intrepid Posted January 13, 2015 Posted January 13, 2015 (edited) Okay, after much consideration, reviewing and rethinking. I think it will be advantageous for me to get a 13a Visa. My wife and daughter are both dual citizens. Since my daughter will be just 10 yoa when we move there next year it will just be easier for us to not have to schedule exits around school. Anyway, my question is how long does it usually take to obtain the 13a Visa? I will be applying here in the US and from my location will be going to Washington DC to apply. We plan to move late April or early May 2016. I know there are many requirements and documents that need to be certified, so I'm just wondering how soon should I apply? I want to have the visa at least one month in advance prior to leaving. Edited January 13, 2015 by intrepid Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jollygoodfellow Posted January 13, 2015 Posted January 13, 2015 Anyway, my question is how long does it usually take to obtain the 13a Visa? Im sure there will be different experiences with time frames but to get the best answer would be to contact the Philippines Embassy in Washington. At least its coming from the horses mouth and one would think it would be correct at the time of asking. :thumbsup: 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
intrepid Posted January 13, 2015 Author Posted January 13, 2015 Anyway, my question is how long does it usually take to obtain the 13a Visa? Im sure there will be different experiences with time frames but to get the best answer would be to contact the Philippines Embassy in Washington. At least its coming from the horses mouth and one would think it would be correct at the time of asking. :thumbsup: I would agree, but this is the Philippine Embassy we are talking about. The Embassy is about 85 min drive one way for me. Over the ten years my wife has been here and the many times we called there to ask questions, we only once had them answer the phone only to be told the person to answer our question was not in and to try later. No phone messages have ever been returned and no emails have ever been responded to. On the positive side, each time we went in person to file various documents, it has been a very helpful and plesent experience. I'm just hoping someone can give me a general time frame of their experience. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jollygoodfellow Posted January 13, 2015 Posted January 13, 2015 I'm just hoping someone can give me a general time frame of their experience. The subject got me curious and I realize this may not apply in the US but here in Australia it says click on image 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MikeB Posted January 13, 2015 Posted January 13, 2015 I can't answer the question re: timeline but I dealt with the Philippine Embassy in DC twice for tourist visas. They never answered the phone or responded to email but, oddly, did respond to questions sent via fax. That, however, was probably 10 years ago. Maybe worth a try. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Forum Support scott h Posted January 13, 2015 Forum Support Posted January 13, 2015 Before we moved I debated getting my 13A there in the states. Like you I lived a bit away (lived in San Diego, embassy in Los Angeles). It was a toss up, Fight Manila traffic or Los Angeles traffic. Like you, I had great experiences while dealing with the Embassy in person. But its a tip off when you look at a persons official email on their web site and it is yahoo, AOL or G-mail :1 (103): . Since I was going to retire and would have all the time in the world I elected to wait till I moved here to get my 13A. Just went through the experience and just waiting to go pick it up. If you consider waiting and getting it here, let me know, there are a couple of tips that might be helpful 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
intrepid Posted January 13, 2015 Author Posted January 13, 2015 I'm just hoping someone can give me a general time frame of their experience. The subject got me curious and I realize this may not apply in the US but here in Australia it says click on image visa granted.jpg Thanks Bossman. I would bet it is about the same in the US. I think it will take at least 30 days to obtain the intial documents and certifications need and medical requirements. Now this begs another related question. How soon must you enter the Philippines the first time using the 13a visa? Like I said I would like to obtain the visa at least one month prior before leaving just to reduce stress! But I sure they do not want me to wait 8 months before entering. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
intrepid Posted January 13, 2015 Author Posted January 13, 2015 If you consider waiting and getting it here, let me know, there are a couple of tips that might be helpful I have a friend who arrived there in June and started his processing and getting documents in July. He obtained his 13a visa yesterday! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Forum Support scott h Posted January 13, 2015 Forum Support Posted January 13, 2015 He obtained his 13a visa yesterday! sounds about right, you have to (by my experience anyway) stay in the country for 6 months before you start the process. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post forget_it Posted January 14, 2015 Popular Post Posted January 14, 2015 I got my 13a from the Washington DC embassy last May, 2014. I never had any contact with the embassy, phone, email or in person. I sent all my documents and a money order by FEDEX. In exactly one week, my passport and an envelope for Philippines Immigration came back by FEDEX. It may cost more, with the medical tests, but it's much easier to get your 13a in the US. The biggest advantage to me, is that the 13a from the US is a permanent VISA, whereas the one you get in the Philippines is one year probationary and you have to do it all again in a year. 6 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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