Just got back to the US from PI. I thought that I would share my experiances with regard to my ACR card to benefit others as to what could possibly happen. Before leaving to the Philippines I processed my spouse visa with the Philippine consulate in Chicago by mail. It was a very straightforward process with no glitches involved. They approved of my documents and sent me a packet to be opened only by the immigration department in Manila. I thought Wow! this should be a piece of cake! WRONG! I arrive in Manila with my documents and an immigration officer tried to open the packet even though he said he did not know what it was. He then tried to solicit his services as an immigration agent saying that if I didn't use his services there would be a six month wait for processing. I thanked him for his concern and told him that I would follow the instructions given me. We went to the bureau of immigration to submit the documents thinking that everything was complete.WRONG AGAIN! The self proclaimed expert stamped my visa as a tourist which caused us to go to an obscure office for an amendment. Then it was decided that my medical exam that was approved by the consulate was incomplete so off to the Quarantine office for further tests. I now have proof that I was syphillis free at least on that day.... ha ha! Then we went to have my ACR card made which unless you have a scheduled flight out will not be processed that day unless you are willing to submit to an open offer of a special fee. Enough said about that. We then decided that I would pick up the card when I returned to Manila. We changed the plan because I did not want to go there alone.We had a family friend pick up my card after she waited three hours and went to many windows. The officer that we contatcted to arrange this a Mister Castro was very helpful and understanding about my plight so kudos to him for being a fine public servant. With my card brought to me when I returned to Manila I thought my trouble was over. WRONG! a third time! I called the airport to confirm the departure fees. I was told 750p so I reserved about two thousand peso for the hotel taxi and that fee. I go through all the steps to board my flight and I am directed to a special window for ACR card holders. They wanted a 2880 fee for exiting the country. I did not have that amount as I left my cash with my wife. I was directed to an ATM machine which would not take my card. So I went back and asked what to do now. They said go talk to my airline. I thought that maybe the airline would front the money and take it from my card but they brought me to some ATMs downstairs to try. As good fortune would have it one was a BPI machine which takes American cards. So even though I was wringing wet with sweat from running around the airport I was relieved my ordeal was over. I credit Bob's blog with preparing my attitude for such difficulties. Maybe before I would have lost my composure at such an inefficient system. Now I choose my word carefully and accept what I can't change. Thanks Bob for teaching us when to keep our voices lowered and our language polite.
Live in the Philippines Forum » Living in the Philippines
ACR card nightmare!
(12 posts)-
Tom Ramberg
MemberPosted 11 months ago # -
jerryjordan2005
MemberOMG,,,,,thanks for the info. That is exactly why I joined this forum. I certainly didn't know that when I leave, I will have to go to an ACR window and pay a fee.
I do have a question.
It seems that I read somewhere about getting a police clearance before I leave.
Is that correct?Posted 11 months ago # -
Tom Ramberg
MemberHere is the link for the police clearance that I used. You will have to get fingerprinted which I did by going to my local sherrifs office. http://www.fbi.gov/hq/cjisd/fprequest.htm I have heard that some were able to get the ACR card in cities other than Manila with much less scrutiny. I believe that Davao was the city mentioned. I thought that I was a step ahead by getting my paperwork done here in the Chicago consulate. The fee I mentioned is collected every time that you depart the country and is a bonus for having an ACR card. Unfortunately it is not a bonus for the cardholder. The card is used in conjunction with the spouse visa and I believe also the retirement visa and is usually required to get a bank account in the Philippines although I have two accounts started before I got the card. Please don't think that my experience is the norm ; maybe you will have an easier time.
Posted 11 months ago # -
Hi Tom,
Glad to be of help.
A couple observations...
First, everybody must go to the Bureau of Quarantine for additional tests, no matter about your previous medical exam that you submitted with your application, so that is just normal.
Good to know that you only had to pay P2880 for exit... it used to be P5,000 for an Immigrant to exit.
Make sure that when you return, you don't be stamped as a tourist, because if you do, all of your work for your 13(a) will be lost.
Posted 11 months ago # -
JohnM
MemberTom: Also be aware that the exit tax (NOT the 750p airport tax... the ACR one) is also based on whether or not you are flying economy or business class. Higher fee for Biz class)
Posted 11 months ago # -
jerryjordan2005
MemberThanks,,,but, I was actually referring to when I leave the Philippines.
As a foreigner, do I have to get a police clearance?I got my ACR card processed while I was here, it was no hassle at all. And I didn't have to get a physical or any of that. It took about 6 weeks to get, but, I did have to pay the "foreigner bonus."
Posted 11 months ago # -
Tom Ramberg
MemberThanks John for the info. So from now on I will choose the lousy seats next to the bathrooms!
Oh I see now what you are asking Jerry. I did not have to get clearance but that might depend on how long you have been in the Philippines. Maybe someone else knows for sure.
Posted 11 months ago # -
Dan2vero
MemberI am sorry for being ignorant about this, but what is a ACR card, and why would you need to pay a fee for exiting the country?? Is it because you are there on a special visa, allowing you to live there in Philippines? I can see I am going to have a lot of fun when it comes time to do all of this.
Thanks!!
Posted 11 months ago # -
JohnM
MemberDan: An ACR card is an ID card that indicates that you are registered with the government as a resident alien. You need to register at the BI when you arrive to get the card (It looks like a driver's license). You will need to show this card when reentering the Philippines, getting a bank account, and other tasks. The exit tax is required for all permanent residents and Filipino citizens (There are some exemptions, like for OFWs... When Rebecca was in Abu Dhabi, a 2 hour visit to the POEA for an exemption was routine) As to the police clearance, it is related to how long you stay here before you exit again.
Posted 11 months ago # -
Dan2vero
MemberTHanks John...
Posted 11 months ago # -
I arrived in the Philippines last january 2009 on a BB visa.
Today i am going to the BI in Cebu to apply for a ACR card.
I have all the documents they need, but i have just seen that i have to undergo a medical examination.
Should i start by that?Also, is it better to do it myself or hire a lawyer?
Thank you
Pat
Posted 11 months ago # -
toninsp
MemberThe airport immigration officer made a note in my passport that I had to go the Bureau of Immigration within 7 days upon arrival. There they told me that I had to go to the Bureau of Quarantine first. The doctor there checks the authenticity of your medical report, may want to interview you and then stamps your passport if she's OK. In my case it was done in 5 minutes, including "interview".
Then I went back to the Bureau of Immigration, filled out the forms, did the fingerprints etc.
Normal processing time is 4-6 weeks. I paid the "speedlane fee" and collected my ACR card next day! So, no trouble at all!Posted 10 months ago #
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