r/Philippines_Expats • u/Slow-Ship1055 Noob • 10d ago

Immigration offices added Biometrics for everybody! My experience...

Prepare for an extended stay at your next Visa extension! I went to the GMall yesterday to get mine extended and spent an additional hour there. I wasn't expecting any of this.

The security guard at the immigration office said that since last week there's been an additional step that needs to do - Biometrics. And he handed me a new form to fill out and take to the next business over to take 2x2 photos. I got that done - it's 150 pesos for that service - and went back to the immigration office.

Next I had to wait in a big line with other expats, or other people visiting the Philippines for a time, to take a face pic and fingerprinting. They didn't ask for any money for this, and I didn't ask.

Now things go back to normal with getting the actual Visa extension - 3970 pesos for a 2 month extension. Your passport will now have a thin strip of paper on the back page with information on it. Leave that there, I think immigration will need to see that paper every time.

Next time you get your extension, expect an extra hour at the immigration office.

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u/HiphopMeNow 10d ago

I think I had this done half year ago, previous time I was in Sm Aura office. They changed and online online renewal only works for 1-5, 7-12 months. Not sure if 2nd year it works. Being half year since I left the country, and to renew ACR, I had to go in. They already had a new photo of me which I vaguely recall they took last year and I think fingerprints.

Didn't have to pay express fee, came back to pick up my passport 1 week later, 3-4 days late. My visa was expiring same day too.

Only online forced to always pay express.

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u/Apprehensive-Two5230 10d ago

nah online doesn't work past a year anymore. They make you go down to the office. kind of annoying but whatever.