13a Visa

[PaulB]

Well today i am celebrating as I had a call from the Philippines Embassy here in Abu Dhabi to say my 13a visa has been approved.

Apparently I now need to collect the visa letter a little closer to my next visit to Philippines as it will have an expiry date and then on arrival i can complete the process.

I am one step closer to retiring full time:

1) Wife 

2) House built 

3) Business running 

4) 13a Visa 

 

Now I would like to ask members whats next? On arrival in Manila do I complete the process with immigration at the airport or do I need to stay in Manila and complete it at an office somewhere.

Also, as I will remain working overseas for the next 3 years, do I need to be in the Philippines any certain amount of time to keep visa active or what housekeeping do I need to do?

Any feedback greatly appreciated.

 

Paul

[MikeSwede]

No advice, but your bullet list is awsome!

[intrepid]

7 minutes ago, PaulB said:

Now I would like to ask members whats next? On arrival in Manila do I complete the process with immigration at the airport or do I need to stay in Manila and complete it at an office somewhere.

I just went through this process at the first of May.  You will be given a sealed envlope from the embassy which containes all your documents for your visa appliaction.  Instructions will be given to submit this to the immigration officer at the airport.  I did this and he opened it and glanced at the papers and stamped it and my passport and told me to report the main immigration office in Manila within 10 days.  After reporting to immigration I was given a paper to report to the Health Dept,( beside the Manila Hotel) for a blood and urine test.  Back to immigration for review and payment,...about P6,400~   Then to another window for fingerprints and photo for ACR-I card.  Spent less than 2 hours if I remember.

[PaulB]

Just now, intrepid said:

I just went through this process at the first of May.  You will be given a sealed envlope from the embassy which containes all your documents for your visa appliaction.  Instructions will be given to submit this to the immigration officer at the airport.  I did this and he opened it and glanced at the papers and stamped it and my passport and told me to report the main immigration office in Manila within 10 days.  After reporting to immigration I was given a paper to report to the Health Dept,( beside the Manila Hotel) for a blood and urine test.  Back to immigration for review and payment,...about P6,400~   Then to another window for fingerprints and photo for ACR-I card.  Spent less than 2 hours if I remember.

Interpid

 

Thank you very much for the information. Seems like next time back I shall stay in Manila a night then off to Subic for 10 days and back if I have any blood left.

[chris49]

19 hours ago, PaulB said:

Also, as I will remain working overseas for the next 3 years, do I need to be in the Philippines any certain amount of time to keep visa active or what housekeeping do I need to do?

Yes Paul. An immigration official told me that you must have an entry to the Philippines every 12 months. Visa is subject to cancellation, but you could appeal.  Better not allow that to happen.

Another problem which I do foresee is that what you have been given (I assume), is a one year probationary 13a visa. You will process the permanent visa in one year. Not sure if you could do that in Abu Dhabi, but I think not.

[PaulB]

Chris

Thank you for the update. I will be back at least twice a year so hopefully that will keep the visa valid and I will make sure I check on the permanent visa.

[sonjack2847]

2 hours ago, PaulB said:

Chris

Thank you for the update. I will be back at least twice a year so hopefully that will keep the visa valid and I will make sure I check on the permanent visa.

I think you will have to report to immigration once a year also 

[Queenie O.]

Once you have your 13A Visa you'll have to report to Immigration office in January and have up until the end of February to do that. Best not to procrastinate because many wait until the last minute and there are crowds they say. ARC-I card yearly payment, and renewing of that card every five years. Pretty easy and straight forward.

[jon1]

Since you are still working abroad, why bother with the 13A until you are permanently residing in the PI? As long as your semi-annual visits are less than 30 days, you can be in the PI for free on a Tourist Visa (a 30 day extension costs about 2000p). You only need an ACR I-Card if you want to open a bank account (which your wife could open and just use her account for fund transfers). 

I am in a similar situation now, working abroad and visiting several times a year. My plan is to use the Balikbayan Stamp when I am permanently here. It is free and good for one year (no visits to the BI). At the end of the year, you take the Mrs out of country for a mini-vacation and get another on return (I would rather spend $500+ on the mini-vacation than use it towards a Tourist Visa with extensions or a 13A visa (costs about $1500 the first time)). 

Edited May 25, 2016 by jon1

[intrepid]

15 minutes ago, jon1 said:

or a 13A visa (costs about $1500 the first time)). 

The cost of a 13A visa is $150. usd  I don't think I spent more than another $150.~ in all the required paperwork.  I applied for mine before arriving and it was a breeze.  Also we have opened bank accounts at BPI and PNB and neither required my ACR-I card which has been applied for but not in hand yet.  My main reason was to avail of the duty/tax exemption of our personal and HHG.  If a person is not planning on bringing a lot of "stuff", I agree the BB Stamp would have been the way to go.