Guide to Visa Extension + ACR Card (Manila)

I would like to give you a short guide to visa extension, contact points and costs, including the ACR card process.

When landing, It is advisable to have a return or onward ticket when you land if you don't already have one (e.g. via Onwardticket, approx. 15 USD) but I have never been asked for one. 

After you have received your “Visa on Arrival” at immigration, which is normally valid for 30 days, you can directly extend your visa afterwards.

There is a “Burea of Immigration” in the airport Terminal 3, often called “One Stop Shop”. This is located somewhat hidden, near the long line of escalators, one level below McDonalds, close to the Oversea Worker Lounge. The cost for extension is 3070 PHP - That includes Express fee already - (Cash only, no cards!) for a further 29 days. Attention - There is no stamp in the passport here, you must keep the paper with you - You will need it later! Apparently you can also do the whole thing online, but if you land in Terminal 3 anyway, it only takes about 10 minutes.

Now comes the trick, you don't have to wait 2 months to extend your visa or get an ACR card - if you really want one, i.e to open a bank account or something. It is enough to have been in the country for 1 month and 1 day to apply for the next (=2nd) extension (incl. ACR Tourist card, which is then mandatory)

I have had very good experiences at the Bureau of Immigration - Satellite Office SM Aura. Access is opposite the Brittany Hotel on the Ground- floor or via the mall on level 5 through the “Sky Garden”. The office is located on the 8th floor. From 5th floor you might want to take the staircase as elevators are very crowded.

You go in through the glass door, take a number, fill in the form, wait a few minutes, are called, get a payment slip, pay, wait again (about an hour, go for lunch or something) and can then pick up your Visa extension and ACR card before going home.

A passport photo or fingerprints are NOT required, the passport is scanned. There is a small sticker too here, which they stick in your passport. 

The cost is 6813 PHP for the extension and a further 1500 PHP “Express Fee”, again cash only (!) if you want to take it back with you on the same day. Otherwise it takes 3-5 days according to the lady at the counter. 

All in all, the process takes only 1.5 hours, this includes already 1 hour waiting and processing time.

I hope this is helpful for some of you.