annual Report | Permanent Resident Visa | Forum

Post edited 9:47 pm – March 11, 2010 by Admin Dale

All foreigners, who have attained a Permanent Resident status, are required to perform an annual report, with the Philippines' Bureau of Immigration.

Last year I filed at the Region VIII office in Tacloban, Leyte. It went ok, for me, but some others have had problems. One American was told he needed to turn in his ACR I-Card and apply for a new one, even though his had not yet expired. He managed to convince them to let him keep it, and told them he would go to Manila to take care of it. For me, they just asked questions and filled up forms. They also made me go outside to make some photocopies. Basically it took a couple of hours, including waiting time, plus a van trip from Calbayog and back.

This year I decided to go to the National Headquarters in Intermurals, Metro Manila. At the Intermurals office it was fairly easy. First I followed a sign to the information desk. They gave me a number and told me which window to go to. At that window I had to sit and wait for my number to be called. The person behind the window just looked at my I-Card, typed something into his computer, and printed out a bill. After that I had to wait in line for a cashier, paid my 300 php, and was finished. I think we spent less than 1 hour in the office.

sailorjohn said:
… So based on your trip to Tacloban and now Manila, which one was the better over all trip?

For me, once we make the move in 2011, I think going down to Tacloban would be easier. …

John,

Yes, going to Tacloban would be easier, especially as the road project nears completion. However, I prefer going to the main BI office in Intermurals.

In the Philippines there are some agencies that have to be dealt with on a local level, and others where it is better to deal with them on a national level. Both the National Statistics Office and the Bureau of Immigration are very centralized. Most tasks, for these government agencies, get sent to Manila, for processing, anyway. Things done in a local office are much more likely to get lost, or result in paying of "extra fees". For those reasons, I strongly recommend going to the main BI office in Intermurals, for anything related to a permanent visa. Going to a local office, for renewal of a tourist visa is ok, as long as that office does not need to take your passport, and they can issue reciepts.

sailorjohn said:
… But then again, I am not sure if I will get this ACR I-Card right away. Our plan is to winter there in Calbayog and then spring/summer back here visiting our kids/grandkids. Using our yearly visa we get now seems easier for a while. …

I totally agree! If you are not staying here year round, and you have the option of getting the balikbayan visa, that is your best bet. For those who are not sure what John is talking about, let me explain. Anyone married to a Filipino Citizen, who lives outside the Philippines, can get a 1 year visa, upon entering the Philippines with their Filipino Spouse.

Note: Because the next few posts were off topic, I created a new topic in the Dual Citizenship forum called FAQ. Those posts related to Dual Citizenship have been moved there.