Rationalizing Jurisdiction of Immigration Offices

The circular specifies detailed areas of responsibility per office by region and locality.
Each immigration office is assigned provinces and cities for its operation as per the administrative region.
Examples include BOI Makati Extension Office handling top 1000 corporations and BOI-registered companies in Metro Manila, and regional offices in places such as Ilocos Sur, Cagayan, Pampanga, Palawan, Cebu, and others.

The Commissioner of Immigration designates heads for all types of immigration offices and sections.
Heads include Senior Immigration Officers or Alien Control Officers for District Offices, Chiefs for Field, Extension, Satellite Offices, One Stop Shops, and the Student Visa Section, as well as officers-in-charge for Border Crossing Stations.
These leaders are responsible for the effective implementation and enforcement of all immigration laws and regulations.
They have administrative and operational control over personnel, excluding matters related to Bureau policy decisions.
Appeals against decisions of office heads can be made to the Chief, Immigration Regulation Division within five days.

Immigrant visa applications are processed at the BI office with jurisdiction over the applicant’s residence.
Non-immigrant visas and Special/Provisional Work Permits are processed at offices jurisdictionally covering the applicant’s workplace.
Student Visas and Special Study Permits are processed by the Student Visa Section or at the BI office with jurisdiction over the applicant’s educational institution.

The Student Visa Section handles only Special Study Permits, 9(f) Student Visa applications, and related transactions exclusively concerning foreign students and school accreditation.
Other offices may accept applications/services unrelated to Bureau of Customs actions but must have online capability and ACR I-Card data capture facilities to process visa applications and requests requiring BOC action.
BOI Makati and PEZA Extension Offices serve specific groups of foreign nationals tied to registered corporations and economic zones.
One Stop Shops receive applications only from foreign nationals within their agreed jurisdiction as per MOAs and Joint Memorandum Orders.

All heads of the Student Visa Section and other immigration offices must submit daily reports to the Chief, Immigration Regulation Division.
Reports include lists of visas processed, permits issued, and corresponding official receipt numbers.
The deadline for submission is 10:00 AM the next working day.

Non-compliance with provisions of the circular subjects the offending officials or employees to administrative sanctions.
Sanctions will be imposed according to the Revised Rules on Administrative Cases in the Civil Service (RRACCS).

Previous issuances inconsistent with this circular are repealed or modified accordingly.
The circular takes immediate effect upon filing.
Provision for furnishing copies of the circular to the Office of the National Administrative Register and the UP Law Center is made for proper record and dissemination.