MANILA -- The Bureau of Immigration (BI) said foreigners who are holders of immigrant or permanent resident visas but whose alien certificate of registration identity cards (ACR ICard) have expired can still travel to the Philippines so long as they have valid reentry permits (RPs).

In a memorandum to all terminal heads of the different international airports, Atty. Carlos Capulong, BI acting port operations chief, reiterated an earlier directive of BI Commissioner Jaime Morente to allow the entry of alien immigrants with expired ACR ICards.

“We are still being besieged with queries as to whether these aliens who are permanent residents and immigrants with expired I-Cards can go back to the Philippines. They can do so as long as they can present their valid RPs,” Capulong said.

It was learned that Morente issued the directive upon recommendation of the bureau’s alien registration division (ARD) which held that arriving immigrants with expired ACR I-Cards should not be turned back but be advised only to renew their cards at the bureau.

According to the ARD, these ACR I-Cards cannot be used as basis to admit an alien immigrant as it merely serves as proof that the latter is registered with the BI. Capulong, however, stressed that aliens who are holders of non-immigrant visas must be in possession of valid ACR I-Cards to be allowed entry into the Philippines.

As for aliens whose reentry permits and special return certificates have expired, Capulong said they may renew the same upon arriving at the airport before immigration clearance.

It can be recalled that Department of Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra earlier issued a directive allowing aliens with expired reentry permits and SRCs to extend and pay their fees at the airport.

It was noted that most of these alien visa holders failed to extend their RPs and SRCs as they were stranded abroad due to the pandemic and ongoing international travel restrictions. (BI)