Start by Googling it.
Just taking a glance it looks like it can be done either way but it is a quota visa and only 50 are issued so there is probably quite a bit of competition for them.
If you are married to a Pinoy there are probably better options.
Go to the official web site and check out all of the different visa options available.

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00abuse

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Hello Panglaodreamer,

The best way would be to process the visa as a 13a conversion here in the Philippines. If you process a visa in the states, then be prepared to wait till it is granted before coming here and living, this can be an extended process. Do all the paperwork yourself, they recommend not to use facilitators here, and it also may be illegal to use them. I am not really certain on facilitators here. The consulate processes the visa by sending it back and forth to the Philippines for processing. You will also need all your documentation certified, both in your home country and here in the Philippines before processing. I am assuming that you are married to a Filipino spouse. You should check with the Philippine embassy because there is a one year visa granted to a visitor entering the country with their Filipino spouse. I am not sure what it is called, but one of my friends got it on his return here the last time he came here.

What you are describing now, sounded like a visitor visa, that you extend after arrival from the initial 21 days to a 59 day stay. Then before your visa expires you visit the immigration office and extend the visitor visa another 60 days. This process can be done over and over till you reach the limit of 16 months before having to leave the country and return. Start your conversion as soon as possible after you arrive and settle here.

I would suggest that you come and visit the Philippines and get settled if you plan to stay here. If you are married to a Filipino then you can go to immigration after you arrive and apply for a visa conversion to a 13a. probationary visa. Your Filipino spouse will make the request for the visa conversion for you to immigration. There is a lot of documentation that is required to be certified before applying, both here and from your home country. You can read the requirements on the Philippine Consulate web-site. While applying for the 13a visa you must keep your visitor visa in force until your new visa application is granted by immigration. If you 13a probationary visa is granted, then two months before its expiration you are required to return to immigration and apply for your 13a permanent visa. The good thing is that the conversation from probationary to permanent is a lot less complicated. As of Jan. 2013, immigration has allowed other offices, besides the three main offices to process the 13a visa applications from immigrants.

Just remember that you have to maintain an exit ticket to leave the country, until you 13a application is approved and completed. There is no requirement on the destination to leave the country. Most of the people that I know that came here had a return ticket Hon Kong or other cheap short hop to leave the country and then return if necessary.

You can search Google for more information on the visa process here in the Philippines.

Hope this helps, RAC

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00abuse

Thanks for some info on this RAC.

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00abuse