It's no problem getting the temporary ACR I card, just annoying, as its only purpose is to generate more funds for BI, it would be more honest to just up the rates of the tourist visa after 59 days, Even When you have the temp ACR I Card you still have to visit your local BI every couple of months to extend your visa, you still have to apply for exit clearance certificate and be finger printed before you leave the country, nothings changed except you now have a little plastic card with your picture on it, any information that may or may not have been added to the card, is no different from what you provide every two months when on a tourist visa, so it serves no real purpose.
The only advantage that I can see is that it gives someone who is staying in the Philippines on a tourist Visa for more than 59 days an official pictured ID that could be used for example in opening a bank account, they are meant to be taken from you as you leave the country, mine was returned, mine says for the the cards expiry date, see visa stamp in passport, which means as long as i have a valid visa my card is valid, I know that wont cut any ice with immigration but it will as an ID card.
J  |