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Obtaining any of the non-tourist visa’s is fairly straight forward. Your nearest Philippine Embassy or Consulate will have all the details and checklists of documents and fees. You will need to undergo a medical examination by an approved physician and provide chest x-rays, plus lots of photographs.

Although each visa and each person’s experience can be different, my story seems to be fairly typical after discussing this topic with numerous expat friends. I applied for my 13a Non-Quota Immigrant Visa at the Philippine Consulate in Sydney, Australia. I was given a form to fill out and a list of documents to produce such as copies of passport, police clearance, evidence of savings, income and any property, proof of marriage to a Filipina and a notarized letter from her inviting me to live in the Philippines with her.

I then had to go to one of a list of approved doctors for my medical, have chest x-rays taken and then submit all the documents and the fee. Within two weeks the visa was authorised and I was ready to go.

Upon arrival at NAIA I had to present my documents to the immigration officer and have my passport stamped. I then flew on to Cebu. The following day I reported to the Bureau of Immigration office (do not wear shorts, casual attire is not permitted inside) to process my Alien Certificate of Registration. I had to go to the Quarantine office and have my medical documents checked, as well as undergo a few more blood tests that had somehow not been performed back in Sydney, and pay another fee. Then I returned to the Immigration Office, paid yet  another fee and was given my ACR.

The one hold up were the photos’. You need fourteen 2×2 photo’s. My wife thought they said passport size and told the girl in the photo shop this. When we returned to Immigration they said they had to be 2×2 and pointed at the example on the wall. I replied that the head is the same size in both sized photo’s, only the amount of empty space is bigger in 2×2. Doesn’t matter, apparently they want more empty space! We didn’t argue, we just went and had more photo’s printed, this time 2×2!

Each year before the end of February I have to renew my ACR, a simple matter of attending the office and paying a small fee. If I change address, I must notify them in person before I move, or else there is a fine levied. It’s not much, but it adds up. There is now an iACR or electronic version which stores your data much like a credit card or ATM card. My advice is to inquire with the Bureau of Immigration via their web site or nearest Consular office and avail of the latest information.

Philippine Dreams includes some information specifically on retirement however the big benefit will be that reading it will give you a better idea of what it’s like to live day-to-day in the Philippines. It tells the good as well as the bad, something few other guidebooks offer.

Making A Living In The Philippines will be of interest to anyone that  needs to supplement their retirement income or just needs to be doing something productive in their retirement. In particular, the sections on starting a business and choosing local investments will be most relevant to the retiree.

Philippines Property Primer tells you everything you need to know to start looking at buying, renting or selling property in the Philippines. What you can own, what you can’t and how you can own what you can’t if you really want too!

Philippines Survival Handbook is a very comprehensive guide to personal risk management that covers everything from natural disasters to shotgun weddings! Not just a “How To’ book, this volume is informative and highly readable.

Filipina Dreams is the complete guide to Fil-AM relationships. If you are looking to find someone to share your retirement in the Philippines with then a Filipina is the logical choice. Filipina Dreams is three volumes in one; Filipina 101 -Meeting The Filipina Of Your Dreams, Filipina 202 – Marrying and Migrating Your Dream Filipina and Filipina 303 – Making The Magic Last. All are available separately.

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Affordable – The Philippines offers a lower cost of living for those facing retirement on a limited budget and confronted by the soaring cost of living in the West.

Climate – The all year round warm temperatures (72f-95f or 20c-30c) will be a welcome change to many that dread facing another bleak and cold winter. Most will find it easier to deal with a warmer climate and increased humidity than the bone chilling cold.

Relaxed Lifestyle– The Philippines has a much slower and more relaxed pace of life compared to the ‘Rat Race’ in many western cities, plus lots of golf courses and great fishing holes.

Language – English is widely spoken and understood. There really is no need to learn the local language if you do not wish to.

Personal Safety – There are certain parts of the Philippines not recommend for foreigners but most areas are relatively safe and much safer than most US cities. There are safety considerations but most involve simple precautions and common sense. Day-to-day living is carefree.

Shopping – The Philippines has many modern shopping Malls where almost everything you would need is available. Most western foods and products are easily obtainable.

Communications – It’s easy to get the telephone connected. Mobiles are widely used and calls are relatively cheap. Broadband Internet and cable TV are readily available.

Nursing / Home Care – Those who may require additional home care, either now or in the future, can employ a full time, trained nurse at a fraction of the cost of doing so in the West.

Medical – There are many fully equipped medical facilities and highly trained specialists around the Philippines with most concentrated in the two major cites.

Dental / Optical – Getting dental work or new dentures in the Philippines is really cheap. The same goes for getting a new set of prescription glasses.

And here are four more reasons for you to put the Philippines on your must see list of retirement options:

Companionship – If you are facing retirement alone then the Philippines is a great place to find someone special to share your retirement with.

Visas – The Philippines actively promotes itself as a retirement destination and has set up a government agency called the Philippine Retirement Authority. There are a number of special visas available to prospective retirees such as the SRRV.

Housemaids – The luxury of having a full time housemaid is another big plus when considering the Philippines. For less than $50 per month you can have someone there to keep the house clean and prepare meals.

And last but by no means least, the Filipino people are:

Friendly – The Philippines embraces Western values and culture. In many other countries westerners are only tolerated but in the Philippines many genuinely like us.