What is the purpose of an ACR card?

TrevorH New member

Member since 08 October 2024

TrevorHNew member20 January 2026 04:04:42

According to the Guidelines for the implementation of ARC cards issued by the Bureau of Immigration in 2004, ACR cards are supposed to contain the聽 following:

聽聽 1. Personal information such as name, age, date of birth, place of birth address, etc.

聽聽 2. Photograph

聽聽 3. Date and status of admission

聽聽 4. Visa type granted

聽聽 5. Bio-metric information (2 digitalized fingerprint templates)

聽聽 6. Signature

聽聽 7. ACR and ICR/CPTV/CRT/CRTS and CRPE Numbers

聽聽 8. Travel details

聽聽 9. Payment of immigration fee details

聽聽 10. Emigration Clearance Certificate/Special Return Certificate/Re-entry Permit.

Is anybody able to explain why it is that whenever I apply for a visa extension, my ACR card is returned to me before any processing has commenced.

Why when applying for an ECC is it necessary to provide passport with copies of bio pages and extension stamps, 4 passport size photos, copies (proof) of all visa extension receipts since last entry, ACR card and copy thereof. The ACR card is returned before any processing. It then takes three days to process, at which time the applicant places left and right thumbprints on 3 copies of the ECC.

Apart from the passport photos, all the information requested should already be stored on the聽 ACR card. Or is it?

bigpearl ViP

Member since 27 January 2018

bigpearlViP20 January 2026 06:27:31

4073

Welcome to the forum Trevor H, enjoy.

I couldn't agree more, what is the point of an ACR1?聽 Revenue is the answer, 15 years coming here and 7 years living the only time I have needed an ACR1 was to open a bank account in Manila 14 years ago and guess what?

I had to go through the same crap when I opened an account here where we live with the same bank as they are franchised and a whole new process.

It certainly has me confused why immi want the ACR1 every 2 months when I renew my extension as it's all on the computer, doh, that means reading. they do advise me that I need to leave the country as I have been here for 3 years......... holiday and start again.

At the same time it's a very generous visa system for those that can't marry or don't want to to get a 13a visa and like me, not interested in the SRRV nor the SIRV.

It is what it is Trevor and play the game we do, Holiday for us in a few weeks as my number has been called, 3 years sir, yes mam, holiday, thank you sir.

It works and better than many other countries.

Cheers, Steve.

Andy_1963 Contributor

Member since 22 January 2023

Andy_1963Contributor20 January 2026 07:41:14

179

I also have this near useless card, however, it serves as an ID with address when I go from Boracay to Panay (where the airport is). So, with this card I dont need to pay the terminal fee and environmental fee. This saves me around 1200 Pesos a year.

Greetings from Boracay

Andy