Expedited exit clearance certificate in the Philippines
The Philippines requires a sort of exit visa for tourists staying longer than 6 months, called an "exit clearance cerificate" or ECC. (Sometimes, confusingly, "emigration" is substituted for "exit.")
This paperwork usually takes at least a week to process, but I forgot to obtain one for my flight which leaves a week from today. Is an expedited service available?
The US Embassy mentions expedited service for only 500 pesos, and that info is widely quoted around the web, but it may be out of date. Will it be possible to get the clearance in time, maybe if I go to the Bureau of Immigration head office in Manila?
Best Answer
Edit: I went through the process again and now the turnaround at the local office is just one day. Also, only 4 photos are required, not 5.
I don't know whether this is true of all field offices, but do check before making assumptions.
Yes!
Today I visited the Bureau of Immigration head office in Intramuros, and they informed me that the normal processing time is three days. (Exactly three days, to the minute. You cannot apply Monday afternoon and pick-up Thursday morning.) The exit clearance fees are included in the ACR I-Card (Alien Certificate of Registration), leaving "only" the P500 general transaction fee.
If you can make a couple round trips to Manila (or one round trip if your flight is late on a weekday), you can save a flight from having missed the provincial ECC deadline.
Since the requirements aren't listed online or even on the official application form, but only on a paper slip stapled onto it, this list might help if you're making a long trip:
- 5 pieces, 2-inch square glossy photos, passport-style (no eyeglasses or hat)
- You can buy a set on-site for P100.
- Photocopies of all passport pages containing Philippine visas and extensions up to the last entry
- Photocopy of passport info page
- Photocopy of ACR, front & back
- Photocopy of last visa extension receipt (!)
- Your passport, obviously
- Your hands. They will take a complete set of fingerprints, so there's no way to send an agent.
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Do I need exit clearance to leave Philippines?
A foreigner with an immigrant or non-immigrant visa leaving the Philippines is required to get an Emigration Clearance Certificate (ECC). Issued by the Bureau of Immigration (BI), it certifies that you have no pending obligation with the government of the Philippines.How do I get exit clearance in the Philippines?
Requirements Needed for Getting an Emigration Clearance Certificate (A)Where can I get my ECC clearance?
The ECC-A may be secured at the BI Main Office or in select District Offices, Satellite Offices, Field Offices, One-Stop-Shops. ECC-A is issued to departing holders of Tourist Visas who have stayed for 6 months or more.Can I get ECC at Manila airport?
You can get the ECC at the airport on the day of departure.PHILIPPINE EXIT CLEARANCE|HOW TO APPLY FOR ECC BUREAU OF IMMIGRATION
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Answer 2
Yesterday I had my ECC in Davao, requirements there were photocopies of your passport showing your entry stamp showing the date you came into the country the last extension on your visa your man bio page and copies of your ACR Card front and back also 4 photos, you also fill in a form and they take your thumb prints then you pay , I had everything done in around one hour the officers were very good and help you fill in the form
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