Blacklist Checking for Philippine Entry (2025 update)
Everything a traveler, immigration practitioner, or compliance officer needs to know
1. What a “Blacklist Order” (BLO) actually is
The Bureau of Immigration (BI) keeps a Blacklist Order—a derogatory list that bars a foreign national from entering the Philippines. When a person on the list presents himself at any port of entry, the primary immigration officer must refuse admission and arrange the traveler’s immediate return on the first available outbound flight. (FAQ's | Bureau of Immigration Philippines)
Only aliens can be black-listed. A Philippine citizen—even a dual citizen—is outside the scope of Commonwealth Act 613; hence citizens cannot be placed on a BLO. (Determining if a Foreigner is Blacklisted in the Philippines)
2. Legal bases
| Instrument | Key points | Citation |
|---|---|---|
| Commonwealth Act No. 613 (Immigration Act, 1940) | Empowers the BI Commissioner to exclude, deport, and keep derogatory records of aliens. | (Philippines: Commonwealth Act No. 613 of 1940, Immigration Act) |
| Immigration Administrative Circular SBM-2014-001 | Sets the standard waiting periods (6 months – 5 years) before a black-listed alien may ask to be delisted. | (Periods for Lifting Blacklist – Guzman Acain LLP) |
| Immigration Administrative Circular 2024-001 (in force 26 Apr 2024) | Tightens the rule that subversives, drug convicts, and registered sex-offenders cannot be delisted without express DOJ authority and lays down the humanitarian test for RSOs. | |
| BI Memorandum Circular 2014-059-A | Prescribes documentary and filing-fee schedule for petitions to lift a BLO. | (Immigration Blacklist Verification Removal Philippines) |
| DOJ Circular 58 (2012) | Grants the Secretary of Justice appellate supervision over BI blacklist and deportation orders. | (Immigration Blacklist Verification Removal Philippines) |
3. How a person gets black-listed
Typical grounds include:
- Overstaying or visa fraud (e.g., working on a tourist visa).
- Final deportation order (automatic entry into the list).
- Criminal conviction for crimes involving moral turpitude, drugs, trafficking, or national-security offenses.
- Discourtesy or unruly behavior toward an immigration officer (minimum 12-month wait before delisting). (Periods for Lifting Blacklist – Guzman Acain LLP, Legal procedure for lifting an immigration blacklist for entry into the Philippines — Respicio & Co.)
- POGO-related violations. After the July 2024 clamp-down on offshore gaming hubs, thousands of POGO workers were black-listed for overstaying and illegal work. (Philippines orders foreign workers in offshore gaming hubs to leave in 2 months)
4. Blacklist vs. other BI derogatory lists
| List | Effect | Who issues it? | Lift / appeal |
|---|---|---|---|
| Blacklist Order (BLO) | Denies entry only; if already in PH, the alien may leave unless separately on a WLO/HDO. | BI Commissioner / Board of Commissioners | Petition to BI; appeal to DOJ. |
| Watchlist Order (WLO) | Prevents departure without DOJ clearance while criminal investigation or deportation case is pending. | DOJ Secretary | DOJ lifts upon case resolution. (Differences of a Hold Departure Order, Watch List Order, and Allow ...) |
| Hold-Departure Order (HDO) | Court order that bars departure pending a criminal case. | Regional Trial Court | Same court, or higher court. |
| Immigration Look-Out Bulletin Order (ILBO) | Alerts ports; does not itself bar exit but subjects traveler to secondary inspection. | DOJ | DOJ or referring agency. |
| Alert List Order (ALO) | Confidential list used by BI intelligence at airports for heightened screening. | BI Intel Division | Internal request to BI. |
5. How to check if you are black-listed
| Channel | Steps | 2025 Cost* | Turn-around |
|---|---|---|---|
| In person at BI Clearance & Certification Section (Window 38, BI Main Office, Intramuros) | ① Fill out Clearance & Records Request Form ② Submit passport copy ③ Pay fees ④ Claim certificate | ₱ 200 clearance + ₱ 500 certification + ₱ 50 legal-research fee = ₱ 750 | 3-5 working days |
| Through an authorised representative | Same, but attach SPA (notarised & apostilled). | Same | 3-5 days |
| FOI portal / e-mail | Not allowed. BI will only release derogatory info to the subject or an authorised agent, citing the Data Privacy Act. | — | — |
Watchlist Order and Black List Order](https://www.foi.gov.ph/requests/watchlist-order-and-black-list-order/)) |
*BI adjusts tariffs periodically; always check the latest schedule. (BI Clearance Certification | Bureau of Immigration Philippines)
There is no public on-line lookup and airline staff cannot pre-screen the BLO. The safest course is to secure a BI certification before booking travel if you suspect an issue.
6. What the certificate means
- “No Derogatory Record” – you are not on the BLO, WLO, HDO, or ILBO as of the issuance date.
- “With Derogatory Record” – the certificate will describe the instrument (e.g., Blacklist Order dated 05 Jan 2023 for overstay) and the responsible office. Bring a copy when consulting counsel.
7. Consequences of arriving while black-listed
- Immediate turn-around at the carrier’s expense.
- Possible inclusion in alert & watch lists, triggering future scrutiny.
- If the BLO stems from a deportation order and you somehow re-enter, BI may arrest and recommence deportation. ([PDF] Republic of the Philippines - Bureau of Immigration)
8. Getting off the blacklist
- Observe the waiting period under SBM-2014-001 (e.g., 12 months for discourtesy; 5 years for illegal stay of >1 year). (Periods for Lifting Blacklist – Guzman Acain LLP)
- File a Petition to Lift the BLO addressed to the BI Commissioner. Core documents:
- Notarised Petition/Affidavit of Explanation
- Proof you have settled fines & penalties (for overstaying, pay first).
- Police/NBI clearance from home country & PH.
- SPA if filed through counsel. (Legal procedure for lifting an immigration blacklist for entry into the Philippines — Respicio & Co.)
- Pay the filing fees (₱ 50,000 + accrued fines for long-overstayers is common). (Immigration Blacklist Verification Removal Philippines)
- BI Legal Division evaluation, recommendation, and Commissioner’s order.
- If denied, file a Motion for Reconsideration within 15 days, or elevate to the DOJ under Circular 58. (Legal procedure for lifting an immigration blacklist for entry into the Philippines — Respicio & Co.)
Not eligible for lifting without DOJ approval: subversives, drug convicts, and RSOs—per IAC 2024-001.
9. Timelines
| Stage | Typical duration |
|---|---|
| Records verification certificate | 3–5 working days |
| Simple lifting petition (overstay, discourtesy) | 4–8 weeks |
| Complex cases (criminal conviction, misrepresentation) | 3–6 months |
| DOJ appeal | +2–4 months |
10. Practical tips & common pitfalls
- Always settle fines first. A lifting petition filed with unpaid penalties will be docketed but never approved.
- Do not forge or “borrow” clearances. Misrepresentation can convert a one-year bar into a permanent exclusion.
- Maintain legal counsel’s e-mail for follow-ups. BI often releases electronic copies of the Order before the hard copies reach airports.
- Re-check before flying. Airline departure control systems sync with BI every few days; verify that your name has vanished from the BLO database before you book.
11. Emerging issues to watch in 2025
- POGO crackdown fallout. Thousands of workers linked to illegal gaming face lifetime bans; petitions are being tested under the humanitarian clause of DOJ Circular 58. (Philippines orders foreign workers in offshore gaming hubs to leave in 2 months)
- Data-privacy tightening. BI is upgrading its derogatory database with facial-recognition; expect stricter identity verification in record-check requests.
- E-Certification pilot. BI plans to roll out electronic release of “No Derogatory Record” certificates via its e-Services portal by late 2025.
12. Key take-aways
- There is no quick online check—you must obtain a BI certification or have a lawyer do it.
- The waiting period + complete documentary proof are crucial for any delisting attempt.
- Certain offenders (terrorism, drugs, RSOs) need DOJ clearance—BI cannot help on its own.
- Start early: even straightforward lifting cases commonly run six weeks or more.
If you need personalised advice, consult a Philippine immigration lawyer with a proven blacklist-removal practice; each case hinges on its own facts.