Emigration Clearance Certificate

If you have been in the Philippines for many years, as I have, then you will be required to obtain an Emigration Clearance Certificate prior to leaving:

BI Spokesperson Elaine Tan said that based on airport statistics, foreign nationals who failed to present their ECCs comprised 33% of travelers who were denied departure. “It is unfortunate that we have to deny the travel of our foreign friends, but we have to implement the law”, Tan said.

Section 22-A of the Philippine Immigration Act provides that a foreign national who is about to depart from the Philippines temporarily or for good should seek clearance from the Commissioner of Immigration to insure that the foreign national has no pending obligation with the government of the Philippines.
Two Types Of ECC

The ECC-A is for those who are departing the Philippines permanently:
  • The following foreign nationals are required to secure regular ECCs at any of the 17 BI offices and present the same upon departure:
    • Holders of Temporary Visitor Visa (tourist visa) who have stayed in the Philippines for six months or more;
    • Holders of expired or downgraded immigrant or non-immigrant visas;
    • Holders of valid immigrant or non-immigrant visas who are leaving for good;
    • Philippine-born foreign nationals who will depart from the Philippines for the first time;
    • Holders of tourist visa with Order to Leave;
    • Seafarers who have stayed in the Philippines for 30 days or more.
  • Applications for regular ECCs shall be filed three days prior to departure and shall be valid for one month upon issuance. Foreign nationals must submit the following requirements upon filing of the application:
    • Application form;
    • Photocopy of passport (bio page, visa pages, latest arrival);
    • Original and photocopy of ACR I-Card;
    • Photocopy of receipt of latest visa extension;
    • Photocopy of order of downgrading (if applicable);
    • Five pieces 2x2 photo
According to BI Order No. SBM-2015-00, you may apply for your ECC-B at the airport if you:
a) Are leaving the country within twenty-four (24) hours and with Boarding Pass;
b) Stayed in the Philippines for six (6) months but not more than one (1) year;
c) Are a holder of a valid Temporary Visitor’s Visa (TVV);
d) Have no pending obligation with the Government, its instrumentalities, agencies and subdivisions, and have no pending criminal, civil or administrative action which by law requires your presence in the Philippines; and
e) Are registered under the Alien registration Program (ARP) and were issued a Special security Registration Number (SSRN).
The airport ECC-B is also available for holders of valid immigrant or non-immigrant visas who have an ACR-I card and intend to return to the Philippines.

Fees for ECC:
  • 1210 PHP (approximately) 
  • Additional fees may be charged if the foreign national is found to have arrears.

If you get an ECC-A, then make certain that you get both a receipt for payment AND the actual ECC certificate.

Even though the BoI directive states that, as a 13a holder, I can obtain my ECC at the airport I am a little concerned about leaving that to chance and being told something different when I get to the airport. Having never done this before, I still want to talk to BoI about it to put my mind at ease.

I googled "Emigration Clearance Certificate" and read everything I could find about other people's experiences.

Even after all these years people still tend to have mixed experiences with the ECC.