BI: Foreigners with approved visas can leave sans alien registration card

Foreigners with approved immigrant and non-immigrant visas will still be allowed to leave the Philippines even if they have not yet been issued their alien certificate of registration identity card (ACR I-Card), the Bureau of Immigration (BI) said Tuesday.

According to Immigration Commissioner Jaime Morente, the bureau extended until December 31 this year its policy temporarily allowing foreigners with approved and implemented visas to leave pending release of their ACR I-Card.

Instead of the ACR I-Card, departing foreigners need only to present official receipts of the ACR I-Card waiver application fee and reentry permit (RP) or special return certificate (SRC).

BI Deputy Commissioner J. Tobias Javier said he recommended the extension so as not to inconvenience foreigners who wish to leave the country during the pandemic.

“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,” he said.

He also asked the departing foreign nationals to safekeep their official receipts as the same shall serve as their ACR I-Card waiver which they would need to present upon their return to the Philippines.

Javier said payment of the ACR I-Card waiver application fees and corresponding ECC or RP/SRC fees are only allowed at the BI main office in Manila and authorized sub-port offices.—AOL, GMA News