New Visa Regulation for Tourists ACR-I-Card

[Rhoody]

The new Visa Regulation for Tourists will not effect anybody who makes a regular holiday here. Nothing changed in that point. However, tourists who stay longer than 59 days need to get an ACR-I-Card. ACR-I stands for (Alien Certificate of Registration identity card) and need to be, well I really only can say purchased before March 1,2010.

Here a release I read a while ago, but forgot completely until yesterday when I walked into the immigration for my Visa Extension.

Philippines – ACR I-Card Now Required For Additional Categories

Effective 20 December, and according to the recently issued Memorandum from the Bureau of Immigration in the Philippines (Order No. MCl-09-024 dated 23 November 2009), additional categories of foreign nationals in the Philippines will be required to apply for an Alien Certificate of Registration Identity Card (ACR I-Card).

The Memorandum also brings in the need for an emigration clearance certificate (exit approval) for foreign nationals who have been granted a total stay in the Philippines of six months or longer.

The additional categories for ACR I-Cards are as follows:
1)
Temporary visitors (including business visitors) applying for an extension of stay for over 59 days in total under section 9(a) of the Immigration Act
2)
Temporary residents with a Special Study Pass (SSP), regardless of length of stay
3)
Temporary residents with a Special Work Permit (SWP), regardless of length of stay.
Note also that if a SWP holder subsequently obtains a 9(g)/9(d) visa, the ACR I-Card tied to his/her SWP will become invalid and a new ACR I-Card will need to be applied for, linked to the 9(g)/9(d) visa. At this time, the authorities have not yet disclosed whether personal appearance is needed for the new ACR I-Card application (personal appearance for the first application is a requirement, as fingerprints and a photograph must be taken).
Previously, ACR I-Cards were not required for SSP holders, for SWP holders or for business visitors staying over 59 days. The ACR I-Card was required for 9(g)/9(g) visa holders, but was the final step in this process. From 20 December, applicants in this latter category will be required to obtain the ACR I-Card twice, once when the SWP is secured and then again when the 9(g)/9(d) visa endorsement is completed.

Note that foreign nationals already in the Philippines under one of the above three categories must make ACR I-Card applications as soon as possible in order to comply with the new regulations. Where applications have not been made, extension of stay will not be granted.

Well, seems like somebody found another way to get some money from "rich long noses".

The interesting point is that the immigration in Dumaguete is aware of that but was not able to give me any advice how to proceed. "Sir, maybe next week"

cheers

Rhoody