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ACR and Tourist Visa

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ACR and Tourist Visa

Why most visitors will need both.

There are many options available to U.S. citizens in good standing when visiting or immigrating to the Philippines. First, determine if you are in good standing. Most of us would know in advance if there were a potential problem due to any felonies or previous violations. Refer to the list below for more information.

Here are some reasons why someone may not be allowed to enter the Philippines:
  1. Invalid or expired visa: If your visa is not valid or has expired, you may be denied entry.
  2. Insufficient documentation: Failure to provide required documents, such as a valid passport, return ticket, or proof of financial resources.
  3. Criminal record: Possessing a criminal record or being deemed a security risk may result in denial of entry.
  4. Health concerns: If you have a contagious disease or are deemed a health risk, you may be refused entry.
  5. Overstaying a previous visa: If you have previously overstayed a visa in the Philippines, you may be barred from re-entry.
  6. Providing false information: Giving false information or misrepresenting yourself on your visa application or during the immigration process.
  7. Blacklisted or flagged: If you’re on a blacklist or flagged by immigration authorities for any reason.
  8. Incomplete or inaccurate immigration forms: Failure to properly fill out immigration forms or provide accurate information.
  9. Lack of proof of onward travel: Not having a return ticket or proof of onward travel may raise suspicions.
  10. Immigration violations: Violating immigration rules or regulations, such as working without a permit.

This is a example of why you may not be allowed entry. This is not a comprehinsive list of disqualifications. Contact the Bureau of Immigration if you have any concerns.

Tourist Visa

A tourist visa is designed for the traveler who intend to vist the Philippines for vairious reasons. Curently like the US imigration policy, the system is being exploiated buy gaming the visa extension options.

The tourist visa intention for the Philippines typically includes:

  1. Tourism: Visiting popular destinations, beaches, and attractions like Boracay, Palawan, or Manila.
  2. Visiting friends and family: Reuniting with loved ones residing in the Philippines.
  3. Short-term stay: Generally, tourist visas allow for a limited stay, usually up to 30 or 59 days, depending on the visa type.
  4. No work or business activities: Tourist visa holders are not allowed to engage in any form of employment or business.
The Philippine government offers various visa options for tourists, including:

Please be aware that the rules and regulations on immigration in the Philippines are constanting evolving so please do your researh as part of the process when you make your travel arrangements.

ACR I-CARD

Alien Certificate of Registration Identity Card

Who must apply and when?

The Alien Certificate of Registration Identity Card (ACR I-Card) is a mandatory identification document for foreign nationals residing in the Philippines for more than 59 days.

All registered aliens and ACR I-Card holders except Temporary Visitor’s Visa holders or Tourist Visa holders

BI Main Office

Other Immigration Offices (Click here to see the list of offices authorized to process this transaction)

  1. Register online through the above-link and secure reference number
  2. Go to your preferred participating BI Office
  3. Present reference number of online registration, original ACR I-Card or paper based ACR, and original passport (for dispute purposes you may bring official receipts of previous annual report payments)
  4. Secure Order of Payment Slip
  5. Get your official receipt

Annual Report (AR) FeePHP 300.00
Legal Research Fee (LRF) for each immigration fee except Head Tax and FinesPHP 10.00
Total:PHP 310.00

Note: Monthly fine of P200.00 for delayed Annual Report (reckoned from March 2 of the current year). Annual Report Fee is assessed once the arrival of the applicant falls on or before Nov. 2 of the preceding year.
*Fees are updated as of 06 March 2014 and may change without prior notice.

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