Manila Visa Extensions Are Relatively Easy to Accomplish

For YOUR Manila Visa: The Bureau of Immigration has multiple satelite offices aside from Intramuros to manage your visa needs. Though you will still likely pay the P500 express fee that was kept on the books, the lines will be shorter and YOU will receive personalized service.

I personally recommend the satelite office at the New China Mall in Paranaque; it is located only 5 mins by vehicle from the SM Mall of Asia and requires no outside assistance or the so-called fixing.

UPDATE: DECEMBER 2010 - *THIS SATELITE OFFICE IS CLOSED* - Please Click here for the current list of OPEN locations!

I've met and assisted one or two foreigners here. The lines are generally short, service good & I suggest filling in the requisite forms, paying the fee and then take a short break at the nearby mini-mall in the area while it is being processed and authorized. If you need access to a bank, there is one there.

11/30/2010 Update via Facebook Feed:

"U.S. Embassy, Manila Philippines Beginning November 30, general information about Nonimmigrant and Immigrant Visas can be accessed online on our Visa Information and Appointment Service at www.ustraveldocs.com/ph or by phone at +63-2 982-5555 from Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. (214-571-1600 if calling from U.S. mainland)"

Here is the link to the aforementioned site: Apply for a U.S. Visa.

Simply click through to read this information here; it is hosted on this website.

As reported by Rudy Santos in the Philippine Star, dated December 17, 2009, all tourists to the Philippines on extended stay are "urged" to get the I-card.

"Foreign tourists who are on extended stay in the country, or are studying, or working for a brief period in the Philippines are now obliged to secure their alien certificate of registration identity card (ACR I-Card) from the Bureau of Immigration."

Note: In my humble opinion, the ACR I-Card is an improved version from paper-based issuance of the past, and this perhaps has provided the impetus for the expansion of the card's application. A review of the Immigration Bureau's website, linked above outlines the benefits to both the tourist and the government, although it is an undeniable additional cost for someone who is extending. What are your views?

"The ACR I-Card likewise serves as the Emigration Clearance Certificate (ECC), Re-entry Permit (RP) and Special Return Certificate (SRC) of the holder upon payment of the required fees."

Does it apply to you? "Temporary visitor under Section 9(a), PIA –one who is coming for business or pleasure or for reasons of health if his stay exceeds six (6) months"

ACR I-CARD SCHEDULE OF FEES

ISSUANCE - US$50 (Peso equivalent)

RE-ISSUANCE - US$20 (Peso equivalent)

ADVANTAGES AND CONVENIENCE OF ACR I-CARD

To the ACR I-Card Holders:

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

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

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

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 RP.

Online payment of immigration fees.

Quick verification of information.

Eliminates 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.

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:

Automates process of alien registration.

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

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

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.

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

Increases efficiency of services to the resident aliens.

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

According to the Foreign Affairs Secretary, Alberto Romulo, all 19 regional offices in the Philippines now issue ePassports. Of note, I noticed that there is a new Department of Foreign Affairs Facility open near the Mall of Asia.

"In the coming months, the DFA-OCA plans to accommodate more people as it will ramp up the system to accept more appointments—from 2,800 a day to around 3,300 a day, and even more in the near future. It is also aiming for a shorter queuing and turnaround time from receipt of application to the issuance of the passports. Earlier, Romulo said ePassport applications could last no more than 30 minutes from start to end." 5/20/2010: The Bayview Park Hotel has just updated their website and is located directly across from the U.S. Embassy on Roxas Boulevard. Since their advertised rates start at $70.00, I'd recommend factoring in the length of time you will be staying and likely select another place to stay.

You can search with WEGO here Manila Visa Accommodations Search or contact me for a personalized recommendation in advance of your travels.

Note: I will be adding a link within the week to a visa servicing site to add value to your travel needs here rather soon. Thanks for your patience!

New NON-immigrant Visa Process effective 5/24/2010 explained by US Embassy Consul General of Manila Karen Christensen

Applicants will be required to use an electronic form; there is a useful tip at the end of the video!

Avoid Visa Scams, from the May, 2010 issue of eJournal USA.

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