Are you a foreigner who stayed in the Philippines for more than six months? You need an Emigration Clearance Certificate Philippines when you leave the country. This also applies to those with tourist, student, or work visas.
Knowing how to get an ECC is important. It can help foreigners dating Filipinas or people looking for an affordable weekend getaway near Manila.
Curious about this lifestyle? TMTG’s new eBook, “The A-Z on Becoming a Digital Nomad,” is the perfect guide! It has all the info you need to work remotely and travel freely. It’s packed with useful tips to help you get started.
There are two types of this certificate. These are also called exit clearance certificates or exit clearances. We’ll explain both kinds below.
You must apply for an ECC at least 72 hours before your flight. Immigration Officers in the Philippines will ask for it. You can apply for it up to one month before leaving. But you can only use it once.
If you don’t have this certificate, you might face penalties or delays at the airport. Here’s a 2025 guide to help foreigners!
Who Can Get an Emigration Clearance Certificate-A?
As of 2025, the Bureau of Immigration allows the following:
- Tourist visa holders staying over 6 months
- Expired or downgraded visa holders
- Valid visa holders leaving for good
- Philippine-born foreigners leaving for the first time
- Tourists with Orders to Leave
- Seafarers staying 30+ days with approved discharge
- Applicants with derogatory records or unpaid issues
Requirements for Getting an Emigration Clearance Certificate (ECC-A)
- Filled-up ECC application form
- Copy of passport bio-page and visa entry page
- Five (5) pcs 2×2 colored photograph – white background
- Original and copy of your ACR I-Card. Both front and back. If leaving for good, you may need to return your card.
- Photocopy of official receipts of visa-related payments
- Any needed letters or orders
Additional for Philippine-born foreigners:
- Birth certificate
- Consular Report of Birth Abroad (for using US passport)
- Parent or guardian’s passport bio-page (if under 18)
- Airline ticket of child and parent or guardian
If ACR I-Card is lost:
- Sworn Affidavit of Loss
- Checklist
Steps to Get an Emigration Clearance Certificate (ECC-A)
- Gather all the required documents.
- Go to a Bureau of Immigration (BI) Office or a satellite office. Submit your documents and get an Order of Payment Slip.
- Pay the ECC fees at the cashier.
- Submit the receipt and all documents. Get a claim slip that tells you when your ECC will be ready (usually 2–5 working days).
- Return on the scheduled date. Present the claim stub and receive your ECC and receipts. Sign to confirm you got it.
Apply at least 72 hours before your flight. It is valid for one month. You must leave within that time or apply again. At the airport, show your ECC at the immigration counter. It can only be used once. Having it will help you avoid overstaying problems or penalties.
Your wait at the Bureau of Immigration office might be long. Having a portable mini fan can help make the experience more comfortable.
Who Can Get an Emigration Clearance Certificate-B?
- Immigrant and Non-Immigrant Visa Holders with valid Alien Certificate of Registration (ACR I-Card)
- People leaving temporarily (e.g. residents or permanent residents)
- Must have no pending obligations or records
Requirements for Getting an ECC-B
- ECC Form (from the airport)
- Valid ACR I-Card
- Payment for ECC-B
Steps to Get an ECC-B
Option 1 – At the Airport
- Arrive early on your flight day. Find the ECC-B counter.
- Submit your documents and pay the fee.
- Get your ECC-B.
- Show it to the Immigration Officer.
Option 2 – Follow ECC-A Process
Use this if your ACR I-Card is not valid or if you want to process it early.
ECC Fees (as of 2025)
Always bring essentials when traveling. A solar power bank is useful for keeping your devices charged.
Where to Apply for ECC in the Philippines
Main Office
- Bureau of Immigration – Magallanes Drive, Intramuros, Manila
- Tel: +632 8-547-3769, +632 8-465-2400
- Website: immigration.gov.ph
BI District Offices Processing ECC-A
- Cagayan de Oro City
- Mandaue City, Cebu
- Davao City
- Iloilo City
- Laoag City
- Legazpi City
- San Fernando City
- Tacloban City
- Tuguegarao City
Field Offices (with ECC-A services)
- Angeles, Pampanga
- Baguio City
- Batangas City
- Boracay, Aklan
- Butuan City
- Calapan City
- Dasmariñas, Cavite (same-day release)
- Las Piñas, Metro Manila
- Lucena City
- Olongapo City
- Santa Rosa, Laguna
- Surigao City
- Taytay, Rizal
Others
- SM Aura, BGC
- SM North Edsa
- PEZA Extension Office, Pasay
- Clark One Stop Shop
- Subic (for downgraded SCWV holders)
This is an important document. It is for foreigners, residents, and permanent residents with valid visas. Filipino citizens and dual citizens usually don’t need this. This article is for general help only. Rules may change. Prices and requirements may also change. It depends on your citizenship. They can also depend on your visa type or length of stay.
Don’t forget your travel health insurance. It will make you feel safe and secure in your travels. Write down important details in a travel notebook.
Please check with the BI for the latest updates. Visit your local BI office for help. We hope this updated 2025 ECC guide helps you travel more smoothly. Safe travels!
Disclaimer: The answers provided here are for general knowledge only. For updated requirements or special cases, always check with the Bureau of Immigration.
FAQ
The Tax Clearance Certificate costs PHP 100. You can pay this through the eFPS system. A payment receipt must be attached to your application. This is a separate document from your exit clearance certificate. But it’s important for those with tax-related obligations.
If you have submitted all the needed papers, the ECC will be ready in about 20 business days. Processing time may vary based on your visa type or specific circumstances.
ECC-B is for people with Immigrant or Non-Immigrant visas who have valid ACR I-Cards.
You should apply at least 72 hours before leaving. It’s better to apply earlier to avoid any complications.
About the Writer
Hey, I’m Lyza! I once was a person who just imagined going to places “one day” but decided to pursue my dreams. My first travel abroad was in Japan, solo, last 2018, and fell in love with the journey since. I’m aiming to visit 10 countries before turning 30 and 2 new places in the Philippines every year. Besides traveling, I love organizing trips, photography, reading, and making new friends. Follow my adventures through my Instagram.