[bigpearl]

@La Cebra

Not sure about my wisdom but I can give you my experiences over the last 14 years back and forward.

1/ I read you are supposed to hand in your ACR1 card when leaving the Philippines, I never did and simply carried on and renew it annually.

2/ Upon exiting PH even for a week or a few days on a 9a then you start again even if you have time remaining on an existing visa extension, don't worry I've tried that once or twice over the years with immigration upon arrival and no, you have a 30 free visa sir, if you want to extend for the 29 days it basically costs the same as a 59 day visa extension and will cost P3080.

3/ From what I've heard the 6 month extensions have gone and back to 2 months only

4/ It's got me beat why they all it a 59 day visa as my 2 month renewals or 6 per year add up to 60.83 days per renewal.

Seems to me that if you hand in a current ACR1 card then you will pay again US 50 bucks at the 2 month mark.

Good luck.

Cheers, Steve.

 

[bigpearl]

@La Cebra

Matters little and getting an ACR1 card is Automatic on you next visit to immigration at 59 days preferably a week or two earlier in case there's a hiccup, as said I believe the 6 month extensions disappeared long ago. An annual fee of US 50 bucks for the coffers, welcome to the Philippines and as visitors can't change the thinking here and simply go with the flow, like most things here. The only time I need to pull my ACR1 card out of my wallet is for immi and a few times opening a bank account, a trial on its own.

I just pay my P22 or 23K a year and so far no problems.

Cheers, Steve.