How to Lift (Remove) an Immigration Blacklist Order in the Philippines
(Comprehensive 2025 Legal Guide)
1. What a Blacklist Order (BLO) Is – and Is Not
A Blacklist Order issued by the Bureau of Immigration (BI) bars a foreign national from entering or re-entering the Philippines. It is different from:
| Order | Practical effect | Issuing body | Key statute | Can it be lifted? |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Blacklist Order (BLO) | Refusal of entry only | BI Commissioner/Board | C.A. 613 §29 & §37 | Yes (see below) |
| Watch-List / Look-out Bulletin | Flagged for secondary inspection | DOJ | DOJ Circular 041 | Not applicable – expires or is recalled |
| Alert List Order (ALO) | Subject to secondary inspection on arrival | BI | Ops Order 2022-004 | Yes (simpler letter request) citeturn4view0 |
| Hold-Departure Order (HDO) | Prevents departure | Trial court | Rules on Criminal HDOs | Only by the issuing court |
A person can appear on more than one list; each must be cleared separately. citeturn11view0
2. Legal Foundations
- Philippine Immigration Act of 1940 (Commonwealth Act 613).
- §29 lists “excludable” classes; §37 covers deportable aliens. citeturn5view0
- Administrative Circular SBM-2014-001. Sets the minimum waiting periods before the BI will entertain a request to lift a BLO, ranging from 3 months (minor exclusion) to 10 years (serious crimes), with some grounds never eligible unless the Secretary of Justice intervenes. citeturn7view0
- Operations Order SBM-2016-003. Clarifies who may sign a Lift Blacklist Order (LBLO):
- The Board of Commissioners (BoC) may lift a BLO only when the alien was previously deported as an indigent.
- All other cases are decided solely by the BI Commissioner. citeturn6search1
3. Typical Grounds for Blacklisting
| Common ground | Typical waiting time before you may apply* |
|---|---|
| Overstaying < 1 year | 6 months |
| Overstaying > 1 year | 12 months |
| Misrepresentation / fraudulent documents | 12 months |
| Undesirability / moral turpitude | 5 years |
| Conviction of crimes under §§45–46, drug offenses, subversion | 10 years |
| Registered sex offender / trafficking | Not eligible except by DOJ/Sec. of Justice |
*Per Admin. Circular SBM-2014-001; the Commissioner may waive the period for humanitarian, economic or political reasons. citeturn7view0
4. Step-by-Step Procedure to Lift a BLO
| Stage | Where | Key documents / actions |
|---|---|---|
| 1 Check status | BI Main Office (Intramuros) or any BI field office | Passport; BI Certification request (₱500) |
| 2 Wait out the minimum period | Count from actual date of exclusion/deportation, not from issuance of the order. | |
| 3 Prepare the petition | Address Letter-Request to the BI Commissioner. Attach: 1) Affidavit of Explanation (notarized); 2) BI Clearance (recent); 3) Court/Prosecutor’s dismissal or clearance if a criminal case was involved; 4) Proof of payment of fines/overstay dues (if any); 5) Copy of passport bio-page & last Philippine visa/stamp; 6) SPA + ID of Filipino representative (if filing by counsel). | |
| 4 Pay filing fees | Cashier, BI Main Office | Current BI schedule: ₱10,000 petition fee, ₱500 legal research, ₱500 express lane, ₱50 ICT/mol. Fees change; verify at filing. citeturn12search0turn18search0 |
| 5 Evaluation by Legal Division | Legal Division, 4-F BI bldg. | Legal Officer reviews, may summon applicant for clarificatory online interview (introduced 2024 e-Services). |
| 6 Commissioner/BoC decision | Office of the Commissioner | Signed Lift Blacklist Order (LBLO) or denial. Average processing 30–90 days if documents complete. |
| 7 Implementation | BI Central Database & all ports | Once the LBLO is circularised, carry a certified true copy of the Order when travelling for the next 12 months. |
| 8 Visa (re)issuance | PH Embassy/Consulate abroad | A lifted name does NOT restore a visa. Apply for the appropriate visa or enter visa-free if qualified. |
5. What If the Request Is Denied?
- Motion for Reconsideration with the BI within 15 days.
- Petition for Review to the Department of Justice under §3, E.O. 292. FOI responses confirm DOJ entertains appeals after BI denial. citeturn12search8
- Judicial Review (Court of Appeals under Rule 43; Supreme Court on pure questions of law). Jurisprudence such as Park v. BI (G.R. 159835, 19 Jan 2010) affirms that courts will not disturb BI deportation/blacklist findings absent grave abuse. citeturn17search0
6. Practical Tips & Red Flags
| ✔ Do | ✘ Don’t |
|---|---|
| Engage a licensed PH immigration lawyer or accredited liaison—BI warns of social-media “fixers” asking ₱1–5 million. citeturn12search7 | Pay “guaranteed” lifting packages. Only the BI Commissioner can lift a BLO. |
| Submit original or duly authenticated documents; illegible scans stall evaluation. | File too early—requests outside the prescribed periods are routinely dismissed. citeturn7view0 |
| Keep receipts & certified true copies; you must show them at ports during your first re-entry. | Assume the blacklist auto-expires; it does not. Only a formal LBLO erases the record. |
| Track the case. BI now posts status updates via its e-Services Case-Tracker portal (Citizen’s Charter 2025). citeturn18search1 | Re-enter on a different passport; BI systems cross-match biometrics and aliases. |
7. Frequently Asked Questions
| Question | Short answer |
|---|---|
| How long after lifting can I fly back? | Once you receive the implemented LBLO (port circularization code on it), you may seek a visa or travel visa-free under EO 408. |
| Can I apply while still inside PH (e.g., on a tourist visa)? | No. A BLO bars entry; if you are already in-country you are subject to deportation, not a blacklist. |
| Does marriage to a Filipino automatically lift a BLO? | No, but it may be a humanitarian ground for waiver of the waiting period (Commissioner’s discretion). citeturn7view0 |
| Are unpaid overstaying fines enough to trigger a blacklist? | Yes. Overstay of > 1 year automatically leads to exclusion on next arrival and requires lifting. |
| Is there a single-window online filing? | As of April 2025, only initial screening and appointment setting are online; the petition and originals must still be lodged at the Main Office. |
8. Contact Points (2025)
- Bureau of Immigration – Main Office
- Magallanes Dr., Intramuros, Manila 1002
- Trunkline: (+632) 8465-2400 | Email: ocom@immigration.gov.ph citeturn12search5
- BI Blacklist/LBLO Desk: Rm 203, 2-F, Tel. 8465-2400 loc. 248/251 citeturn7view0
9. Key Take-aways
- Check the clock first. The BI will not entertain a petition filed earlier than the waiting period unless a humanitarian or national-interest waiver is invoked.
- File a complete, well-documented request. Missing clearances or unpaid penalties are the top reasons for denial or delay.
- The Commissioner’s signature is indispensable. Any “lifting” not countersigned and circularised is void.
- Keep proof on hand when you travel again—the airport system’s refresh interval is typically 24 hours, but carrying the LBLO avoids hassles.
- If refused, appeal promptly—deadlines are strict, but the DOJ and the courts provide a pathway for meritorious cases.
Disclaimer: This article is general information only and not formal legal advice. Immigration rules evolve; always verify current requirements with the Bureau of Immigration or qualified Philippine immigration counsel before acting.