@kristopherryanwatson
In general, the requirement to have the ECC-A is for foreigners who have tourist visas, while the ECC-B is issued to holders with valid alien certificate registration I-Cards and plan to return.聽 The requirements continue to change over the years just like the ACR-I requorements. Before getting into the details below, the expat should make sure they have a complete understanding of the terminology between visa waiver, visa exemption, visa on arrival, and tourist visa.
Key Understanding:
- As Americans, we are considered visa-exempt tourist during the initial 30-day period
- If we want to stay in the Philippines past this initial 30-day period, we must do a "visa waiver"
- The visa waiver is only a 29-day visa waiver for a total of 59 days stay
- Once the visa waiver expires that is when the regular visa extensions start (in 1, 2, or 6-month durations) 9A Visa type.
- All BI offices now automatically charge for an ACR I-Card (tourist type) of $50 at that time
Some may think they only need the EEC-A but find out they loose the $50 card, as it聽 must be surrendered when leaving with the EEC-A Clarence.
Perhaps a better way to understand this can be displayed as follows:
ECC-A is required for the following foreign nationals intending to leave the country:
Holders of Temporary Visitor Visa (i.e. 鈥渢ourist visa鈥�) who have stayed in the Philippines for six (6) months or more;
Holders of expired or downgraded Immigrant or Non-Immigrant Visas;
Holders of valid Immigrant or Non-Immigrant Visas but are leaving for good;
Philippine-born foreign nationals who will depart from the Philippines for the first time;How to get it
Holders of Temporary Visitor Visa with Orders to Leave; and
Seafarers who have stayed in the Philippines for 30 days or more with a duly approved discharge from BI
ECC-A This must be filed at least three (3) days prior to departure, which are valid for one (1) month upon issuance, and may only be used once.聽 There is a great risk of fines and missing your flight if you attempt to get it the old way, at the airport the same day.聽 Most have already obtained their valid ACR I-Cards by this time (good for 1 year while in country but subject to return when exiting with ECC-A).
ECC-B This is issued to those who have immigrant and non-immigrant visas with valid ACR I-Cards and are leaving the country temporarily.聽 The application may still require the person to attach a 2脳2 colored photograph.聽 This is valid for one (1) year, and generates a single-use receipt that serves as a Special Return Certificate (for Non-Immigrants) or Re-entry Permit (for Immigrants).聽 Do not loose this receipt!!!!!
Recommendation - Since Immigration offices say the visa extension cant be extended without applying for the ACR-I card, at the 59 day mark, the expat will have an active ACR-I Card.聽 If a person has their ACR-I card and they can't say if they will not return to the PI, it may be best to get the ECC-B, as some report if they have their ACR-I Card and have processed the ECC-A, their cards may be collected at the departure process.
When 13A visa holder exit, they show their ACR-I Card (which already state "Permanent Resident" vs. "Tourist"), so the ECC-B is used.聽 Where4 as SRRV holders have single laminated Visa page placed in the Passport that is without an expiration date.聽 We just show our annually updated SRRV ID card, along with the other 1 or 2 required documents to exit. Example:
- If less than 1 year stay in the PI -
- Online Travel pass (free)
- If more than 1 year stay in the PI -
- Online Travel pass (free) Travel Tax of ~ P1600
Regardless of the above posted summary today, one must confirm requirements in effect/to be in effect, the day of departure and allow 1 week prior to flight to complete research and to obtain the ECC-A.
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