ACR-I

[BB Family 299]

My wife and I are going to go to the Philippines for about 30 days. During that time, would it be possible to apply for and recieve a ACR-I Card under Section 13(a) of the Philippine Immigration Act? I cant find any time lines but i read that card issue is only taking 5 days now. So if we stopped by there immediatly after arriving would I recived the card before we left? Thanks

[Joan >3 Bob 20]

_{There are requirements that have to me accomplished prior to getting the ACR-I Card. Go to the Wash DC Embassy web site and download the Immigrant Visa application. You need to get a police clearance check from your local police department. You need a Physical Medical exam and a chest X-Ray and a affiadavit from your wife to the Philippine Embassy requesting approval for you to be granted a 13a visa and that you both are moving to the Philippines to reside. You need to submit this all to the Wash DC Embassy in person along with 4 pasport size pictures and your USA passport. You also have the option of waiting to get to the Philippinesd and then applying for the 13a. Applying in the Phils you get a 1 year temporary 13a and have to apply in 1 year to get tjhe permanent 13a. Applyimng in the USA you get the permanent 13a but have to wait to subm,it the medical and then get the ACR-I card after entering the Phils. Upon entry to the Philippines you have 7 days to go to the Bureau of Quartine and get your medical stuff checked and approved by them. After that you need to go to the Bureau Of Immigration Office and apply for the 13a and give them the approval from the medical. Do this in Manila.}

_{I have been researching this and will be going through this 13a process this November.}

_{Where are you in SC? I am in Charleston.}

[BB Family 299]

Great and informative post. I could make a checklist from evertyhing you said lol. So it seems like its better to apply here in washington. Do you know if there is a time limit between recieveing the permanent 13a here and then going to the philippines for the remaining steps?

We are in Columbia.

[BB Family 299]

Also, on the application form it asks which visa i am applying for, Non-quota immigrant or Quota immigrant. I am not sure what the difference is. Which one do i choose?

[let-it-be 36]

You can avail of the Balikbayan 1 yr visa free stay upon entering the Philippines with your Filipina wife. Just show your marriage certificate & they will stamp the BB on your passport.

http://www.philippineconsulate.com.au/balikbayan-one-year-visa-free-stay.html

Balikbayans – any overseas Filipino returning to the Philippines, including former Filipinos who have acquired foreign citizenship – can stay in the Philippines without a visa for a period of one year. The balikbayan visa-free stay privilege is extended to the balikbayan’s non-Filipino spouse and children, provided they enter the Philippines with the balikbayan.

Former Filipino balikbayans traveling to the Philippines are advised to bring either their old Philippine passport or copy of Philippine birth certificate as proof of their former Philippine citizenship. Accompanying family members of the balikbayan can bring appropriate supporting documents:

• For the spouse: copy of marriage certificate
• For each child: copy of birth certificate
• For adopted children: copy of adoption papers

Philippine Law (R.A. 9174) provides benefits to baikbayans:

• Tax-exempt maximum purchases in the amount of USD 1,500, or the equivalent in Philippine and other currency, at Philippine Government–operated duty free shops
• Exemption from Travel Tax, provided that their stay in the Philippines is one year or less. If their stay in the Philippines exceeds one year, Travel tax will apply to them.

Edited May 16, 2013 by let-it-be

[Markieboy 104]

You can avail of the Balikbayan 1 yr visa free stay upon entering the Philippines with your Filipina wife. Just show your marriage certificate & they will stamp the BB on your passport.

100% correct!

Of course, this is assuming that you will be traveling together.

[Joan >3 Bob 20]

Also, on the application form it asks which visa i am applying for, Non-quota immigrant or Quota immigrant. I am not sure what the difference is. Which one do i choose?

The medical and police clearance cannot be more than 6 months old and I am not sure for the non-quota or quota. I plan on leaving that choice blank and asking at the Washington dc embassy on submitting everything to them there's a few more requirements I left of in my post. Let me know if you will try 13a and I will send to you. The 13a is permanent but getting the balik bayan is good for 1 year.

What part of Philippines your wife from?

[BB Family 299]

I am gonna do 13a at the Embaasy in Washington. So please let me know the other steps. . My wife is from Bataan.