Bureau of Immigration Cotabato District Office

29/01/2026

Due to the recent series of earthquakes that occured in the city yeaterday, January 28, 2026, the City Government of Cotabato and the BARMM government has issued work suspension today January 29, 2026 to give way to structural inspection in all vital buildings and facilities.

27/12/2025

10/01/2025

All Immigrant and Non Immigrant Visa Holders are reminded to register for the 2025 Annual Report from January 1, 2025 to March 1, 2025 . Registration may be done via online or personal appeaance in your nearest subport.

12/10/2024

The successful implementation of the enrollment and registration of foreign nationals in the EXPATS is made possible due to the strong support of Honorable City Mayor Joseph George Lechonsito, MD, DPA thru the City Administrator Sir Ramon Losanes and the City Government of Tacurong. Our office is immensely grateful for hosting and assisting our team during the activity.

Bureau of Immigration administers mapping and updating of foreigners in Tacurong

In order to update their system, the Bureau of Immigration (BI) Head Office assisted by its regional office conducted a mapping and tracing of foreigners present in the city on October 9, 2024 at the 3rd floor conference hall, New Executive Building, City Hall Compound.

The City Government of Tacurong headed by City Mayor Joseph George Lechonsito, MD, DPA through City Administrator Ramon B. Losanes warmly welcomed the workforce of BI and expressed their utmost support and cooperation in this endeavor.

Thirteen staff of the bureau from all over the country, headed by Ms. Ma. Rholyn Merced Uy, spearheaded this initiative.

Ms. Bailallie SL Lidasan of BI Cotabato office pointed out that that this tracing and mapping is vital to ensure that every foreigner in the country is well documented in the system.

04/10/2024

04/10/2024

Attention: ALL FOREIGN NATIONALS WITHIN THE TERRITORIAL JURISDICTION OF COTABATO IMMIGRATION DISTRICT OFFICE:
-COTABATO PROVINCE
-SULTAN KUDARAT PROVINCE
-MAGUINDANAO DEL SUR PROVINCE
-MAGUINDANAO DEL NORTE PROVINCE
-COTABATO CITY

You are enjoined to register in the Expanded Program for Alien Typing System (EXPATS). The program aims for accurate accounting and identification of all foreign nationals in the country through comprehensive verification, classification, documentation and registration particularly biometrics information of all foreign nationals in the country.

04/10/2024

Enjoining all Foreign Nationals in the City of Kidapawan and its neighboring municipalities to come for the EXPATS registration.

ATTENTION!

EXTENDED PROGRAM FOR ALIEN TYPING SYSTEM (EXPATS)

04/10/2024

Enjoining all Foreign Nationals in the Province of Cotabato to come for the EXPATS registration.

𝗔𝗧𝗧𝗘𝗡𝗧𝗜𝗢𝗡!

𝐓𝐨 𝐚𝐥𝐥 𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐞𝐢𝐠𝐧 𝐧𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐥𝐬 𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐢𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐢𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐩𝐫𝐨𝐯𝐢𝐧𝐜𝐞:

The Provincial Government of Cotabato would like to inform that the Bureau of Immigration will be conducting the Expanded Program for Alien Typing System (EXPATS) on October 5, 2024 in Kidapawan City and October 7, 2024 in Midsayap, Cotabato.

This initiative aims to streamline and fast-track the processing of the documentation of foreign nationals entering or residing in the country. It also seeks to enhance the services provided to them while ensuring full compliance with immigration laws and regulations.

For further information, please see the details below:

03/10/2024

03 October 2024

NEW BI CHIEF VOWS AGENCY REFORMS

INTRAMUROS, Manila—The Bureau of Immigration (BI) on Tuesday welcomed lawyer Joel Anthony M. Viado as its new Commissioner.

Viado, who was previously designated as the agency’s officer-in-charge last month, has been in the BI as a Deputy Commissioner since April 2023.

His appointment completes the three-member BI Board of Commissioners, alongside Deputy Commissioners Daniel Laogan and Aldwin Alegre.

As a lawyer with a deep understanding of immigration laws, Viado reiterated his support for the passage of a new immigration law to replace the country’s 84-year-old Philippine Immigration Act, which he described as outdated and an obstacle to the agency’s modernization efforts.

He noted that the new law would not only streamline immigration procedures but also strengthen border security and improve the governance of immigration policies.

"The Bureau is fully supportive of the President’s initiative to prioritize a new immigration law, which will enhance our operations and allow us to serve the public more effectively," Viado stated.

In addition to pushing for legislative reform, Viado stressed the importance of combating corruption within the Bureau through the automation of key processes. “We will take advantage of the aggressive thrust of the national government in terms of ICT,” said Viado.

He said that digital systems are a key priority under his leadership. He added that he will continue working with the Department of Justice in ensuring the improvement of the agency.

Viado announced that his office will undertake a comprehensive review of the BI’s existing policies and procedures to identify inefficiencies and remove redundancies.

Before his appointment, Viado was an accomplished lawyer who represented several multinational corporations involved in construction operations across Asia, the United States, and Europe. He also previously served in government, working at the House of Representatives and as a legal counsel under the Presidential Management Staff.

He holds a degree in Political Science from the University of the Philippines Diliman, where he also earned his law degree. Viado was admitted to the Philippine Bar in 1999. #

03/10/2024

Congratulations to our new Commissioner Atty. Joel Anthony Viado.

31/08/2024

27 August 2024

SHIELA GUO’s STATEMENT CONFIRMS BI’s THEORY: SIBLINGS ILLEGALLY DEPARTED TO SABAH BY BOAT

PASAY, Philippines—Bureau of Immigration (BI) Commissioner Norman Tansingco said that Shiela Guo, the sister of suspended Mayor Alice Guo, admitted that they left the Philippines illegally to Sabah via boat.

Tansingco, who attended the Senate Committee on Justice and Human Rights hearing on August 27, shared that the story corroborates with their theory that the Guo siblings departed illegally without formal inspections.

“They allegedly deliberately evaded immigration inspection by leaving on board a small boat from a resort somewhere north, then transferred to a bigger boat,” said Tansingco. “She then said that from the bigger boat, they transferred to another small boat and went straight to Sabah,” he added.

Shiela currently faces a deportation case for undesirability and misrepresentation as a Filipino national, as she was found to have a valid Chinese passport under the name Zhang Mier.

Tansingco clarified that Shiela will only be deported only after the resolution of all pending criminal cases filed against her and completion of all other liabilities in the country.

He added that once returned, Alice and Wesley Guo may also face the same cases against them.

“We are in close coordination with our Indonesian counterparts in monitoring the movements of Alice Guo,” said Tansingco. “We are glad that this piece of the puzzle has been found, but Alice’s return to the Philippines would ensure that justice is served,” he added.

30/08/2024

26 August 2024

FASTER OFW DEPARTURE CLEARANCES EXPECTED - - BI

MANILA, Philippines— The Bureau of Immigration (BI) said that the integration of the Overseas Employment Certificate (OEC) system into its system expedited the processing of departure clearances for Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs).

According to BI Commissioner Norman Tansingco, this integration is a key component of the Bureau’s modernization strategy, aligning with the vision of a “Bagong Immigration towards the Bagong Pilipinas.”

The OEC, or OFW Pass, serves as exit clearance and verifies employment abroad for Filipino workers. With the new system integration, the BI and the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) now have real-time data sharing capabilities, significantly speeding up the immigration clearance process.

Tansingco said that this is jumpstarts the concept of green lane for OFWs. He highlighted the advantages of the integrated system: “The integration of the OEC into our system represents a significant improvement in BI’s modernization efforts. This update will facilitate quicker processing times for OFWs, ensuring that they receive their immigration clearances promptly and efficiently. By enabling real-time data sharing with the DMW, we also aim to ensure a more streamlined process.”

This integrated system allows for immediate verification of OEC details, providing a seamless experience for OFWs as they prepare for their overseas employment. If no irregularities are detected, departing OFWs will receive their immigration clearance without delay.

He added that the DMW has also committed to maintain its personnel stationed at the airports, who will give assistance to concerns of OFWs.

"This partnership between the BI and the DMW is aimed at providing a seamless experience for our modern day heroes," said Tansingco. "They can expect more improvements to come, targeting OFWs to provide better experience," he added.