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I've been asked by a forum member to put up a thread to explain about the ACR sec-13(a) card. I hate that card name it's really awkward, unmemorable, bumbly and difficult to type. So from here on I'm just going to refer to this card as the NQI-Card(Non-Quota Immigrant Card) Who is eligible for this card? * Any foreigner who has married a Filipino citizen is eligible to apply for this card. * Foreigners who are bachelors are not eligible for this card. Where do I apply for the NQI-Card ? * Bureau of Immigration, 2nd Floor, 'J' Mall, Mandaue. What are the benefits and entitlements of this card ? 1. You are recognized as a legal immigrant in the Phils. 2. This card gives you permanent residence status in the Phils. 3. You are legally allowed to work or start a business in the Phils 4. When you travel outside the Philippines, you can use native instead of foreigner queues at airport immigration in the Phils. 5. You don't have to exit the Philippines once a year because you are regarded as a permanent resident -- not a tourist. 6. The initial application fee for the NQI-Card is about 12,000 pesos($230 or GBP 163). 7. Yearly NQI-Card renewal can be done at the BI in J Mall Mandaue. It only costs 310 pesos per year to maintain your NQI status 9. There is no compulsory payment of $10,000 or $20,000 into a govt bank as occurs when you apply for SRRV status(Special Resident Retiree Visa). 10. Initial upfront cost of applying is only $230 or GBP 169 11. Cheap yearly renewal -- only 310 pesos a year. What are the downsides? 1. When you travel outside the Philippines you must take your wife with you otherwise, when you come back, your foreigner status reverts back to tourist status. 2. The initial paperwork and requirements for the NQI-Card are pretty hellish which is about par for the course. 3. The card can take up to a year to be issued. You may be issued a "Probationary Resident" card in the interim period. Read more about the ACR sec-13(a) card requirements xxxxx.