Bureau of Immigration (BI)

Bureau of Immigration Emigration Clearance Certificate (ECC)

An Emigration Clearance Certificate is required for certain foreign nationals before leaving the Philippines. BI FAQs describe ECC-A for temporary visitors who stayed six months or more and other listed cases, and ECC-B for immigrants/non-immigrants with valid ACR I-Cards leaving temporarily. Apply at least 72 hours before departure. An ECC is valid for one month from issuance and may be used only once. Use the current ECC Application Form hosted on immigration.gov.ph (effective 20 August 2026); older district charters may still cite BI Form 2015-08-001—confirm at the receiving office.

When foreign nationals need an ECC before departure, how ECC-A and ECC-B differ, and how to use the current official application form without ignoring older charter form numbers.

Last verified October 8, 2026

Updated October 8, 2026

Who-must-apply, 72-hour guidance, and validity/single-use rules: immigration.gov.ph FAQs. Current form: ARD04.QF.003 Eff. 20 AUG 2026. Older district CC form numbers CONFLICTING—disclosed on-page. Fees confirm-at-cashier.

Quick Summary

Agency
Bureau of Immigration (BI)
How to apply
Walk-in
Published processing time
BI FAQs advise applying at least 72 hours before departure. Actual counter time depends on derogatory checking and biometrics—confirm at the office that will issue your ECC.
BI fee notes
See fees

What You’ll Need

Use this as a preparation checklist. Items marked “If it applies” are situational.

  • Confirm whether you need ECC-A or ECC-B

    Official source

    FAQ: ECC-A covers temporary visitors who stayed six months or more, expired/downgraded visas, leaving-for-good immigrant/non-immigrant holders, Philippine-born foreigners departing the first time, Order-to-Leave holders, and certain discharged seafarers. ECC-B covers immigrant/non-immigrant holders with valid ACR I-Cards leaving temporarily.

  • Accomplished ECC application form (current official version)

    Official source

    Use the ECC Application Form currently hosted by BI (ARD04.QF.003 Rev. Lev. 0, effective 20 August 2026). Some district Citizen’s Charters still list BI Form 2015-08-001—if the counter requires a different blank, follow the form they issue that day.

  • Passport bio-page and latest arrival stamp photocopies

    Confirm at office

    District ECC checklists commonly require photocopies of the passport biodata page and latest arrival stamp. Bring the physical passport as well.

  • Proof of payment of previous and latest visa extensions

    If it appliesConfirm at office

    Common district checklist item for temporary visitors. Bring official receipts / proof of payment for extensions.

  • Recent 2×2 photographs as the office checklist specifies

    Confirm at office

    District charters commonly ask for multiple 2×2 photos with white background taken within the last three months. Confirm quantity at your filing office.

  • Orders / NBI clearance when applicable

    If it appliesConfirm at office

    Bring Order to Leave, downgrading, or related orders if applicable. NBI clearance appears on some checklists for Order-to-Leave applicants.

How To Do It

  1. 1

    Confirm you are in an ECC-required category

    Official source

    Read BI FAQs for ECC-A vs ECC-B. Not every departing foreign national needs an ECC.

  2. 2

    Download or obtain the current ECC application form

    Official source

    Prefer the effective-dated PDF on immigration.gov.ph. If your district still hands out an older blank, use the form the office accepts that day and keep a copy of their instruction.

  3. 3

    File at least 72 hours before departure

    Official source

    Submit the form and checklist documents, complete biometrics/registration steps the office requires, pay the Order of Payment, and claim the ECC when approved.

  4. 4

    Travel within validity; one-time use

    Official source

    FAQ: ECC is valid for one month from issuance but may be used only once regardless of remaining validity.

Fees

ECC and related fees are confirmed on the Order of Payment at the filing office—district tables are not treated as a universal schedule.

ECC and related BI fees
District charters list amounts such as ECC + LRF and other case-based fees. Do not treat any single district table as nationwide. Pay only the OPS you receive.
Confirm at office
Confirm on Order of Payment

Important Notes

  • Form number conflict: prefer the effective-dated national PDF

    Official source

    BI currently hosts ARD04.QF.003 (Eff. 20 AUG 2026). Older district Citizen’s Charters still mention BI Form 2015-08-001. This guide does not silently pick one for every office—bring the current national form and follow counter instructions if they differ.

  • BI ECC is not a DMW OEC

    Official source

    Overseas Filipino Worker exit clearance (OEC / OFW Travel Pass) is a DMW process. Foreign-national Emigration Clearance Certificate is Bureau of Immigration.

Where / How To Apply

Bureau of Immigration Main Office / district or field offices that process ECC, following the office checklist where you file. Airport port-of-exit issuance exists only for narrow published cases—do not assume airport ECC is available for every traveler.

Visit BI website

Official Forms

Links go to current official agency sources. Ano Kailangan does not host government PDF copies. Do not assume a downloadable file is accepted for filing unless the note below says so.

  • Emigration Clearance Certificate (ECC) Application Form

    Bureau of Immigration

    ARD04.QF.003 Rev. Lev. 0 · Effective 20 AUG 2026

    Printed submission may apply in some channels—confirm on the current official source before you rely on a printout.

    Official PDF is downloadable. District charters describe submitting a filled-out ECC form, but older form numbers still appear in some office PDFs—confirm acceptance of this revision at your filing office. Wet-signature / typed-entry rules beyond “enter legibly” are not fully specified on the form header.

    Last verified October 8, 2026 · Evidence VERIFIED

    Open official sourceOpen official PDF

Official Sources

Verify the checklist against the agency before you travel or pay.