13a 5-year renewal of ACR I card.

[jake]

Once you become a permanent resident in the Philippines, you have to renew your ACR I card every 5 years. You are not renewing the 13a, just the card thankfully. After doing some research online, I decided that most information was just copied from the BI website and more than likely inaccurate.

Today I did my 5 year renewal at the Bureau of Immigration in Manila again. The last time I was there it was over 5 years ago and I must say things have improved for the better since then. Some of you may remember how things were in the 80's, 90's and even the first few years of the noughties :cwm25:

Arrived at 8am and asked the guard where to renew my card and he directed me to window 37. The polite lady (she was) at the window gave me an application form and list of requirements.

Requirements for renewal :

1. Duly accomplished application form.
2.The original ACR I card
3. Passport
4. One photocopy of the following ACR I card front and back, passport bio data page, last exit and arrival stamp.

Took 10 mins to fill in and photocopy the forms, which I then handed back in at window 37. After 5 mins she gave me the payment details and told me to proceed to the cashier at window 22.

Renewal fees ;

1. ACR I card fee - 2,157 Php
2. Express fee - 500 Php

After paying the fees I gave the receipt to the lady at window 37 and was told to call them in a week and the card will be ready. What about my picture for the new I card? :Erm: We will use the old picture Sir. Great, I will be 40 forever on my ACR I card :xxgrinning--00xx3:

The whole procedure took under 30 mins :xxgrinning--00xx3:

When dealing with government officials in the Philippines always be polite. Over the years I have seen many foreigners with bad attitudes in immigration. In the end, their documents will take twice as long to process as for someone who shows the staff some respect :wink:

[fred]

Good advice!!
I take my Mrs along with me..She does all the queueing and she seems to enjoy the bureaucracy... So I sit in the vendors store across the road and drink beer..
To each his own I say.

[Terpe]

Thanks Jake :xxgrinning--00xx3:

Many will bookmark I'm sure (me included)

[Steve.r]

I went to Clark a few weeks ago to extend my visa and they asked me if I would like an ACR card, so I said yes, did all the papers and paid and they told me to return in 4 weeks to pick it up. I might have a day out with the family as there are a few nice shopping malls close by soon.

But one thing to watch when you visit the immigration office, you must wear long trousers and a proper shirt and no trainers, and only the applicant is allowed inside the office, not anyone else... wife included!!

[fred]

I went to Clark a few weeks ago to extend my visa and they asked me if I would like an ACR card, so I said yes, did all the papers and paid and they told me to return in 4 weeks to pick it up. I might have a day out with the family as there are a few nice shopping malls close by soon.

But one thing to watch when you visit the immigration office, you must wear long trousers and a proper shirt and no trainers, and only the applicant is allowed inside the office, not anyone else... wife included!!

That maybe the case in Clark Steve but certainly not in Manila or Cebu..
If it were,I would not be a happy bunny!!

[jonnijon]

What do they do if you want 13a ?? You must have your wife with you. :doh

[jake]

I take my Mrs along with me..She does all the queueing and she seems to enjoy the bureaucracy... So I sit in the vendors store across the road and drink beer.

Lucky you :smile: If I sent the Mrs into immigration they would tell us to come back tomorrow, as she is too mataray!

[jake]

I went to Clark a few weeks ago to extend my visa and they asked me if I would like an ACR card, so I said yes, did all the papers and paid and they told me to return in 4 weeks to pick it up. I might have a day out with the family as there are a few nice shopping malls close by soon.

But one thing to watch when you visit the immigration office, you must wear long trousers and a proper shirt and no trainers, and only the applicant is allowed inside the office, not anyone else... wife included!!

Are you applying for the tourist or resident ACR I card?

The dress code in Clark is very strict :cwm25: In Manila you are 'supposed' to wear long trousers but trainers and any any type of t shirt are allowed. The guy sitting next to me was wearing shorts, so they must be very strict!
Years ago when they tried to implement the long trousers policy, there was a guy outside renting out jogging pants. Gotta love the Philippines :biggrin:

[raynaputi]

I just made this a sticky thread :xxgrinning--00xx3:

[imagine]

Nice one Jake! :xxgrinning--00xx3:

[alesypalsy]

Excellent post! Bookmarked! I am due to renew my 5 year in 2015. Looks painless enough indeed and only one week:yikes:
:hubbahubba:

Cheers Jake!

[alesypalsy]

Good advice!!
I take my Mrs along with me..She does all the queueing and she seems to enjoy the bureaucracy... So I sit in the vendors store across the road and drink beer..
To each his own I say.

Sounds like a good lead, :biggrin: I shall bring the wife

[alesypalsy]

Hi Jake,
Did the card get processed on time there?

How did it go?
Cheers!

[jake]

Hi Jake,
Did the card get processed on time there?

How did it go?
Cheers!

Called them one week after I submitted my application. Gave them the reference number and they said your card is ready. Went to immigration the following day and picked up my new card, with old photograph :smile:

If you plan to renew your card at one of the district offices the process may take longer, as they send the documents to Manila. A friend in Cebu recently renewed his and the whole process took around 5 weeks. Hope that helps.

[jake]

Sounds like a good lead :biggrin: i shall bring the wife

You can also send a representative to pick up the card. That'll do Fred!

[alesypalsy]

Hi chaps,

I just submitted my old icard and forms needed, first day they were back at work Jan 5th. Should be ready to pick new card up now, I will go back to Manila next week....

Everything seemed to go smoothly, as long as my new card is ready on time all will be good!

Cheers!

[Andrew Chunis]

Wow thanks for this info

[Andrew Chunis]

You can also send a representative to pick up the card. That'll do Fred!

Yes, I did that too

[imagine]

Still waiting for my card to be ready for pick up

[john sergison]

Was just reading this post and then looked at the reasons for having the card.

The web page I read stated that one good reason was that it helped with getting a bank account.

I did not think a foreigner in Philippines could hold a bank account

Correct me if wrong please, bec I would wish to have my name on bank account along with my wife's when we open an account????

[fred]

I did not think a foreigner in Philippines could hold a bank account

Wrong!
I know many people even without a residency that have such accounts!

[jonnijon]

All the banks make their own rules up as they go along. :icon_lol: