Is 13A hard to do obtain by yourself?

The prelude to the 13A is the ACR-1 which is available after your first 59 days. The ACR-1 is probationary/temporary alien registration card leading to the permanent 13A.

With the ACR-1 card you can open up a bank account. Another ID easy to get is a Philippine drivers license, without taking a test if you have a drivers license from your home country.

A side note, there is a lot of paperwork for the ACR-1, make sure you have a duplicate copy of all the documents to use as the foundation paper work for your 13A. For example on the ACR-1, you have to fill out the date you arrived and the flight number. The same for the 13A so it is important that you retain that info, rather than trying to recall it.

I have the ACR card *not sure if it's 1 or another number*. They actually didn't ask for my flight number for the ACR card, but I have the original documents they gave me.

I'm just wondering if this is hard process or should I just pay someone 50-60k pesos to do it. Extending my current visa was extremely easy and if getting the 13A is similar, I'll just do it.

Arcadieus wrote:

I have the ACR card *not sure if it's 1 or another number*. They actually didn't ask for my flight number for the ACR card, but I have the original documents they gave me.

I'm just wondering if this is hard process or should I just pay someone 50-60k pesos to do it. Extending my current visa was extremely easy and if getting the 13A is similar, I'll just do it.

Between many trips to BI for ACR card & upgrade to 13A, I spent  thousands in pesos for grab fares. Now I wish I had hired someone to represent me, but not for 50K. Many have transverse the whole process without help. On my dealings with BI I had a mentor who spoke Tagalog.

YMMV

Before I start I am going to give some tips that will help with every aspect of everyones journey in the Philippines.

Always have atleast 10 2x2 pictures and 10 passport pictures in a folder.  every office in this country wants a picture of you. you cant get your mugshot done pretty much everywhere.  take a tagalog friend with you so you dont get over charged.

Always keep three updated copies of your entire passport. every page that has a stamp on it.

Always have 3 official copies of all your standard paper work.  Standard paperwork is Marriage lic. Birth Cert. yours. birth cert. wifes ID front and back, wifes birth cert. (psa issued). you get official copies done at your local city hall.  cost in my area is 50pesos each,

Always have a updated Barangay Clearance, and Barangay Cert.



so here is my opinion.  I did the whole process by myself. I have my own car and I have had a drivers lic pretty much since day one.  I live in Mindanao, and I thought the process was really easy. 

The first thing I did was go to NBI and process my application. 1000 pesos or cheaper cant remember  (Tips when going to NBI)  Where Jeans or pants and tennis shoes.  no sandals or shorts allowed. Have three copies of each "standard paperwork" Have three sets of photos 2x2 and copies of passport and ID.  and take something to get the ink off your hands after they finger print you.

while waiting on NBI clearance (2-3 weeks).  Go see the local doctor!!! WOOHOO!!!! (cost 3-5000 depending on if the hospital)  ok this part sucks in my opinion.  you will need to get urinalyses and poo test and a wonderful xray of your chest.  (GET THE CD!!! and official doctor paper of you xray results)  after your result (2-3 days) find your local BOQ Bureu of Quarentine.  Pay 1300 pesos and they will look at all your results and give you 3 THREE THREEEEEEEE papers with your info on it.  they say you only need 2 but guess what get the third you never know when you will need it. (tips for BOQ) take all standard paperwork with 3 copies of each and 3 sets of photos!!!

So still waiting on NBI!!! now find an attorney preferably one that wont rip you off.  if your in mindanao I know a few.  but anyways you will need atleast 3 originals of each a "joint letter request affidavit duly notorized" addressed to the Commissioner of the Bureau of Immigration from the you and the petitioning wife. so that makes six originals.  my Attorney charged me 1000 pesos and a bottle of Fundador 300 pesos.  you can also find some templates online and download the PDF and put your info and wifes info in and go to barangay for notary. cost 50 pesos each notary.

Get your last three months of bank statements and have 3 set of copies each.

Have Three copies of all "standard paperwork's"  both passports, marriage lic, both birth certificates, divorce papers if you or your wife has been divorced. 

pictures 2x2 and passport photos three sets.

Fill out the application form here is the link (if I can post links) print out three copies and get them notarized. 


I added a link to the application which will tell you everything.  fill it out and good luck.   no matter what you have to do alot of leg work with 13a visa. Be very careful with hiring someone.  only use an attorney that your city hall will recommend.  they are less likely going to screw you. dont use a fixer,  you will lose.
https://immigration.gov.ph/images/Immig … ionary.pdf

From my understanding, US citizens aren't required the medical exam part unless I read it wrong. Thanks for all the other information though. I'm trying to do this by myself, since it seems pretty straight forward.

Doing some further research, I'm not required to do NBI clearance either. February 2nd will be 59 days and NBI is required if you're here six months or more.

I have my BI clearance already, since I did the tourist extension last week and we have eveything else, besides the letter filled out and the application.

My only concern is we don't have our PSA marriage license yet, but we have an apostilled marriage license.

Arcadieus wrote:

From my understanding, US citizens aren't required the medical exam part unless I read it wrong. Thanks for all the other information though. I'm trying to do this by myself, since it seems pretty straight forward.

Alot of the medical procedures are not required but the basics are.

Arcadieus wrote:

Doing some further research, I'm not required to do NBI clearance either. February 2nd will be 59 days and NBI is required if you're here six months or more.

I have my BI clearance already, since I did the tourist extension last week and we have eveything else, besides the letter filled out and the application.

My only concern is we don't have our PSA marriage license yet, but we have an apostilled marriage license.

If you got married in the Philippines you will need the PSA marriage license.  Takes about 3 to 6 months to get the PSA version.

Arcadieus wrote:

Doing some further research, I'm not required to do NBI clearance either. February 2nd will be 59 days and NBI is required if you're here six months or more.

I have my BI clearance already, since I did the tourist extension last week and we have eveything else, besides the letter filled out and the application.

My only concern is we don't have our PSA marriage license yet, but we have an apostilled marriage license.

If it was me I would go to NBI and get one anyways.  Better safe than sorry.

We got married online through the state of Utah *we lived together prior but with covid this was the best way to get me into the Philippines* so we have our Report of Marriage and an apostilled marriage license currently.

Hi, Arcadieus. My situation was a little different in that I got my 13a while still living in the US. But much of what was noted above applied. I needed a local police report instead of NBI. I did the medical tests, but the PH embassy wasn't very clear in what was really required, so I had to go through them again at the BoQ in Manila (just chest x-ray and blood test). I think they were the only ones that asked for photos here. We did need to register our marriage with the PSA (who knew?) and my wife's birth certificate had her 1st name spelled wrong, so that was a major waste of time. All in, it probably took about 18 months. But the expenses were negligible, and I did it all on my own. Good luck.  -- Rich

I processed my own 13A visa. Wasn't difficult, but that was before BI told many locations that they cannot process 13A paperwork. I live in Pasig and used the BI regional office at SM Aura in Taguig. Smooth as silk.

When convert from probationary status to permanent,  it had to be done at the BI main office in Manila.  Pure chaos, but long before the pandemic and the need for appointments. L.

Very good article with a checklist is located here:   https://retiringtothephilippines.com/gu … uirements/

Arcadieus wrote:

...since I can't get a license without a long term visa...

Don't know if this helps, but I was able to get my PH drivers license in CDO with only balikbayan (12-month) visa in 2020. I did not have ACR-I or anything except my US license, passport, and proof of residence (bank statement).

I will be applying for a 13A visa when I have the required PSA marriage certificate. We have only NSO copy now.

Billy