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13A Visa

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FDBraaten
  4/25/2020 21:46 EST

My Filipino wife and I will move to the Philippines next March. I plan to apply for a 13A permanent resident visa. Wondering if the collective has an opinion: is it better to apply at the Consulate office here in the US, before moving, or is it better to apply after arriving in the Philippines. Wondering where the most efficient processing and least hassle is.

Paminta
  2/6/2021 11:52 EST

Hi, I have the same question. I am in Canada, and would like a Canadian perspective on this, How to go about it with getting medical, police clearance, etc. What I did read in another forum is it is easier to do in the Philippines, no medical etc. but you have to go through a one year probation, then reapply for your permanent 13a. I have a contacted a agency in Cebu that can do it for you, JRC Visa Consultancy & Immigration Services, in Cebu.

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Special15
  3/1/2021 00:39 EST

If you choose to wait until you arrive before applying for your 13A, remember to bring your marriage certificate and go through immigration with your wife. You will then be given a 12-month Balikbayan Privilege visa, which takes the pressure off.

jeffdavfla
  3/1/2021 09:25 EST

All, I would suggest getting the 13A Visa in the States or Canada through the Consulate before you go to the Philippines as the 13A Visa is a permanent visa instead of a temporary 12 month visa you get in the Philippines. That is what I did and even with the permanent visa, I still had to get medical clearance (Urine, stool and blood test) when I went to immigration. Also make sure your chest xray is within 6 months, if not the will make you get another one like I did. This all depends on the local immigration requirements for your the city you will be living in, as they tend to have different standards.

These cost are minimal, it cost me around 8,500 pesos for medical clearance and another 250 pesos for xray. The real cost is the waiting in lines to get this done. I had to travel to 3 different places in the city to complete everything. I treated it like a mini quest or it would have frustrated the heck out of me.

Once all of that is done you apply for your ACR I-Card (Identification Card) and the go back evey year to get a "background search/review" which I believe is around 3,500 pesos. This is an ongoing requirement as long as you have your 13A Visa. You will need to learn how to have a lot of patience.

I hoped this info helped and passed along some of my experiences. Welcome to the Philippines...or Welcome in the future to the Philippines!!

JimmyLewis
  3/1/2021 09:56 EST

Section 13 visa- As Jeff said-Get your permanent visa in the states or Canada if possible. I got mine June 2015 at main immigration office in Manila(pic attached) and as far a I know the immigration office there has been closed down indefinitely even before covid hit. US Embassy is still in operation but I am pretty sure they dont do visa applications there. Jimmy in Baguio City

mrswest2647
  3/1/2021 23:59 EST

This is for everyone,

Based on my experience, since my late husband was from the USA.

He stayed and got married in Cebu, Philippines. Since he arrived on a free entry visa for 90 days. and was soon to expire. We decided to go to the immigration office in Cebu City.

It was easy and cheaper to get another 90 days of visa extension (3,000 PHP). He arrived in 2008 and leave the country in 2010 since the immigration advised him to exit the country and come back to the Philippines.

They only required foreigners to stay approximately 3 yr and have to exit to nearby Asian countries then come back with a free-entry visa.

If you are wondering why he did not get a retirement visa it's because of the policy of the benefits that he had. As far as I understand, he cannot get a retirement visa from another country if he was receiving benefits from the US govt.

I am only sharing this based on what I had known and experience when my husband stayed in the Philippines before he leaves the country.

My advice is to check first your govt if you are receiving benefits and what would be the consequences if you are getting a retirement visa from the Philippines

Regarding the private agency, for me, it's a ripped-off. Since it's cheaper to walk -in and inquire about the immigration office than paying an agency. But if you are planning to get a retirement visa, please take time to ask inside the office. They will actually assist foreigners who have inquiry especially when you walk-in for an extension then take the opportunity of talking to one of the officers who assist you. They are friendly and accommodating.

If you like to know the best place to get a visa extension in a friendly environment, fast transactions, and accomodating officers. I suggest Cebu City. Just saying. It will not take your whole day to get the visa.

If you have questions and further concerns, please do not hesitate to ask me. I am willing to provide the information you need at no cost. I am not an agent as well, I am just a local resident living in Cebu City and I know where you coming from in terms of living and staying in a different country.

One more thing, if you will be in a situation that your visa will about to expire on weekends like Saturday and Sunday, better extend it early as possible. The penalty will cost you 500 PHP daily including Saturday and Sunday. They count those non-working days and holidays..

I will try to drop by and visit the office of immigration in Cebu City and will ask the officer for updated information that you may need. Please feel free if you have concerns for me to ask.

I will be in the city this coming Thursday and Friday and will get the information you need.

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mrswest2647
  3/2/2021 00:04 EST

Another tip, if you both married in the UK. please bring it with you and show your marriage certificate and the birth certification of your wife (in case they want to check if your wife is Filipino). If your wife holding a dual citizen, she can show her PH passport at the airport in immigration so that you, as a UK citizen can get a Balikbayan Visa.. I am not sure if how many months they give but they can actually provide you this kind of visa as a spouse of a Filipino Citizen, the moment you landed in PH airport.

Pilotdrh
  5/5/2021 11:41 EST

FYI I received an email and a phone call from the Philippine Embassy in DC.

We apologize to bring you this news.

As of 3 May 2021, please be informed that the Embassy is no longer authorized to issue 13a visa.

You can only apply for a 13a immigrant visa while in the Philippines.

Please be informed that with the lifting of the current travel restriction, effective 01 May 2021, Filipino citizens, Filipino dual citizens, and former Filipino citizens and their foreign spouses and children (using foreign passports) can travel to the Philippines without a visa.

Former Filipino citizens just need to present a copy of Philippine Birth Certificate or a copy of an old Philippine Passport or Dual Citizenship Identification Certificate (for dual citizens). The foreign spouse must present a copy of their Marriage Certificate. (Issued by the Philippines Statistics Authority or Apostilled if issued in the US). The children should present a copy of their birth certificates.


Note: The foreign spouse or/and children must travel together with their Filipino/former Filipino spouses (or parents).


All arriving passengers must have a pre-booked accommodation in an accredited quarantine facility/hotel for at least six (6) nights; and will be subject to PCR testing at said facility/hotel on the sixth day from the date of arrival.


IMPORTANT: We will be sending all back your application documents so that you can use them should you wish to apply for a 13a visa while in the Philippines.



Visa Section
Embassy of the Republic of the Philippines
Washington DC, USA

Asawa
  5/5/2021 17:02 EST

I will mirror what mrswest2647 said.

My wife came to the USA in 2002 on a K1 Fiance Visa, and all of the experiences with officials in Cebu were notably smoother, helpful, and more friendly than corresponding officials in Manila.

To this day, we still prefer to do as much as I can in Cebu.

Many of the officials in the Visayan Islands remind me of the laid-back folks from Hawaii or Samoa. (It's also a really cheap, short flight to island hop from Davao City to Cebu City!)

I empathize with everyone who is trying to navigate policy during the pandemic. Thanks to all who share knowledge.

-Asawa

ACEPoolPlayer
  5/6/2021 19:40 EST

The requirements for the 6 days booking are only for Clark and Manila. Cebu is more organized with a different protocol. Cebu only requires 3 days. Your results of your Covid swab test are taken in the airport at arrival and given within 48 hours. Again that's only if your port of entry to the Philippines is Cebu.

tlallen59
  5/7/2021 06:15 EST

Good to know about Cebu Ace, thanks.

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ACEPoolPlayer
  5/7/2021 08:47 EST

Of course you still must stay at one of the 25 DOH-Accredited quarantine hotels in Cebu until you receive your test results. They say 24-48 hours later.

insite
  5/13/2021 02:20 EST

My 13A issues last week on a one year probationary - if I leave the country during this time on what basis can I reenter ?

Special15
  5/13/2021 02:25 EST

It’s strange that you needed all those medical clearances. I got my 13A 5 years ago at the BI head office in Manila and there were no medical requirements.

JimmyLewis
  5/13/2021 02:29 EST

Insite-did you call immigration and ask them?

JimmyLewis
  5/13/2021 02:31 EST

When I received my permanent visa (13)June 2015 I had to get a prior medical exam before applying for it 6 weeks earlier.Jimmy

Edmonkey
  5/13/2021 03:33 EST

How do you fly straight into Cebu. Every US flight I find routes you through Manila

bbazor
  5/13/2021 03:47 EST

PAL offered direct flights to Cebu before the virus hit. Since there is not a lot of travel now, they may have paused for a while.

Edmonkey
  5/13/2021 04:09 EST

Thanks! I’ll keep my eyes open once the restrictions lift

insite
  5/13/2021 21:51 EST

Yes I did .......

And as for many things here the answer often depends on who it is you are talking to and so there have some inconsistencies

insite
  5/13/2021 22:01 EST

Yes I did .....

And as with so many things here the answer often depends on who it is you are talking to so there have been some inconsistencies.

Hence my question.

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