TWENTIETH CONGRESS OF THE 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
First Regular Session
)
SENATE
S. No. 1165
r'f-|
25 «e-7 Piaj
received BY; / U\r~
Introduced by Senator Jinggoy Ejercito Estrada
AN ACT
MODERNIZING THE IMMIGRATION SYSTEM IN THE PHILIPPINES, 
REPEALING COMMONWEALTH ACT NO. 613, OTHERWISE KNOWN AS THE 
IMMIGRATION ACT OF 1940, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES
EXPLANATORY NOTE
The Philippine Immigration Act of 1940 is one of the oldest surviving laws still 
in force today. This law was enacted at a time when the Philippines was under a 
different social, economic, and geopolitical reality. Eight decades later, migration has 
become more complex. The world has changed, but our laws have not.
We have long relied on the strength and resilience of Filipino migrant workers, 
but we must now also create a system that supports Filipino families, protects our 
national security, and manages the increasing presence of foreign nationals in our 
territory.
This bill aims to replace the outdated 1940 Immigration Act with a modern and 
responsive system that:
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Updates visa categories to suit today's global economy;
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Provides clear rules for foreign workers, investors, and long-term 
residents;


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Establishes stronger protections for the rights and welfare of Filipinos, 
especially overseas Filipinos and their families;
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Creates legal pathways for foreign spouses and descendants of Filipinos;
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Strengthens our ability to prevent human trafficking, smuggling, and 
illegal entry;
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Introduces humanitarian provisions for refugees and stateless persons, 
consistent with our international obligations.
We owe it to the Filipino people to ensure our immigration laws reflect both our 
national interest and our humanitarian values.
In view of the foregoing approval of this measure is earnestly sought.
JINGGOY EJERCITO ESTRADA


TWENTIETH CONGRESS OF THE 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
First Regular Session
)
SENATE 
s. no._LL65
feniatp
bI tU
25 AUG-7 Pi 23
RECEIVED BY;
Introduced by Senator Jinggoy Ejercito Estrada
AN ACT
MODERNIZING THE IMMIGRATION SYSTEM IN THE PHILIPPINES, 
REPEALING COMMONWEALTH ACT NO. 613, OTHERWISE KNOWN AS THE 
IMMIGRATION ACT OF 1940, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES
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Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the Philippines in 
Congress assembled:
TITLE I
GENERAL PROVISIONS
Section 1. Short Title. — This Act shall be known as the "Philippine Immigration
Act'.
Sec. 2. Declaration of Policy. — In relation to other states, the Philippines shall 
give paramount consideration to national sovereignty, territorial integrity, national 
security, national interest, and the right to self-determination, as it adheres to the 
policy of peace, cooperation and amity with all nations. Toward this end, Philippine 
immigration policies, rules and regulations under this Act shall be applied and 
administered in the promotion of domestic and international interests of the 
Philippines, in recognition of:
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 cooperation;
b) The need for increased technological and scientific development;


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c) Promotion of conditions for social welfare and economic security of the
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people;
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d) Compliance with obligations and standards set by international law in the
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admission or exclusion of foreign nationals;
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e) Promoting international order and justice by denying the use of Philippine
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territory to persons who are engaged or likely to engage in terrorism, human
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smuggling and trafficking, criminal and other nefarious activities;
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f) Modernization of structures and mechanisms necessary for the
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administration of Immigration laws in keeping with the changing demands
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of the country's role in the global community; and
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g) Professionalization of the immigration service by instituting a rigid system
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of screening and selection of immigration officials and employees and
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promoting their development.
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Sec. 3. Definition of Terms. — As used in this Act, the following terms are
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defined as follows:
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a) Admission refers to the process by which a foreigner arriving at a port of
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entry in the Philippines is allowed into the country by the immigration
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authorities;
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b) Board refers to the Board of Commissioners;
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c) Border Control Officer refers to any person tasked to man the border control
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station as provided under Section 26 of this Act;
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d) Captain refers to the master of a vessel or pilot of an aircraft;
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e) Child refers to a person below eighteen (18) years of age;
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f) Citizen refers to any person who is a citizen of the Philippines under Section
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1, Article IV of the Constitution of the Republic of the Philippines;
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g) Commission refers to the Commission on Immigration;
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h) Commissioner and Deputy Commissioner refer to the Commissioner of
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Immigration and the Deputy Commissioner of Immigration, respectively;
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i) Commitment Order refers to an order issued by the Commissioner under
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Section 7 (c) (2) of this Act that directs the detention of a foreigner after it
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has been determined that a probable cause exists that he/she committed
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acts and/or omissions in violation of Philippine immigration laws, rules and


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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) f/7f/y 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;
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 charitable or similar institution with unknown facts of birth and parentage 
and 8 registered in the Civil Registrar as a "foundling";
o) Hold Departure Order refers to 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) HusbanddiUdifor 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";


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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 iaw presentiy 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 piace outside the 
Philippines who is allowed entry and admission into the Philippines for a 
temporary or limited period of stay;
v) Non-refouiementrefers to 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 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 ali lawful aid and protection;
x) Person refers to 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, reiigion, 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


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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; 
bh) Sea man, Seafarer ov 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;
66)Stateless Person refers to a person who is not considered as a national by 
any State under the operation of its laws; 
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 
1996";
ff) l/esse/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) WatchUst 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, when 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.
TITLE II
COMMISSION ON IMMIGRATION 
CHAPTER 1


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THE COMMISSION
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Sec. 4. Creation. — The Commission on Immigration is hereby created. It shall
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be principally responsible for the administration and enforcement of this Act, and the
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implementation of all laws, rules, regulations or orders of any competent authority
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concerning the entry and admission into, stay in, and the departure from the
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Philippines of all persons. The Commission shall be under the general supervision of
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the Office of the President.
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Sec. 5. Composition and Qualification. — The Commission shall be administered
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by the Board headed by the Commissioner as Chairperson, and four (4) Deputy
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Commissioners as members, all of whom shall be natural-born citizens of the
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Philippines and, at the time of their appointment, at least thirty-five (35) years of age,
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holders of a college degree and with proven capacity for administration: Provided,
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That the majority or three (3) members including the Chairperson of the Commission
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shall be members of the Philippine Bar in good standing for at least five (5) years.
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CHAPTER 2
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THE COMMISSIONER
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Sec. 6. Appointment and Rank of the Commissioner. — The Commissioner shall
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be appointed by the President and shall have the same rank, salary, and privileges of
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an Undersecretary of a Department.
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Sec. 7. Powers and Functions of the Commissioner. - In addition to the duties
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as Chairperson of the Board, the Commissioner shall exercise the following powers
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and functions:
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a) Supervise, direct and coordinate the overall operations of the Commission;
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b) Appoint, and exercise control and supervision over, the officers and
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personnel of the Commission, subject to existing civil service laws, rules and
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regulations;
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c) Issue, (1) letter orders after determination of the existence of probable
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cause; (2) commitment or release orders; (3) warrant of deportation; (4)
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watchlist orders; (5) hold departure orders; (6) allow entry or departure
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orders; (7) blacklist orders; and (8) orders implementing watchlist orders
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issued by the Department of Justice;


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d) Delegate authority to subordinate officers and employees of the 
Commission, except with regard to powers and functions enumerated in the 
immediately preceding paragraph, which may be delegated only to the 
Deputy Commissioners;
e) Act on applications for issuance and revocation of immigrant visas;
f) Act on petitions for declaration of indigency;
g) Declare such control posts, landing places, airports or ports as points of 
entry or exit, whether limited or unlimited;
h) Increase, reduce or waive immigration fees, fines, penalties and other 
charges;
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Participate as member of the Special Committee on Naturalization pursuant 
to Section 6 of Republic Act No. 9139 otherwise known as "The 
Administrative Naturalization Law of 2000";
j) Act on applications for retention or reacquisition of citizenship under 
Republic Act No. 9225 otherwise known as "Citizenship Retention and Re­
acquisition Act of 2003";
k) Issue Certificate of Identification to foreigners who have obtained Filipino 
citizenship;
l) Issue letter orders and permits to carry firearms, ammunition and 
communications equipment to authorized immigration operatives for use in 
enforcement operations and in the execution of warrants: Provided, That 
such firearms and ammunition are owned and issued by the Commission;
m) Inspect the documents, premises and records of persons covered by this 
Act;
n) Deputize any official or employee of the national government and local 
government units, including uniformed personnel of the Armed Forces of 
the Philippines, the Philippine National Police and the Philippine Coast Guard 
to perform immigration duties and functions subject to the concurrence of 
the Board;
o) Authorize and prescribe the forms and the amount of cash bonds for the 
provisional release of respondents in deportation proceedings;


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p) Impose reasonable fines and penalties for violation of immigration and alien
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registration laws in accordance with this Act and the guidelines adopted by
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the Commission;
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q) Provide an express lane for the rendition of services upon payment of
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prescribed fees by airlines/shipping companies or other persons served and
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to deposit in a government-authorized depository bank all such fees
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received under a trust fund that may be made available for the payment of
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allowances to employees of the Commission, subject to existing accounting
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and auditing rules and regulations;
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r) Accept donation of materials, equipment or technical services from any
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foreign government, international or domestic organization, to upgrade the
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efficiency and operations of the Commission;
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s) Submit to the President and Congress, annually or as may be directed, a
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report on the: (1) number and status of foreigners in the Philippines; (2)
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foreigners admitted or granted change of status as permanent residents;
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(3) foreigners who have been excluded or deported from the Philippines;
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(4) estimated number of illegal foreigners in the Philippines in each calendar
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year and actions taken to arrest them, by nationality grouping, for each
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region in the Philippines; and (5) such other transactions of the Commission;
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t) Prepare and submit supplemental budget of the Commission for the
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consideration of the Department of Budget and Management;
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u) Prescribe such rules, regulations or other administrative issuances to carry
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out the provisions of this 
Act;
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v) Prescribe the appropriate forms, bonds, reports, entries and other papers in
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accordance with this Act;
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w) Perform such other functions inherent to the Commission; and
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x) Act on applications for recognition of Philippine citizenship on foundlings.
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CHAPTER 3
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THE DEPUTY COMMISSIONERS
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Sec. 8. Appointment and Rank of Deputy Commissioners. — There shall be four
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(4) Deputy Commissioners who shall be appointed by the President. They shall have
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the same rank, salary and privileges of an Assistant Secretary of a Department:


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Provided, That a plantilla for one (1) Deputy Commissioner shall be created which
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shall be occupied by a career officer from the Commission.
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Sec. 9. Duties of Deputy Commissioners. — In addition to their duties as
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members of the Board, the Deputy Commissioners shall exercise additional powers,
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subject to the approval of and as may be assigned by the Board, in the following areas
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of concern as:
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a) Deputy Commissioner for Administration, Finance, Planning, Legal and
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Information and Communications Technology;
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b) Deputy Commissioner for Regional Operations, Registration, Immigration
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Regulation and Visa and Special Permit;
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c) Deputy Commissioner for Intelligence, Enforcement, Fraud Prevention and
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Complaint and Prosecution; and
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d) Deputy Commissioner for International Policies, Cooperation and Social
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Integration.
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CHAPTER 4
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THE BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
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Sec. 10. Powers and Functions of the Board. - The Board shall have the
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following powers and functions:
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a) Decide on deportation cases;
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b) Act on appeals on decisions promulgated by immigration hearing officers;
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c) Act on applications or recommendations for revocation of immigration
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status;
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d) Act on applications for recognition of Philippine citizenship by reason of birth
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or marriage;
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e) Act on applications for recognition of Philippine citizenship of foundlings;
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f) Decide on applications for legalization of residence in accordance with law;
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g) Prescribe and promulgate rules of proceedings before it;
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h) Cite and punish for contempt any person in accordance with the Rules of
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Court;
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i) Prepare and publish operations manual and rules of procedure, including
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schedule of fees, for all transactions entered into by the Commission with
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the public;


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j) Formulate policies, directives, programs and projects of the Commission;
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and
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k) Perform such other powers and functions as provided by existing laws, rules
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and regulations not inconsistent with any of the provisions of this Act.
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Sec. 11. Decisions of the Board. - In all cases or proceedings before the Board,
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the decision of the majority shall prevail. Decisions of the Board shall become final
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and executory fifteen (15) days from receipt thereof. Only one (1) motion for
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reconsideration shall be filed with the Board.
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Decisions in deportation cases may be appealed to the Office of the President
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within fifteen (15) days from receipt thereof, whose decision shall be final and
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executory unless stayed by an order of the Court of Appeals. The appeal shall stay the
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execution of the decision appealed from unless the Board, in the interest of national
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security and/or public safety, directs its execution pending appeal.
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Sec. 12. Period for Decision by the Board. - The Board shall decide deportation
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cases within thirty (30) days from the date they are submitted for decision or
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resolution.
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Sec. 13. Meetings of the Board. - In all cases, the Board shall convene and act
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as a collegial body in all matters referred to in Section 10 of this Act. The Board shall
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meet at least once a week or, if necessary, twice a week. Members of the Board shall
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be notified accordingly and the presence of the Chairperson and two (2) members
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shall constitute a quorum.
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Sec. 14. Board Secretary. - The Board shall be assisted by a Board Secretary
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who shall be appointed by the Commissioner. He/she must be a member of the
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Philippine Bar in good standing for at least three (3) years prior to his/her
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appointment. He/she shall keep a docket book for deportation cases, applications for
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revocation of immigration status, applications for recognition of Philippine citizenship
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by reason of birth or marriage, applications for legalization of residence and
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applications for refugee status.
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CHAPTER 5
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THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
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Sec. 15. Appointment and Tenure. - There shall be an Executive Director of the
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Commission who shall be appointed by the President, and whose term shall be
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coterminous with the Commissioner. He/she must be a natural-born citizen of the
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Philippines, at least thirty (30) years of age and a member of the Philippine Bar in
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good standing for at least five (5) years prior to his/her appointment.
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Sec. 16. Powers and Duties. - The Executive Director shall:
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a) Advise and assist the Commissioner in the formulation and implementation
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of the objectives, policies, plans and programs of the Commission;
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b) Oversee all the operational activities of the Commission;
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c) Coordinate the programs and projects of the Commission and be responsible
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for its economical, efficient and effective administration;
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d) Administer oaths in connection with all matters relating to the business of
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the Commission; and
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e) Perform such other duties as may be assigned by the Commissioner.
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CHAPTER 6
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THE BOARD OF SPECIAL INQUIRY
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Sec. 17. Constitution of Boards of Special Inquiry. There shall be constituted as
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many Boards of Special Inquiry as required in the exigency of service but not more
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than twelve (12). Each Board shall be composed of a Chairperson and two (2)
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members. The Board shall be designated according to their areas of specialization to
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be determined by the Board.
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Sec. 18. Appointment and Qualification of the Chairpersons and Members of
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the Boards of Special Inquiry. - The Chairpersons and members of the Boards of
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Special Inquiry shall be appointed by the Commissioner, all of whom shall be natural-
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born citizens of the Philippines and, at the time of their appointment, at least thirty
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(30) years of age, members of the Philippine Bar in good standing, and engaged in
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the practice of law for at least three (3) years. They shall hold office during good
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behavior, unless sooner removed for cause.
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Sec. 19. Powers and Functions of the Boards of Special Inquiry. -The Boards of
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Special Inquiry shall:
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a) Administer oaths;
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b) Cite and punish for contempt in accordance with the Rules of Court;
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c) Issue subpoena in cases being heard by the Board of Special Inquiry;
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d) Recommend to the Board the imposition, waiver or reduction of fees, fines,
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penalties and other charges subject to existing laws, rules and regulations;
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e) Exercise exclusive original authority to hear and recommend to the Board
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for final resolution the following cases:
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1) Deportation;
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2) Applications for revocation of immigration status;
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3) Applications for recognition of Philippine citizenship by reason of birth
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or marriage;
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4) Applications for legalization of residence in accordance with law;
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5) Application for issuance of visa for stateless person; and
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f) Perform such other duties and functions as may be directed by the
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Commissioner.
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Sec. 20. Proceedings Before the Boards of Special Inquiry. - The proceedings
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before the Boards of Special Inquiry shall be public and recorded. In all cases, the
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Boards of Special Inquiry shall meet and act as a collegial body. Only members of the
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Philippine Bar in good standing shall appear for and in behalf of any party before the
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Boards of Special Inquiry.
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Sec. 21. Resolutions of the Boards of Special Inquiry. - Cases before the Boards
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of Special Inquiry shall be resolved within five (5) working days from the date the
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same are submitted for resolution. Said resolution shall be submitted immediately to
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the Board for action.
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CHAPTER 7
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DIVISIONS OF THE COMMISSION
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Sec. 22. Divisions and Other Operating Offices of the Commission. — The
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Commission shall have the following divisions and other operating offices, namely: (1)
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Administration; (2) Finance; (3) Information and Communications Technology; (4)
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Planning and Research; (5) International Policies and Cooperation; (6) Social
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Integration; (7) Intelligence; (8) Law Enforcement; (9) Fraud Prevention; (10) Legal;
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(11) Immigration Regulation; (12) Registration; (13) Visa and Special Permit; (14)
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Complaint and Prosecution; (15) Internal Audit Office; (16) National Operations
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Center; and (17) Immigration Academy of the Philippines.
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Sec. 23. Heads of the Divisions and Other Operating Offices. — Each Division
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and other operating offices shall be headed by a Director to be appointed by the
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Secretary, upon recommendation of the Commissioner: Provided, however, That
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Directors for the Division for Legal and the Division for Complaint and Prosecution
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shail be members of the Philippine Bar in good standing, and must have been engaged
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in the practice of law for at least three (3) years. The Director for Finance Division
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shall be a Certified Public Accountant in good standing for at least three (3) years.
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Sec. 24. Duties and Functions of the Divisions and Other Operating Offices. -
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The different divisions and other operating offices of the Commission shall operate in
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accordance with their respective duties and functions as defined by the Commissioner,
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subject to the requirements of efficiency, economy, transparency, accountability and
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effectiveness, and pertinent budget and civil service laws, rules and regulations.
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CHAPTER 8
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REGIONAL OFFICES
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Sec. 25. Field Offices of the Commission. — The Commission shall operate and
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maintain a Regional Immigration Office in each of the administrative regions including
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the Nationai Capitai Region. The Regional Immigration Offices of the Commission shali
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each be headed by a Regional Immigration Officer, all of whom shall be appointed by
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the Secretary upon the recommendation of the Commissioner.
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Sec. 26. Border Control Stations - There shail be established Border Control
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Stations which shall be manned by Border Control Officers appointed by the
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Commissioner. The Border Control Stations shali be placed in specific areas in the
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Philippines which shall be determined by the Board. Their duties and responsibiiities
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shall be determined by the Commissioner.
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Sec. 27. Changes in the Composition, Distribution of Assignment of Regional
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Offices. - The Commissioner may make changes in the composition, distribution and
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assignment of Regional Offices, as well as its personnel, based on the demographics
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of the Philippines' foreigner population and as the exigency of the service requires.
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Sec. 28. Immigration Officers. - The position of Immigration Officer is hereby
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created. No person shall be appointed to the position of Immigration Officer unless he
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is a holder of a bachelor's degree and a first-grade civil service eligible. The
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Immigration Officers shall perform the following duties:
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a) Examine, with the assistance and advice of medical authorities in
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appropriate cases, foreigners at the port of entry concerning their
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admissibility to enter and their qualifications to remain in the Philippines;
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b) Exclude foreign nationals not properly documented, and to admit foreign
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nationals complying with the applicable provisions of immigration and
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related laws;
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c) Administer oaths in connection with the performance of their duties;
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d) Search for foreign nationals on any vessel believed to be used to illegally
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bring foreign nationals into the Philippines, and to arrest without warrant
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any foreigner who in his presence or view is entering or is about to enter
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the Philippines in violation of immigration and related laws, rules and
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regulations;
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e) Act as control officer with authority to prevent the departure of passengers
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not complying with departure requirements; and
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f) Perform such other functions as may be assigned by the Commissioner from
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time to time.
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Sec. 29. Designation of Empioyees. - The Commissioner may designate, in
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accordance with civil service laws, rules and regulations, any competent and qualified
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employee of the Commission, to act as immigration officer or assign any employee to
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other offices within the Commission and/or assign him/her additional or other duties
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as the best interest or exigency of the service may require.
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Sec. 30. Assignment of Employees to do Overtime Work. — The Commissioner
23 
may assign immigration employees to do overtime work or services pursuant to rules
24 
and regulations to be prescribed and at the rates fixed by the Commissioner when the
25 
work or service to be rendered is to be paid by the airline, shipping companies or other
26 
persons served.
27 
Sec. 31. Deployment of Immigration Personnel Abroad. - Within ninety (90)
28 
days from the effectivity of this Act, the Department of Foreign Affairs and the
29 
Commission shall enter into a Memorandum of Agreement pertinent to the assignment
30 
and deployment of immigration personnel to select consular posts abroad who shall
31 
perform immigration duties, except diplomatic and consular functions.
14


1 
Sec. 32. Manning Levels. - On the average, the manning levels of immigration
2 
officers of the Commission nationwide shall be in accordance with the number of
3 
arrivals in each port of entry as determined by the Board: Provided, That the number
4 
of employees, as provided in the staffing pattern in accordance with Section 130 of
5 
the Act, shall not be decreased.
6 
TITLE III
7 
IMMIGRATION
8 
CHAPTER 1 - NON-IMMIGRANTS
9 
Sec. 33. Categories of Non-immigrants and Types of Visa Issued.- Foreign
10 
nationals departing from any place outside the Philippines who are otherwise
11 
admissible and who qualify under any one of the following categories may be admitted
12 
as non-immigrants:
13 
(a)Temporary visitors (A Visas): Visitors coming to the Philippines for a
14 
temporary period for reasons of business, pleasure or health:
15 
1. Business (A-1 visa): Temporary visitors engaged in activities of a
16 
commercial or professional nature for a foreign employer or for themselves that
17 
will not result in gainful employment in the Philippines. As used herein, the term
18 
"business" refers to conventions, conferences, consultations and other
19 
legitimate activities of a commercial or a professional nature, but does not
20 
include local 11 employment or labor for hire;
21 
2. Pleasure (A-2 visa): Temporary visitors who stay in the Philippines for
22 
holiday, including sightseeing, recreation or visiting relatives; and
23 
3. Health (A-3 visa): Temporary visitors who stay in the Philippines to
24 
avail of medical treatment.
25 
(b)Transit Persons (B Visa): Persons passing through the Philippines solely for
26 
a "stop over" who have a confirmed connecting flight to another country or passengers
27 
in immediate and continuous transit to a destination outside the Philippines;
28 
(c) Crew members (C Visa): Members of the crew of vessels required for the
29 
normal operation and servicing of the vessels who come to the Philippines temporarily
30 
as part of their jobs either arriving with or coming to join the vessels;
31 
(d)Treaty Traders (D-1 Visa) and Treaty Investors (D-2 Visa): Citizens and their
32 
family members from a country that has a trade treaty with the Philippines and coming
15


1 
to work in the Philippines for either a company they own or one that is at least fifty
2 
percent (50%) owned by nationals of their home country and which company is
3 
engaged in substantial trade between the Philippines and their home country shall be
4 
granted a D-1 visa.
5 
Citizens of a country that has an investor treaty with the Philippines, and their
6 
famiiy members, and coming to work in the Phiiippines for a business they own or one
7 
that is at ieast fifty percent (50%) owned by nationals of their home country and
8 
which business is supported by a substantial investment from nationals of their home
9 
country shall be granted a D-2 visa;
10 
(e) Accredited Foreign Government Officials, Their Families and Attendants (E
11 
Visas): Foreign government officials, their families and attendants coming to the
12 
country for official purpose, pursuant to international conventions and bilateral
13 
agreements, shall be granted E Visas divided into three (3) types, namely:
14 
1. Persons entitled to E-1 Visa: The E-1 Visa shail be issued to persons
15 
enjoying diplomatic immunities and privileges, particularly the following
16 
ciasses of foreign nationais:
17 
a. Heads of the State and Heads of Government and their
18 
personal representatives;
19 
b. Members of reigning royal families recognized by the Philippine
20 
Government;
21 
c. Governors-General, Governors, and High Commissioners of
22 
dependent territories and their personai representatives;
23 
d. Cabinet ministers and their deputies and officials with cabinet
24 
rank of ministers;
25 
e. Presiding officers of national legislative bodies;
26 
f. Justices or judges of the highest national judicial bodies;
27 
g. Diplomats and career consular officials;
28 
h. Diplomatic couriers regularly and professionally 
employed as
29 
such;
30 
i. Military, navai, air and other attaches assigned to a diplomatic
31 
mission;
16


1 
j. All members of official special missions of a diplomatic
2 
character;
3 
k. Officials of international organizations bearing diplomatic
4 
passports when traveling on official business;
5 
I. Representatives of international organizations who have
6 
diplomatic status and bearing diplomatic passports issued by their
7 
governments;
8 
m. Members of delegations proceeding to or from an international
9 
conference of an official or diplomatic nature;
10 
n. Accompanying spouses and unmarried minor children of
11 
foreigners within the abovementioned categories; and
12 
o. Such other officials going to the Philippines on diplomatic
13 
missions.
14 
2. Persons entitled to E-2 Visa: The E-2 visa shall be issued to any other
15 
person not included in the foregoing list, who is an officer of a foreign
16 
government recognized by the Philippines, is a national of the country
17 
whose government he represents, and is proceeding to the Philippines
18 
in connection with official business for his/her government.
19 
This category includes, inter alia, the members of the staff of a
20 
diplomatic mission or consular 
post, the 
staff of international
21 
organizations, and official students or participants in programs under the
22 
auspices of the Philippine Government 
or recognized 
international
23 
institutions.
24 
The family members of the above-mentioned persons shall also
25 
be Issued E-2 Visa.
26 
3. Persons entitled to E-3 Visa: The E-3 Visa shall be issued to the
27 
members of the household, the attendants, servants and employees of
28 
persons to whom E-1 and E-2 visas have been granted;
29 
(f) Students (F Visa): Foreign students having means sufficient for their support
30 
and education in the Philippines who seek to enter the Philippines temporarily for the
31 
sole purpose of taking up a course of study higher than high school at a
32 
university/seminary, academy or college accredited for such foreign students by the
17


1 
Commission on Higher Education in collaboration with the Commission. Their
2 
collaboration shall include the monitoring of the status of activities of such foreign
3 
students in the Philippines;
4 
(g) Prearranged Employment (G Visa): Foreign nationals coming to the
5 
Philippines on prearranged employment, including their family members
6 
accompanying or following to join them within the period of their employment This
7 
category includes intra-company transferees, professionals, performing artists,
8 
athletes, and cultural exchange workers under a work exchange program;
9 
(h) Religious Workers (H Visa): Duly ordained or professional missionaries and
10 
religious ministers, including members of their family, coming to the Philippines to join
11 
a religious congregation or denomination duly registered with the Securities and
12 
Exchange Commission, upon invitation, sponsorship or guarantee of such religious
13 
congregation or denomination, solely for the purpose of propagating, teaching and
14 
disseminating their faith or religion;
15 
(i) Representatives of International Organizations and Government Agencies (I
16 
Visa): Officials, principal representatives and foreign workers of accredited
17 
international organizations as well as missions, including their family members, staff
18 
and servants. The term "accredited international organization" includes any public
19 
International organization in the activities of which the Philippines participates
20 
pursuant to any treaty or under the authority of any act of the Congress of the
21 
Philippines authorizing such participation or making an appropriation for such
22 
participation and such other international organizations, institutions, agencies,
23 
programs, foundations and entities which are recognized by the government of the
24 
Republic of the Philippines, Including those existing and already recognized as such
25 
at the time of the effectivity of this Act. The term "staff includes the employees of
26 
persons to whom the E-3 visa has been granted;
27 
(j) Media Workers (J Visa): Foreign media personnel or correspondents, duly
28 
accredited by the government agency concerned, who are bona fide representatives
29 
of a foreign press, radio, satellite, television, film, or other information media, and are
30 
coming to the Philippines solely to engage in gathering information principally for
31 
dissemination abroad, including their family members accompanying or following to
32 
join them during the period of the assignment in the Philippines;
18


1 
(k) Exchange Visitors (K Visa): Foreign nationals entering the Philippines to
2 
teach, study, observe, conduct research or receive training in a specific Exchange
3 
Visitor Program duly approved by the Philippine Government;
4 
(I) Refugees (L-1 Visa) and Stateless Persons (L-2 Visa): Refugees as defined
5 
in Section 3 (z) hereof shall be issued L-1 Visa. Stateless persons, whose admission
6 
for humanitarian reasons and not inimical to public interest has been approved by the
7 
Commissioner or the President in such cases and under such conditions as he may
8 
prescribe, shall be issued L-2 Visa; and
9 
(m) Special Non-Immigrants (M Visas): Such other foreign nationals including
10 
their family members who may be admitted as non-immigrants under special laws or
11 
foreign nationals not otherwise provided for by this Act who are coming for temporary
12 
periods only, and whose admission is authorized by the Commissioner or the President
13 
in the interest of the public or for humanitarian considerations and under such
14 
conditions as he may prescribe.
15 
Sec. 33-A. Visa Policy. - The policies governing the issuance, extension, renewal
16 
and conversion- of visas referred to in Section hereof shall be jointly formulated by
17 
the Commission and the Department of Foreign Affairs and, when appropriate, the
18 
Commission and the Department of Foreign Affairs shall consult with the concerned
19 
government agencies or offices relative thereto.
20 
Any visa policy or guidelines to be implemented abroad shall be done by the
21 
Department of Foreign Affairs, with due notice to the Commission and other concerned
22 
agencies and/or offices.
23 
Sec. 33-B. Visa Issuance Overseas. - All non-immigrant visas issued outside of
24 
the Philippines shall be done by Consular Officers of the Department of Foreign Affairs
25 
duly assigned at Philippines posts abroad. Immigrant visas, whenever issued abroad,
26 
shall be done by the Consular Officers upon the approval of the Commission through
27 
the Department of Foreign Affairs.
28 
CHAPTER 2
29 
IMMIGRANTS
30 
Sec. 34. Quota Immigrants. — Subject to conditions set forth in this Act, there
31 
may be admitted into the Philippines, immigrants, otherwise known as "quota
32 
immigrants", not to exceed two hundred (200) of any one nationality based on
19


1 
immigration reciprocity for any one calendar year and upon allotment by the
2 
Commissioner of the corresponding quota number. In the allotment of quota numbers,
3 
the following order of preference shall be observed:
4 
a) First Preference: Those whose service and qualifications show high
5 
educational attainment, technical training, specialized experience, or
6 
exceptional ability in the sciences, arts, professions, or business as would
7 
reasonably enhance and contribute substantial benefits prospectively to the
8 
national economy, or cultural or educational interests or welfare of the
9 
Philippines, including their family members, accompanying or following to
10 
join them, who shall likewise be allotted individual quota numbers;
11 
b) Second Preference: Parents of a naturalized Philippine citizen;
12 
c) Third Preference: Spouses or minor children of foreign nationals who are
13 
lawful permanent residents of the Philippines; and
14 
d) Fourth Preference: Parents of foreign nationals who are lawful permanent
15 
residents of the Philippines.
16 
Sec. 35. Allotment of Quota. — The Commissioner shall, with respect to the
17 
first preference, allot not more than fifty percent (50%) of the annual quota allotment
18 
up to the end of June each year: Provided, however, That if the fifty percent (50%)
19 
is not utilized by the first preference, the balance thereof shall be given to the second,
20 
third, and fourth preferences in accordance with Section 34 of this Act. Any unused
21 
quota allotment for a calendar year cannot be carried over and utilized for the ensuing
22 
calendar year.
23 
Sec. 36. Basis in Determination of Quota Allotment — The nationality of an
24 
immigrant whose admission is subject to the numerical limitation imposed by Section
25 
34 of this Act shall be that of the country of which the immigrant is a national or a
26 
citizen. The nationality of an immigrant possessing dual nationality may be that of
27 
either of the two countries regarding him/her as a national or citizen if he/she applies
28 
for a visa in a third country. If he/she applies for a visa within one of the two countries
29 
regarding him/her as a national or citizen, his/her nationality shall be that of the
30 
country in which he/she files his/her application for a visa to enter the Philippines.
20


1 
Sec. 37. Non-Quota Immigrants. — The following immigrants, known as non-
2 
quota immigrants" may be admitted without regard to numerical limitation and
3 
immigration reciprocity:
4 
a) The spouse of a Philippine citizen: Provided, however, That the
5 
abandonment and failure to give support by a foreign spouse to his/her
6 
Filipino spouse and family, legal separation, or termination of the marital
7 
status by annulment, declaration of nullity of marriage or divorce where the
8 
cause is attributable to the foreign spouse, shall constitute grounds for
9 
cancellation of the immigrant visa issued to the foreign spouse;
10 
b) A person of Filipino descent regardless of generation;
11 
c) A child born to a foreign mother during her temporary visit abroad, the
12 
mother being a lawful permanent resident of the Philippines, if accompanied
13 
by or coming to join the mother who applies for admission within five (5)
14 
years from the birth of the child;
15 
d) A child born subsequent to the issuance of an immigrant visa to the
16 
accompanying parent, the visa not having expired or revoked;
17 
e) A foreign national who had been previously lawfully admitted into the
18 
Philippines for permanent residence who is returning from a temporary visit
19 
abroad to an unrelinquished residence in the Philippines; and
20 
f) A natural-born citizen who becomes a naturalized citizen of a foreign country
21 
and is returning to the Philippines for permanent residence therein,
22 
including his/her spouse and minor children accompanying or following to
23 
join him/her, except the one who has re-acquired or retained his/her
24 
Philippine citizenship pursuant to Republic Act No. 9225.
25 
Sec. 38. Status of Children Born to Foreign Nationals. — (a) A child born in the
26 
Philippines to parents who are foreign nationals and lawful residents of the Philippines
27 
shall be deemed a native-born permanent resident, (b) A child born to parents who
28 
are both non-immigrants shall be deemed a native-born nonimmigrant or temporary
29 
resident and may remain in the Philippines only during the period of authorized stay
30 
of the parents, unless he/she reaches the age of eighteen (18) years while
31 
continuously residing in the Philippines, in which case he/she may apply for
32 
naturalization under existing laws or for an appropriate visa.
21


1 
CHAPTER 3
2 
ADJUSTMENT OF STATUS
3 
Sec. 39. Conditions for Adjustment of Status of Foreign Nationais. — The status
4 
of a foreign national admitted into the Philippines as non-immigrant may be adjusted
5 
by the Board to that of a foreigner lawfully admitted as a permanent resident if: (a)
6 
the foreigner makes an application for such adjustment; (b) the foreigner is eligible to
7 
receive a quota or non-quota immigrant visa and is admissible to the Philippines as a
8 
permanent resident: and (c) a quota immigrant visa, if such is the case, is immediately
9 
available to him/her at the time of his/her application, without the need of first
10 
departing from the Philippines. In all such cases, the personal appearance of the
11 
foreigner shall be required during the consideration of his/her application.
12 
Sec. 40. Effect of Approval of Appiication for Adjustment. — Upon the approval
13 
of an application for adjustment of status under the preceding section, the
14 
Commissioner shall record the foreign national's lawful admission as a permanent
15 
resident as of the date of the approval of the application and shall be included as part
16 
of the quota for the calendar year in accordance with Section 34 of this Act.
17 
Sec. 41. Adjustment of Status, When Not Allowed. — Adjustment of status
18 
under Section 39 of this Act shall not be applicable to (a) a foreign crewmember, (b)
19 
a foreign national who has violated or is in violation of immigration laws, rules and
20 
regulations unless the same is through no fault of his/her own or for purely technical
21 
reasons, (c) a foreign national admitted as a temporary visitor without visa, and (d)
22 
transients.
23 
CHAPTER 4
24 
DOCUMENTATION AND ADMISSION OF NON-IMMIGRANTS
25 
Sec. 42. Documentary Requirements of Non-immigrants. - Non-immigrants
26 
must present for admission into the Philippines valid passports issued by the
27 
governments of the countries to which they owe allegiance to or other travel
28 
documents showing their nationality and identity as prescribed by regulations and a
29 
valid visa granted by the Philippine Consular Officer, if required under existing laws,
30 
rules, regulations, or multi-lateral or bilateral agreements.
31 
Sec. 43. Conditions and Period of Authorized Stay of Temporary Visitors. —The
32 
initial period of authorized stay of a foreign national admitted as a temporary visitor
22


1 
under Section 33 of this Act shall not exceed two (2) months from the date of arrival.
2 
Extensions of authorized stay may be granted under terms and conditions as may be
3 
prescribed by the Commissioner: Provided, That the total period of authorized stay
4 
shall not exceed twenty-four (24) months: Provided further, during the foreign
5 
national's authorized stay: (a) he/she shali not take any employment, whether paid or
6 
unpaid; (b) he/she shall not establish or join in any business; or (c) he/she shall not
7 
enroll and become a student at a school, college, university, academy, or other
8 
educational institution, unless he/she is granted, upon proper application, a conversion
9 
to another immigration status provided under this Act.
10 
Sec. 44. Conditions for Issuance of Pre-arranged Visas. — A foreigner who is
11 
coming to the Phiiippines for prearranged empioyment shall not be issued a
12 
nonimmigrant visa referred to in Section 33 (g) until the Consular Officer shall have
13 
received authorization for the issuance of the same. Such authorization shall be given
14 
only upon the filing of a petition with the Board establishing, among others, that no
15 
person can be found in the Philippines willing and competent to perform the work or
16 
service for which the foreigner is desired and that his/her admission would be
17 
beneficial to the public interest. The petition shall be under oath by the prospective
18 
employer or his/her representative in the form and manner prescribed by the Board.
19 
If the Board finds that the petition complies with the requirements of the
20 
preceding paragraph and of other regulations, it shall grant the petition and shall
21 
promptly transmit the authorization to the Department of Foreign Affairs and/or the
22 
Consular Office concerned.
23 
Sec. 45. Submission of Crew List and Passenger Manifest to the Commission. -
24 
Simultaneous to the vessel's departure from the port of origin, the master, captain,
25 
agent, owner or consignee of any commercial vessel arriving to the Philippines shall
26 
submit to the Commission, within a reasonable time prior to such arrival, the crew
27 
lists, passenger manifests and such other information concerning the persons arriving
28 
on such a vessel. In the same manner and condition, the master, captain, agent,
29 
owner or consignee of any commercial vessel departing from any port in the
30 
Phiiippines shall submit to the Commission, within a reasonable time prior to such
31 
departure, the crew list, passenger manifest and such other information concerning
23


1 
the persons departing on such vessel. The crew list of an incoming sea craft shall be
2 
duly visaed by the appropriate Consular Officer.
3 
Sec. 46. Inspection of Crewmembers. - It shall be the duty of the master,
4 
captain, agent, owner or consignee of any vessel arriving in the Philippines to have
5 
available on board, for inspection by the Immigration Officer, any foreign crewmember
6 
employed on such vessel and to detain such crewmember on board after inspection
7 
and to remove such crewmember when required by the immigration authorities. No
8 
crewmember on board such vessel shall be discharged while the vessel is in port
9 
without the permission of the Commissioner.
10 
Sec. 47. Permission for Temporary Landing of a Foreign Crewmember. — A
11 
foreign crewmember on a vessel arriving in the Philippines may be permitted to land
12 
temporarily under such conditions as may be prescribed by the Commissioner. All
13 
expenses incurred by the Commission while the crewmember is on land shall be borne
14 
by the master, captain, agent, owner or consignee of the carrying vessel.
15 
CHAPTER 5
16 
REFUGEE STATUS
17 
Sec. 48. Grant of Refugee Status. - Persons seeking refugee status may apply
18 
for recognition as a refugee upon seeking admission at any port of entry or within a
19 
reasonable time thereafter. Refugee status shall be granted after a determination by
20 
the Board that an applicant meets the qualifications of a refugee as defined in Section
21 
3(z) hereof. Refugee status shall not be granted to an applicant if he/she:
22 
a) has committed a crime against peace, a war crime, crime against humanity
23 
or any other crime under international law;
24 
b) has committed a serious non-political crime outside the Philippines prior to
25 
his admission as a refugee; or
26 
c) has been guilty of an act contrary to the purposes and principles of the
27 
United Nations.
28 
Sec. 49. Cessation of Refugee Status. - Refugee status granted under the
29 
previous section shall cease if a refugee:
30 
a) Voluntarily repatriates himself/herself or has re-established himself/herself
31 
in another State;
32 
b) Acquired a new nationality and enjoys the protection of such a State; or
24


1 
c) Can no longer continue to refuse to avail the protection of the country of
2 
his/her nationality or, not having a nationality, is able to return to the
3 
country of former habitual residence in view of the cessation of the reasons
4 
that resulted to his/her being a refugee: Provided, That this ground shall
5 
not apply if a refugee is able to invoke compelling reasons arising out of the
6 
previous persecution.
7 
Sec. 50. Effect of Grant of Refugee Status to Refugee Dependents. - A spouse,
8 
minor child, and other dependents of a foreigner who is granted a refugee status may,
9 
if not otherwise eligible under Section 48, be granted the same status as the refugee
10 
to assure family unity or when it is in the public interest.
11 
Sec. 51. Confidentiality of Information. - In proceedings for the recognition of
12 
refugee status, the confidentiality of information shall be respected and no information
13 
relating to the refugee shall be shared with the country of origin or country of former
14 
habitual residence, directly or indirectly.
15 
Sec. 52. Burden of Proof- In proceedings for the recognition of refugee status,
16 
the burden of proof lies with the applicant, subject to the principle of nonrefoulement.
17 
Sec. 53. Stay of Exclusion or Deportation. - Notwithstanding the provisions of
18 
Sections 78 and 86, the exclusion from entry and deportation of a foreigner shall be
19 
stayed during the pendency of an application for refugee status. Where grounds under
20 
Section 78 are present, the refugee shall be allowed entry and the application shall be
21 
immediately referred by the Immigration Officer to the Board.
22 
Sec. 54. Detention of Refugee. - Detention of applicants for refugee status
23 
shall only be resorted to in cases arising out of illegal entry or unauthorized stay after
24 
consideration of other alternatives, as may be determined by the Commissioner.
25 
CHAPTER 6
26 
DOCUMENTATION AND ADMISSION OF IMMIGRANTS
27 
Sec. 55. Documentary Requirements of Immigrants; Instances When Not
28 
Required. — Immigrants must present for admission into the Philippines valid
29 
passports or travel documents issued by the government of the country to which they
30 
owe allegiance, showing their nationality and identity and valid visas issued by the
31 
Consular Officer indicating the date of issue and the period of validity thereof.
32 
Immigrant visas shall not be required of the following:
25


1 
a) A child born subsequent to the issuance of a valid immigrant visa to the
2 
accompanying parent;
3 
b) A child born during the temporary visit abroad of the mother who is a lawful
4 
permanent resident of the Philippines and a holder of a valid reentry permit,
5 
if the child is accompanied by either parent within five (5) years from the
6 
date of the child's birth; and
7 
c) A foreigner who is returning to an unrelinquished lawful permanent
8 
residence in the Philippines after a temporary residence abroad and
9 
presents for admission a valid reentry permit.
10 
CHAPTER 7
11 
VISA ISSUANCE
12 
Sec. 56. Nature of Visa. — Nothing in this Act shall be construed to
13 
automatically entitle any foreign national to whom a visa or other travel document has
14 
been issued to enter the Philippines if, upon arrival at a port of entry, he/she is found
15 
to be inadmissible under this Act or any other law.
16 
Sec. 57. Requirement of Issuance of Visa. - Under the conditions and subject
17 
to the limitations prescribed in this Act or regulations issued hereunder, the
18 
Commissioner may approve the issuance of an immigrant visa upon the
19 
recommendation of a Consular Officer in the following manner;
20 
a) An immigrant visa may only be issued to a foreign national who has made
21 
a proper application therefor, which shall specify the foreign country, if any,
22 
to which the quota the number is assigned, the immigrant's particular status
23 
in such country, the preference to which the foreigner is classified, the date
24 
on which the validity of the visa shall expire, and such additional information
25 
as may be required.
26 
b) The Department of Foreign Affairs, through its Consular Office abroad and
27 
through the Office of the Visa Director, shall approve the issuance of a
28 
nonimmigrant visa to a foreign national who has made a proper application
29 
therefor in accordance with Section 33 of this Act.
30 
All diplomatic visas under Section 33 (e) of this Act shall be exclusively issued
31 
by the Department of Foreign Affairs in accordance with the Vienna Convention on
32 
Diplomatic Relations.
26


1 
All other non-immigrant visas under Section 33 shall be issued by the Consular
2 
Officer, when the application is made abroad, or may be issued by the Office of the
3 
Visa Director of the Department of Foreign Affairs, when the application is made in
4 
the Philippines for conversion or renewal.
5 
The issuance of special non-immigrant visas falling under the jurisdiction of a
6 
particular government office or agency can only be done in coordination with and upon
7 
recommendation of the government agency or office concerned.
8 
Sec. 58. Requirements for Physical and/or Mental Examination Prior to Issuance
9 
of Immigrant Visa. - Prior to the issuance of an immigrant visa to foreign national, the
10 
Consular Officer shall require such person to submit to a physical and mental
11 
examination in accordance with such regulations as may be prescribed by the
12 
Commissioner. In addition, said foreign national shall be required to personally plant
13 
fifty (50) trees, except when he/she is physically incapable of doing so, in which case,
14 
he/she may cause another person to plant the trees.
15 
Sec. 59. Validity of Visa. — A non-immigrant or immigrant visa issued by a
16 
Consular Officer abroad pursuant to Section 57 of this Act shall be valid for a period
17 
not exceeding six (6) months. In prescribing the period of validity of a nonimmigrant
18 
visa, the Consular Officer shall, insofar as practicable, accord to such nationals the
19 
same treatment on a reciprocal basis as such foreign country accords to citizens of
20 
the Philippines who are within a similar class. An immigrant visa may be replaced
21 
under the original number during the calendar year in which the original visa was
22 
issued for a foreigner who establishes to the satisfaction of the Consular Officer that
23 
he/she was unable to use the original immigrant visa during the period of its validity
24 
for reasons beyond his/her control: Provided, That the foreign national is found by the
25 
Consular Officer to be eligible for another immigrant visa and has paid all the fees.
26 
Sec. 60. Denial of Visa, Grounds Thereof—The Consular Officer may deny the
27 
application for visa (a) if it appears from the statements in the application or in the
28 
documents submitted the applicant is not entitled to a visa under this Act; or (b) If
29 
he/she fails to comply with the requirements of the provisions of this Act.
30 
Sec. 61. Revocation of Visa Issued by Consular Officer. —The Commissioner
31 
may, for valid cause and upon confirmation of the Secretary of Foreign Affairs, revoke
32 
the visa issued by any Philippine Consular Office. If the notice of revocation is not
27


1 
received and the visa holder applies for admission into the Philippines, his/her
2 
admission or entry shall be determined by the Immigration Officer upon his/her arrival
3 
at the port of entry.
4 
CHAPTER 8
5 
RE-ENTRY AND EMIGRATION CLEARANCE
6 
Sec. 62. Re-entry. — Every time a registered foreign national, except a
7 
temporary visitor, departs or is about to depart temporarily from the Philippines with
8 
the intention to return, he/she must pay a re-entry fee, emigration clearance fee and
9 
head fee: Provided, That said foreign national returns to the Philippines within a period
10 
of one (1) year from his/her departure in order to maintain his/her visa category.
11 
Otherwise, he/she shall apply for an extension of the period within which to return
12 
prior to its expiration and pay the prescribed fees and charges therefor: Provided,
13 
further, That if his/her authorized stay is less than one (1) year, he/she shall pay a
14 
special return fee, emigration clearance fee and head fee for every departure:
15 
Provided, finaiiy. That in both cases, if the registered foreign national departs
16 
permanently from the Philippines, he/she shall surrender all his/her Philippine
17 
immigration documents to the Commission and apply for and be issued an Emigration
18 
Clearance Certificate upon payment of the prescribed fees and charges therefor,
19 
subject to the following conditions: (a) He/she has no pending obligation with the
20 
government or any of its agencies or instrumentalities; (b) He/she has no pending
21 
criminal, civil, or administrative proceeding which requires his continued presence in
22 
the country; and (c) There is no ongoing legislative inquiry where he/she is called
23 
upon to testify as a witness.
24 
Sec. 63. Emigration Ciearance. — Any temporary visitor departing from the
25 
Philippines shall, after the expiration of his/her initial authorized stay, apply for
26 
emigration clearance with the Commission and pay the prescribed fees and charges
27 
therefor.
28 
CHAPTER 9
29 
PRESIDENTIAL PREROGATIVES
30 
Sec. 64. Presidentiai Prerogatives, — Any provision of this Act to the contrary
31 
notwithstanding, the President may: (a) 
Deny the entry and admission into the
32 
Philippines of any foreign national or a 
class of foreign nationals whenever the
28


1 
President finds that the entry would be detrimental to the interest of the Philippines
2 
or impose such restrictions as he/she may deem appropriate; (b) Waive passport
3 
and/or documentary requirements for non-immigrants and immigrants under such
4 
terms and conditions as he/she may prescribe; (c) Change the status of non-
5 
immigrants by allowing them to acquire permanent residence status without necessity
6 
of a visa; (d) Deport any foreign national, subject to the requirement of due process;
7 
(e) Admit non-immigrants not otherwise provided for in this Act for humanitarian
8 
considerations and when not detrimental to public interest, under such terms and
9 
conditions as he/she may prescribe; (f) Prohibit the departure from the Philippines of
10 
any person who is likely to disclose national security information, or who is likely to
11 
organize a rebellion abroad against the Philippines, or whose presence in the country
12 
is necessary to face, or be a witness in, criminal proceedings; and (g) Exercise, with
13 
respect to foreign nationals in the Philippines, such powers as are recognized by the
14 
generally accepted principles of international law.
15 
TITLE IV
16 
PROVISIONS RELATING TO ENTRY
17 
CHAPTER 1
18 
CLASSIFICATION OF PORTS OF ENTRY
19 
Sec. 65. Authority to Classify Ports. - The Commissioner shall classify and
20 
designate, from among the ports of entry established by law for immigration purposes,
21 
limited or unlimited ports of entry through which foreigners may be admitted into the
22 
Philippines. Only such classes of foreigners as provided under the rules and regulations
23 
prescribed by the Commissioner may be admitted at limited ports of entry. The
24 
Commissioner may, after due notice to the public, close designated ports of entry in
25 
the interest of national security or public safety.
26 
CHAPTER 2
27 
PROCEDURES ON ARRIVAL
28 
Sec. 66. Inspection by Immigration Officer. — A foreigner seeking admission or
29 
readmission shall present his/her valid passport and visa, if required, to the
30 
immigration officer at the port of entry and shall be subject to primary inspection. The
31 
decision of the examining Immigration Officer, if favorable to the admission of any
32 
foreigner, may be challenged by another Immigration Officer. The final determination
29


1 
of admissibility of such foreigner shall be determined by the Commissioner in case no
2 
resolution is reached between the Immigration Officers on the challenged admission.
3 
In case of admission, the Immigration Officer shall indicate in the passport the date,
4 
the port of entry and the identity of the vessel boarded.
5 
Sec. 67. Detention or Quarantine for Examination. — For the purpose of
6 
determining whether a foreigner arriving at any port in the Philippines belongs to any
7 
of the classes excludable under this Act by reason of being afflicted with any of the
8 
contagious or communicable disease or mental disorder set forth under Section 78(a)
9 
of this Act or whenever the Commissioner has received information showing that
10 
foreigners are coming from a country or a place where any of such diseases are
11 
prevalent or widespread, the foreigner shall be detained or quarantined for a
12 
reasonable period of time to enable the immigration and medical officers to subject
13 
such person to observation and examination.
14 
Sec. 68. MedicaiExamination Requirement- Any arriving foreign national whom
15 
the examining Immigration Officer believes to belong under the class of excludable
16 
foreign nationals specified in Section 78(a) herein shall be referred to designated
17 
medical officers for physical and mental examination. Such medical officer shall certify
18 
his/her findings for the information of the Immigration Officer.
19 
Sec. 69. Arrival Notice Requirements of Vessel. - The immigration authorities
20 
shall be given prior notice of the arrival of any civilian vessel before such vessel comes
21 
into any area in the Philippines from any place outside thereof. Such prior notice shall
22 
not be required in the case of vessels with scheduled arrivals filed with the Immigration
23 
Officer in charge at the international port of entry. If, upon arrival in any area other
24 
than the designated port and there is no available Immigration Officer therein, the
25 
master, pilot, captain, agent or consignee shall not allow the passengers and crew
26 
members to disembark or leave the primary inspection area until the immigration
27 
officer shall have conducted the primary inspection formalities.
28 
Sec. 70. Contents of Notice of Arrival. — The advance notice of arrival required
29 
in the preceding section shall specify the following: (a) Type of vessel and registration
30 
marks; (b) Visaed crew list; (c) Passenger manifest; (d) Port of last departure; (e)
31 
International port of intended destination, or other place authorized by the
30


1 
Commissioner; (f) Estimated time of arrival; and (g) Authorized agent or
2 
representative at the place of arrival.
3 
CHAPTER 3
4 
FOREIGN CREWMEMBER
5 
Sec. 71. Conditional Permit to Disembark. — A foreign crewmember of a vessel
6 
under Section 33(c) of this Act may be granted a conditional permit, in a form
7 
prescribed by regulations, to disembark temporarily from the vessel on which he/she
8 
arrived while such vessel remains in port under such terms and conditions as may be
9 
prescribed by the Commissioner.
10 
Sec. 72. Confiscation and Cancellation of Permit, Deportation from the
11 
Philippines. — Upon the determination that the foreigner is not a bona fide
12 
crewmember or does not intend to depart on the vessel that brought him, the
13 
Commissioner shall cancel and confiscate the conditional permit already issued, take
14 
such foreigner into custody, and require the owner, operator, captain, master, pilot,
15 
agent or consignee of the vessel on which the foreigner arrived to receive and detain
16 
him/her on board. The expenses for his/her removal, including the cost of detention
17 
and other expenses incidental thereto, shall be borne by the owner, operator, captain,
18 
master, pilot, agent or consignee of such vessel.
19 
Sec. 73. Liability for Overstaying Foreign Crewmen. — A foreign crewmember
20 
who remains in the Philippines in excess of the period allowed in the conditional permit
21 
issued to him shall be solidarily liable with the owner, operator, captain, master, pilot,
22 
agent or consignee of the vessel to pay the penalties prescribed in Section 126 of this
23 
Act.
24 
Sec. 74. Liability for Unauthorized Discharge of Foreign Crewmember. — It shall
25 
be unlawful for any person, including the owner, operator, captain, master, pilot,
26 
agent or consignee of any vessel to discharge any foreign crewmember employed a
27 
vessel arriving in the Philippines and whilst in port, without first obtaining the prior
28 
permission of the Commissioner. Otherwise, such person or owner, operator, captain,
29 
master, pilot, agent or consignee of the vessel shall pay the Commission such fines as
30 
may be prescribed under this Act. No such vessel shall be granted clearance from any
31 
port in the Philippines while such fines remain unpaid or while the validity thereof is
32 
being determined: Provided, That a clearance may be granted prior to such
31


1 
determination upon deposit of a sum or cash bond sufficient to cover such fines as
2 
approved by the Commissioner.
3 
Sec. 75. Duty to Report Desertion or Illegal Landing of Foreign Crewmember.
4 
—The owner, operator, captain, master, pilot, agent or consignee of any vessel shall
5 
immediately report, in writing, to the immigration officer all cases of desertion or illegal
6 
disembarkation in the Philippines from the vessel, together with a description of such
7 
foreigners and any information that shall result in their apprehension.
8 
Sec. 76. Requirement for Submission of List of Newly Employed, Discharged
9 
and Illegally Landed Foreign Crewmember. — Prior to the departure of any vessel
10 
from the last port in the Philippines destined to any place outside thereof, the owner,
11 
operator, captain, master, pilot, agent or consignee thereof shall deliver to the
12 
Immigration Officer at that port a list containing: (a) the names of crewmembers who
13 
were not employed thereon at the time of the vessel's arrival on such port but will
14 
depart thereat on the same vessel; (b) the names of those, if any, who have been
15 
discharged; (c) the names of those who have deserted or illegally landed at that port,
16 
if any; and (d) such other additional information as the Commissioner deems
17 
necessary.
18 
Sec. 77. Liability for Failure to Submit Complete, True and Correct Report. —
19 
In case the owner, operator, captain, master, pilot, agent, or consignee, fails to submit
20 
a true and complete list or report of foreigners, or to report cases of desertion or illegal
21 
landing, he/she shall pay to the Commission such sum as may be prescribed under
22 
this Act. No such vessel shall be granted clearance from any port in the Philippines
23 
while such fines remain unpaid or while the validity thereof is being determined:
24 
Provided, That clearance may be granted prior to such determination upon deposit of
25 
a sum or cash bond sufficient to cover such fines as approved by the Commissioner.
26 
CHAPTER 4
27 
EXCLUSIONS
28 
Sec. 78. Exclusion Grounds. - The following classes of foreign nationals shall
29 
not be allowed entry and shall be excluded from the Philippines:
30 
(a) Health Related Grounds
31 
1) Those who are found to be suffering from a communicable,
32 
dangerous or contagious disease;
32


1
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
2) Those who are found to be suffering from mental disorder or 
associated behavior that may pose 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.
1) Those coming to the Philippines to practice polygamy or who 
advocate the practice of polygamy unless his/her religion allows such 
practices;
2) Those who are pedophiles, sexual perverts or those coming to the 
Philippines for immoral purposes;
3) Those who are engaged or who seek to engage in prostitution or to 
procure or attempt to procure prostitutes, or who receives in whole 
or in part the proceeds of prostitution;
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 Commission;
(d) Criminal and Security Grounds
1) Those who have been convicted of a crime involving moral torpitude 
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 attempt or conspire to commit the crime;
33


1 
3) Those that the Philippine Government knows or has reason to believe
2 
is a trafficker of any controlled, regulated or prohibited substance or
3 
knows or has reason to believe is or has been an accomplice,
4 
accessory, abettor, or co-conspirator in the illicit trafficking of any
5 
controlled, regulated or prohibited substance;
6 
4) Those who are fugitives from justice;
7 
5) Those who seek to enter the Philippines to engage in:
8 
i. Espionage or sabotage, or a violation or evasion of any laws
9 
prohibiting export of goods, technology or sensitive
10 
information;
11 
ii. Any activity aimed to promote membership in an organization
12 
of syndicated criminal activities;
13 
Hi. Any activity, the purpose of which is to overthrow the
14 
Philippine government by force, violence or other unlawful
15 
means; and
16 
iv. Any other unlawful activity,
17 
6) Those who are engaged or believed to be engaged or likely to engage
18 
in, aid, abet or finance any terrorist activity and members or
19 
representatives of a foreign terrorist organization;
20 
7) Those who have been identified by competent authorities, local or
21 
foreign, as having engaged or are engaging in human trafficking and
22 
smuggling;
23 
8) Those who are under fifteen (15) years of age and unaccompanied
24 
by or not coming to a parent, except that they may be admitted in
25 
the discretion of the Commissioner, if otherwise admissible; and
26 
9) Those who have been identified by competent authorities, local and
27 
foreign, as having engaged or are engaging in importation of
28 
contrabands and other prohibited articles into the country.
29 
Sec. 78-A. Minor Persons/ Minority. - Persons under fifteen (15) years of age,
30 
and not accompanied by or not coming to a parent, may be admitted: Provided, That
31 
the written consent of either parent allowing them to travel is presented. The written
34


1 
consent must cite the purpose of the travel and must be affirmed by the Philippine
2 
Consular post in the minor's country of origin.
3 
Sec. 79. Temporary Detention of Excludable Foreigners. — For the purpose of
4 
ascertaining whether a foreigner arriving in the Philippines belongs to any of the
5 
excludable classes of foreigners provided for in this Act or related laws, the
6 
Immigration Officer, for a period not exceeding seventy-two (72) hours, may
7 
temporarily detain for investigation such foreigner either on board the vessel or at a
8 
place designated for the purpose at the expense of the master, captain, agent, owner
9 
or consignee of the carrying vessel.
10 
Sec. 80. Finality of Exclusion Order. — An order by the Immigration Officer to
11 
exclude a foreign national who is excludable under Section 78 hereof is final and
12 
executory unless revoked by the Commissioner upon a timely appeal prior to the
13 
Implementation of the exclusion order.
14 
Sec. 81. Authority to Waive Grounds for Exclusion. — Except for grounds of
15 
exclusion under Section 78(d), subparagraphs 1 to 8 and subparagraph 9, the
16 
Commissioner may waive any of the grounds for exciusion mentioned therein.
17 
Sec. 82. Procedure of Removal and Cost Thereof - Any foreign national arriving
18 
in the Philippines who is ordered excluded shall be immediately removed in the same
19 
accommodation to the country where he/she boarded the vessel on which he/she
20 
arrived, unless the Commissioner determines that immediate removal is not proper
21 
and practicable. The cost of detention and other expenses incidental thereto shall be
22 
borne by the owner, operator, master, pilot, captain, agent or consignee of the vessel
23 
on which he/she arrived.
24 
Sec. 83. Country Where Removal is to be Directed. — If the government of the
25 
country designated in the preceding section will not accept the foreign national into
26 
its territory, his/her removal shall be directed by the Commissioner in his/her discretion
27 
and without necessarily giving preference, either to:
28 
a) The country which he/she is a citizen or national;
29 
b) The country of birth;
30 
c) The country of his/her habitual residence; or
31 
d) The country willing to accept the foreign national into its territory, if removal
32 
to any of the foregoing countries is impractical or impossible.
35


1 
Sec. 84. Obligation of Owner, Operator, Master, Captain, Pilot, Agent or
2 
Consignee. — It shall be unlawful for an owner, operator, master, captain, pilot, agent,
3 
or consignee of a vessel to refuse or fail to:
4 
a) Board a foreigner ordered excluded and removed under Section 78 hereof
5 
in the same vessel or another vessel owned or operated by the same
6 
company;
7 
b) Detain a foreign national on board any such vessel at the port of arrival
8 
when required by this Act or when so ordered by an Immigration Officer;
9 
c) Deliver a foreign national for medical or other examinations when so
10 
ordered by such officer;
11 
d) Remove a foreign national from the Philippines to the country to which
12 
his/her removal has been directed; or
13 
e) Pay the cost of detention and other expenses incidental thereto of a foreign
14 
national incurred while being detained as required by Section 82 of this Act
15 
or other costs necessary or incidental to his removal as provided in this Act.
16 
Sec. 85. Penalty for Non-compliance of Obligation. — The owner, operator,
17 
Zmaster, captain, pilot, agent, or consignee of a vessel who violated Section 84 hereof
18 
shall pay the fines prescribed under this Act. No such vessel shall be granted clearance
19 
from any port in the Philippines while such fines remain unpaid or while the validity
20 
thereof is being determined: Provided, That clearance may be granted prior to such
21 
determination upon deposit of a sum or cash bond sufficient to cover such fines as
22 
approved by the Commissioner.
23 
TITLE V
24 
DEPORTATION
25 
CHAPTER 1
26 
DEPORTABLE FOREIGN NATIONALS
27 
Sec. 86. Classes of Deportabie Foreigners. - The following foreigners shall be
28 
arrested upon the order of the Commissioner and deported upon recommendation by
29 
the Board of Special Inquiry and approval by the Board:
30 
a) Those who entered the Philippines by means of false and misleading
31 
statements or documents, misrepresentations or without inspection and
32 
admission by the immigration authorities;
36


1
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
b) Those who entered the Philippines who were not lawfully admissible at the 
time of entry;
c) Those who engage, abet or aid in the practice of prostitution including the 
owner, manager or inmates of a house of prostitution or are procurers, 
pedophiles or sexual perverts;
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 of the Government of the Republic of the Philippines, or 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 by reason of their office, 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 commit any violation of the provisions of this Act, independent 
of any criminal action which may be brought against them: Provided, 
however, That in the case of a foreigner who, for any reason, is convicted 
and sentenced to suffer both imprisonment and deportation, said foreigner 
shall first serve the entire period of his/her sentence before being deported: 
Provided, further. That the penalty of imprisonment may be waived by the 
President upon payment by the foreigner concerned of such costs, fines 
and/or damages, if any, awarded to the government or any aggrieved party;
i) Those who, at any time after entry, are engaged in acts or omissions 
punishable under Philippine penal laws cognizable by the Regional Trial 
Courts and the Sandiganbayan;
37


1 
j) Those who, at any time after entry, are convicted by final judgment of a
2 
crime punishable under Philippine penal laws cognizable by the first level
3 
courts;
4 
k) Those who are guilty of any offense penalized under the naturalization laws
5 
of the Philippines or any law relating to the acquisition of Philippine
6 
citizenship;
7 
I) Those who defraud their creditors by absconding or alienating properties to
8 
prevent their attachment or execution;
9 
m) Those who were admitted as non-immigrants and who obtained an
10 
adjustment of their admission status for convenience, or through fraud,
11 
falsification of documents, misrepresentations or concealment of material
12 
facts;
13 
n) Those who violated Philippine labor and taxation laws, rules and regulations;
14 
o) Those who, upon prior investigation and hearing, are found to be
15 
undesirable and whose further stay in the Philippines is inimical to public
16 
welfare and interest, or the dignity of the Filipinos, or the Republic of the
17 
Philippines as a sovereign nation;
18 
p) Those who forge, counterfeit, alter or falsely make any document; or use,
19 
attempt to use, possess, obtain, accept or receive or provide any forged,
20 
counterfeit, altered or falsely made document; or use, attempt to use,
21 
provide, attempt to provide, accept or receive a genuine document, even of
22 
another person, without authority to do so for the purpose of satisfying or
23 
complying with the requirements for his/her stay in the Philippines; and
24 
q) Those whose presence or activities in the country may result in adverse
25 
consequences to Philippine foreign policies as determined by the Secretary
26 
of Foreign Affairs.
27 
Sec. 87. Non-Prescription of Deportation Cases. -The right of the State to
28 
initiate at any time deportation proceedings shall not prescribe: Provided, That no
29 
deportation proceedings and orders shall be had against foreigners facing preliminary
30 
investigation, prosecution and trial before competent authorities.
31 
CHAPTER 2
32 
DETENTION AND DEPORTATION OF FOREIGN NATIONALS
38


1 
Sec. 88. Issuance of Summons. - If the Commissioner determines that there
2 
exists a reasonable ground to deport a foreigner pursuant to Section of this Act, he/she
3 
may issue summons requiring the foreigner to appear in person before the designated
4 
investigating officer at the time, date and place stated therein.
5 
Sec. 89. Authority to Issue Letter Order. — The Commissioner may issue a
6 
letter order for the detention of a foreigner if he/she determines that a probable cause
7 
exists for the filing of deportation charges against a foreigner for violation of
8 
immigration and other related laws, rules and regulations or there is a strong
9 
probability that a deportable foreigner may flee from his/her place of abode, go into
10 
hiding or surreptitiously leave the country.
11 
Sec. 90. Forma! Charge of Deportation. -A formal charge for deportation shall
12 
be issued upon determination of the existence of a prima facie case against the
13 
foreigner. Pending final determination of his/her deportation case, the foreigner shall,
14 
upon the discretion of the Commissioner: (a) remain under detention; or (b) be
15 
released on bail or recognizance. The bail may be revoked and confiscated in favor of
16 
the government if there is sufficient evidence that the foreigner Is evading the
17 
proceedings or is attempting to abscond, in which case he/she shall be taken into
18 
custody and placed under detention by order of the Commissioner.
19 
Sec. 91. Detention of a Foreigner Convicted of a Feiony or an Offense. - After
20 
service of his/her sentence or compliance with the conditions of his/her parole or
21 
probation, as the case may be, the foreigner shall be taken into custody and placed
22 
under detention by order of the Commissioner. Pending final determination of the
23 
deportation case, the foreigner may be ordered released under such terms and
24 
conditions prescribed by the Commissioner.
25 
Sec. 92. Voiuntary Deportation/ When Authorized. - In case the foreigner does
26 
not contest the formal charge against him/her and opts to voluntarily leave the country
27 
at his/her own expense, the Commissioner may waive the deportation proceedings
28 
and order the departure within the period specified in the voluntary deportation order,
29 
except in cases of violations of laws such as Republic Act No. 8042 otherwise known
30 
as the "Migrant Workers and Overseas Filipinos Act of 1995": Provided, That he/she
31 
has not committed any criminal offense or has no pending case in court: Provided,
39


1 
further, That the said foreigner so deported shall be barred from re-entering the
2 
country without prior written authorization from the Commissioner.
3 
Sec. 93. Contents of an Order or Warrant of Deportation. - The order or wa rra nt
4 
of deportation shall be in the form prescribed by the Commissioner and shall state the
5 
grounds therefor, the specific place where the foreigner is to be deported and the
6 
period within which to execute such order.
7 
Sec. 94. Period to Enforce Order of Deportation. - The order of deportation shall
8 
be enforced immediately but in no case shall exceed three (3) months from the date
9 
it has become final and executory. If deportation is not enforced within the prescribed
10 
period for reasons beyond the control of the Commissioner, the foreigner shall remain
11 
in custody.
12 
Sec. 95. Suspension of Deportation Order. - Upon application and payment of
13 
the prescribed fees by the concerned foreigner, the Commissioner may suspend the
14 
implementation of the deportation order and order his/her release for good cause,
15 
taking into account the following factors:
16 
a) Age, health, family or conduct;
17 
b) Period of detention;
18 
c) Impact on national security and public welfare;
19 
d) Unavailability of travel documents;
20 
e) Existence of an application for refugee status; or
21 
f) Other humanitarian considerations.
22 
Sec. 96. Reinstatement of a Deportation Order. - A deportation order previously
23 
implemented against a foreigner who unlawfully re-entered the Philippines shall be
24 
deemed automatically reinstated and shall be implemented in accordance with this
25 
Act. This provision shall also apply to a foreigner who departed voluntarily under
26 
Section 92 hereof.
27 
Sec. 97. Country of Destination of a Deportee. - Except as provided for under
28 
existing treaty or international agreement, a foreigner shall be deported to the country
29 
of which he/she is a citizen or national, or to the country of his/her birth, or to the
30 
country of which he/she is a resident, or to the country from which he/she embarked
31 
for the Philippines, subject to the acceptance by the receiving country.
40


1 
Sec. 98. Existence of Danger in the Country Where a Foreigner is to be
2 
Deported. - No foreigner shall be deported to a country where there exists a danger
3 
to his/her life or freedom on account of race, religion, nationality, political opinion or
4 
membership in a particular political or social group, except in the following
5 
circumstances:
6 
a) The foreigner participated, induced or cooperated in the persecution of any
7 
person on account of race, religion, nationality, political opinion or
8 
membership in a particular political or social group in the country where
9 
he/she is to be deported;
10 
b) The foreigner is a fugitive from justice in the country where he/she is to be
11 
deported;
12 
c) The foreigner committed a serious non-political crime in the country where
13 
he/she is to be deported; or
14 
d) The foreigner is undesirable in and/or a danger to the national security of
15 
the Philippines.
16 
Sec. 99. Cost of Deportation. - The cost of deportation shall be borne by the
17 
owner, operator, captain, master, pilot, agent or consignee of a vessel in case its
18 
foreign crew member is to be deported for violation of Section 100 of this Act. In all
19 
other cases, the cost of deportation shall be borne by the deportee himself/herself,
20 
the concerned consular office, nongovernment organizations or people's organizations
21 
with which the Commission has an agreement on this matter, or from the
22 
appropriations for the enforcement of this Act.
23 
Sec. 100. Liabiiity of Owner, Operator, Captain, Master, Piiot, Agent or
24 
Consignee of a Vessel. - Failure or refusal on the part of the owner, operator, captain,
25 
master, pilot, agent or consignee of a vessel to take on board, guard safely and
26 
transport the deportee to his/her country of destination, or to shoulder the cost of
27 
deportation of the foreign crew member as provided in Section 99 hereof, shall be
28 
punished by an administrative penalty prescribed under this Act.
29 
Sec. 101. Expenses of Accompanying Person. - The Commissioner may, by
30 
reason of the mental or physical condition of the deportee, direct an employee of the
31 
Commission to accompany such deportee to the country of his/her destination, subject
32 
to the provisions of the immediately preceding sections.
41


1 
CHAPTER 3
2 
INDIGENT FOREIGNERS
3 
Sec. 102. Deportation of Indigent Foreigners. - At any time after entry, the
4 
Commissioner may deport indigent foreigners from the Philippines to the country of
5 
which they are citizens or nationals, or country of birth, or country of residence, as
6 
the case may be. The cost of deportation may be charged against the available funds
7 
of the Commission. Any foreigner deported under this section shall be barred re-
8 
admission except upon written authorization of the Commissioner. This provision shall
9 
not apply to a foreigner declared as an indigent by any Philippine court for purposes
10 
of filing a case or to pursue a cause of action which resulted in his/her indigency until
11 
such action is resolved with finality: Provided, That no other grounds for deportation
12 
exist during the pendency of the same.
13 
TITLE VI
14 
MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS
15 
CHAPTER 1
16 
REGISTRATION OF FOREIGN NATIONALS
17 
Sec. 103. Requirement of Registration. — A temporary foreign visitor must
18 
register with the Commission or any Immigration Office nearest his/her place of
19 
residence on or before the sixtieth (60th) day of his/her arrival in the Philippines.
20 
Sec. 104. Registration Form and Oath. — Applications for registration shall be
21 
under oath and in such form as prescribed by the Commission. Upon registration, a
22 
certificate of registration shall be issued by the Commission to the registrant. In case
23 
of loss or destruction of the certificate, a replacement thereof may be issued by the
24 
Commission upon proper application and payment of prescribed fees.
25 
Sec. 105. Amendment of Registration. — A registered foreign national shall
26 
notify the Commission in writing of any change of information in his/her registration
27 
documents not later than seven (7) days thereof.
28 
Sec. 106. Presentation of Certificate of Registration. — Every foreigner required
29 
to register under this Act or the parent or guardian of such foreigner shall, upon
30 
demand of any authorized immigration official, present his/her certificate of
31 
registration, and failure to do so without justifiable cause shall be dealt with in
32 
accordance with the provisions of this Act.
42


1 
Sec. 107. Reportoria! Requirements. — Every foreigner registered under this
2 
Act shall, within the first sixty (60) days of every calendar year, report in person to
3 
the Commission subject to the payment of prescribed fees. The parent or legal
4 
guardian of foreigners below fourteen (14) years of age shall have the duty to comply
5 
with the requirements prescribed under this Act.
6 
Sec. 108. Failure to Comply with Requirements. — A foreigner, or his/her parent
7 
or guardian, as the case may be, who, without justifiable reason, fails to comply with
8 
all the requirements under this Act, or who files an application for registration
9 
containing statements known by him/her to be false, or who utilizes registration
10 
documents other than his/her own, shall be dealt with in accordance with the
11 
provisions of this Act and other existing laws.
12 
Sec. 109. Cancellation of Registration of Foreign National. — In case of death
13 
of a foreigner registered under the provisions of this Act, his/her legal heir,
14 
representative or administrator must inform the Commission within sixty (60) days
15 
from death and the Commission shall cancel such registration. The Local Civil Registrar
16 
or other civil registry officer of the locality where said foreigner died shall furnish the
17 
Commission with a copy of the Certificate of Death within thirty (30) days from
18 
issuance thereof. Failure on the part of the persons concerned to comply with the
19 
requirements of this section shall be dealt with pursuant to the provisions of this Act.
20 
CHAPTER 2
21 
BONDS AND DEPOSITS
22 
Sec. 110. Bonds, When Required. — The Commission shall have the authority
23 
to require cash bonds in such amounts and under such conditions as it may prescribe:
24 
a) To control and regulate the admission into, and departure from, the
25 
Philippines of foreigners applying for temporary admission;
26 
b) To insure against foreign passengers liable to be excluded as likely to
27 
become public charges; and
28 
c) To insure the appearance of foreigners released from custody during the
29 
course of deportation proceedings instituted against them.
30 
Sec. 111. Requirement of Cash Deposits for Overtime Services. - The
31 
Commission shall likewise have the authority to require cash deposits in such amounts
32 
as may be necessary from vessel's owner, operator, captain, master, pilot, agent, or
43


1 
consignee or other persons served to cover payments for overtime services to be
2 
performed by officers and employees of the Commission.
3 
Sec. 112. Cancellation and Forfeiture of Bonds. - When the conditions of the
4 
bond are fulfilled, or in case of a bond posted to insure against a foreigner becoming
5 
a public charge, when the Commissioner decides that the likelihood no longer exists,
6 
or death of the foreigner in whose behalf the bond is posted, the bond shall be
7 
cancelled and released to the depositor or his/her legal representative. In case of
8 
violation of the conditions of the bond, the same shall be forfeited and deposited in a
9 
trust fund account which may be utilized for the purchase of passage tickets of
10 
indigent deportees and to cover the costs of operations in the arrest of a deportee
11 
who jumps bail.
12 
CHAPTER 3
13 
RECOGNIZANCE
14 
Sec. 113. Petitions for Recognizance, Sanction for Breach of Conditions. — The
15 
Commissioner may order the release of a foreigner upon recognizance of his/her
16 
lawyer or a person who is of good standing in the community, under such terms and
17 
conditions as he/she may prescribe. Failure to comply with the terms and conditions
18 
of the recognizance shall subject said lawyer or person to a fine of not less than Fifty
19 
thousand pesos (P50,000.00) but not more than One hundred thousand pesos
20 
(P100,000.00), without prejudice to other administrative sanctions and/or proceedings
21 
against the erring party.
22 
CHAPTER 4
23 
COOPERATION AND COORDINATION WITH OTHER OFFICES
24 
Sec. 114. Working Cooperation with the Department of Foreign Affairs. - For
25 
purposes of efficient implementation and administration of this Act, the Commission
26 
shall maintain a working cooperation with the Department of Foreign Affairs.
27 
Sec. 115. Working Cooperation with the Commission on Higher Education. -
28 
The Commission shall maintain a working cooperation with the Commission on Higher
29 
Education with respect to accreditation of schools and learning centers for enrolment
30 
of foreign students as authorized under this Act.
31 
Sec. 116. Coordination with Law Enforcement, Security and Other Offices. —
32 
The Commissioner shall have authority to maintain coordination with the National
44


1 
Security Council, the Philippine National Police, and other law enforcement agencies
2 
of the government.
3 
CHAPTER 5
4 
FEES AND CHARGES
5 
Sec. 117. Authority of the Commissioner to Prescribe, Impose and Coiiect Fees
6 
and Charges. — The Commissioner is authorized to prescribe, impose and collect fees
7 
and charges for services rendered pursuant to the provisions of this Act, which shall
8 
take effect fifteen (15) days after the last publication thereof for two (2) consecutive
9 
weeks in a newspaper of general circulation.
10 
Sec. 118. Head Fee. — Every foreign national who is at least fourteen (14)
11 
years of age and admitted to the Philippines for a temporary stay exceeding sixty (60)
12 
days shall pay a head fee in an amount to be fixed by the Board.
13 
CHAPTER 6
14 
ADMINISTRATIVE FINES AGAINST VESSELS
15 
Sec. 119. Fine for Failure to Submit Crew List or Passenger Manifest, or Failure
16 
to Account Every Passenger and Crew. — Any pilot, master, agent, owner or consignee
17 
of a vessel arriving at any port in the Philippines from a place outside thereof who fails
18 
to submit to the immigration authorities a complete and accurate crew list or
19 
passenger manifest, or fails to produce or account every crewmember or passenger
20 
whose name appears in said list or manifest shall be subject to fines of One hundred
21 
thousand pesos (P100,000.00) and Fifty thousand pesos (P50,000.00) for each
22 
unaccounted person, respectively.
23 
Sec. 120. Fine for Violation of Obligation on the Landing or Removal of
24 
Foreigners. — A pilot, master, agent, owner or consignee of any vessel arriving at a
25 
port of the Philippines from a place outside thereof in violation of this Act shall be
26 
fined not less than Fifty thousand pesos (P50,000.00) but not more than Two hundred
27 
thousand pesos (P200,000.00) for each violation.
28 
Sec. 121. Fine for Bringing Undocumented Foreigner, or Foreigner Afflicted with
29 
Communicable or Contagious Disease, or Suffering from Mental Disorder. — The pi lot,
30 
master, agent, owner or consignee of the vessel arriving at a port in the Philippines
31 
from a place outside thereof bringing on board an undocumented foreigner shall be
32 
fined One hundred thousand pesos (P100,000.00) for each foreigner. If the foreigner
45


1 
is afflicted with a communicable or contagious disease or is suffering from mental
2 
disorder, the fine shall be not less than Two hundred thousand pesos (P200,000.00)
3 
but not more than Three hundred thousand pesos (P300,000.00) for each foreigner.
4 
Sec. 122. Fine for Bringing a Foreigner to Assist His IHegai Entry or
5 
Misrepresenting a Foreigner as a Member of the Crew. — The pilot, master, agent,
6 
owner or consignee of the vessel arriving at any port in the Philippines from a place
7 
outside thereof bringing on board a foreigner bound for the Philippines to assist his/her
8 
illegal entry, or misrepresenting the foreigner to the immigration officer at the port of
9 
arrival as a bona fide member of the crew, shall be fined not less than One hundred
10 
thousand pesos (P100,000.00) but not more than Two hundred thousand pesos
11 
(P200,000.00) for each foreigner.
12 
Sec. 123. Fine for Vioiation of Other Provisions of this Act — The pilot, master,
13 
agent, owner or consignee of any vessel arriving at any port of the Philippines from a
14 
place outside thereof who violates any other provision of this Act not specifically
15 
provided in this Chapter shall be fined not less than Fifty thousand pesos (P50,000.00)
16 
but not more than Two hundred thousand pesos (P200,000.00) for each violation.
17 
CHAPTER 7
18 
OTHER PENAL PROVISIONS
19 
Sec. 124. Other Prohibited Acts and Penaities Thereof - Any person who shall
20 
commit any of the acts specified hereunder shall, upon conviction, suffer the penalty
21 
of prision correccionai in its maximum period to prision mayor\w its minimum period
22 
or a fine of not less than One hundred thousand pesos (P100,000.00) but not more
23 
than Five hundred thousand pesos (P500,000.00) or both, at the discretion of the
24 
court:
25 
a) Impersonates another individual, or falsely appears in the name of a
26 
deceased individual, or evades the immigration laws by using an assumed
27 
or fictitious name when applying for an immigration document;
28 
b) Issues or otherwise disposes of an immigration document or an immigration
29 
accountable form, to any person not authorized by law to receive such
30 
documents;
46


1 
c) Obtains, manufactures, prints, accepts or uses any immigration or travel
2 
document knowing it to be false or uses immigration accountable form that
3 
is not legally issued;
4 
d) Enters the Philippines without inspection and admission by the immigration
5 
authorities, or obtains entry Into the Philippines by fraud,
6 
misrepresentation, or concealment of material facts;
7 
e) Misrepresents himself/herself to be a Philippine citizen;
8 
f) Knowingly makes under oath any false statement regarding any immigration
9 
matter; or
10 
g) Brings into, or lands in the Philippines, or conceals, harbors, employs, or
11 
gives comfort to any person not duly admitted by any immigration officer
12 
or not lawfully entitled to enter into or resides within the Philippines, or
13 
attempts, conspires with, or aids another to commit any such acts.
14 
Where the offender of any acts specified in paragraph (g) of this section is a
15 
corporation, company, partnership or other juridical entity, the president, general
16 
manager, managing partner, or chief executive officer thereof shall be held liable.
17 
Dismissal of the employee by the employer before or after apprehension shall not
18 
relieve such employer from any liability arising from the offense: Provided, That if the
19 
offender is the pilot, master, agent, owner, consignee, or other person in charge of
20 
the vessel which brought the foreigner into the Philippines from any place outside
21 
thereof, the fine imposed under this section shall constitute a lien against the vessel
22 
which may be enforced in the same manner as fines are collected and enforced under
23 
existing laws. Such vessel shall not be allowed to depart without prior clearance issued
24 
by the Commission. Where forfeiture is justified under the particular circumstances of
25 
the case, the forfeiture of the vessel in favor of the government in lieu of the fine shall
26 
be decreed.
27 
Conviction by final judgment of any offense punishable under this Act or other
28 
related laws shall result in the automatic revocation or cancellation of any immigration
29 
document issued to the offender, including that of his/her spouse and unmarried
30 
children, if applicable.
31 
Sec. 125. Penalty for Non-compliance of Subpoena. — Any person who, having
32 
been duly served with a subpoena, fails to comply without valid and justifiable reasons
47


1 
shall, upon conviction, suffer the penalty of imprisonment of not more than fifteen
2 
(15) days or a fine of not more than One thousand pesos (P1,000.00), or both, at the
3 
discretion of the court.
4 
Sec. 126. Penalty for an Overstaying Crewmember. — Any foreign
5 
crewmember who willfully remains in the Philippines beyond the period allowed
6 
him/her for temporary landing shall, upon conviction, suffer the penalty of
7 
imprisonment of six (6) months or fine of not less than Fifty thousand pesos
8 
(P50,000.00) but not more than One hundred thousand pesos (P100,000.00), or both,
9 
at the discretion of the court.
10 
Sec. 127. Imposition of Maximum Penalty, When Applicable. - A person
11 
convicted under Republic Act No. 3019, as amended, otherwise known as the
12 
"Antigraft and Corrupt Practices Act", or other laws against corruption and bribery who
13 
shall violate or circumvent any provisions of this Act shall, upon conviction, suffer the
14 
maximum penalty for such offense as provided under this Act.
15 
CHAPTER 8
16 
FUNDING
17 
Sec. 128. Funding. — In addition to its annual budget under the General
18 
Appropriations Act, the Commission is hereby authorized to retain and use fifty percent
19 
(50%) of its income derived from collection of immigration fees, fines, penalties and
20 
charges to pay hazard pay, subsistence allowance and other monetary benefits at
21 
rates fixed by the Commissioner and for maintenance and other operating expenses,
22 
intelligence and law enforcement, information and communication technology
23 
infrastructure, transportation facilities and other capital outlay expenditures. The
24 
Commission is likewise hereby authorized to retain and use its income in excess of the
25 
prescribed collection target.
26 
CHAPTER 9
27 
Sec. 129. Staffing Pattern and Salary Schedule. - To carry out the provisions of
28 
this Act, the Commissioner shall submit a new staffing pattern and salary schedule for
29 
personnel services to the Secretary of the Department of Budget and Management for
30 
approval, which shall be in accordance with the Salary Standardization Law and other
31 
applicable laws under the National Compensation and Classification Plan.
48


1 
Sec. 130. Reorganization of the Commission. — Upon approval of this Act, all
2 
employees of the Bureau of Immigration covered by the civil service law and
3 
regulations shall continue to hold their present positions pending the reorganization
4 
of the Commission in accordance with the new staffing pattern: Provided, That the
5 
salaries, wages, allowances and other benefits of incumbent officers and employees
6 
of the Commission shall not be subject to diminution: Provided, further, That in the
7 
event that the positions are abolished in accordance with the reorganization, the
8 
affected employees shall be retained: Provided, finaiiy. That employees who have
9 
been dismissed for cause shall no longer qualify for any position in the Commission.
10 
Sec. 131. Inventory and Transfer of Properties, Accounts, Assets, Liabiiities and
11 
Obiigations to the Commission. — All buildings, properties, equipment, facilities,
12 
accounts, other assets, liabilities and other obligations as well as records of the Bureau
13 
of Immigration shall be properly inventoried and transferred to the Commission.
14 
Sec. 132. Treaty or Agreement- Any treaty or agreement entered into between
15 
the Philippines and any foreign state before the effectivity of this Act shall remain in
16 
force and effect.
17 
Sec. 133. Pending Cases. - Any prosecution, suit, action, proceeding, or any act
18 
or matter, civil or criminal, pending at the time of the effectivity of this Act shall not
19 
be affected by the provision of this Act unless otherwise applicable.
20 
CHAPTER 10
21 
ADMINISTRATION AND IMPLEMENTATION
22 
Sec. 134. Administration andImpiementation Abroad. - The administration and
23 
implementation of this Act abroad, including the rules and regulations as well as
24 
policies arising from it shall be the responsibility of the Department of Foreign Affairs
25 
through Philippine diplomatic and consular establishments.
26 
Sec. 135. Impiementing Ruies and Reguiations. — The Commission, upon
27 
consultation with the Department of Foreign Affairs and other concerned government
28 
agencies or offices and subject to the approval by the Secretary, shall promulgate the
29 
rules and regulations for the implementation of this Act within one hundred twenty
30 
(120) days from its effectivity.
31 
CHAPTER 11
32 
FINAL PROVISIONS
49


1 
Sec. 136. Separability Clause. — If any of the provisions of this Act is held
2 
invalid or unconstitutional the other provisions not affected thereby shall continue to
3 
be in force and effect.
4 
Sec. 137. Repealing Clauses. - (a) Commonwealth Act No. 613, otherwise
5 
known as the Philippine Immigration Act of 1940, as amended, is hereby repealed;
6 
(b) All laws, presidential decrees, executive orders, proclamations, memorandum
7 
orders, instructions, rules and regulations or parts thereof inconsistent with this Act
8 
are hereby amended or modified accordingly.
9 
Sec. 138. Effectivity Clause. — This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after
10 
its complete publication in the Official Gazette or in two (2) newspapers of general
11 
circulation.
Approved,
50