Balikbayan Privilege or 13A Permanent VISA?

[AlwaysRt]

Which did you opt for and why? (I am trying to decide)

Some pros and cons are:

Balikbayan: Pro - Free, good for one year but can convert to Tourist and extend two more years. Con - can't work, only good for one year...., have to enter the country with your spouse, should be granted but not guarenteed

13A Permanent VISA: Pro - Permanant, can work, can enter the country on your own. Con - pX,XXX* for probationary then pX,XXX* for permanent, pXXX* for ACR-I card, pXXX for annual renewals, significant paperwork for probationary including police* clearance and proof* of financial capacity, second round of paperwork for permanent status.

*can someone fill in the blanks for the fees involved (actual paid as opposed to the BI website), verify NBI clearance only if in country for over 6 months, and describe the "financial capacity" requirement.

[Jollygoodfellow]

21 minutes ago, AlwaysRt said:

significant paperwork for probationary including police*

If you have lived in the Philippines for 6 months or more you do not need a police clearance from your home country. 

[Tukaram (Tim)]

I just got my 1 year 13a (probationary) last week. Total cost at immigration was p11,000, that includes the ACR.   Super easy, should have done it 2 years ago.  The NBI clearance was easy, and under p200.  Biggest problem is multiple trips to NBI and Immigration. If you have to travel, it would be a pain.  I was able to all of it here at the local Iloilo office, so no worries.

The BB stamp is nice. I did it for one year. Biggest problem is the expense. To fly out of the country for both of us is a bit expensive. 

I did the tourist extensions for my first 2 years. Easy, but it starts to get expensive (p26,000 a year). 

[scott h]

Gratz Tim . Here is one thing I learned when I went back for my permanent card. You can apply after 9 months (I was told anyway lol) and still use your current NBI clearance. I didn't went back after 11 months and had to get a new clearance. (another one of those multiple trips you mentioned) So fore warned etc. etc. 

[AlwaysRt]

18 minutes ago, Tukaram (Tim) said:

I just got my 1 year 13a (probationary) last week.

What did they want for the "financial capacity" requirement? I want to leave my main banking as is in the States and convert only what/when I want to.)

[Ram1957]

32 minutes ago, AlwaysRt said:

What did they want for the "financial capacity" requirement? I want to leave my main banking as is in the States and convert only what/when I want to.)

That question never came up when I did mine in June in Cebu. Was ready for it, bank statements will work.

[chris49]

15 hours ago, AlwaysRt said:

What did they want for the "financial capacity" requirement? I want to leave my main banking as is in the States and convert only what/when I want to.)

Nothing. They never asked for it.

They may have asked on the application form (can't recall), if I was receiving a pension and how much. It never came up at any stage.

The biggest little hurdle in the 13 a process is the first year probationary conversion to Permanent Residency 13 a. Where you will reapply and your wife will make a brief 10 second appearance in front of the officer to confirm she's the same person you married. And she signs a document to verify her signature.

I think double the 11k pesos that Tim mentioned above, for the running around and the incidentals. Well worth it over the long haul.

[scott h]

55 minutes ago, AlwaysRt said:

What did they want for the "financial capacity" requirement? I want to leave my main banking as is in the States and convert only what/when I want to.)

My guess this refers to the letter from the spouse. BI in manila has one canned, 300 pesos and they fill your names in and notorize it.

[Ram1957]

6 minutes ago, scott h said:

My guess this refers to the letter from the spouse. BI in manila has one canned, 300 pesos and they fill your names in and notorize it.

The joint letter has nothing to do with the proof of the "financial capacity" requirement. 

[intrepid]

1 hour ago, chris49 said:

The biggest little hurdle in the 13 a process is the first year probationary conversion to Permanent Residency 13 a. Where you will reapply and your wife will make a brief 10 second appearance in front of the officer to confirm she's the same person you married. And she signs a document to verify her signature.

One of the advantages of getting your 13A in your home country before arriving is you get the 5 year visa without the one year probationary period.  No need to reapply.