Community guides
Structured, community-edited knowledge on Philippine bureaucracy, documents and daily admin. Free to read, transparent by design.
6 guides
ACR I-Card (Alien Certificate of Registration Identity Card)
The ACR I-Card is the identity card every registered foreigner in the Philippines must carry after 60 days. This guide covers who needs it, where to file, the documents, the cost, and the realistic timeline at the Bureau of Immigration.
Opening a bank account as an expat in the Philippines
What you need to open a local bank account (BDO, BPI, Metrobank, etc.): ACR I-Card, passport, proof of address, and an initial deposit. This guide is being updated for 2024 KYC changes.
Barangay clearance & police clearance for expats
Two of the most common local documents an expat will need: the barangay clearance (proof of residence in your barangay) and the police clearance (NBI or local PNP). Cheap, fast, and required for many applications.
Converting your foreign driver's license in the Philippines
Foreigners with a valid license can convert it to a Philippine driver's license at the LTO without a full driving test, provided you are 60+ days in the country and have a valid ACR I-Card or visa.
13A Non-Quota Immigrant Visa (spouse of a Filipino)
The 13A visa grants permanent residency to the foreign spouse of a Filipino citizen. This guide covers probationary vs. permanent status, the documentary requirements, and the two-stage process at the Bureau of Immigration.
Getting married in the Philippines as a foreigner
A practical walkthrough of marrying a Filipino citizen in the Philippines: the Certificate of Legal Capacity, the marriage license, the ceremony, and the PSA marriage certificate. Includes realistic timelines and the documents foreigners most often forget.
Every guide is community-edited and reviewed by moderators. Revision history, contributors and official sources are public on each page. Promotional edits are reverted.