Exemptions Introduced for Annual Report Requirement

The Philippine government has introduced exemptions to the in-person immigration annual report requirement. Foreign nationals issued Alien Certificate of Registration identity cards (ACR I-Cards) – including but not limited to holders of 9(g) Pre-arranged Employment and 9(d) Treaty Trader work and dependent visas, and Section 13 immigrant visas – are required to complete the immigration annual report within the first 60 days of each year. 

Foreign nationals who previously appeared in person and submitted a completed 2014 report form are not required to personally appear in 2015. Instead, the foreign national may send a representative to complete the annual report requirement on his or her behalf. To do so, the representative must complete the following steps:

• Present the original passport and original ACR I-card on behalf of the foreign national and/or dependents (if any) for verification purposes;
• Pay the standard annual report fee of PHP 310 plus a PHP 500 express lane fee for non-appearance; and
• Provide a Special Power of Attorney on behalf of the foreign national with the legal representative’s valid government-issued identification card.

Also, to meet the exemption, the foreign national must not have violated the Philippine Immigration Act 1940, as amended, and the Alien Registration Act 1950. 

Foreign nationals who did not appear in person to submit a 2014 report must register in person in 2015, and must present both their original passport and ACR I-card, and a printout of the confirmation page issued on the 2015 annual reporting online system. They must also pay the PHP 310 standard annual report fee. Parents or legal guardians must report on behalf of children under 14 years old. 

What This Means for Employers and Foreign Nationals 

Exempt foreign nationals should contact their immigration professional to determine the requisite annual report registration documents and for assistance with filing. 

We worked closely with Follosco, Morallos & Herce in Manila to prepare this alert. It is for informational purposes only. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact the global immigration professional with whom you work at Fragomen or send an email to [email protected].

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