MANILA, Philippines — Foreign nationals with approved visas may leave the Philippines even though they have not yet been issued their alien certificate of registration identity card (ACR I-Card), the Bureau of Immigration said Tuesday.
Foreign nationals departing the Philippines may instead present the official receipts of the ACR I-Card waiver application fee and reentry permit (RP) or special return certificate (src), the bureau said in a statement.
Immigration Commissioner Jaime Morente issued an advisory stating that the bureau extended until Dec. 31, 2021 the effectivity of its policy temporarily allowing foreigners with approved immigration and non-immigrant visas to leave the country pending their ACR I-Card release.
He explained that the extension is due to the implementation of community quarantine in Metro Manila and nearby provinces and surge of COVID-19 cases in the country.
Under the Alien Registration Act of 1950, foreigners with immigrant and non-immigrant visas, and holders of alien certificate of registration identity card (ACR I-Card) must report in person to the bureau within the first 60 days of the calendar year. Failure to do so may result in fines, visa cancelation, deportation or imprisonment.
BI Deputy Commissioner J. Tobias Javier, whose office processes ACR I-Card waiver application, said he recommended the extension of the directive to not inconvenience foreigners leaving the country.
He advised departing foreign nationals to safe keep their official receipts.
“Immigration officers, upon presenting official receipts of fees paid by the alien, should ensure that the passenger has a valid visa implemented on his or her passport before clearing the latter for departure,” Javier also said. — Kristine Joy Patag