BI temporarily allows immigrants, non-immigrants to depart sans ACR I-Card

March 27, 2020

The Bureau of Immigration (BI) said Friday they will temporarily be allowing foreign nationals with approved and implemented visas but awaiting release of their Alien Certificate of Registration Identity Card (ACR I-Card) to leave.

The announcement was in light of the Enhanced Community Quarantine and stringent social distancing measures directive from Malacanang.

Regular procedures require departing aliens with approved visas but pending ACR I-Card to secure a waiver at the BI's main office.

“We will no longer be requiring ACR I-Card Waiver Orders for departing foreign nationals. With the rapid spike in COVID-19 cases, we were prompted to make additional measures to lessen person to person contact,” said Immigration Commissioner Jaime Morente.

In lieu of the ACR I-Card Waiver Order, the requirements to be presented in the airport are: passport with valid visa, as indicated in the implementation stamp, official receipts of the ACR I-Card Waiver Application Fee and Emigration Clearance Certificate (ECC) with Returning Permit (RP) or Special Resident Certificate (SRC), whichever is applicable.

Morente advised departing foreign nationals to keep the requirements as this will be needed for when they enter the country again under their respective visas. DMS