I got my 13a Visa in the Philippines today (Update July 16)

[Pototan]

I have converted my temporary (one year) 13a visa for a permanent one (renew every 5 years). A Philippine 13a visa is similar to a "green card" in America.

I retired here in Western Visayas 3 years ago. I am now 71 years old; my Filipina wife is 68.

Government leaders come and go. Some are abhorrent (Trump and Duterte), others are closer to normal.

However, the people are really what matters. A country in which 40% of the population think Donald Trump should be President is a country I want to spend as little time in as possible.

Marcos Jr. has been a very pleasant surprise to me, as a reliable US ally and reversing many of Duterte's anti-press and extra judicial policies.

I love it here in the Philippines and am proud to be a permanent resident.

July 16 update:

Yesterday (July 15) I received my Philippine National ID card which came in from Manila. Although my 13a permanent status was granted on June 4 the process to get the physical, plastic ID card, which states "permanent resident" on the front, came in last week to the Iloilo office and I picked it up yesterday. The 13a permanent status is good until June of 2029 (after the next presidential term has expired). I have passed an NBI (National Bureau of Investigation) background check. I am apprehensive about America's future. I almost never talk politics in my emails, and I have no Facebook or social media presence. My only political opinions are here at DU. I am not so important that I think there is any danger to me here, but I do think there are some high-profile anti-Trump influencers that should be worried if the worst happens.

God Bless America: We're going to need it.

[OAITW r.2.0]

1. The world can be incredible...if I moved to SE Asia, I would have considered the Philippines, first.

[Pototan]

2. The Philippines

Last edited Tue Jul 16, 2024, 12:24 AM - Edit history (1)

has a very nice tropical climate (as I prefer). The sun doesn't bother me as all 4 of my grandparents hailed originally from Soutern Italy, so my skin can take it. The cost of living is about one fifth of Boston's. I live like a king on $3,500 USD a month, even though I earn more than that.

My wife's family has deep roots in our city and owns 25 acres. 85% of Filipinos speak English as a second language.

This is the place for me.

[OAITW r.2.0]

3. Life is good! And what a place to enjoy the end-times!

[RussBLib]

4. How many typhoons have you had in 3 years?

....The Philippines seems to have a bunch, although America rarely hears about typhoons around the globe. Too many people seem to think weather ends at the US border, including The Weather Channel.

https://russblib.blogspot.com/?m=1

[Pototan]

5. I think there was a small one just before I arrived

The big one was a Cat 5 in 2014. Hiyan.

My house is built solid, all masonry, including the dividing walls, where in America, it would be blue board. It held up well with minor damage to that Cat 5 that hit the island as directly as any major storm in 80 years..

We are protected as the far western island with 3 other islands to our East, which is usually the path of the storm. Each protecting island has a huge, high mountain range to its West (our East). Our own island (Panay) has a mountain range to our West, which is also a protective barrier if, in the rare occurrence, the storm comes in the other direction.

I also have a large working generator, that I use now for the occasional brownouts. But it's here for the inevitable Typhoon.

[Pototan]

6. July 16 update in OP