The Philippines' Bureau of Immigration (BOI) has recently issued an important notice regarding the annual reporting procedure for 2024. This directive is particularly relevant for foreign nationals residing in the Philippines who possess an Alien Certificate Registration (ACR-I) card. The notice outlines that these individuals are required to comply with the mandatory annual reporting process, which is scheduled to take place from January 1, 2024, to March 1, 2024.
In a significant departure from previous years, the BOI has emphasized the requirement for personal appearance by all ACR-I card holders. This means that individuals must physically present themselves at the designated reporting locations. They are required to bring two essential documents: their original ACR-I card or the original paper-based ACR, along with their valid passport. This change marks an end to the previously permitted practice where representatives could complete the annual report on behalf of ACR-I cardholders.
However, the BOI has also specified certain exceptions to this rule. The following groups are exempted from the mandatory personal appearance requirement:
Pros:
Personal appearances by ACR-I card holders will likely lead to more accurate and reliable record-keeping.
Eliminating the option for representatives to report on behalf of cardholders simplifies the process.
The exemptions provided for certain groups like the elderly, disabled, pregnant women, and those with medical conditions show a consideration for individual circumstances.
Cons:
The mandatory personal appearance might be inconvenient for certain foreign nationals, especially those living far from reporting centers.
With all cardholders required to appear personally, there could be overcrowding and longer wait times at reporting centers.
The short reporting period (Jan 1 - Mar 1) might be challenging for some to meet, especially for those who travel frequently.
In a significant departure from previous years, the BOI has emphasized the requirement for personal appearance by all ACR-I card holders. This means that individuals must physically present themselves at the designated reporting locations. They are required to bring two essential documents: their original ACR-I card or the original paper-based ACR, along with their valid passport. This change marks an end to the previously permitted practice where representatives could complete the annual report on behalf of ACR-I cardholders.
However, the BOI has also specified certain exceptions to this rule. The following groups are exempted from the mandatory personal appearance requirement:
- Individuals who are under the age of 14 or those aged 60 and above.
- Holders of a Person with a Disability (PWD) ID.
- Pregnant women and foreign nationals suffering from a medical condition, provided they can present a valid medical certificate.
Pros:
Personal appearances by ACR-I card holders will likely lead to more accurate and reliable record-keeping.
Eliminating the option for representatives to report on behalf of cardholders simplifies the process.
The exemptions provided for certain groups like the elderly, disabled, pregnant women, and those with medical conditions show a consideration for individual circumstances.
Cons:
The mandatory personal appearance might be inconvenient for certain foreign nationals, especially those living far from reporting centers.
With all cardholders required to appear personally, there could be overcrowding and longer wait times at reporting centers.
The short reporting period (Jan 1 - Mar 1) might be challenging for some to meet, especially for those who travel frequently.
