle syndicate, which owned both the massive Batangas 
and Malabon laboratories. Obviously, modern syndicated crime, utilizing 
transnational organizations and digital technologies, is hardly contemplated by 
the antiquated Commonwealth Act 613 that governs Philippine immigration.
Further, the continued influx of foreign jihadists \s a security treat that must 
be addressed by border control and immigration. Defense Secretary Delfin 
Lorenzana recently confirmed that 100 foreign jihadists presently operate in 
various areas in Mindanao, their entry and personal circumstances largely 
unknown to the defense and police departments. He also confirmed the presence 
of seven (7) Islamic State (IS) terrorists, allegedly Egyptian, Malaysian, 
Indonesian and Singaporean -  each affiliated with the Abu Sayyaf group in the 
south1. President Rodrigo Duterte himself expressed alarm over the presence of 
these jihadists, saying he hoped the Philippines could be "spared from a possible 
ISIS attack"1 2.
Another pressing concern is the massive influx of foreign nationals into the 
country in the wake of an aggressive tourism push. Apparently entering as mere 
tourists or legitimate investors, a number of these foreigners have either dubious 
status or questionable interests. Firstly, there are the largely Chinese Philippine 
Offshore Gaming Operator (POGOs) agents entering the Philippines on a tourist 
visa, quickly absorbed upon arrival as employees of at a POGO. Similar illegal 
entrants are Korean crime suspects, Indian workers and other foreigners who 
apparently exploit Philippine immigration and other laws with impunity.
Sadly, the Bureau of Immigration has been plagued through the decades 
with controversy. Lately, the issuance of the Visa-Upon-Arrival (VUA) drew fire
1 
ttps://www.msn.com/en-ph/news/national/dnd-verifying-presence-of-100-jihadists-in-mindanao/ar- 
AAER9x2?li=BBr8Mkn&ocid=iehp
2 https.//www cnnphilippines.com/news/2019/8/5/Rodrigo-Duterle-ISIS.html


when the Bureau admitted to having issued "special employment visas" to 
119,000 foreigners in 2018 alone. Already, the President threatened in 2018, 
"there's a lot of stupid things going on. Do not do that because one mistake, I 
will hit back. Either III kill you, make you an example or throw you in Jolo."3 And 
last April 2019, he finally ordered the suspension of 18 Bureau of Immigration 
and Deportation (BID) personnel, including intelligence officers, accused of 
extorting millions from foreign nationals.
Given therefore the critical role of the Bureau of Immigration as the 
nation's main gatekeeper, it is vital that Commonwealth Act 613 and the Bureau 
of Immigration be finally modernized and be brought up to the challenges of the 
present age.
Hence, some of the salient points of this proposed bill are the following;
a. The reorganization of the structure of the Bureau of Immigration and the 
upgrading of the existing positions of its operations and administrative 
personnel to adequately meet the country's rapidly increasing immigration 
services;
b. the expansion of the functions of the Commissioner, the Deputy 
Commissioners and the Board of Commissioners;
c. the prohibition of the conversion of "A Visa" to employment visa;
d. the strengthening of the Bureau's role in border control; and
e. the provision of sanctions for failure to provide advanced passenger 
information to the Bureau.
In view of the foregoing, the immediate approval of this bill is herewith
urged. 1
IMEE R. MARCOS
1 https://phiIippineslifestyle.com/immigration-staff-duterte-threat/


EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
First Regular Session
SENATE
tfA ..
STo Of:I • -r:
i *: V
S. B. NO.
885
'19 AUG 13 A8 50
Introduced by SENATOR IMEE R. MARCOS
AN ACT MODERNIZING THE BUREAU OF IM M IG R ATIO N , DEFINING 
ITS POWERS AND FUNCTIONS, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES
Be it enacted by the Senate and House o f Representatives o f the Philippines in Congress
assembled:
TITLE I
GENERAL PROVISIONS
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Section 1. Short Title. -  This Act shall be known as the "Philippine 
Immigration Act of 2019."
Sec. 2. Declaration o f Policy. -  In relation to other states, the Philippine 
shall give paramount importance to national sovereignty, territorial integrity, national 
security, national interest, and the right to self-discrimination, as it adheres to the 
policy of peace, cooperation and amity with all nations. Towards this end, Philippine 
immigration policies, rules and regulations under this Act shall be applied and 
administered for Philippine domestic and international interests, thusly:
(a) the admission of foreign nationals for the purpose of enhancing capital 
investments, trade and commerce, cultural exchanges and other forms of friendly 
relations and coop>eration;
(b) the need to increase technological and scientific development;


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(c) upholding social welfare and economic security of all people;
(d) compliance with obligations and standards set by international law in the 
admission or exclusion of foreign nationals;
(e) promotion of international order and justice, without prejudice to denying entry 
into Philippine territory to persons linked to transnational syndicated crime terrorism 
and other nefarious activities towards strengthening border security;
(f) 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
(g) 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 o f Terms. - As used in this Act, the following terms are 
defined as follows:
(a) "Admission" refers to the process by which a foreigner arriving at a port of entry 
in the Philippines is allowed into the country by the immigration authorities;
(b) "Board" refers to the Board of Commissioners;
(c) "Border Control Officer" refers to any person tasked to man the border control 
station as provided under Section 26 of this Act;
(d) "Captain" refers to the master of a vessel or pilot of an aircraft;
(e) "Child" refers to a person below eighteen (18) years of age;
(f) "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;
(g) "Commission" refers to the Commission on Immigration;


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(h) "Commissioner" and "Deputy Commissioner" refer to the Commissioner of 
Immigration and the Deputy Commissioner of Immigration, respectively;
(i) "Commitment Order" refers to an order issued by the Commissioner under 
Section 7 (c) (2) of this Act that directs the detention of a foreigner after it has been 
determined that a probable cause exists that he/she committed acts and/or 
omissions in violation of Philippine immigration laws, rules and regulations, or during 
the pendency of deportation case against such foreigner: Provided, That such 
detention shall not exceed three (3) months, unless there exists other legal grounds 
for continued detention;
j) "Consular officer" refers to any consular, diplomatic, or other officer of the 
Government of the Philippines who has been duly granted a consular commission for 
the purpose of issuing visas under this Act;
(k) "Entry" refers to the arrival of a foreigner into any designated port of entry in the 
Philippines from a place outside thereof. A foreigner having a lawful permanent 
residence in the Philippines shall not be regarded as making an entry for the purpose 
of this Act if such foreigner proves that his/her departure to a place outside the 
Philippines was for a temporary or limited period, or his/her continued absence from 
the Philippines was occasioned by deportation proceedings, extradition, or other 
legal process;
(l) "Exclusion" refers to the act of Immigration Officers denying admission of a 
foreigner into the country on grounds provided for in this Act;
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(m) "Foreigner" or "Foreign National" refers to any person not a citizen of the 
Philippines;
(n) "Foundling" refers to a deserted or abandoned infant or child whose parents, 
guardian or relatives are unknown; or a child committed to an orphanage or


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charitable or similar institution with unknown facts of birth and parentage and 
registered in the Civil Registrar as a "foundling";
(o) "Hold Departure Order" refers to (1) a directive that commands the 
Commissioner to prevent a foreigner from leaving the territorial jurisdiction of the 
Philippines in cases of grant of bail and recognizance pending implementation of 
Summary Deportation Order, or (2) an order implementing a directive from the 
President, the Senate, the House of Representatives, the Department of Justice 
(DOJ), Regional Trial Courts, Sandiganbayan, and appellate courts to prevent a 
person from leaving the Philippines to any place outside thereof;
(p) "Husband" and/or "Wife" refer(s) to those regarded as such by the laws of the 
country of which they are nationals but shall not include husband or wife by reason 
of proxy or "picture marriage";
(q) "Immigrant" refers to any foreign national departing from any place outside the 
Philippines destined for the Philippines, other than a non-immigrant;
(r) "Immigration laws" refers to this Act and any other law presently existing or 
which may hereafter be enacted relating to movement of natural persons to and 
from the Philippines, and their exclusion, interception, deportation and repatriation;
(s) "Immigration Officer" refers to any person appointed under Section 28 of this Act 
or any employee of the Commission designated by the Commissioner to perform the 
powers, duties and functions of an Immigration Officer as specified under this Act;
(t) "Interception" refers to the act of Immigration Officers denying departure 
clearance to any person leaving the country on grounds provided for in this Act;
(u) "Non-immigrant" refers to any foreigner departing from any place outside the 
Philippines who is allowed entry and admission into the Philippines for a temporary 
or limited period of stay;


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(v) "Non-refoulment" refers to a principle of international law which prohibits the 
forced return of a refugee to the state or territory where his/her life or liberty would 
be threatened;
(w) "Passport" refers to a document issued by the Philippine government to its 
citizens requesting other governments to allow its citizens to pass safely and freely, 
and in case of need to give him all lawful aid and protection;
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"Person" refers to a natural and juridical person such as partnerships, 
corporations, companies, and associations;
(y) "Port of entry" refers to any port designated by competent authority in 
accordance with law through which a foreigner may apply to the Immigration Officer 
thereat for admission into the Philippines;
(z) "President" refers to the President of the Republic of the Philippines;
(aa) "Refugee" refers to a person who, owing to a well-founded fear of being 
persecuted for reasons of race, religion, nationality, membership of a particular 
social group, or political opinion, is outside the country of his/her nationality, and is 
unable, or owing to such fear, is unwilling to avail of the protection of that country; 
or who, not having a nationality and being outside the country of his/her former 
habitual residence, is unable or, owing to such fear, is unwilling to return to it;
(bb) "Seaman," "Seafarer" or "Crewmember" refers to a person actually employed in 
the operation or service in any capacity on board a vessel;
(cc) "Secretary" refers to the Secretary of the Department of Justice;
(dd) "Stateless Person" refers to a person who is not considered as a national by any 
State under the operation of its laws;


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(ee) '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 19%";
(ff)"Vessel" refers to all means of conveyances, whether aircraft or sea craft;
(gg) "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 immigration status granted and/or 
issued to foreigners by the Commissioner or the Board under this Act; and
(hh) "Watchlist Order" refers to an order issued by the Commissioner under Section 
7 (c) (4) of this Act that requires immigration [personnel to monitor and/or prevent 
the departure of any person for a period of fifteen (15) days, extendible for another 
fifteen (15) days, and to notify concerned government or law enforcement agencies, 
where his/her presence is required in criminal or legislative proceedings or he/she 
poses or may pose a threat to national security, public health or public safety.
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TITLE II
THE BUREAU OF IMMIGRATION
CHAPTER 1 
THE BUREAU
SEC. 4. Creation. —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


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enforcement of this Act, and the implementation of all laws, rules 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 as well as 
local government units in gathering intelligence, protecting the country's borders, 
and otherwise ensuring national security, public safety, public morals, and public 
health, in pursuance of its mandate under R.A. 9165 or the Comprehensive 
Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002, R.A. 9208 or the Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act of 
2003, R.A. 9372 or the Human Security Act of 2007, and R.A. 10168 or the 
Terrorism Financing Prevention and Suppression Act of 2012.
SEC. 5. Composition and Qualification. — 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 
and with proven capacity for administration and, at the time of their appointment, at 
least thirty-five (35) years of age: Provided further, That at least one of the 
members shall be member of the Philippine Bar in good standing for at least five (5) 
years.
CHAPTER 2
THE BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
SEC. 6. Powers and Functions o f the Board. -  The Board shall have the 
following powers and functions:
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(a) Quasi-judicial:
(1) Decide on applications or cases relative to:
i. 
Deportation;
ii. Revocation of immigration status;
iii. Reacquisition and retention of Philippine citizenship under Republic


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Act No. 9225, otherwise known as the "Citizenship Retention and 
Reacquisition Act of 2003";
iv. Issuance and Revocation of all visas and permits;
V. Declaration of Indigence; and
vi. Legalization of residence in accordance with law.
(2) Cite and punish for contempt in relation to the discharge of its quasi­
judicial functions in accordance with the Rules of Court.
(b) Rule-making:
(1) Prescribe and promulgate rules of procedure for proceedings before it;
(2) Prepare and publish operations manual and rules of procedure, 
including schedule of fees, for all transactions entered into by the 
Bureau with the public; and
(3) Formulate policies, directives, programs and projects of the Bureau.
The Board shall also perform 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 o f the Board. -  All cases or proceedings before the Board 
shall be decided with the concurrence of the majority of the members of the board. 
Decisions of the Board shall become final and executory fifteen (15) days from 
receipt thereof by the concerned parties. Only one (1) Motion for Reconsideration 
shall be allowed
Decisions in deportation cases may be appealed to the Secretary of the DOJ 
within fifteen (15) days from receipt thereof by the concerned parties. The decision 
of the Secretary of the DOJ shall be final and immediately executory unless stayed 
by an order of the Court of Appeals.
SEC. 8. Period for Decision by the Board. -  The Board of Commissioners shall 
decide deportation cases within (30) days from the date they are submitted for


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SEC. 9. Meetings o f the Board. -  In all cases, the Board of Commissioners
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shall convene and act as a collegial body in all matters referred to in Section 6 of this
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Act. The Board shall meet at least once a week or, if necessary, twice a week.
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Members of the Board shall be notified accordingly and the presence of the
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Chairperson and one (1) member shall constitute a quorum.
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CHAPTER 3
THE COMMISSIONER AND THE DEPUTY COMMISSIONERS
SEC. 10. Appointment o f 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 Functions o f the Commissioner. -  In addition to the 
duties as Chairperson of the Board of Commissioners, the Commissioner shall 
exercise the following powers and functions:
(a) Supervise, direct and coordinate the overall operations of the Office;
(b) Exercise control and supervision over the officers and personnel of the 
Bureau, including the power to appoint, promote, and reassign personnel, subject to 
civil service laws, rules and regulations: Provided that promotions and appointments 
to positions of Division Chiefs and above shall be made by the Secretary of the DOJ 
upon the recommendation of the Commissioner;
(c) Issue, (1) letter orders after determination of the existence of probable 
cause for the purpose of deportation; (2) commitment or release orders; (3) warrant 
of deportation; (4) order to inspect the documents, premises and records of persons 
covered by this Act; (5) derogatory information orders defined in Section 3(h) of this 
Act; and (6) such orders and instructions as enhanced border control and homeland 
security may require.


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(d) Delegate authority to subordinate immigration personnel and employees 
to be delineated by the Implementing Rules and Regulations;
(e) Act on applications for extension of visas;
(f) Control the opening and closure of posts, landing places, airports or ports 
classified as points of entry or exit, whether limited or unlimited;
(g) Increase, reduce or waive immigration fees, fines, penalties and other 
charges;
(h) Issue Certificates of Naturalization and Identification to foreign nationals 
who have been granted Philippine citizenship;
(i) Deputize, subject to the concurrence of the Board, 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 duties and functions;
(j) 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;
(k) 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;
(l) Accept donation of materials, equipment or technical services from any 
foreign government, international or domestic organization, to upgrade the efficiency 
and operations of the Bureau;
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(m) Submit to the President and 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;
(n) Determine the manning levels of immigration officers of the Bureau 
nationwide in accordance with the number of arrivals in each port of entry as 
determined by the Board: Provided, That for every three hundred (300) passengers 
there shall be one (1) immigration personnel in an eight-hour shift;
(o) Exercise disciplinary authority over personnel of the Bureau charged with 
less grave and light administrative offenses, in accordance with the Revised Rules on 
Administrative Cases in the Civil Service (RRACS): Provided, That the disciplinary 
authority over those charged with grave administrative offenses under RRACS shall 
belong to the Secretary of the DOJ;
(p) Prepare and submit a supplemental budget for the consideration of the 
Department of Budget and Management (DBM);
(q) Prescribe, with the concurrence of the Board, the appropriate forms, 
bonds, reports, entries and other papers in accordance with this Act;
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(r) Require all airlines to submit advance passenger information in the form 
prescribed by the Board and prescribe penalty for the violation hereof;
(s) Perform such other functions inherent to the Bureau; and
(t) exercise visitorial powers to check compliance and enforcement with 
immigration laws.
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(u) 
liaise, in coordination with the Department of Foreign Affairs and the 
Office of the President, with international immigration and txDrder control 
counterparts for mutual security concerns.
SEC. 12. Appointment and Rank o f 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 o f Deputy Commissioners. -  In addition to their duties as 
members of the Board, the Deputy Commissioners shall supervise a minimum of 
FOUR (4) Directorates and the regional offices, as determined by the Commissioner.
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SEC. 14. Creation o f Positions and Compensation for Co-Terminus Officials 
and Employees. -  The following co-terminus positions are hereby created for the 
Office of the Commissioner and Deputy Commissioners, except for Executive Officer 
III/Board Secretary which shall be assigned only to the Office of the Commissioner. 
The basic monthly compensation of the following co-terminus officials and 
employees shall be as follows:
POSITION
SALARY GRADE
Head Executive Assistant
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Executive Assistant VI
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Executive Assistant V
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Executive Assistant IV
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CHAPTER 4
THE INTERNAL AFFAIRS
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SEC. 15. Qualifications o f the Head, Internal Affairs Service (IAS). -  An
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Internal Affairs Service (IAS) of the Bureau is hereby created which shall be headed
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by a Director who must be who must be a natural-born citizen of the Philippines, at
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least thirty (35) years of age and a member of the Philippine Bar in good standing at 
least five (5) years prior to the appointment.
SEC. 16. Powers and Functions o f the IAS:
a) 
Conduct inspections and audit on BI personnel, units and OFFICES;
b) 
Conduct summary hearings on personnel of BI facing administrative 
charges;
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Investigate complaints and gather evidence in 
support to an 
investigation;
d) 
File appropriate criminal cases against BI personnel before the court as 
evidence warrants and assist in the prosecution of the case; and
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Provide assistance to the Office of the Ombudsman in cases involving 
the personnel of the Bureau.
CHAPTER 5
THE BOARD SECRETARY
SEC. 17. Qualifications o f the Board Secretary. -  There shall be a Board 
Secretary of the Board of Commissioners who must be a natural-born citizen of the 
Philippines, at least thirty (30) years of age and a member of the Philippine Bar in 
good standing at least five (5) years prior to the appointment.
SEC. 18. Powers and Duties. -  The Board Secretary shall;
(a) 
Attend in and take minutes of all meetings of the Board;
a. Prepare the agenda for the deliberations of the Board on Visa 
application;
(b) 
Prepare the agenda for the deliberations of the Board on deportation 
cases as endorsed by a Member of the Board after initial review;
(c) 
Implement the decision of the Board approving visa applications, 
including revalidation;
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(d) 
Keep and manage all records of the deliberation of the Board;
(e) 
Advise the members of the Board on all matters relative to compliance
with relevant laws and requirements of regulatory authorities; and
(f) 
All other functions as may be directed by the Board.
CHAPTER 6
THE BOARDS OF SPECIAL INQUIRY
SEC. 19. Constitution o f the Boards o f Special Inquiry. -  There shall be 
constituted as many Boards of Special Inquiry (BSI) as required in the exigency of 
service as determined by the Board. Each Board shall be composed of a Chairperson 
and two (2) members. The Overall Chairpierson of the BSI shall sit as the 
Chairperson of the First Board of the BSI. The BSI shall be designated according to 
their areas of specialization to be determined by the Board.
SEC. 20. Appointment and Qualification o f the Chairpersons and Members o f 
the BSI. -  The Chairpersons and members of the BSI shall be appointed by the 
Commissioner, all of whom 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 engaged in the practice of law for at least three 
(3) years.
SEC. 21. Powers and Functions o f die BSI. -T h e  BSI shall:
(a) Recommend to the Board for final resolution cases and applications 
relative to;
(1) Deportation;
(2) Revocation of immigration status;
(3) Recognition of Philippine citizenship by reason of birth, or marriage;
(4) Legalization of residence in accordance with law; and
(5) Issuance of visa for stateless person.
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23
24
25
26 
27
(b) Issue subpoena in cases being heard by the BSI;
(c) In the exercise of its quasi-judicial, cite and punish persons for contempt 
in accordance with the Rules of Court;
(d) Recommend to the Board the imposition, waiver or reduction of fees, 
fines, penalties and other charges subject to existing laws, rules and regulations;
(e) Administer oaths;
(f) Promulgate rules and regulations governing matters within its assigned 
mandate subject to the approval of the Board; and
(g) Perform such other duties and functions as may be directed by the 
Commissioner and the Board.
SEC. 22. Proceedings Before the BSI. -  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 shall appear for and in behalf of any 
party before the BSI.
SEC. 23. Resolutions o f the BSI. -  Cases before the BSI shall be resolved within 
TEN (10) working days from the date the cases are submitted for resolution. The 
resolution of the BSI shall be submitted immediately to the Board for action.
SEC. 24. Creation o f Positions; BSI -  
The following positions with the 
corresponding salary grades are hereby created under the BSI:
28
29
30
31
32
POSITION
SALARY GRADE
Special Inquiry Officer n
25
Special Inquiry Officer I
24
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9
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11 
12
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20 
21 
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24
1
CHAPTER 7
DIRECTORATES AND OTHER OPERATING OFFICES OF THE BUREAU
SEC. 25. Directorates and Other Operating Offices o f the Bureau. — The 
Bureau shall have the following directorates and other operating offices, namely:
A. Directorates:
(1) 
Administration;
(2) 
Finance and Logistics;
(3) 
Information and Communications Technology;
(4) 
Planning and Research;
(5) 
Alien Registration;
(6) 
Immigration Regulation;
(7) 
Intelligence;
(8) 
Law Enforcement;
(9) 
Legal Affairs; and
(10) 
Human Resource Management and Development.
B. Regional Offices that shall be created by the Board according to political or 
administrative regions.
C. Districts:
(1) Major Airports; and
(2) Seaports
25 
SEC. 26. 
Heads o f the Directorates and Other Operating Units. — Each
26 
Directorate shall be headed by a Director with a Salary Grade of 27: Provided, That
27 
the Director for Legal Affairs shall be a member of the Philippine Bar in good
28 
standing and must have been engaged in the practice of law for at least three (3)
29 
years, and that the Director for Finance and Logistics shall be a Certified Public
30 
Accountant in good standing for at least three (3) years. The Regional Offices shall
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20 
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24
25
26
27
28
1
be headed by a Regional Director with a Salary Grade of 26, while the District Offices 
shall be headed by a District Supervisor with a Salary Grade of 25.
SEC. 27. Duties and Functions o f the Directorates, Regional Offices, Districts, 
Field Offices and Other Operating Offices. -  The different directorates and other 
operating offices of the Bureau shall have such number of officers and as may be 
defined by the Board to ensure the effective performance of their respective 
mandates.
The Regional Directors and District Supervisors shall have the authority to 
issue verification orders to the respective immigration officers within their area of 
responsibility to be delineated by the Implementing Rules and Regulations.
CHAPTER 8 
ADMINISTRATION
SEC. 28. Chief Administrative Officer. -  No person shall be appointed to the 
position Chief, Administrative Officer unless such person meets the qualification 
standards set by the Bureau. The Administrative Officer shall perform the following 
duties:
(a) Develop administrative support strategy for the Bureau;
(b) Implement administrative support strategy;
(c) Coordinate all administrative function; and
(d) Perform 
such 
other 
tasks 
as 
may 
be 
directed 
by 
the 
Commissioner.
SEC. 29. Creation o f Positions; Directorate for Administration. -  The following 
positions with the corresponding salary grades are hereby created under the 
Directorate for Administration:
POSITION
SALARY GRADE
Chief Administrative Officer
28
Supervising Administrative Officer
26
17


Immigration Administrative Officer IV
24
Immigration Administrative Officer II
15
Immigration Administrative Assistant in
13
Immigration Aide V
13
Immigration Administrative Assistant II
12
Immigration Aide IV
12
Immigration Aide III
11
Immigration Administrative Assistant I
10
Immigration Aide II
8
1 
CHAPTER 9
2 
FINANCE AND LOGISTICS
3
4 
SEC. 30. Chief Finance and Logistics Officer. -  No person shall be appointed
5 
to the position of Chief, Finance and Logistics Officer unless such person meets the
6 
qualification standards set by the Bureau. The Chief, Finance and Logistics Officers
7 
shall perform the following duties:
8 
(a) Plans and supervises the implementation of policies 
pertaining to
9 
procurement, fiscal management, auditing and accounting in support of the
10 
overall plan and strategic direction of the Bureau;
11 
(b) Direct and Manage all the procurement activities of the Bureau;
12 
(c) Implement sound fiscal policy;
13 
(d) Supervise the preparation of the Annual Procurement Plan;
14 
(e) Initiate Projects in the furtherance of the improvement of the Bureau;
15 
(f) Set performance targets for the Bureau in order to meet the objectives,
16 
plans and programs; and
17 
(g) Perform such other tasks as may be directed by the Commissioner.
18
19 
SEC. 31. Creation o f Positions; Directorate for Finance and Logistics. -  The
20 
following positions with the corresponding salary grades are hereby created under
21 
the Directorate for Finance and Logistics:
18


POSITION
SALARY GRADE
Chief Finance and Logistics Officer
28
Supervising Administrative Officer
26
Immigration Administrative Officer IV
24
Immigration Accountant n
22
Immigration Accountant I
19
Immigration Administrative Assistant II
15
Immigration Aide IV
14
Immigration Administrative III
13
Immigration Administrative II
12
Immigration Administrative I
10
1 
CHAPTER 10
2 
INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATIONS TECHNOLOGY
3
4 
SEC. 32. Chief Information and Communications Technology Officer. -  No
5 
person shall be appointed to the position of Chief Information and Communications
6 
Technology Officer unless such person meets the qualification standards set by the
7 
Bureau. The Chief Information and Communications Technology Officer shall
8 
perform the following duties;
9
(a)
10
11
12
(b)
13
14
(c)
15
16
17
(d)
systems, network, cyber-security, information and communications 
technology resources of the Bureau;
Supervise the implementation of all the Information Technology projects 
of the Bureau;
Review, evaluate and recommend for approval of the Commissioner the 
integration of all existing information and communications systems of 
the Bureau;
19


1
2
3
4
5
(e) Perform such other tasks as may be directed by the Commissioner.
SEC. 33. Creation o f Positions Directorate for Information and Communications 
Technology. -  The following positions with the corresponding salary grades are 
hereby created under the Directorate for Finance and Logistics:
POSITION
SALARY GRADE
Chief Information and Communications Technology 
Officer
28
Information and Communications Technology 
Officer II
26
Information and Communications Technology 
Officer I
24
Immigration Information System Analyst
22
Immigration Computer Programmer II
19
Immigration Information Technologist II
19
Immigration Computer Programmer I
17
Immigration Information Technologist I
17
6
7
8 
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
CHAPTER 11
PLANNING AND RESEARCH
SEC. 34. Immigration Research Specialist. -  
No person shall be appointed 
to the position of Immigration Research Specialist unless such person meets the 
qualification standards set by the Bureau. Tbe Immigration Research Specialists shall 
perform the following duties:
(a) Formulate and implement the planning programs, projects and processes;
(b) Facilitate and organize a strategic planning;
(c) Conduct workload assessment and forecasting;
20


1 
(d) Provide assistance to the Board in the impiementation and establishment
2 
of a risk management process;
3 
(e) Implement a monitoring feedback measurement and evaluation system
4 
for the implementation of projects and programs;
5 
(f) Represent the Board in meetings relating to Planning and Research; and
6 
(g) Perform such other tasks as may be directed by the Commissioner.
7
8 
SEC. 35. Creation o f Positions; Directorate for Planning and Research. -  
The
9 
following positions with corresponding salary grades are hereby created:
POSITION
SALARY GRADE
Chief Immigration Research Specialist
28
Supervising Immigration Research Specialist
25
Immigration Research Officer III
23
Immigration Research Officer II
21
Immigration Research Officer I
17
Immigration Research Assistant
15
10
11
CHAPTER 12 
ALIEN REGISTRATION
12 
SEC. 36. Chief Alien Registration Officer. -  No person shall be appointed to
13 
the position of Chief Alien Registration Officer unless such person meets the
14 
qualification standards set by the Bureau. The Chief Alien Registration Officer shall
15 
perform the following duties:
16 
(a) 
Formulate plans and programs for the implementation of the Alien
17 
Registration Program;
18 
(b) 
Establish policies for the effective monitoring of Aliens;
19 
(c) 
Come up with measures for the proper accounting of Aliens; and
20 
(d) 
Perform such other tasks as may be directed by the Commissioner.
21


2
3
4
1
SEC. 37. Creation o f Positions; Alien Registration Directorate. -  TTie following 
positions with the corresponding salary grades are hereby created under the Alien 
Registration Directorate:
POSITION
SALARY GRADE
Chief Alien Registration Officer
28
Supervising Immigration Officer
26
Immigration Officer IV
24
Immigration Officer III
21
Immigration Officer II
19
Immigration Officer I
17
Immigration Inspector
15
Immigration Assistant
15
Immigration Agent I
13
5 
CHAPTER 13
6 
IMMIGRATION REGULATION
7
8 
SEC. 38. Chief Immigration Officer, Immigration Regulation Directorate (IRD).
9 
-  No person shall be appointed to the position of Chief Immigration Officer, IRD
10 
unless such person meets the qualification standards set by the Bureau. The Chief,
11 
Immigration Officer, IRD shall perform the following duties:
12 
(a) Formulate plans and programs 
for the effective enforcement 
of
13 
immigration laws relating to the admission of Aliens;
14 
(b) Establish policies for the effective monitoring of all commercial vessels
15 
while in Philippine territory;
16 
(c) Oversee and supervise all District, Field Offices and Boarder Crossing
17 
Stations;
18 
(d) Represent the Bureau 
in the enforcement of the 
RPTndonesian
19 
Agreement and the RP-Malaysian 
Anti-Smuggling 
Agreement; and
20 
(e) Perform such other tasks as may be directed by the Commissioner.
22


1 
SEC. 39. Creation o f Positions; Immigration Regulation Directorate. -  The
2 
following positions with the corresponding salary grades are hereby created under
3 
the Immigration Regulation Directorate:
POSITION
SALARY GRADE
Chief Immigration Officer IRD
28
Supervising Immigration Officer
26
Immigration Officer IV
24
Immigration Officer H I
21
Immigration Officer II
19
Immigration Officer I
17
Immigration Inspector
15
Immigration Assistant
15
Immigration Agent I
13
4 
CHAPTER 14
5 
INTELLIGENCE
6
7 
SEC. 40. The Bureau, having been mandated by R.A. 9165 or the
8 
"Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002," R.A. 9208 or the "Anti-Trafficking in
9 
Persons Act of 2003," R.A. 9372 or the "Human Security Act of 2007," and R.A.
10 
10168 or the "Terrorism Financing Prevention and Suppression Act of 2012," and
11 
other laws to enforce border control and homeland security, shall seek to strengthen
12 
intelligence gathering and, whenever necessary, shall request intelligence sharing.
13
14 
SEC. 41. Chief, Immigration Officer for Intelligence. -  No person shall be
15 
appointed to the position of Chief, Immigration Officer for Intelligence unless such
16 
person meets the qualification standards set by the Bureau. The Chief, Immigration
17 
Officer for Intelligence shall perform the following duties:
18 
(a) 
Develop plans and programs for the gathering/collating of intelligence
19 
objectives through effective management of all intelligence and counter-
20 
intelligence activities of the Bureau;
23


1 
(b) 
Manages the conduct of intelligence and counter-intelligence activities of
2 
the Bureau;
3 
(c) 
Serves as the linkage with foreign counterparts and embassies with the
4 
Bureau;
5 
(d) 
Initiate development of intelligence training modules; and
6 
(e) 
Perform such other tasks as may be directed by the Commissioner.
7
8 
SEC. 42. Creation o f Positions; Directorate for Intelligence. -  The following
9 
positions with the corresponding salary grades are hereby created under the
10 
Directorate for Intelligence:
p o sm o N
SALARY GRADE
Chief Immigration Officer for Intelligence
28
Supervising Immigration Officer
26
Immigration Officer IV
24
Immigration Officer III
21
Immigration Officer n
19
Immigration Officer I
17
Immigration Inspector
15
Immigration Assistant
15
Immigration Agent I
13
11 
CHAPTER 15
12 
LAW ENFORCEMENT
13
14 
SEC. 43. Chief Immigration Officer for Law Enforcement -  No person shall be
15 
appointed to the position of Chief, Immigration Officer for Law Enforcement unless
16 
such person meets the qualification standards set by the Bureau. The Chief,
17 
Immigration Officer for Enforcement shall perform the following duties:
18 
(a) Develop plans and programs for effective law enforcement actions against
19 
foreign nationals who violate immigration law, rules and regulations;
24


2
3
4
5
6
7
8
1
(b) Exercises command, control, direction, coordination and supervision of all 
law enforcement activities such as deployment and employment of 
personnel.;
(c) Initiate the development of law enforcement training modules;
(d) Establish an effective monitoring tool for fugitives and undesirable 
foreigners; and
(e) Perform such other tasks as may be directed by the Commissioner.
9 
SEC. 44. Creation o f Positions Directorate for Law Enforcement -  The following
10 
positions with the corresponding salary grades are hereby created under the
11 
Directorate for Law Enforcement:
POSITION
SALARY GRADE
Chief Immigration Officer for Law Enforcement
28
Supervising Immigration Officer
26
Immigration Officer IV
24
Immigration Officer III
21
Immigration Officer II
19
Immigration Officer I
17
Immigration Inspector
15
Immigration Assistant
15
Immigration Agent I
13
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
CHAPTER 16 
LEGAL AFFAIRS
SEC. 45. Chief Immigration Officer for Legal Affairs. -  No person shall be 
appointed to the position of Chief Immigration Officer for Legal Affairs unless such 
person meets the qualification standards set by the Bureau. The Chief Immigration 
Officer for Legal Affairs shall perform the following duties:
25


1 
(a) Serve as the legal counsel of the Bureau in coordination with the Office of
2 
the Solicitor General;
3 
(b) Develop guidelines for the Summary Deportation of Foreign Nationals who
4 
are overstaying, undocumented, convicted of crime involving moral
5 
turpitude, convicted of a crime where the penalty of deportation is
6 
imposed and fugitives;
7 
(c) Assign prosecutors for regular deportation;
8 
(d) Implementation of Deportation Orders;
9 
(e) Studies contracts affecting the Bureau and submits recommendation
10 
relative thereto;
11 
(f) Render legal opinion on matters arising from the administration and
12 
operation of the Bureau; and
13 
(g) Perform such other tasks as may be directed by the Commissioner.
14
15 
SEC. 46. Creation o f Positions; Directorate for Legal Affairs -  The following
16 
positions with the corresponding salary grades are hereby created under the
17 
Directorate for Human Resources Management and Development:
POSITION
SALARY GRADE
Chief Immigration Officer for Legal Affairs
28
Immigration Prosecutor IV
27
Immigration Prosecutor HI
26
Immigration Prosecutor II
25
Immigration Prosecutor I
24
18
19
20 
21 
22
23
24
CHAPTER 17
HUMAN RESOURCE MANAGEMENT AND DEVELOPMENT
SEC. 47. Human Resource Management Officer. -  No person shall be 
appointed to the position of Human Resource Management Officer unless such 
person meets the qualification standards set by the Bureau. The Human Resource 
Management Officers shall perform the following duties:
26


1 
(a) Develop and execute human resource strategies in support of the overall
2 
plan and strategic direction of the Commission especially in the areas of
3 
selection, hiring and promotion;
4 
(b) Design employee training modules;
5 
(c) Develop comprehensive strategic recruiting and retention plans to meet
6 
the human capital of strategic goals;
7 
(d) Oversee the recruitment, selection and promotion of employees;
8 
(e) Prepare schemes to strengthen the relationship between management
9 
and employees;
10 
(f) Set qualification standards and implement competency-based hiring and
11 
promotion policies;
12 
(g) Set performance standards for the employees of the Commission in order
13 
to meet the objectives, plans and programs of the Commission; and
14 
(h) Perform such other tasks as may be directed by the Commissioner.
15
16 
SEC. 48. Creation o f Positions; Directorate for Human Resources Management
17 
and Development. -  The following positions with the corresponding salary grades
18 
are hereby created under the Directorate for Human Resources Management and
19 
Development:
POSITION
SALARY GRADE
Chief Human Resource Management Officer
28
Supervising Human Resource Management Officer
25
Human Resource Management Officer III
23
Human Resource Management Officer II
21
Human Resource Management Officer I
17
HR Management Assistant
15
20
21
CHAPTER 18
IMMIGRATION OFFICERS
27


1 
SEC. 49. 
Immigration Officers, Immigration Inspectors and Immigration
2 
Agents. -  The Bureau shall employ an elite group of Immigration Officers who shall
3 
be assisted by Immigration Inspectors and Immigration Agents in the performance
4 
of their duties and functions. No person shall be appointed to the position of
5 
Immigration Officer, Immigration Inspector or Immigration Agent unless such person
6 
meets the qualification standards set by the Bureau, which shall include the
7 
following determinative factors in setting said qualification standards for each
8 
position;
9 
a) Educational Attainment
10 
b) Civil Service Eligibility
11 
c) Relevant Experience
12
d) Training
13
(1)
Basic
14
(2)
Advanced
15
(3)
Executive
16
e) Agility
17
18 
SEC. 50. Powers and Functions o f Immigration Officers. -  The Immigration
19 
Officers shall have the following powers and functions:
20
21 
(a) Examine, with the assistance and advice of medical authorities in
22 
appropriate cases, foreign nationals at the port of entry concerning their admissibility
23 
to enter and their qualifications to remain in the Philippines;
24 
(b) Exclude foreign nationals not properly documented, and to admit foreign
25 
nationals complying with the applicable provisions of immigration and related laws;
26 
(c) Administer oaths in connection with the performance of their duties;
27 
(d) Search for foreign nationals on any vessel believed to be used to illegally
28 
bring foreign nationals into the Philippines, and to take into custody without warrant
29 
any foreign national who in one's presence or view is entering or is about to enter
30 
the Philippines in violation of immigration and related laws, rules and regulations;
31 
(e)Act as control personnel with authority to prevent the departure of
32 
passengers who do not comply with duly published departure requirements;
28


1 
(0 Detect and report violations of the immigration and registration laws and,
2 
in appropriate cases, take the required necessary actions upon the instructions of
3 
the Commissioner, including follow-up on the stay of non-immigrants to prevent
4 
overstaying;
5 
(g) Detect and report subversive activities of aliens in the interest of national
6 
security;
7 
(h) Investigate any case at the instance of the Commissioner and submit the
8 
required reports;
9 
(i) Report on the activities of aliens inimical to national interest with a view to
10 
taking appropriate action in accordance with law;
11 
(j) Locate and conduct surveillance against foreign nationals in violation of
12 
immigration laws, rules and regulations;
13 
(k) Provide actionable operational, tactical and strategic intelligence to the
14 
operating units;
15 
(I) Conduct case build up, analysis and other in-depth research, as well as
16 
provide analytical reports on foreign nationals who violate or are in violation of
17 
immigration laws, rules and regulations;
18 
(m) Coordinate with other local and international law enforcement agencies in
19 
the gathering of intelligence information related to immigration law violations;
20 
(n) Conduct counter intelligence operations;
21 
(o) Enforce the immigration laws relating to the exclusion, deportation and
22 
repatriation of aliens;
23 
(p)Take charge of the physical detention of aliens pending their exclusion,
24 
deportation or repatriation;
25 
(q) Attend to the deportation of aliens;
26 
(r) Monitor all arriving and departing suspected terrorists, drug couriers and
27 
members of crime syndicates;
28 
(s) Assist and escort deportees, excluded passengers and transiting restricted
29 
passengers until finally b o a rd e d ;
30 
(t) Assist in the queuing of passengers at the arrival and departure areas;
31 
(u) Investigate and escort from ports of entry intercepted passengers who are
32 
found in possession of spurious travel documents;
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3
4
5
6
7
8 
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20 
21 
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
1
(v) Implement Warrants of Deportation (WOD) and Mission Orders involving 
foreign nationals who violate or are in violation of immigration laws, rules and 
regulations; and
(w) 
Perform such other functions as may be assigned by the Commissioner 
from time to time.
Qualified Immigration Officers, Immigration Inspectors and Immigration 
Agents with the requisite training and experience may be assigned to the 
Intelligence, Law Enforcement or Operations Directorates depending on the 
exigencies of the Bureau. The Board may, in the exigencies of service, designate 
certain duties and responsibilities listed in this section to other officers and 
employees in the Intelligence, Law Enforcement or Operations Directorates in an 
acting capacity: Provided, that such designation shall not exceed a period of one (1) 
year.
SEC. 51. Deployment o f Immigration Personnel Abroad. -  Within ninety (90) 
days from the effectivity of this Act, the Department of Foreign Affairs and the 
Bureau shall promulgate the implementing rules and regulations on the assignment 
and deployment of immigration officers to select consular posts abroad who shall, 
subject to the pertinent provisions of Republic Act No. 7157 or the "Philippine 
Foreign Service Act o f 1991", perform immigration duties, except diplomatic and 
consular functions.
CHAPTER 19
CAREER DEVELOPMENT PATTERN
SEC. 52. Career Development. The Bureau shall:
a) Establish and strengthen the Philippine Immigration Academy which 
shall be under the control and supervision of the Commissioner;
30


2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10 
11 
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20 
21 
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
32
1
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 in this 
Title.
CHAPTER 20 
OTHER OFFICES
SEC. 53. Field Offices o f the Bureau. — The Bureau shall operate and 
maintain a field office in each of the administrative or political regions including the 
National Capital Region.
SEC. 54. Changes in the Composition, Distribution o f Assignment o f Field 
Offices. -  The Commissioner may make changes in the composition, distribution and 
assignment of field offices, as well as its personnel, based on the demographics of 
the foreign nationals and as the exigency of the service requires.
SEC. 55. 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 in 
the Philippines which shall be determined by the Board. The Border Control Officer 
shall perform the following functions:
a) Conduct immigration formalities to foreigners passing thru his area 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
31


1
3
4
5
6
7
8 
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20 
21 
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
32
2
e) Perform such other function as directed by the Commissioner.
The head of the border control checkpoint may seek the assistance of the 
other government agencies to ensure that immigration laws are effectively and 
efficiently carried out in their respective areas of responsibility.
TITLE III 
IMMIGRATION
CHAPTER 1 
NON-IMMIGRANTS
SEC. 56. Categories o f Non-immigrants and Types o f Visa Issued. -  Foreign 
nationals departing from any place outside the Philippines who are otherwise 
admissible and who 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.
The temporary visitors (a visa) shall not be convertible to a working visa.
32


1 
(b)Transit Persons (B Visa); Persons passing through the Philippines solely for
2 
a "stop over" who have a confirmed connecting flight to another country or
3 
passengers in immediate and continuous transit to a destination outside the
4 
Philippines;
5 
(c) Crew members (C Visa): Members of the crew of vessels required for the
6 
normal operation and servicing of the vessels who come to the Philippines
7 
temporarily as part of their jobs either arriving with or coming to join the vessels;
8
9 
(d)Treaty Traders (D-1 Visa) and Treaty Investors (D-2 Visa): Citizens from a
10 
country that has a trade treaty with the Philippines, including their family members,
11 
and who come to work in the Philippines for either a company they own or one that
12 
is at least fifty percent (50%) owned by nationals of their home country and which
13 
company is engaged in substantial trade between the Philippines and their home
14 
country shall be granted a D-1 visa.
15
16 
Citizens from a country that has an investor treaty with the Philippines,
17 
including their family members, and who come to work in the Philippines for a
18 
business they own or one that is at least fifty percent (50%) owned by nationals of
19 
their home country and which business is suppx^rted by a substantial investment
20 
from nationals of their home country shall be granted a D-2 visa;
21 
(e) Accredited Foreign Government Officials, Their Families and Household
22 
Member (E Visas): Foreign government officials, their families and household
23 
members coming to the country for official purpx)se, pursuant to international
24 
conventions and bilateral agreements, shall be granted E Visas divided into four (4)
25 
types, namely:
26
27 
(1) Persons eligible for E-1 Visa: The E-1 Visa shall be issued to the
28 
following classes of foreign nationals:
29 
i. Heads of State and/or Heads of Government and their piersonal
30 
representatives;
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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 foreigners 
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.
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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 foreigners 
within the abovementioned categories;
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(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.
This category includes, inter alia, the following classes of foreign 
nationals:
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;
21 
All visas under enumerated in Section 55 (e) of this Act shall be exclusively
22 
issued and renewed by the DFA, which shall also determine the type of E-Visa
23 
of Foreign Government Officials not identified in the foregoing lists. The grant
24 
of immunities and privileges shall be subject to applicable domestic and
25 
international law and international agreements to which the Philippines is a
26 
party, as well as in consideration of the principle of reciprocity.
27
28 
(f) Students (F Visa): Foreign students having means sufficient for their
29 
support and education in the Philippines who seek to enter the Philippines
30 
temporarily for the sole purpose of taking up a course of study higher than high
31 
school at a university, seminary, academy or college accredited to admit such
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foreign students by the Commission on Higher Education in coordination with the 
Bureau;
(g) Prearranged 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 divided into four (4) types, namely:
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(1) 
Persons eligible for I - l Visa: The I - l Visa shall be issued to the 
principal officials of international 
organizations, 
as well 
as their 
accompanying wives and dependents;
(2) 
Persons eligible for 1-2 Visa: The 1-2 visa shall be issued to the other 
officials and staff of international organizations, as well as their 
accompanying spouses and dependents;
(3) 
Persons eligible for 1-3 Visa: The 1-3 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
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(4) Persons eligible for 1-4 Visa: The 1-4 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.
5 
Accredited 
international 
organization 
include 
any 
public 
international
6 
organization engaged in activities of which the Philippines participates pursuant to
7 
any treaty or under the authority of any act of the Congress of the Philippines
8 
authorizing such participation or making an appropriation for such participation and
9 
such other international organizations, institutions, agencies, programs, foundations
10 
and entities which are recognized by the government of the Republic of the
11 
Philippines, including those existing and already recognized as such at the time of
12 
the effectivity of this Act.
13
14 
All types of visas under Section 55 (i) of this Act shall be exclusively issued
15 
and renewed by the DFA, which shall also determine the type of I Visa of officials
16 
and staff of International Organizations who are not identified in the foregoing list.
17 
The grant of immunities and privileges shall be subject to applicable domestic and
18 
international law, relevant Headquarters Agreements, and international agreements
19 
to which the Philippines is a party.
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(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 or following to 
join 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;
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(l) Refugees (L-1 Visa) and Stateless Persons (L-2 Visa): Refugees as defined 
in Section 3 (y) hereof shall be issued L-1 Visa. Stateless persons, whose admission 
for humanitarian reasons and not inimical to public interest has been approved by 
the Commissioner or the President in such cases and under such conditions as he 
may prescribe, shall be issued L-2 Visa;
(m) Bridging Visa (M Visa): A temporary visa which allows a foreign national 
to stay in the Philippines after the expiration of the current visa, other than 
temporary visitor visa under Section 53(a), and while an application for adjustment 
of status is being processed.
(n) Special Non-Immigrants (N Visas): Such other foreign nationals including 
their family members who may be admitted as non-immigrants under special laws or 
foreign nationals not otherwise provided for by 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 may be prescribed.
All visas issued other than by the Bureau as provided by the respective 
governing laws shall be subject to the reportorial requirements as prescribed by the 
Board. The Board shall likewise prescribe penalty for violation hereof.
CHAPTER 2 
IMMIGRANTS
SEC. 57. Quota Immigrants. — Subject to the conditions set forth in this Act, 
there may be admitted into the Philippines, immigrants, otherwise known as "quota 
immigrants", not to exceed two hundred (200) of any one nationality for any one 
calendar year and upon allotment by the Commissioner of the corresponding quota 
number. In the allotment of quota numbers, the following order of preference shall 
be observed:
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(a ) 
Rrst 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. 58. Allotment o f 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 each year: Provided, That if the fifty percent (50%) 
is not utilized by the first preference, the balance thereof shall be given to the 
second, third, and fourth preferences in accordance with Section 56 of this Act shall 
be that of the country of which the immigrant is a national or a citizen. Any unused 
quota allotment for a calendar year shall not be carried over and utilized for the 
ensuing calendar year.
25 
SEC. 59. Basis in Determination o f Quota Allotment. — The nationality of
26 
immigrants whose admission is subject to the numerical limitation imposed by
27 
Section 37 of this Act shall be that of the country of which the immigrant is a
28 
national or a citizen. The nationality of immigrants possessing dual nationality may
29 
be that of either of the two countries regarding them as a national or citizen if they
30 
apply for a visa in a third country. If such immigrants apply for a visa within one of
31 
the two countries regarding them as a national or citizen, their nationality shall be
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that of the country in which they filed their application for a visa to enter the
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Philippines.
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SEC. 60. 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 foreigner mother during her temporary visit abroad, the 
mother being a 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
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(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. 61. Status o f Children Born to Immigrants. — A child born in the 
Philippines to parents who are foreign nationals and lawful residents of the 
Philippines shall be deemed a native-born permanent resident.
SEC. 62. Status o f 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 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. 63. Conditions for Adjustment o f Status o f 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 foreigner lawfully admitted as a permanent 
resident if:
(a) the foreigner makes an application for such adjustment;
(b ) the foreigner is eligible to receive a quota or non-quota immigrant visa 
and is admissible to the Philippines as a permanent resident; and
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(c) a quota immigrant visa, if such is the case, is immediately available to the
2 
foreign national at the time of application, without the need of first departing from
3 
the Philippines.
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In all such cases, the personal appearance of the foreigner shall be required 
during the consideration of the application.
SEC. 64. Effect o f 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 and shall be included as 
part of the quota for the calendar year in accordance with Section 56 of this Act.
SEC. 65. Adjustment o f Status, When Not Allowed. — Adjustment of status 
under this Act shall not be applicable to:
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(a) a foreign national who has violated or is in violation of immigration laws, 
rules and regulations unless the violation is without the fault of the foreign 
national or for purely technical reasons; and
(b) transients.
SEC. 66. Loss o f 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 Title III of 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
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SEC. 67. Documentary Requirements o f Non-immigrants. -  Non-immigrants
2 
must present for admission into the Philippines valid passports issued by the
3 
governments of the countries to which they owe allegiance or other travel
4 
documents showing their nationality and identity as prescribed by regulations, a
5 
valid visa granted by the Consular Officer, if required, and such other relevant
6 
documents as may be required under existing laws, rules, regulations, or multilateral
7 
or bilateral agreements.
8
9 
SEC. 68. Conditions and Period o f Authorized Stay o f Temporary Visitors. —
10 
The initial period of authorized stay of a foreign national admitted as a temporary
11 
visitor under Section 55(a) of this Act shall not exceed fifty-nine (59) calendar days
12 
from the date of arrival, subject to bilateral, regional and multilateral visa
13 
agreements entered into by the Philippines: Provided, That the conditions for
14 
extensions and total period of authorized stay shall be prescribed by the
15 
Commissioner: Provided, further, That during the foreign national's authorized stay,
16 
such foreign national: (a) shall not take any employment, whether paid or unpaid;
17 
(b) shall not establish or join in any business; and (c) shall not enroll or become a
18 
student at a school, college, university, academy, or other educational institution,
19 
unless granted, upon proper application, a conversion to another immigration status
20 
provided under this Act.
21
22 
SEC. 69. Conditions for Issuance o f Pre-Arranged Employment Visas. — A
23 
foreign national who is coming to the Philippines for prearranged employment shall
24 
not be issued a non-immigrant visa referred to in Section 55(g) until the Consular
25 
Officer shall have received authorization for the issuance of the same. Such
26 
authorization shall be given only upon the filing of a petition with the Board
27 
establishing, among others, that no person can be found in the Philippines willing
28 
and competent to perform the work or service for which the foreigner is desired and
29 
that the admission would be beneficial to the public interest. The petition shall be
30 
under oath by the prospective employer or the latter's representative in the form
31 
and manner prescribed by the Board.
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If the Board finds that the petition complies with the requirements of the
2 
preceding paragraph and of other regulations, it shall grant the petition and shall
3 
promptly transmit the authorization to the DFA.
4 
SEC. 70. Submission o f Crew List and Passenger Manifest -  Within a
5 
reasonable time before the vessel's departure from the port of origin, the master,
6 
captain, agent, owner or consignee of any commercial vessel arriving 
to the
7 
Philippines shall submit to the Bureau, within a reasonable time prior to such arrival,
8 
the crew lists, passenger manifests and such other information concerning the
9 
persons arriving on such a vessel. In the same manner and condition, the master,
10 
captain, agent, owner or consignee of any commercial vessel departing from any
11 
port in the Philippines shall submit to the Bureau, within a reasonable time prior to
12 
such departure, the crew list, passenger manifest and such other information
13 
concerning the persons departing on such vessel. The crew list of an incoming sea
14 
craft shall contain the appropriate visa granted by the Consular Officer.
15 
The penalty for the master, captain, agent, owner or consignee of any
16 
commercial vessel who fails to provide relevant advance passenger information or
17 
intentionally or recklessly provide erroneous, faulty, misleading, incomplete or false
18 
advance passenger information shall pay a fine of PhP 500, 000.00.
19
20 
SEC. 71. Inspection o f Crewmembers. -  It shall be the duty of the master,
21 
captain, agent, owner or consignee of any vessel arriving in the Philippines to have
22 
available on board, for inspection by the Immigration Personnel, any foreign
23 
crewmember employed on such vessel and, when required by the immigration
24 
authorities, to detain such crewmember on board after inspection or to remove such
25 
crewmember. No crewmember on board such vessel shall be discharged while the
26 
vessel is in port without the permission of the Commissioner.
27
28 
SEC. 72. Permission for Temporary Landing o f a Foreign Crewmember. — A
29 
foreign crewmember on a vessel arriving in the Philippines may be permitted to land
30 
temporarily under such conditions as may be prescribed by the Commissioner. All
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expenses incurred by the Office 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. 73. Documentary Requirements o f 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;
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(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. 74. Nature o f Visa. — Nothing in this Act shall be construed to 
automatically entitle any foreign national to whom a visa or other travel document
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has been issued to enter the Philippines If, upon arrival at a port of entry, h^she is 
found to be inadmissible under this Act or any other law.
SEC. 75. Visa Policy. -  The policies governing the issuance, extension, 
renewal and conversion of visas referred to in this Act shall be formulated by the 
Bureau and the DFA, when appropriate, in consultation with concerned government 
agencies and offices.
SEC. 76. Visa Issuance Abroad. - All visas issued abroad shall be done by 
Consular Officers assigned at Philippine Foreign Service posts in the following 
manner:
(a) Upon approval by the Commissioner and recommendation by a Consular 
Officer, a quota immigrant visa may only be issued to a foreign national who has 
made a proper application therefor, which shall specify the nationality to which the 
quota number is assigned, the immigrant's particular status in such country, the 
preference to which the foreign national is classified, the date on which the validity 
of the visa shall expire, and such additional information as may be required; and
(b ) 
The DFA, through its Consular Office abroad or the Office of the Visa 
Director, shall approve the issuance of non-quota immigrant and non-immigrant 
visas to a foreign national who has made a proper application therefor.
The issuance of special non-immigrant visas falling under the jurisdiction of a 
particular government office or agency can only be done in coordination with and 
upon recommendation of the government agency or office concerned.
27 
SEC. 77. Requirements for Physical and Mental Examination Prior to Issuance
28 
o f Immigrant Visa. 
-  Prior to the issuance of an immigrant visa to any foreign
29 
national, the Consular Officer shall require such person to submit to a physical and
30 
mental examination in accordance with such regulations as may be prescribed by the
31 
Commissioner.
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SEC. 78. Visa Validity Period. — A single-entry non-immigrant or immigrant 
visa issued by a Consular Officer abroad pursuant to Section 75 of this Act shall be 
valid for a period not exceeding three (3) months: Provided, That in prescribing the 
validity period of a single-entry non-immigrant visa, the Consular Officer may allow a 
longer validity period based on reciprocity as accorded by the foreign country to 
citizens of the Philippines who are within a similar class.
An immigrant visa may be replaced under the original number during the 
calendar year in which the original visa was issued to a foreign national who 
establishes to the satisfaction of the Consular Officer that the original immigrant visa 
was not used during the period of its validity for reasons beyond the visa holder's 
control: Provided, That the foreign national is found by the Consular Officer to be 
eligible for another immigrant visa and has paid all the fees.
SEC. 79. Denial o f Visa; Grounds. — The Consular Officer may deny the 
application for visa (a) if it appears from the statements in the application or in the 
documents submitted the applicant is not eligible for a visa under this Act; or (b) if 
the applicant fails to comply with the requirements of the provisions of this Act.
SEC. 80. Revocation o f Visa Issued by Consular Officer. — The Commissioner 
may, for valid cause and upon confirmation by the DFA, revoke a visa issued by any 
Consular Officer. If the notice of revocation is not received and the visa holder 
applies for admission into the Philippines, the admission or entry of the foreign 
national shall be determined by the Immigration Personnel upon arrival at the port 
of entry.
CHAPTER 8
RE-ENTRY AND EMIGRATION CLEARANCE
SEC. 81. 
Re-entry. — In all instances when a registered foreign national, 
except a temporary visitor, departs or is about to depart temporarily from the
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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. 82. 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;
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(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
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29
SEC. 83. Presidential Prerogatives. — Any provision of this Act to the contrary 
notwithstanding, the President may:
(a) 
Deny the entry and admission into the Philippines, or impose such 
restrictions as may be deemed appropriate, any foreign national or a class of foreign
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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;
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(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;
(f) Prohibit the departure from the Philippines of any person who is likely to 
disclose information affecting national security, or who is likely to organize a 
rebellion abroad against the Philippines, or whose presence in the country is 
necessary to face, or be a witness in, criminal proceedings; and
(g) 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. 84. 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
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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. 85. Inspection by Immigration Personnel. — A foreign national seeking 
admission or readmission shall present a valid passport and visa, if required, to the 
immigration Personnel at the port of entry and shall be subject to primary 
inspection. The decision of the examining Immigration Officer, if favorable to the 
admission of any foreigner, 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 within forty-eight (48) 
hours in case no resolution is reached between the Immigration Officer on the 
challenged admission. In case of admission, the Immigration Officer shall indicate in 
the passport the date, the port of entry and the identity of the vessel boarded.
SEC. 86. Detention or Quarantine for Examination. — For the purpose of 
determining whether a foreign national arriving at any port in the Philippines belongs 
to any of the classes excludable under this Act by reason of being afflicted with any 
of the contagious or communicable disease or mental disorder as set forth under 
Section 97 (a) of this Act or whenever the Commissioner has received information 
showing that foreigners are coming from a country or a place where any of such 
diseases are prevalent or widespread, the foreigner shall be detained or quarantined 
for a reasonable period of time to enable the immigration and medical officers to 
subject such person to observation and examination.
SEC. 87. Medical Examination Requirement -  Any arriving foreign national 
whom the examining Immigration Officer believes to belong under the class of 
excludable foreign nationals specified in Section 94 (a) of this Act shall be referred to
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designated medical officers for physical and mental examination. 
Such medical 
officer shall certify the findings of the examination for the information of the 
Immigration Officer.
SEC. 88. Arrival Notice Requirements o f Vessel. -  The immigration authorities 
shall be given prior notice of the arrival of any civilian vessel before such vessel 
comes into any area in the Philippines from any place outside thereof. Such prior 
notice shall not be required in the case of vessels with scheduled arrivals filed with 
the Immigration Officer in charge at the international port of entry.
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 
inspiection area until the Immigration Officer shall have conducted the primary 
inspection formalities.
SEC. 89. Contents o f Notice o f Arrival. — The advance notice of arrival 
required in the preceding section shall specify the following:
(a) Type of vessel and registration marks;
(b) Duly visaed crewlist;
(c) Passenger manifest;
(d) Port of last departure;
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(e) International port of intended destination, or other place authorized by the 
Commissioner;
(f) Estimated time of arrival; and
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(g) Authorized agent or representative at the place of arrival.
CHAPTER 3
FOREIGN CREWMEMBER
SEC. 90. Conditional Permit to Disembark. — A foreign crewmember of a 
vessel under Section 55(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. 91. Confiscation and Cancellation o f 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 foreigner arrived to receive and 
detain the foreigner 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. 92. Liability for Overstaying Foreign Crewmen. — 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 to pay the penalties prescribed in Section 139 
of this Act.
SEC. 93. Liability for Unauthorized Discharge o f 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 foreign crewmember 
employed by a vessel arriving in the Philippines and while in port, without first 
obtaining the prior permission of the Commissioner. Otherwise, such person or
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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. 94. Duty to Report Desertion or Illegal Landing o f 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 result in their apprehension.
SEC. 95. Requirement for Submission o f List o f Newly Employed, Discharged 
and Illegally Landed Foreign Crewmember. — 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
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(d) Such Other additional information as the Commissioner deems necessary.
SEC. 96. 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
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or illegal landing shall pay such sum as may be prescribed under this Section 135 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.
CHAPTER 4 
EXCLUSIONS
SEC. 97. Exclusion Grounds. - The following classes of foreign national shall 
not be allowed entry and shall be excluded from the Philippines:
(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 mental disorder or 
associated behavior that may pose a threat to persons or danger to 
property;
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;
2. Those seeking entry for the purpose of performing skilled or 
unskilled labor, without a permit from the Secretary of the 
Department of Labor and Employment as required by law;
(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;
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2. Those who are pedophiles, sexual pen/erts 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;
4. Those who, at the time of primary inspection, by the Immigration 
Officer exhibit any obnoxious behavior, contempt or disrespect for 
the said officer or any government official or employee of the 
Bureau;
(d) 
Criminal and Security Grounds
1. Those who have been convicted of a crime involving moral 
turpitude or who admit to the Immigration Officer having 
committed such crime, or who attempt and conspire to commit the 
crime;
2. Those who have been convicted, 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 
the crime;
3. Those that the Philippine Government knows or has reason to 
believe is a trafficker of any controlled, regulated or prohibited 
substance or knows or has reason to believe is or has been an 
accomplice, accessory, abettor, or co-conspirator 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:
a. Espionage or sabotage, or a violation or evasion of any laws 
prohibiting 
export 
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b. Any activity aimed to promote membership in an organization
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of syndicated criminal activities;
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c. Any activity, the purpose of which is to overthrow the
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d. Any other unlawful activity.
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Those who are engaged or believed to be engaged or likely to
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engage in, aid, abet or finance any terrorist activity and members
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or representatives of a 
foreign terrorist organization;
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foreign, as having engaged or are engaging in human trafficking
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and smuggling;
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8. Those who are under fifteen (15) years of age and unaccompanied
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by or not coming to a parent, except that they may be admitted at
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the discretion of the Commissioner, if otherwise admissible:
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Provided, That they present a written consent to travel from either
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parent citing the purpose thereof and affirmed by a Consular
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9. Those who have been identified by competent authorities, local and
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foreign, as having engaged or are engaging in importation of
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contrabands and other prohibited articles into the country.
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SEC. 98. Temporary Custody o f Excludable Foreign Nationals. — For the
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purpose of ascertaining whether a foreign national arriving in the Philippines belongs
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to any of the excludable classes of foreign national provided for in this Act or related
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laws, the Immigration Officer, for a period not exceeding seventy-two (72) hours,
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may tem porarily take into custody for investigation such foreign national either on
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board the vessel or at a place designated for the purpose at the expense of the
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master, captain, agent, ow ner or consignee o f the carrying vessel.
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SEC. 99. Finality o f Exclusion Order. — An order by the Immigration Personnel
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to exclude a foreign national who is excludable under this Act is final and executory
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unless revoked by the Commissioner upon a timely appeal 
prior to the 
implementation of the exclusion order.
SEC. 100. Authority to Waive Grounds for Exclusion. — Except for grounds of 
exclusion under Section 97(d), subparagraphs 1 to 7 and 9, the Commissioner may 
waive any of the grounds for exclusion mentioned in Section 97 of this Act.
SEC. 101. Procedure o f Removal and Cost Thereof -  Foreign nationals 
arriving in the Philippines who are ordered excluded shall be immediately removed in 
the same accommodation to the country where they boarded the vessel on which 
they arrived, unless the Commissioner determines that immediate removal is not 
proper and practicable, in which case such excluded foreign nationals shall be 
ordered detained. The cost of 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 foreigners arrived.
SEC. 102. 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 which the excluded foreigner is a citizen or national;
(b) The country of birth;
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(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.
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SEC. 103. Obligation o f 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;
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Remove a foreign national from the Philippines to the country to which 
the individual's removal has been directed; or
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Pay the cost of detention and other expenses incidental thereto incurred 
while the excluded foreign national is being detained as required by Section 98 of 
this Act or other costs necessary or incidental to his removal as provided in this Act.
SEC. 104. Penalty for Non-compliance o f Obligation. — The owner, operator, 
master, captain, pilot, agent, or consignee of a vessel who violates Section 102 of 
this Act shall pay the fines prescribed in Section 135 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
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SEC. 105. 
Classes o f 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 entered the Philippines 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 or teach the overthrowing by 
force and violence the Government of the Republic of the Philippines or any duly 
constituted authority, 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, at any time after entry, engage in, abet, aid or finance any 
terrorist activity;
(h) Those who, at any time after entry, are charged of a crime involving acts
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or omissions punishable under Philippine penal laws cognizable by the Regional Trial 
Courts and the Sandiganbayarr,
(i) 
Those who, at any time after entry, 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 the 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 commit any violation of the provisions of this Act, 
independent of any criminal action which may be brought against them: Provided, 
That in 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
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entire pericxi of the sentence before being deported.
SEC. 106. Non-Prescription o f Deportation Cases. -T h e  right of the State to 
initiate at any time deportation proceedings shall not prescribe.
SEC. 107. Nature o f Deportation Proceedings. -  Deportation proceedings shall 
be independent of any action that may be instituted against a foreign national: 
Provided, That no deportation orders shall be issued against foreign nationals facing 
preliminary investigation, prosecution and trial before competent authorities.
CHAPTER 2
DEPORTATION OF FOREIGN NATIONALS
SEC. 108. Forma! Charge o f Deportation. -  A formal charge for deportation 
shall be issued upon determination of the existence of a prima facie case against the 
foreign national.
SEC. 109. Bait. 
-  Pending final determination of the foreign national's 
deportation 
case, 
the 
foreign 
national 
shall, 
upon 
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discretion 
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Commissioner; (a) remain under detention; or (b) 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. 110. Custody o f a Foreign National Convicted o f 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. 111. 
Voluntary Deportation, When Authorized. -The Commissioner may 
waive the deportation proceedings and order the departure of the foreign national
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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. 112. Period to Enforce Order o f 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. 113. Suspension o f 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;
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Existence of an application for refugee or statelessness status; or
(f) 
Other humanitarian considerations.
SEC. 114. Reinstatement o f 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 110 and re-entered the Philippines unlawfully or 
without prior written authorization from the Commissioner.
SEC. 115. 
Country o f Destination o f 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 foreign
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national's country of birth, or the country of which the individual is a resident, or the
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country from which the individual embarked for the Philippines, subject to the
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acceptance by the receiving country.
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SEC. 116. Cost o f Deportation. -  The cost of deportation shall be borne by the
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owner, operator, captain, master, pilot, agent or consignee of a vessel in case its
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foreign crewmember is to be deported under Section 104 of this Act. In all other
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cases, the cost of deportation shall be borne either by the deportee, by the
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concerned consular office, nongovernment organizations or people's organizations
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with which the Bureau has an agreement on this matter, or from the appropriations
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for the enforcement of this Act.
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SEC. 117. Liability o f Owner, Operator, Captain, Master, Pilot, Agent or
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Consignee o f a Vessel. -  Failure or refusal on the part of the owner, operator,
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captain, master, pilot, agent or consignee of a vessel to take on board, guard safely
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and transport the deportee to the foreign national's country of destination, or to
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shoulder the cost o f deportation of the foreign crew member as provided in the
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preceding Section, shall be subject to the administrative fines prescribed under
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SEC. 118. Expenses o f 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 117.
CHAPTER 3
INDIGENT FOREIGN NATIONAL
SEC. 119. Removal o f Indigent Foreign National. -  At any time after entry, the 
Commissioner may remove indigent foreign nationals from the Philippines to 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
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the available funds of the Office. Any foreign national removed under this section 
shall be barred re-admission except upon written authorization of the Board of 
Commissioners.
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. 120. Requirement o f Registration. — All foreign nationals 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.
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SEC. 121. 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. In case of loss or 
destruction of the certificate, a replacement certificate may be issued by the Bureau 
upon proper application and payment of prescribed fees.
SEC. 122. Amendment o f Registration. — A registered foreign national shall 
notify the Bureau in writing of any change of information in the person's registration 
documents not later than seven (7) days from such change.
SEC. 123. Presentation o f Certificate o f Registration. — Every foreign national 
required to register under this Act or the parent or guardian of such foreign national
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shall, upon demand by any personnel authorized by the Commissioner, present 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. 124. Reportoria! 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. 125. 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. 126. Cancellation o f Registration o f 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 Office 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.
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CHAPTER 2
BONDS AND DEPOSITS
SEC. 127. Bonds, When Required. — The Bureau shall have the authority to
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require cash bonds in such amounts and under such conditions as it may prescribe in
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order to:
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(a) 
control and regulate the admission into, and departure from, the
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Philippines of foreign nationals applying for temporary admission;
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(b) 
insure against foreign passengers liable to be excluded as likely to
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ensure the appearance of foreign nationals released from custody during
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the course of deportation proceedings instituted against them.
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SEC. 128. Requirement o f 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. 129. Canceiiation and Forfeiture o f 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. 130. Petitions for Recognizance, Sanction for Breach o f Conditions. — 
The Commissioner may order the release of a foreign national upon recognizance of 
the foreigner'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
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terms and conditions of the recognizance shall subject said lawyer or person to a 
fine of not less than Fifty thousand pesos (P50,000.00) but not more than One 
hundred thousand pesos (P100,000.00), without prejudice to other administrative 
sanctions or proceedings against the erring party.
CHAPTER 4
COOPERATION AND COORDINATION WITH OTHER OFFICES
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SEC. 131. Working Cooperation with the Department o f Foreign Affairs. -  For 
purposes of efficient implementation and administration of this Act, the Bureau shall 
maintain a working cooperation with the DFA.
SEC. 132. 
Working Cooperation with the Commission on Higher Education 
(CHED). -  The Bureau shall maintain a working cooperation with the CHED with 
respect to the accreditation of schools and learning centers for enrollment of foreign 
students as authorized under this Act.
SEC. 133. Working Cooperation with the Civii Aviation Authority o f the 
Phiiippines (CAAP). -  The Bureau shall maintain a working cooperation with the 
CAAP with respect to accreditation of flying schools for the enrollment of foreign 
students.
SEC. 134. Coordination with Law Enforcement, Security and Other Offices. — 
The Commissioner shall have the authority to maintain coordination with the 
National Security Council, the Philippine National Police (PNP), and other law 
enforcement agencies of the government.
CHAPTER 5 
FEES AND CHARGES
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SEC. 135. Authority o f 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. 136. 
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 (PlOO,000.00) and 
Fifty thousand pesos (P50,000.00) for each unaccounted person, respectively.
SEC. 137. Fine for Violation o f Obligation on the Landing or Removal o f 
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 (P50,000.00) but not more than Two hundred 
thousand pesos (P200,000.00) 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;
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(e) 
Refusal to receive such foreign national on board for removal from the
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Philippines if the foreign national is excluded, or to pay the cost of removal as
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(f) 
Refusal or failure to take on board, guard safely and transport the
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deportee to the foreign national's country of destination, or to shoulder the cost of
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deportation of the foreign crew member;
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(g) 
Making any charge against such foreign national for the cost referred to
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in (d) above, or for the cost of the removal of the foreign national from the
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Philippines if the latter is excluded, or taking any security from the foreign national
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for the payment of any such costs.
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SEC. 138. Fine for Bringing Undocumented Foreign National, o r Foreign
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National Afflicted with Communicable or Contagious Disease, or Suffering from
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Mental Disorder. — The owner, operator, master, captain, pilot, agent, or consignee
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of the vessel arriving at a port in the Philippines from a place outside thereof
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bringing on board an undocumented foreign national shall be fined One hundred
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thousand pesos (P100,000.00) for each foreign national. If the foreign national is
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afflicted with a communicable or contagious disease or is suffering from mental
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disorder, the fine shall be not less than Two hundred thousand pesos (P200,000.00)
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but not more than Three hundred thousand pesos (P300,000.00) for each foreign
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SEC. 139. Fine for Banging a Foreign National to Assist His Illegal Entry or
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Misrepresenting a Foreign National as a Member o f the Crew. — The owner,
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operator, master, captain, pilot, agent, or consignee of the vessel arriving at any
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port in the Philippines from a place outside thereof bringing on board a foreign
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national bound for the Philippines to assist the illegal entry of the foreign national, or
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misrepresenting the foreign national to the Immigration Officer at the port of arrival
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as a bona fide member of the crew, shall be fined not less than One hundred
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thousand pesos (P100,000.00) but not more than Two hundred thousand pesos
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(P200,000.00) for each foreign national.
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SEC. 140. Fine for an Overstaying Crewmember. — Any foreign crewmember 
who wilfully remains in the Philippines beyond the period allowed for temporary 
landing shall be fined not less than Fifty thousand pesos (P50,000.00) but not more 
than One hundred thousand pesos (P100,000.00). 
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. 141. Fine for Assaulting an 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 (Php 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. 142. Fine for Violation o f Other Provisions o f 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 (P50,000.00) but not more than Two hundred thousand pesos 
(P200,000.00) for each violation.
CHAPTER 7 
PENAL PROVISIONS
SEC. 143. 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 (P100,000.00) but not more than
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Five hundred thousand pesos (P500,000.00), 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 the Philippines without inspection and admission by the 
immigration authorities, or obtaining entry into 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 acts 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
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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. 144. Penalty for Aiding the Escape o f Detained Foreign National. — Any 
person who shall be found to have helped, assisted, supported, caused or ministered 
the escape, including harbouring and concealing, of a 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 (P200,000.00): 
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. 145. Penalty for Non-compliance o f 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 (P1,000.00), or both, at 
the discretion of the court.
SEC. 146. Imposition o f Maximum Penalty, When Applicable. -  A person 
convicted under Republic Act No. 3019, as amended, otherwise known as the "Anti-
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Graft and Corrupt Practices A ct" 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 COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS
SEC. 147. Creation o f New Positions, Reclassification o f Existing Positions and 
Upgrading o f Salary Levels. -  The following positions in the Bureau are hereby 
created, and the existing positions reclassified, with the corresponding salary grade 
levels:
EXISmNG POSITION
RECLASSIFIED POSITION
SALARY GRADE
Commissioner
Commissioner III
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Deputy Commissioner
Deputy Commissioner III
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Attorney V
(Board of Special Inquiry)
Chief Special Inquiry Officer 
(Overall Chairperson, BSI)
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Chief Administrative Officer 
(Administrative Division)
Chief Administrative Officer 
(Director for Administration)
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Chief Administrative Officer 
(Finance and Management 
Division)
Chief Finance and Logistics Officer 
(Director for Finance and Logistics)
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Information Technology 
Officer III
Chief Information and 
Communications Technology Officer 
(Director for ICT)
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Immigration Officer 
(Alien 
Registration
Division)
Chief 
Alien 
Registration 
Officer 
(Director for Alien Registration)
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Chief Immigration Officer
Chief 
Immigration 
Officer 
for
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(Immigration 
Regulation 
Division)
Immigration Regulation
(Director 
for 
Immigration
Regulation)
Chief Intelligence Officer 
(Intelligence Division)
Chief 
Immigration 
Officer 
for 
IntelligefKe 
(Director 
for
Intelligence)
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Attorney V
Chief Immigration Officer for Legal 
Affairs
(Director for Legal Affairs)
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Chief Immigration Officer for Law 
Enforcement
(Director for Law Enforcement)
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Director IAS
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Chief 
Planning 
and 
Research 
Specialist (Director for Planning and 
Research)
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Chief 
Human 
Resource 
and 
Management Officer 
(Director 
for 
Human 
Resource 
Management and Development)
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Regional Director
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Attorney IV (BSI)
Special Inquiry Officer IV 
(Chairperson, BSI)
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Attorney 
IV 
(Legal
Division)
Immigration Prosecutor IV
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Attorney m  (BSI)
Special Inquiry Officer III 
(Member, BSI)
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Attorney 
HI 
(Legal
Division)
Immigration Prosecutor III
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Supervising 
Immigration 
Officer
Supervising Immigration Officer
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Supervising Administrative 
Officer
Supervising Administrative Officer
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Medical Officer IQ
Immigration Physician
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Supervising 
Human 
Resource
Management Officer
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Deputy Director IAS
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District Supervisor
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Attorney II (Legal Division)
Immigration Prosecutor II
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Intelligence Officer IV
Senior Immigration Officer
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Accountant III
Immigration Accountant V
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Dentist II
Immigration Dental Officer
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Supervising 
Immigration 
Research 
Specialist
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Attorney I (Legal Division)
Immigration Prosecutor I
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Senior Immigration Officer
Immigration Officer IV
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Administrative Officer IV
Immigration Administrative Officer 
IV
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Information 
Technology 
Officer I
Information 
and 
Communications 
Technology Officer I
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Nurse II
Immigration Healthcare Officer
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Immigration Research Officer HI
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HR Management Officer in
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Accountant n
Immigration Accountant n
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Information System 
Analyst
Immigration 
Information 
System 
Analyst
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Immigration Officer III
Immigration Officer III
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Immigration Research Officer II
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HR Management Officer n
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Accountant I
Immigration Accountant I
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Computer Programmer n
Immigration Computer Programmer
n
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Computer 
Maintenance
Technologist II
Immigration 
Information
Technologist II
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Immigration Officer n
Immigration Officer II
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Intelligence Officer II
Special Investigator n
Immigration Officer I
Immigration Officer I
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Intelligence Officer I
Special Investigator I
Fingerprint Examiner IV
Alien Fingerprint Examiner IV
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Immigration Research Officer I
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Immigration Computer Programmer
I
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Immigration 
Information
Technologist I
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HR Management Officer I
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Immigration Assistant
Immigration Inspector
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Intelligence Agent n
Immigration Agent II
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Administrative Officer II
Immigration Administrative Officer II
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Immigration Research Assistant
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HR Management Assistant
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Fingerprint Examiner III
Alien Rngerprint Examiner HI
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Administrative Aide VI
Immigration Aide VI
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Administrative Assistant III
Immigration Administrative Assistant 
m
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Administrative Aide V
Immigration Aide V
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Fingerprint Examiner II
Alien Fingerprint Examiner II
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Security Guard II
Civil Security Officer II
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Intelligence Agent I
Immigration Agent I
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Translator II
Immigration Translator II
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Administrative Assistant n
Immigration Administrative Assistant
n
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Administrative Aide IV
Immigration Aide IV
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Administrative Aide III
Immigration Aide III
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Nursing Attendant
Immigration Healthcare Assistant
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Fingerprint Examiner I
Alien Fingerprint Examiner I
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Security Guard I
Qvil Security Officer I
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Seaman
Launch Patron
Marine Engineman
Quartermaster
Legal Aide
Immigration Legal Assistant
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Administrative Assistant I
Immigration Administrative Assistant 
I
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Administrative Aide II
Immigration Aide II
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Upon the recommendation of the Commissioner, the Secretary of the DOJ 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 directorates and positions created under this Act, the 
Board shall designate the directors and officers thereof.
SEC. 148. Additional Grant o f Benefits. —The Bureau shall provide its 
employees with the following benefits:
(1) Health care services through an accredited Health Maintenance 
Organization for its regular employees;
(2) Accident Insurance policies for all employees;
(3) Night Shift differential and overtime pay for actual work rendered, 
in accordance with existing guidelines;
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(4) Longevity pay, subject to guidelines that shall be issued by the 
Board in accordance with existing laws and regulations and subject 
to the approval of the Secretary of tfie DBM;
(5) Transportation benefits;
(6) Dislocation allowance; and,
(7) Hazard pay amounting to twenty-five percent (25%) of basic salary 
to qualified employees as may be determined by the Board.
SEC. 149. Retention and Use o f Immigration Fees, Fines and Other Income; 
Immigration Trust Fund. — The Board is hereby authorized to retain and use every 
year thirty pier cent (30%) of its collections from immigration fees, fines and 
penalties, and other income that may be collected by the Bureau for the effective 
implementation of this Act.
There is hereby created an Immigration Trust Fund (TTF) sourced from the 
collections mentioned in this section. The TTF shall be administered by the Board in 
accordance with existing government auditing rules and regulations, and shall be 
used exclusively as follows:
(a) 40% 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 the DOJ; and
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(c) 30% 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 UF shall also 
form part of the Trust Fund. No portion of the UF shall revert to the general 
fund of the National Government, except when the UF is no longer necessary 
for the purposes for which it was established.
CHAPTER 9
TRANSUORY PROVISIONS
SEC. 150. 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 position pending the reorganization as provided in this Act.
SEC. 151. Reorganization o f the Bureau. — 
Upon approval of this Act, all 
employees of the Bureau of Immigration covered by the civil 
service 
law 
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. 152. Inventory and Transfer o f 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. 153. Treaty or Agreement -  Any treaty or agreement entered into
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between the Philippines and any foreign state before the effectivity of this Act shall 
remain in force and effect.
SEC. 154. 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.
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CHAPTER 10
ADMINISTRATION AND IMPLEMENTATION
SEC. 155. Administration and Implementation Abroad. -  The administration 
and implementation of this Act abroad, including the rules and regulations, and 
specific visa policies or guidelines, shall be the responsibility of the DFA, with due 
notice to the Bureau and other concerned agencies and offices.
SEC. 156. Implementing Rules and Regulations. 
—Within sixty (60) days 
from the effectivity of this Act, the Bureau shall, in coordination with the Secretaries 
of the DBM, the DOJ and the DFA, promulgate the rules and regulations for its 
effective implementation.
SEC. 157. Appropriations. -  The amount necessary to cover the initial 
implementation of this Act shall be charged against the following:
(a) Current year's appropriation of the Bureau of Immigration; and
(b) Immigration fees, fines and other income authorized under Section 146 
this Act.
Thereafter, such sums as may be needed for its continued implementation 
shall be included in the annual General Appropriations Act and from the immigration 
Trust Fund.
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CHAPTER 11 
FINAL PROVISIONS
SEC. 158. Retroactive Application. - The renaming of positions with the 
corresponding increase in salary grade and benefits enumerated in Title VI, Chapter 
8 shall be effective January 1, 2019.
SEC. 159. Separability Clause. -  Should any provisions of this Act be declared 
invalid, the remaining provisions shall continue to be in force and effect.
SEC. 160. Repealing Clause. -  Commonwealth Act No. 613, otherwise known 
as the "Philippines Immigration Act of 1940", as amended, and the Republic Act No. 
750, 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. 161. Effectivity. -  This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its 
publications in the Official Gazette or in any newspaper of general circulation.
Approved,
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