Philippines Expat Forum

Applying for 13a visa, need police clearance

7/14/2014 20:57 EST

Greetings all. After researching for days I have finally decided to sign up for this forum.

Quick story: Met a wonderful Filippa woman awhile ago and things have gone great. I visited her a few times and she came to see my country and meet my family, (USA). We decided to live in the Philippines due to our life vision. We are both relatively young. I am 31, and she is 29. We are getting married in September this year and I am set to leave here August 31st.

Now my question is regarding the police clearance form. I have called the Philippine Embassy in NYC multiple times and was told all I need is a simple police clearance form. I went to my local police station and they have never heard of this form but they were able to give me a letterhead write up of indicating that I have no criminal record in the town I have lived in for 8 years now. The person I spoke to at the embassy is saying this is enough, but for some reason I am doubting this. So before I spend the money to fly down to NYC I wanted to ask you guys?

What is this police clearance form??

Thanks

gworsham

7/14/2014 21:46 EST

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creativeblox

7/14/2014 21:53 EST

Yup, that's all I needed from my Los Angeles police dept. To get permanent residence in Davao with my wife

Baldeagle88

7/14/2014 21:58 EST

Ok thanks creativeblox, this is good news for me.

standupguy

7/15/2014 01:20 EST

I was told I had to have a TB test and a chest x-ray too. Maybe it's different if you are from Canada?

pdronen

7/15/2014 05:42 EST

applyed and was granted approx. 7 mos ago. Am us citizen and only needed police clearance letter from my home town and then had it recorded at nearest philipinne embassy. The only issue was having to return to us to secure same. No other tests were needed. The process will include an interview with you and your wife specifically asking why you want to live here and how you met and how long ago. Hope this helps. We completed entire process ourselves and if you follow the rules is no issue but you must be patient. After you receive approval will need to return to get new ACR card so be prepared to make multiple trips to Dept of Immigration. In addition should you wish to leave during first year must pay approx. 3,ooo pesos in addition to airport duty so it will stay active.

Learn More GET A QUOTE

Flopie133

7/15/2014 07:01 EST

The Philippine Consulate in Chicago has a good website that gives you the list of what you need for the 13a Visa--the Medical form also requires urine, stool, blood tests primarily for communicable diseases n parasites. Chicago's police department has a standard form for Police Clearance but my hubby had to go to the main Precint in the city to get it despite the fact that he is already a Chicago cop.

Flopie133

7/15/2014 07:11 EST

Oh, and the chest cray had to be in a disk or hard copy to be processed with the papers. When we handed the papers in, we had to submit his passport so the visa will be in the passport when he received it back. Make sure you provide all the copies of each form you are sending---I think we had to submit 3 copies of each paper and pictures.

Once you get married, you have to submit another set of forms reporting the marriage---3copies of each along with multiple pictures from both of you.

standupguy

7/15/2014 14:42 EST

that's funny...so government oriented.

Baldeagle88

7/15/2014 17:51 EST

Thanks for the replies!

Hmm I am a little confused with the different replies though. Some saying I will need x-rays and blood samples done and others saying all I need is just a document from my local police station. My Fiance has been in touch with a local immigration officer and they are saying all I need is a police clearance form as well.

I should have known moving to a new country would not be a easy straight road, haha.

Any more help is appreciated. I am about to book a flight for the NYC embassy to get this form I do have authenticated. Will hope for the best!

standupguy

7/15/2014 19:33 EST

You referred to a "local immigration officer"; is this a person of authority at your closest RP Consulate? I read all the comments. I was never told by the RP Vancouver Consulate that a blood test was required. I had to have a chest x-ray on a disc, and a TB test along with an RCMP criminal records check. If I were you, I would ask for a letter from your RP Consulate official confirming that all you need is a criminal record check.

Learn More GET A QUOTE

Flopie133

7/16/2014 18:13 EST

If you Google New York's Philippine Consulate, they also have the forms on the website--same forms I had to fill out for my hubby--Application, Medical Form, Petition to be done by your future wife once you are married along with the Report of marriage.

Baldeagle88

7/16/2014 20:45 EST

No I meant the local immigration officer over in the Philippines. My fiance has been going through all the details with them.

Flopie133

7/17/2014 07:01 EST

You will have to deal directly with the Immigration Officer at the New York Consulate, not the one in the Philippines. If you have all the paperwork with all the copies, etc, you can get your visa within 1-2 weeks.

Flopie133

7/17/2014 07:04 EST

Or am I to understand you will be leaving for the Philippines August 31, then getting married there, then afterwards getting your Visa? In which case you have to apply there?

Flopie133

7/17/2014 07:37 EST

In which case your Police Clearance has to be authenticated at the nearest Phil consulate/embassy to your place of residence. I went through the requirements at the Philippine Bureau of Immigration site and instead of 3 copies, they list just mostly 2 copies of the documents including the lab results--however, same medical form applies (in our case, the results of the tests and the MD clearance has to be within 6 months of arriving in the Phil); original and 2copies of your birth cert; (4) 2x2 pictures (appropriate attire on a white background); supporting proof of income and financial ability to support self in the Phil (bring 2 copies of income tax returns, bank statements); wife's notarized petition--form available at website plus your marriage cert. When you go to your interview, make sure you have everything already photocopied and COLLATED into 2-3 complete packets--in proper order as listed in the Checklist, otherwise you will be scrambling getting the copies separated and having paper flying everywhere---spoken from experience!

Baldeagle88

7/17/2014 10:34 EST

Thanks Flopie for the advice and feedback from your experience.

You're right, I am leaving USA on August 31st and then we will be getting married on September 27th in the Philippines and will be living there. My Fiance owns her own business over there so we decided that with her business and the money I have saved, and the fact we also enjoy the simple life of the Philippines we would try first to start our life together there.

She has been talking with a immigration officer near her province and preparation of me arriving early September. We will get our legal capacity to marriage license when I arrive, and then go through the procedure of the 13a Visa.

I guess worst case scenario I could use tourist visa until we are married and then use the Balik Bayan Stamp until we are able to process the 13a visa. if we face issues.

Would this be a good backup plan?

Flopie133

7/17/2014 12:48 EST

Some people find the Balikbayan stamp convenient. It will be up to you. In addition, depending on when you apply for the visa after your marriage--as in if > 6months of being in the Phil, you will have to provide an NBI clearance and they may ask for a Barangay clearance.

Yes, a lot of forms, copies, notarization, etc all charging little fees that add up. All these government offices always seem to need just another form that needs to be notarized and copied. Luckily, there has always been an enterprising business close by the offices that have copying services though those photocopies are charged per page and there is always a line of us unfortunate folks wanting the same thing done. Since your wife has a business, hopefully she has a printer.

Flopie133

7/17/2014 12:55 EST

I mean fiancée. And by the way, congratulations!

tony1948

7/18/2014 06:58 EST

My name is Anthony Gabriello and I moved to the Philippines from New York. I went through the same thing you are going through. You cannot get a 13a visa while In America. You go to your local police department and ask them for a letter of clearance. It basically is a letter they type on their letterhead and they notarize. They check you background to prove you are not a criminal or a felon. You bring that to the Philippines and present it to immigration when you renew your passport. Before you come here you will need to purchase a ticket out of the Philippines because you are not allowed to stay here permanent on a tourist visa. I bought mine online from cheapfares.com. It cost me 50 us dollars. You never actually get the ticket only apply and pay for it. It is called a throw away ticket. The first trip here on your passport is only good for 29 days after that you renew your passport for 2 more months while you are here and so on up till 36 months. you need to apply for your ACR-1 card after 6 months. The ACR-1 card is good for one year and needs to be renewed every year. What I did is apply for my 13a permanent visa because you need to live here at least 6 months before you can apply. let me know if you need any more info. Thanks Tony

antiqueron

7/18/2014 09:33 EST

you renew your visa not your passport

tlallen59

7/18/2014 13:29 EST

That's not correct Tony. You can receive a 13A here in the US.

tony1948

7/18/2014 18:32 EST

The United States Of America is granted visa-free entry into the Philippines, pursuant to Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) Foreign Service Circular (FSC) No. 95-2014 and Executive Order No. 408.
To be granted a visa-free entry and 30-day initial stay, Mison said the citizens of The United States Of America only need to show their passport which must be valid for at least six months and must possess a return ticket to the country of origin or onward ticket to the next country of destination.
Immigration Commissioner Siegfred B. Mison disclosed

Flopie133

7/19/2014 09:00 EST

Yes, you can get your 13a Visa in the US. I am at this moment looking at my husband's 13a Visa attached to his passport which we applied for last May in Chicago. There were also several families doing the same thing when We were applying. And yes, you can apply for the Visa if you have been in the Phil less than 6 months---there is a Memorandum in the Immigration website RADJR-2012-028 which covers primarily when you need the police clearance (<6mo) and if >6 mos, to also attach the NBI clearance.

Flopie133

7/19/2014 09:18 EST

For Baldeagle's case, he will need to get a Temporary Visa until he applies for the 13a Visa after his marriage.

I also happened to check out the Australian Phil Embassy requirements for the 13a--it is exactly the same as the US, so it must be uniformly done everywhere.

Baldeagle88

7/19/2014 10:44 EST

Thanks flopie for the congratulations and advice!

Yes, thanks Tony.

I am doing the same thing as well. I already have my police clearance, but will be going down to NYC to get it authenticated August 17th. Then once I get over to the Philippines, we will go through the process of applying for permanent residency. Thanks for the tip about getting a throw away ticket. I will get one just in case...

My previous visits of entering through Cebu I was never asked for them to see a return ticket, but I wouldn't want to take a chance.

tony1948

7/20/2014 17:43 EST

standupguy

7/21/2014 14:57 EST

The same is true for the Canadian Passport where you are admitted for 21 days.

poochewer

7/21/2014 22:26 EST

No more 21 days it's all 1 month now

annsmart

1/15/2015 23:10 EST

Hi Flopie133,

How long have your 13a visa been processed in chicago consulate (from date of application until approval or when you received your husband's 13a visa) ?

I would like to know for my husband's 13a visa application on the third quarter of this year, so we can prepare ahead of time the requirements and date timeframes.

Sincerely,

ann

Flopie133

1/16/2015 10:21 EST

See my PM

TonyMay

1/21/2015 10:34 EST

How does one go about A13 police clearance when home country does not give clearance paperwork of the type wanted???

cheftech

1/21/2015 10:41 EST

Every State has a way to get a copy of your criminal history. You have to pay for it.

rich134

4/22/2015 07:41 EST

I just went to Bi office in davao . If you have not stayed in PI more than 6 months then you need local USA police check , if past 6 months in Philippines only a NBI cleanse is needed ...

chance2013

4/22/2015 09:38 EST

I thought you had to be married first before they issue the 13a otherwise I suppose you could get the visa but not marry

TitoMike

4/23/2015 07:39 EST

@Baldeagle88

......I should have known moving to a new country would not be a easy straight road, haha.

Not easy but straight forward for anyone not inclined to fight the bureaucracy. The Philippine Government does not have a standard form for foreigner police clearances. If your local law enforcement people don't have a standard form, a consulate endorsed letterhead note is sufficient.

Arrive with a throw away ticket. Anyway, U.S. airlines won't issue a boarding pass to non-residents flying to the Philippines without proof of an onward (not return) ticket.

Since you have to go to a consulate anyway, you may want to consider applying for a 59 day tourist visa instead of settling for the 30 day version that is automatically granted to American citizens.

I suspect your research will have uncovered whatever you need to do/bring to get your certificate of eligibility to marry from the U.S. Embassy in Manila.

Municipalities have different marriage license requirements. Some have lengthy and onerous procedures, but I suspect you already know what's required where you intend be married.

No need for you to bring medical records. You'll be told what's required after you're married and apply for a 13A visa. The mention of medical records for married people applying for the 13a in foreign countries is factual but not applicable to your situation.

Should you experience unexpected delays in gaining your permanent resident visa, it my be cheaper to renew your tourist visa than for both of you to leave the country and return in order for you to qualify for a Balikbayan stamp.

There is no in-country residence period applicable to applying for and receiving temporary 13A visas. Subsequent processing is required to make the visa permanent after one year.

TonyMay

4/6/2016 02:43 EST

It appears the 6 Month rule has been changed... I just got my 13A Probationary Visa last month and I had been here 8 months before I Applied for it and still had to get Police Clearance from Home country, For me It was no problem and it was done in a morning, My wife has family contacts in the NBI but it seems the 6 Month rule does no longer apply, You need both a NBI clearance for the time in Philippines and a Clearance from your home country's...

charkee

4/6/2016 04:44 EST

From the BI web page. I don't know if the rules have been changed. Accordingly if you resided in the Phils for 6 months of more, they don't require a police cert from your foreign country of origin.

1. Joint letter request addressed to the Commissioner from the applicant and the petitioning Filipino spouse;
2. Duly accomplished CGAF (BI Form 2014-00-001 Rev 0);
3. Marriage Certificate or Marriage Contract;
4. Birth Certificate or certified true copy of BI-issued Identification Certificate as Filipino citizen of the Filipino spouse;
5. Photocopy of the Filipino spouse’s valid government-issued ID (i.e. Passport, SSS/GSIS ID/ PRC ID, Driver’s License,
TIN, or Voter’s ID);
6. Photocopy of passport bio-page and latest admission with valid authorized stay;
7. Valid Police Clearance from country of origin or residence, if the applicant has stayed in the Philippines for less than six
(6) months;
8. Valid National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) Clearance or National Intelligence Coordinating Agency (NICA) Clearance, if
the applicant has stayed in the Philippines for six (6) months or more from the date of latest arrival; and
9. BI Clearance Certificate.
Checklist of Documentary Requirements for EACH Dependent
1. Duly accomplished CGAF (BI Form 2014-00-001 Rev 0);
2. Photocopy of passport bio-page and latest admission with valid authorized stay
3. Birth Certificate/Family Register or its equivalent, evidencing the relationship with the petitioner;
4. Valid NBI Clearance or NICA Clearance for dependents 15 years of age or above, if he/she has stayed in the Philippines
for six (6) months or more from the date of latest arrival; and
5. BI Clearance Certificate.

http://www.immigration.gov.ph/images/ImmigrantVisasForms/ImmigrantVisaByMarriage/2014-12-001%20Rev%200%20Conversion%20to%20Non-Quota%20Immigrant%20by%20Marriage%20Probationary.pdf

mschumacher

4/6/2016 12:45 EST

Hello,

I am also applying for this type of Visa. REF: State Police Clearance: I believe they want a live scan service? I found the California form on line. The site is the State Attorney General-Department of Justice. It is specifically for Visa/ immigration purposes. You need to be fingerprinted by a law enforcement and/or other agency that performs this service. The form is then sent to the Department of Justice/FBI for review. Cost here is $32.00 plus another $20.00 fee. I do not yet know how long it takes to get the results back. I hope only a few weeks as my plan is to depart for Manila in June. Hope this helps.

Mark S.

mschumacher

4/6/2016 12:45 EST

mschumacher

4/6/2016 12:47 EST

Hello Baldeagle88

I am also applying for this type of Visa. REF: State Police Clearance: I believe they want a live scan service? I found the California form on line. The site is the State Attorney General-Department of Justice. It is specifically for Visa/ immigration purposes. You need to be fingerprinted by a law enforcement and/or other agency that performs this service. The form is then sent to the Department of Justice for review. Cost here is $32.00 plus another $20.00 fee. I do not yet know how long it takes to get the results back. I hope only a few weeks as my plan is to depart for Manila in June. Hope this helps.

Mark S.

mschumacher

4/6/2016 12:47 EST

mschumacher

4/6/2016 12:48 EST

themedellingringo

4/6/2016 13:16 EST

13a.....it's not really a "form." Go to your local police station and ask them to type a few sentences for you and they will notarize it right there for you.

Go to the station where your address is registered on your drivers license. If your address is XYZ, Montana, go to XYZ Montana police station.

The letter should have your name, address, SSN, DOB, and that you have no arrests, warrants, etc and are in good standing.

That's all you need.

Need it on letterhead of station and probably notarized. Any normally functioning modern day station can do this in 5 min.

mschumacher

4/8/2016 00:10 EST

Hello again. All the required documents are listed under the Non-Quota Immigrant Visa 13 (a). Just go to the Philippines consulate website for your state. Yes, there are also medical requirements. The police clearance requirement states: Local/State Police Clearance. The police department in the town where I am living had never heard of a local police clearance form and if in fact they exist elsewhere?--it will not satisfy the state clearance requirement. For $57.00-I would rather error on the side of caution. Good Luck!..

MS

bluegrassky

4/9/2016 21:53 EST

Talk about differences!!! I am already married 20 years to a great Philippina from Ilocos and have been visiting here on a Balikbayan privilege for most of that time. I decided to apply for the 13a visa because at 76 I no longer enjoyed the requirement to travel outside the country and return (with the wife) EVERY year. Didnt need medical tests or home town police clearance (NBI here gave me one easily) BUT they would not accept my Virginia marriage licence. I had to (from a US address) write the Virginia Vital records to get recent copy of the licence (my own with raised seal was no good) then send that tot the Virginia Secretary of State to get a stamp, with red ribbon, and then send that to the Philippine Embasy in Wash. D>C> to get a final endorsement. All three Agencies of course charged fees and this took my sister in Florida some time in managing the logistics. So don't marry a Pinay in the States if you have a choice!

JKevR

4/9/2016 23:28 EST

Just marry again in the Philippines could be a way around all that. You would have a Philippines marriage certificate then and the US one. Wonder if this is possible?