JKevR
4/3/2016 17:50 EST
Hi everyone. Hopefully, someone can help guide me in the right direction regarding my obtaining a 13 a Visa. I am a US Citizen married for 25 years to Filipina Dual Citizen. We are looking to retire in the Philippines in about 2 years. We already have a joint bank account there well funded and buying a home this month, which we plan to pay off in 2 years. This way I don't have to worry about a house payment (phew). We plan to ship our household and vehicle to our home in Philippines when the time comes.
Let me get to the point. I live in California and they have a monthly embassy post in Milpitas CA and I was wondering do I apply now for my 13 a visa, or do I wait until I get to the Philippines? It seems it might be easier to do here, since I can get all the requirements needed such as X-ray copy, police clearance, etc.... right here. All the other documents needed as far as marriage contract, bank statements, etc. is all covered. Had to use these for the home loan at PNB anyway.
What should I do? Wait or start now? Will they issue me a 13a while I am here in the US still?
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CAteacher
4/3/2016 19:25 EST
Advice that you will often read in this site is: no matter how sure you feel that you want to move to the Philippines forever, come and stay awhile as a resident before you make the commitment. May I suggest that you begin by obtaining the free BalikBayan Visa and seek the 13a Visa after you have lived in the Philippines for a year or year-and-half? Check this site out: http://yourlifeinthephilippines.com/2015/02/philippine-visas/
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JKevR
4/3/2016 19:34 EST
I automatically get the Balikbayan every year when we visit. I'm just wondering if I should apply now or wait until I'm closer to permanently moving for the 13a visa. I guess I would also wonder how to renew my us passport later. Then drawing my Social Security.
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LarryKar
4/4/2016 01:38 EST
Jkevr: Not sure how long your visits have been but what we are trying to say is that there is a difference between visiting and being tied here by a home or other things. Just go slow. Same for your wife if she has not lived here for 25 years. She may be Filipino but is still perhaps in for culture shock. I see this when my Wife's Sister comes to visit from Canada where she has lived for years. We exchange lot's of "can you believe this?" looks. LOL
Both passport renew and SSA questions can be handled by the US Embassy in Manila. Good luck.
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Flopie133
4/4/2016 02:08 EST
If you do go for the 13a Visa, I believe we were instructed it must be done less than 6 months of arrival to the Philippines--the US counterpart just gets all your documentation/requirements together and gets the necessary stamps, approval, etc, but you have to present yourself within a week of arrival to the country to the Philippine Quarantine office so the Medical portion of the documentation, gets certified, before going to the Phil Immigration. When my husband did his, I believe we were told the medical exam and lab results have to be as recent as possible.
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standupguy
4/4/2016 05:09 EST
13A visa.I just did this. I used an Immigration lawyer at a const of P10,000 for all his fees. The new ACR-I card (showing permanent resident) and all other immigration fees amounted to P10,900. I had a letter from my doctor in Canada saying I was healthy. All the other required documents were prepared by my lawyer. My hearing was more of lesson on how to keep your 13A. Once you get it YOU MUST insure that the immigration agent at your arrival marks you entry stamp as 13A or you loose it probably forever. YOU MUST pay the renewal fee between January and March. If you don't because you are not in the Philippines then, you must pay your renewal fee within 7 days of your arrival. My wife and I have been back and forth to Canada for 5 years now. I have been here since October 6 so that is one day less than 6 months. It will take about 4 months to approve and you are on Probation for a year. You need 6, 2 x 2 photos. They fingerprint you with ink after finger printing you electronically. I won't be back for 6 months so I have to renew my application at that time. However my new ACR-I card will be ready and I have a claim check for it already. No quarantine examination necessary. As long as I pay my annual fees, I never need another ACR-I card (the tourist ones are only good for one year). My Visa never ends. I never have to get another renewal. My Canadian passport is good for 25 years. I hope I last that long.
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robram2010
4/4/2016 05:16 EST
I have a question or two concerning my 13a visa . Since you recently have one will you share , information with me. My probationary one year was up on 31 March 2016. BI in Batangas says just wait. . All paperwork completed in January 2016 and submitted, also interview . Question what could be delay ? I just dont know what process is for , do you ?
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standupguy
4/4/2016 06:03 EST
robram2010 - I don't know. I get the "be patient" a lot here. Everything comes out of Manila immigration. Probably has nothing to do with you.
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Flopie133
4/4/2016 06:44 EST
If you do it in the States, at least in Chicago, it was a matter of two weeks to receive via Fed Ex your packet with the temporary visa already affixed to your US Passport plus all the documentation stamped and placed in a big SEALED Manila Envelope to be opened by the Airport Immigration people. This you bring to the Quarantine office. Afterwards, you go to Immigration, give them the packet for your application for your ACR.
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standupguy
4/4/2016 06:55 EST
Flopie133 - That does sound a lot simpler that what I have gone through here with my lawyer. They always want more and more money. I'm always pinning him down on the email.
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Flopie133
4/4/2016 11:39 EST
Yes, SUG, it was. We had to do a physical anyway to make sue everything is okay before we headed out to the Phil, for our peace of mind. Since we were in Chicago, getting all the necessary documents and proscribed number of copies was relatively easy. The lady at the Consulate just collated everything in order--that was the hassle as there were all these papers everywhere. Then she had us purchase a prepaid Fed Ex envelope along with the papers, the US passport, and Voila, in two weeks, we had the package to bring to the Phil.
Incidentally, my dual citizenship took only 3 days-- it was my choice as it was my next day off. I could have had my swearing in 2 days later.
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chance2014
4/5/2016 03:37 EST
Shipping your household goods over is fine but your car will attract massive duty on it probably way more than the car is worth plus they will probably demand more when you go to collect the car. I wanted to send my Kawasaki 1500 cruiser over but the proposed import duty was way more than the value of the bike.
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CAspacecowboy
4/5/2016 12:14 EST
JK - for PH info, PH has a perm consulate in SF on Sutter ST, 3rd fl, if I remember right. We used it when we lived in the area and still use it when we come into the area for a visit. My GF got her dual there and I have used it for other purposes. Seems to be full-service. When I have called or emailed them, I have received a fairly prompt reply.
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Nephi
4/9/2016 20:09 EST
It would be wise to do anything there that can be done. I would first go to or call the Philippine embassy in your area to get solid information and answers. I would still acquire all requirements there so that you can apply for your visa when you arrive here if need be. Otherwise you may have to return to Calif for things like the police clearance etc. Hopefully there will be other that have done this very thing and can supply you with better and more complete information.
A word of caution here. If you buy your home in the Philippines now and do not have your wife's family to stay in it, you may find it is occupied by squatters when you arrive. Here you can not just have the police throw them out or in jail. Believe it or not squatters have rights and you would have to pay them to leave.
Good Luck
Nephi
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mschumacher
4/9/2016 20:58 EST
Hello Nephi and Thanks for the information. Yes, I have been in contact with the Consulate in Los Angeles via email and phone. You know?--You type 3-4 paragraphs and ask a number of questions for verification and get back one sentence that does not even apply to my situation. The phone call I received was even worse. The connection was distorted and I could not understand a word he was saying. That being said--I am following the list of requirements to the letter!-taking no chances. I still have a 100 questions-ha!...I want to ship some power, hand tools and a few other items that I know will be difficult to find there. Thus far, I have shipped 3 large boxes that go thru the port of Long Beach, CA., but I really need a wooden crate for heavier items. I do not have enough stuff to ship to justify a mil-van steel container. I have found a number of courier services online, but they specialize in shipping full containers. Any ideas? Thanks again!
Mark S.
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Nephi
4/10/2016 01:00 EST
Hi Mark,
Yea that kind of reply is typical of the government. Ours or any other most likely.
Using wood or heavier material type containers might cause customs on this end to want to inspect the shipment. Only idea I have on shipping is to use the Philippine company LBC. They have offices in different parts of the US now and charge I think $80us per box to the Philippines. They travel by sea and take maybe three months to get here. That's the best way I know of although there may be other companies now. I've live here in the islands for 13 years now so my info is a bit old. Anyway, contact LBC at the url below and see what you can find out. Also check Ace/True Value Hardware here as you may find you don't have to ship much.
Nephi
url for LBC: http://en.yelp.com.ph/biz/lbc-mabuhay-usa-courier-services-daly-city
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Nephi
4/10/2016 01:02 EST
Yes, that is correct. Vacant land or buildings - makes no difference..
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JPH
4/11/2016 19:59 EST
Minocqua: Yes... anything, anywhere, anyhow, surrounding expensive houses and / or making new Squatter- village simply which provides enough space for some wood and corrugated iron. Actually have some of the best real estate around from what I have seen and they cannot be moved (legally).... A constant source of thoughts & concern when seeking a reasonable/safe place to live. Similar in some other countries (ie. S. America) as well.
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