Providing for the Revised Implementing Guidelines for the ACR I-Card Project

July 16, 2007

BI MEMORANDUM ORDER NO. MCL-010-07

PROVIDING FOR THE REVISED IMPLEMENTING GUIDELINES FOR THE ACR I-CARD PROJECT

In view of the changes that have been introduced and adopted in furtherance of the implementation of the ACR I-Card Project, for the information and guidance of all registered aliens, following are the revised guidelines: aSTECI

1. Statement of Policy. — There is an imperative need to modernize and improve efficiency and security of its alien registration, identification and monitoring system in light of the increasing traffic in the country's numerous ports and increased threats of terrorists, transnational criminals and aliens with criminal records, through the implementation of an automated, accurate, fraud-proof and tamper-proof registration, identification and monitoring of registered aliens in the country.

2. Coverage. — All aliens who are required to register and be issued Alien Certificate of Registration (ACR) under the Alien Registration Act of 1950 (RA No. 562, as amended), including their dependents, and who are not otherwise exempted from immigration fees, such as, but not limited to the following: EaHDcS

a. Non-immigrants under:

1. Section 9 (a), PIA, temporary visitor whose stay in the Philippines has exceeded 59 days

2. Section 9 (d), PIA, treaty trader

3. Section 9 (g), PIA, pre-arranged employee

4. Section 9 (f), PIA, students

b. Native-born

c. Immigrants under:

1. Section 13 and its sub-sections (a) to (g), PIA

2. RA No. 7919 and RA 8274 also known as the 'Alien Social Integration Act of 1995'

3. EO No. 324 also known as the 'Alien Legalization Program of 1988'

4. Note Verbale No. 903730 dated September 17, 1990 between governments of India and the Republic of the Philippines

5. Temporary residents under:

a. BI Law Instruction No. 33 (Series of 1988)

b. BI Law Instruction No. 13 (Series of 1988)

c. BI Law Instruction No. 48 (Series of 1988)

d. BI Memo Order No. ADD-01-038 (Series of 2001)

e. BI Memo Order No. ADD-02-015 (Series of 2002)

d. Special immigrants and non-immigrants under special laws who are required to register and not exempt from the payment of immigration fees. TDcEaH

e. For those who are required to register but exempted from immigration fees, they may opt to avail of the ACR I-Card subject to the payment of the card fee.

3. Advantages and convenience of ACR I-Card

To the ACR I-Card Holders:

1. They are provided faster processing time at the ports of entry and exit with a maximum of 10 seconds for the verification process

2. They are assured that they are holding a genuinely issued ACR

3. They receive faster and more efficient service at the BI offices for immigration requirements

4. They are provided incomparable convenience as they are holding only one immigration document. No more paper-based ACR and ICR/NBCR/CRTV/CRTT/CRTS/CRPE, ECC, SRC and Re-entry Permit. cSIADH

5. Online payment of immigration fees

6. Quick verification of information

7. Eliminate illegal and unwarranted detention of alien residents. The implementation of the ACR I-Card Project will prevent and eliminate instances where aliens are indiscriminately, accosted, harassed and detained on mere suspicion of possessing fake or fraudulent immigration documents, and

8. It decreases the cost of transacting business with the Bureau of Immigration as the ACR I-Card Project will eliminate fixers, illegal middlemen and syndicates issuing falsified documents.

To The Bureau of Immigration:

1. Automated process of alien registration

2. Eliminates fraud in all aspects of alien registration as well as in the immigration entry/exit points in the country

3. Reduces the resources needed for manual passport checks and encoding of pertinent data while drastically improving immigration process time

4 Achieves higher revenues for the Bureau and the national government through increase in number of aliens who will register and improved efficiency in collection of fees

5. Enhances security of national borders against entry or exit of terrorists and transnational criminals; eliminates human smuggling activities

6. Increases efficiency of services to the resident aliens, and

7. Improves internal governance by eliminating fixers and illegal personnel issuing falsified documents.

4. Validity of ACR I-Card. — ACR I-Cards shall have the following validity periods:

a. FIVE (5) years for permanent residents and their dependents (with ACR and ICR holders) under the following visa categories:

1. Native-born

2. Section 13 and Sections 13 (a) to 13 (g), PIA, as amended

3. Republic Act Nos. 7919 and 8274 (Alien Social Integration Act of 1995)

4. Executive Order No. 324 (series of 1988)

5. Note Verbale No. 903730 dated Sept. 17, 1990 between Philippines and India

 For or undergoing probationary period prior to his/her becoming a permanent resident, the validity of the ACR I-Card shall be co-terminus with the probationary period. If he/she qualifies to a become permanent resident, he/she shall apply for another ACR I-Card paying another US$50.00. TSaEcH

b. CO-TERMINUS with the validity of their approved visa for resident aliens who are categorized as temporary residents and whose visa were granted under the following:

1. BI Law instruction No. 33 (Series of 1988)

2. BI Law Instruction No. 13 (Series of 1988)

3. BI Law Instruction No. 48 (Series of 1988)

4. BI Memo Order No. ADD-01-038 (series of 2001)

5. BI Memo Order No. ADD-02-015 (series of 2002)

 For one undergoing probationary period prior to his/her becoming a temporary resident, the validity of the ACR I-Card shall be co-terminus with the probationary period. If he/she qualifies to become temporary resident, he/she shall apply for another ACR I-Card paying another US$50.00. HIESTA

c. ONE (1) YEAR validity or as ACTUALLY GRANTED if the validity of the visa is less than one (1) year for the following visa categories:

1. Section 9 (a) — Temporary Visitors — ACR & CRTV

2. Section 9 (d) — Treaty Traders — ACR & CRTT

3. Section 9 (f) — Students — ACR & CRTS

4. Section 9 (g) — Pre-arranged employees — ACR & CRPE

5. All other visa categories which are required by law to register or for those who are exempted from immigration fees but opted to avail of the ACR I-Card. acEHCD

The above-mentioned 5-year, co-terminus or 1-year validity, as the case may be, of the ACR I-Card shall be reckoned from the date of issuance of the ACR I-Card as actually appearing therein. (MO No. RMA-2007-001 dated April 2, 2007)

5. Renewal of ACR I-Card. — The ACR I-Cards of permanent residents shall be renewed one (1) month before the expiration of their 5-year validity while that of the temporary residents, upon renewal of their visa. All other visa categories shall be renewed upon renewal of their visa or one (1) month prior to the expiration of the one (1) year ACR I-Card validity if the visa granted exceeds one (1) year. HIaSDc

In no case, an ACR I-Card shall have a validity more than the validity of his/her visa granted.

6. Cost

a. Issuance — US$50 or its Philippine Peso equivalent

b. Renewal — US$50 or its Philippine Peso equivalent

1. expiration of the 1 year validity period for non-immigrant or 5-year validity period for immigrants

2. re-registration of alien upon reaching the age of 14 years old

3. change of visa status from probationary to permanent or temporary resident

4. replacement of ACR as required under the Alien Registration Act of 1950, as amended. aCTHDA

c. Re-issuance/Replacement — US$20.00 or its Philippine Peso equivalent

1. lost card

2. damaged card

3. amendments (name, address, nationality, civil status, etc.)

4. rejected card (wrong entries or information printed in the card due to fault or negligence of the applicant

5. to effect the new validity period of 2 or 5 years for temporary or permanent residents. aSCHcA

7. Place of application/Special arrangement. — Applications for issuance and renewal of ACR I-Cards shall be made at the Main Office, Bureau of Immigration, Intramuros, Manila.

For those residing outside Metro Manila, applications may be made at the following district offices:

1. San Fernando, La Union

2. Aparri, Cagayan

3. Subic

4. Batangas

5. Legaspi

6. Iloilo

7. Cebu

8. Tacloban

9. Zamboanga

10. Cagayan De Oro

11. Surigao, and

12. Davao

If circumstances warrant and upon request of special arrangement, applications and data capturing may be made at the residence of the visa holder in view of his/her physical incapacity. aCATSI

8. Requirements and procedure for the application of ACR I-Card. — All applications for ACR I-Card shall be filed and processed at the One Stop Action Center (OSAC) located at the G/F, Main Building.

A. Requirements

1. Issuance

a. For paper-based ACR holder

1. duly filled-up ACR I-Card application form

2. original copy of ACR

3. photocopy of ICR/NBCR/CRTV/CRTT/CRTS and CRPE

4. photocopy of passport (data page, visa implementation page and visa page with latest arrival stamp) *

c. n  For newly-approved visa/extension of visa

1. duly filled-up ACR I-Card application form

2. Board of Commissioners' (BOC) Order granting or renewal of the visa

3. photocopy of passport (data page, visa implementation page and visa page with latest arrival stamp)

d. For new native-born registration

1. duly filled-up ACR I-Card application form

2. NSO-issued Birth Certificate

3. Photocopy of ACR and ICR of parents

2. Renewal

a. Expiration of the validity of the card

1. duly filled-up application form

2. original ACR I-Card

3. photocopy of passport (data page, visa implementation page and visa page with latest arrival stamp)

b. Re-registration

1. duly filled-up application form

2. original ACR I-Card

c. Change of visa status (from probationary to temporary or permanent resident

1. duly filled-up application form

2. original ACR I-Card

3. photocopy of passport (datapage and visa implementation page)

4. Board of Commissioners' Order

d. ACR Replacement as required under Administrative Order No. 01-93 (replacement after 10 years)

1. duly filled-up application form

2. original ACR I-Card

3. Replacement/Re-issuance

a. Lost Card

1. duly filled-up application form

2. letter request

3. affidavit of Loss

4. Police Report

5. publication for two (2) consecutive weeks

b. Damaged Card

1. duly filled-up application form

2. letter request

3. original ACR I-Card

c. Rejected Card

1. duly filled-up application form

2. letter request

3. original ACR I-Card

4. Amendment

Name

a. duly filled-up form for change/correction of name

b. copy of passport/court order

c. NSO-issued Birth certificate

d. Affidavit for change/correction of name

Nationality

a. duly filled-up form for change of nationality

b. copy of passport/certificate of naturalization

c. affidavit of change of citizenship

Civil Status

a. duly filled-up form for change of civil status

b. NSO-issued marriage certificate/certified true copy of the Order nullifying marriage/certified true copy of the death certificate cIADTC

c. Affidavit for amendment of civil status

Address

a. duly filled-up form for change of address

5. To effect the new validity period of 5 years or 2 years for permanent or temporary residents

a. duly filled-up application form

b. original ACR I-Card

B. Procedures

 For paper-based ACR and new visa holders

a. File the duly filled up application form attaching therein all the required documents at Counter 28 (G/F BI Main)

b. Fingerprint verification/identity verification at Counters 24 and 26 (G/F BI Main) IcADSE

c. Document verification/recommendation and Order of Payment Slip (OPS) issuance at Counters 23 and 25 (G/F BI Main)

d. Proceed to the Cashier's counters for payment (Counters 1 to 7 (G/F BT Main)

e. Photo/Signature/Fingerprint capturing at Counters 29, 30, 31 and 32 (G/F BI Main)

f. Data encoding (ACR I-Card Center, G/F BI Main)

g. Evaluation of documents by reviewing officers (3rd Floor, CCPF Bldg.)

h. Final approval (3rd Floor, CCPF Bldg.)

i. Releasing of ACR I-Card at Counter 21 (G/F BI Main)

 For renewal/replacement of lost or damaged ACR I-Card/Amendment

a. File the duly filled up application form attaching therein all the required documents at Counter 36 (G/F CCPF Bldg.) EAIaHD

b. Proceed to the Cashier's counters for payment (Counters 1 to 7, G/F Main Building)

c. For recommendation of the Registration Officer (RO), proceed to Counter 42 (G/F CCPF Bldg.)

d. For evaluation and approval of the application, proceed to 3rd Floor, CCPF Bldg., and

e. Releasing of ACR I-Card at Counter 21 (G/F BI Main)

9. ACR I-Card as Emigration Clearance Certificate (ECC), Re-entry Permit (RP)/Special Return Certificate and Annual Report Payment. — The ACR I-Card also serves as the ECC, RP/SRC and Annual Report Payment, upon payment of the corresponding fees. Hence, the registered alien carries only one (1) immigration document to his/her convenience. HTCAED

REQUIREMENTS AND PROCEDURES FOR ECC, RP/SRC PAYMENT

a. At the Main Office

1. Secure OPS at Counter 36, G/F CCPF Bldg.

2. Pay at the Cashiers Counters 1-7 (G/F BI Main)

3. For validation, proceed to Counter 42 (G/F CCPF Bldg.)

b. At the Airport

1. Proceed to the Immigration Cashier's counter. For RP/SRC valid for 1 year, multiple entries, the following fees shall be assessed and paid for every departure:

Initial RP/SRC issuance
RP/SRC fee	P1,400.00
ECC-B fee	P700.00
Head Tax	P250.00
LRF	P30.00
OT fee	P500.00
	————
Total	P2,880.00
RP/SRC Re-issuance
RP/SRC fee	P700.00
ECC-B fee	P700.00
Head Tax	P250.00
LRF	P500.00
OT fee	P500.00
	————
Total	P2,170.00

2. Upon payment, the designated Immigration Officer of the Day (OD) shall clear the cardholder right at the Cashier's counter boarding/departure clearance

REQUIREMENTS AND PROCEDURES FOR ANNUAL REPORT PAYMENT (Payment should be made within the first 60 days of every year)

1. Present the ACR I-Card for verification at Counter 40, G/F CCPF Bldg.

2. For payment, proceed to the Cashiers Counters 1 to 7 at G/F Main Bldg.

3. For implementation, proceed to Counter 37 or 42, G/F CCPF Bldg. aEHADT

ADVANCE PAYMENT FOR ECC and RP/SRC

ACR I-Card holders may now pay in advance their ECCs and RPs/SRCs subject to the following:

1. Advance payments shall be automatically incorporated into the ACR I-Card and shall be deducted automatically whenever they depart from the country.

2. They can be used anytime within the validity of the visa. Unused advance payments, however, cannot be refunded. (MO No. AFFJR-07-002 dated January 18, 2007)

10. Mandatory Compliance — All registered aliens as enumerated under Item 2 hereof are required to apply for or change their paper-based ACR with the ACR I-Card. DHIcET

The period to apply for the replacement of paper-based ACR with the hi-tech, microchip-based ACR I-Card has ended on February 18, 2007.

Despite the expiration of the period, there are still those who failed to apply. They may still apply, however, subject to the following guidelines:

a. Any registered alien applying to replace his/her old paper-based ACR with the new ACR I-Card after February 18, 2007 shall be assessed a fine of FIVE HUNDRED PESOS (P500.00) for every month or fraction thereof of delay, the total sum of which shall in no case exceed TWO THOUSAND PESOS (P2,000.00). This will not apply, however, to one:

1. who was out of the country prior to February 18, 2007 provided, he/she will apply within seven (7) calendar days from the date of arrival in the country submitting the following requirements:

a. Sworn letter of intent to apply for the ACR I-Card citing the reason for the delay

b. Copies of passport showing his latest departure and arrival, plane ticket or travel information record from the BI Computer Section, and

c. All other requirements pursuant to Memorandum Order No. AFF-2006-013 dated July 18, 2006.

2. who is physically or mentally incapacitated submitting the following requirements:

a. Sworn letter of intent to apply for the ACR I-Card citing his/her incapacity

b. Medical Certificate/Clearance

c. All other requirements pursuant to Memorandum Order No. AFF-2006-013 dated July 18, 2006. ScTaEA

b. The period within which to apply shall expire on December 31, 2007 and after which, such registered alien shall be deemed not properly documented and may be proceeded against under pertinent provisions of the Immigration Act of 1940 or the Alien Registration Act of 1950, both as amended. (MO No. AFF-07-006 dated February 21, 2007)

11. Dissemination. — All heads of immigration district and sub-port offices shall give this Revised Implementing Guidelines the widest publicity possible in their respective territorial jurisdiction.

12. Effectivity. — These Rules shall take effect immediately.

13. Publication. — This Revised Implementing Guidelines of the ACR I-Card Project shall be published in a newspaper of general circulation. Let copies of this Order be filed likewise with the Office of the National Administrative Register, U.P. Law Complex, Diliman, Quezon City, Philippines. ScaHDT

Manila, 16 July 2007.

 

(SGD.) MARCELINO C. LIBANANCommissioner

n Note from the Publisher: Subparagraph (b) is not found in the official copy.