Do I need my ACR card to exit the country?

[terry]

Hello,

I arrived on a 59 day tourist visa, which I extended for another 59 days in Cebu City. It was really expensive, since I had to apply for an ACR card. Immigration didn't mention anything about the card, so I asked an officer. He said to come back in a month. When I asked for documentation showing that I'm waiting for my ACR he just pointed at the sticker they put in my passport.

Well, a month came and went, and I forgot about the ACR and left Cebu. I will be leaving the country in three weeks, and don't plan to return within 59 days. 

My question is, can I just leave with out my ACR? Or will immigration ask for the ACR at the airport and fine me since I don't have mine? Should I go to a different immigration office and apply for another one?

Thanks!

[chris49]

There are immigration offices, sub offices all over the country,  can't you pop into one and ask?

I don't wan't to give a definitive answer because I am not sure.

[terry]

That's probably what I'll end up doing, chris49. I'll post what they tell me here.

[robert k]

I'm fairly certain that if you haven't been in country for at least 6 months that you won't need it. I realize it is the Philippines but I really don't think they will keep you for a month waiting for you to get some "plastic" If you are leaving, you are supposed to start all over again when you come back anyway. As Chris49 said, it can't hurt to ask but I wouldn't be sweating it when I did. I can't recall anyone, ever, (bank account, lease, LTO for driving license, nobody) asking to see my ACRI card. When I left after more than 11 months, all they wanted was my passport and my pre clearance number for the emigration clearance.

Edited June 29, 2016 by robert k

[frosty (chris)]

If you have been here more than 6  months you will need and exit clearance from Immigration, I paid for and waited for my ACR card for nearly 12 months and in that time I left the P.I twice.

[Tukaram (Tim)]

I do not know the law - but in my experience I have never been asked for my ACR at the airport.  If over 6 months, they ask for the ECC, but no one has ever asked to see my ACR anywhere - the most useless card in the world ha ha

[virginprune]

I left for a short time whilst waiting for my ACR card, no problem, I just collected it at the next extension after my return.

As for the card, the only time I have shown it for anything was when applying for Philhealth.