Maybe what I wrote in this blog paid off. I doubt that it had any impact, but who knows?
Remember when I posted about waiting to receive my ACR I-Card? Well, on Monday, I finally got it! Out of the five of us (Feyma, Chris, Aaron, Jared and I), two of us have now gotten our I-Cards, Aaron and I. I am really happy to finally get my card, because it worries me to go around without it. As I pointed out in my previous post, I was stopped and interrogated in Zamboanga earlier this year because I didn’t have my I-Card yet, although I had applied.
For Feyma’s card and the kids, it is not quite as critical if it takes longer. It is very unlikely that they would ever be asked to prove their immigration status. Feyma, of course is Filipina, and I can’t imagine her being asked about her citizenship. Kids are rarely bothered about immigration matters. But, an adult foreigner is sort of a “target” for immigration enforcement. Don’t take me wrong, I support the country enforcing it’s immigration laws (Lord knows that the USA could do more to enforce immigration laws), I am just happy that I now have the proof that I need of my legal status here. It’s kind of a relief.
I am quite happy to have that card in my wallet!
Hi Bob,
Great news! Congratulations! Is it a good idea though to carry the card in your wallet, are you required to? Won't it be better to carry a photocopy? Will Immigration officers honor a photocopy? What happens then if it gets lost/stolen? Will you have to wait another year to get it replaced? Just being prudent here… (too many questions, huh?) 😉
Hi Tina – The card is pretty "hi-tech" with a micro-chip built into it. They need to be able to scan it if they ever have reason to stop me. Once they scan it they can get all of my information. So, I will need to carry it with me wherever I go, like a driver's license. I am not really worried about losing the card, but if I did, I suppose I'd have to wait a long time to get a replacement! Maybe it will get better in the future, because there won't be such a backlog. Right now, it is backed up because every foreigner living here had to do it all at once.
I wonder how long it will take for the USA to empliment and enforce such a system for the non-citizens here. Even with the long wait, somehow it seems the bureaucracy here wouldn't be much faster.
Congratulations Bob on receiving your ACR Card, I know you have been waiting so long for it, at least we know the process works, it gives encouragement to other foreigners in the same situation as yourself.
Hi Rob – It will probably never happen in the USA. Just the illegals alone would cost a fortune! Ha ha…
Hi Pete – Yep, indeed it's a good feeling to get it!
Later this month I will goto Cebu and get my ACR-I card… I have a contact in immigration up there and it's all legal through the commissioner… no fixer stuff here.
Hi Bob, glad to hear you got your I-Card. Does Feyma even need one though since she is a Filipina citizen? And do your kids even need one too? I was told by someone who works at the Philippine Embassy in the U.S. that if one of a child's parents is a Filipino citizen at their time of birth, even if they are born in the States, that child is born both a citizen of the Philippines (through parentage) and the U.S. (through location) and does not need any immigrant visa. Just wondering.
Hi Louis, It is my understanding that the cards are manufactured in Manila, and that is the only place where you can actually get one the same day when you apply. I don't know, maybe what I've been told is not accurate. I'd be interested in hearing about your experience.
Hi Jason – Feyma and all my kids are US Citizens, so they are also here on 13(g) visas, which means that they must have I-Cards as well.
I'll probably get my 13(g) and the wait for the card. I'll post a blog about my experience when I goto Cebu.
Hi Louis – You should be eligible for a 13(a) not a 13(g). A 13(g) is for people who are married to former Philippine citizens. I would guess that your fiancee is still a citizen of the Philippines, right? It would be best for you if you can go back to the States to get the resident visa. You can do it there in only a matter of days, whereas here it will take months, even up to a couple of years.
I'll leave it to Dexter's Dad and the Commish to figure out. They're friends of friends who live in Cebu. They have been helping my friends for years now.
Hi bob congratulations your ACR-I-CARD. but in manila take more
fast yes it is truth.some foreigners make 2 weeks or 1 month.
You can tell me now what I do the next week I hope my wife
receive the passport dual citizen. you remember I wait the birth
certificate 6 months. Now it is okey I wait the passport dual citizen of my wife hear in greece. but my problem what type visa I take. Because I am not ready to stay in philippines.
My first plan I visit philippines in vigan I look for rent house or I try make my house in vigan or another plays in philippines
I take first Balikbayans visa or I can take permanent visa 13a I ask you because I have plan to visit philippines the august or october and stay 1 month or 2 month.
Thanks you for your information about the dual citizen you tell
me before is better I fix hear in grreece in philippine embassy
you help me to much many thanks. I hope one day I look you in davao
regards
Hi Louis – Good idea. If you have found a guy that will do you right, best to go with him! I was just pointing that out, because in the States you can get a 13 series resident visa in only 3 to 5 days.
Hi zois – Yes, indeed, it is much faster in Manila. But, I don't get up there very often (I think last time was 3 years ago). If you only plan to stay in the Philippines a month or two, best to just go with the Balikbayan Visa. If you get a 13 series visa and don't stay, if you leave for too long your visa will expire, so no need to go to the trouble. For a short stay, a Balikbayan Visa will give you the same benefits anyway. I'm glad that you worked everything out for the dual citizenship for your wife! I'll be looking forward to seeing you in Davao someday.
Hi Bob….Bill Huff here……..please tell me if you can, the steps that i would need to take to obtain a 13 series permaney residence visa here in the states before i leave in Sept…..i thought i would have to be married to a Filipia first..???……
Hi Bill – You won't be able to do anything until after you are married already. My suggestion is toward people who married somebody here, and have been living back in the USA for a while before moving back here. It is much easier to get the permanent residency in the USA than here in the Philippines, so you may find it worthwhile to take a trip back to do that at a later date, after the wedding.