Question & AnswerQ&A (IMMIGRATION ADMINISTRATIVE CIRCULAR NO. JHM-2018-003)
The primary purpose is to rationalize the territorial jurisdiction, area of responsibility, and scope of authority of Alien Control Officers and heads of immigration offices in the Philippines.
The issuance of this circular is under the authority of Section 3 of Commonwealth Act No. 613 (Philippine Immigration Act of 1940), as amended.
District Offices refer to immigration offices situated in Regional Centers of the different Administrative Regions in the Philippines.
The circular defines District Offices, Field Offices, Extension Offices, Satellite Offices, and One Stop Shops.
The jurisdiction of an immigration office includes all cities, municipalities, islands, and seaports within the province or provinces concerned.
The Commissioner of Immigration designates senior Immigration Officers or Alien Control Officers to District Offices; Field Office Chiefs to Field Offices; Extension Office Chiefs to Extension Offices; Satellite Office Chiefs to Satellite Offices; Alien Control Officers for One Stop Shops; Chiefs to Student Visa Sections; and IO III or Officers-in-charge to Border Crossing Stations.
Immigrant visas are processed at the BI Office with jurisdiction at the applicant's place of residence; non-immigrant visas are processed at the BI Office with jurisdiction at the applicant's place of work.
The Student Visa Section may only accept applications for Special Study Permit (SSP) and 9(f) Student Visa, as well as related transactions for foreign students and accreditation of schools.
All heads of immigration offices must submit daily to the Chief, Immigration Regulation Division, a list of all visas processed and permits issued with the corresponding Official Receipt numbers no later than 10:00 AM of the next working day.
Violations are subject to administrative sanctions in accordance with the Revised Rules on Administrative Cases in the Civil Service (RRACCS).
The PEZA Extension Office located in Roxas Boulevard, Pasay City caters specifically to foreign nationals under PEZA-registered companies.
The Chief, Immigration Regulation Division monitors strict compliance with the circular, can access visa and permit systems, accept, endorse, or process applications, and decisions of immigration office heads are appealable to this Chief within five days.