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

[sveg visa philippines]

Thank you for this very informative post.

[chippy]

Hi All, I left the Philippines last week, I had the new temporary ACR-I card as my stay passed the 59 day mark, it was briefly looked at by the immigration guy at Manila airport and then returned to me, the immigration seemed more interested in exit clearence certificate, normally I only leave the Philippines for a few days every 16 months, however on this occasion I'll probably be away for 6 months or so. be interesting to see what new legislation BI can introduce over that period to squeeze some more peso

Jay

[sveg visa philippines]

Originally Posted by 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

Oh no, this ain't good news at all. Too bad to know such experience. But anyway, as long as you have a well awareness and understanding of the respective procedures, problems like this should be avoided.

[sveg visa philippines]

Originally Posted by chippy

Hi All, I left the Philippines last week, I had the new temporary ACR-I card as my stay passed the 59 day mark, it was briefly looked at by the immigration guy at Manila airport and then returned to me, the immigration seemed more interested in exit clearence certificate, normally I only leave the Philippines for a few days every 16 months, however on this occasion I'll probably be away for 6 months or so. be interesting to see what new legislation BI can introduce over that period to squeeze some more peso

Jay

I've just read about your concern, Mr. Jay. I saw that you'll be away for quite a long time now. With regards to your concern, try consulting professional, I think they could give you advice on such.

[chippy]

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

[Rhoody]

For opening a bank account barangay-clearance (20 Peso), tax-clearance (30 Peso) and passport is usually enough. Most banks don't even wanna see the first two if you show them cash and ask to open an account.

[chippy]

Hi Rhoody, I was only giving the opening of a bank account as a possible example, pictured IDs are useful for the Philippines,that was my point. I've lived full time in the Philippines for just over five years, my wife deals with all our bank accounts, and my name is never used. We run quite a successful business, which we hope to expand on my return near Christmas, perhaps at that point I may apply for my 13a,

j

[Rhoody]

J,
as you are married you have no prob w/ the permanent anyway.

If the card is valid remains to be an interesting thing, as according to the BIR website, the ACR-I card expires with the visa, and that is when leaving the country.

Interesting story, I was on thursday at the BoI on Dumaguete, there was a guy who is leaving on Monday the Philippines after 62 Days. He wanted an extension for a week and they forced him to a apply for a ACR I card, which he will never see.

He is a backpacker and has no plans to return to the PI in the next few years anyway as he has other plans and many countries to visit.

You can imagine how upset he is and how he will "promote" the Philippines.

cheers

Rhoody

[SAM_NY]

I just wrote a very long email to the BI commissioner about all these rip-offs in the name of fees, taxes and regulations. Not that I'm expecting any change but I think they should at least know how upset we foreigners are and that we are aware of their all these ripping-off tricks just to generate revenues on the expense of aliens. It would be nice if other will write as well.

Do you guys know that you will be required to pay departure tax, travel tax and exit clearance fees at the time of departing from the PH?

Also, once an alien obtains an immigrant visa (such as 13a), s/he will need to-

(1) visit personally to local BI office every year for "annual report" AND of course would need to pay fees php 310'

(2) will be paying travel tax at the time of leaving the PH

(3) will be paying a big fee for exit clearance.

So, staying in the PH either on a tourist visa (with its frequent extension) or on an immigrant visa is still very expensive. It's okay if one wouldn't travel out of the PH after obtaining an immigrant visa; otherwise s/he is ready to pay a big amount.

It's so sad how this country comes up with "fancy fees/taxes/regulations".