DaveB Posted June 16, 2020 Posted June 16, 2020 Hi, folks...I'm new to the forum. Was just cruising through these discussions. I'm in the US and my wife and I have been planning for 2 years to immigrate to PI in March, soon as she retires. Been a bit of a nail biter watching it all develop (I happened to leave Manila last March, 24 hours after the quarantine on Manila started). I'm worried mostly about the poor showing the US has demonstrated with the virus - starting to feel like exactly the kind of country the Philippine government will refuse flights from for some time. So...our immigration plans are going to evolve over the next 6 months as we see how things shake out. My wife is a dual citizen, so I am a "spouse of a Filipino". I'm HOPING it eventually evolves into us being able to enter the country with, at worst, a requirement to hole up for 2 weeks of quarantine. Not opportune, but manageable. The Consulate in San Francisco reopened for business today, so I may drift down there and talk to them on the "rules" - but am suspicious that: A - the rules are gonna change every day or so, and B - seems like if you hear something "official" from a Philippine government official, you have no guarantee that the next official is interpreting things the same way. Pretty fluid situation to try and do any firm planning. For now, I'm just appreciating reading what y'all hear and have to discuss. 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Forum Support Old55 Posted June 16, 2020 Forum Support Posted June 16, 2020 Welcome to the forum Dave. IMO talking to anyone at the SF Consulate is a waste of time. They have little knowledge as things are changing hourly and each region has their own rules or lack there of. One would hope next March things will be opened up. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Forum Support Mike J Posted June 16, 2020 Forum Support Posted June 16, 2020 Welcome Dave. Since you will be in the USA until at least next March you should consider applying for your 13A visa while there. It is less complicated and may give you additional assurance of being able to enter the Philippines next year. http://philippinessanfrancisco.org/uploads/Consular/SF/Visa.pdf 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DaveB Posted June 16, 2020 Author Posted June 16, 2020 Mike J...thanks for that advice. You resolved one of the questions I've been pondering - whether to go with the 13a here, or in the Philippines once I arrived. I have the application and was assuming it would just be easier if I can get it done before I go, so was targeting the end of summer to work it. Haven't resolved if there is an "expiration date" - by that I mean, if you get it approved, do you have to complete the immigration by a certain date, or duration - like "valid for 60 days" or something. It affects the processing lead times, if there is. I've dealt with the consulate for a while - great people, but it sure is hard to beat any info out of them remotely (I live near Seattle). Anyway, appreciate you resolving that little nit - I'll go for it while I'm here. I have to resolve this other weird dichotomy - I hear no visas are being granted at the airports, but then in the next breath, spouses of Filipinas can get admitted to the country. Seem to see a lot of that with gov't policies - they hit with a certain simplicity, and then they sort out the details later. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hk blues Posted June 16, 2020 Posted June 16, 2020 48 minutes ago, DaveB said: Mike J...thanks for that advice. You resolved one of the questions I've been pondering - whether to go with the 13a here, or in the Philippines once I arrived. I have the application and was assuming it would just be easier if I can get it done before I go, so was targeting the end of summer to work it. Haven't resolved if there is an "expiration date" - by that I mean, if you get it approved, do you have to complete the immigration by a certain date, or duration - like "valid for 60 days" or something. It affects the processing lead times, if there is. I've dealt with the consulate for a while - great people, but it sure is hard to beat any info out of them remotely (I live near Seattle). Anyway, appreciate you resolving that little nit - I'll go for it while I'm here. I have to resolve this other weird dichotomy - I hear no visas are being granted at the airports, but then in the next breath, spouses of Filipinas can get admitted to the country. Seem to see a lot of that with gov't policies - they hit with a certain simplicity, and then they sort out the details later. My 13A had to be activated within 12 months of issue - I got it in Hong Kong and it seems that it was easier than getting it here at that time. Main point was there no need to go through 1st probationary year if obtained here. That may have changed. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Forum Support Mike J Posted June 16, 2020 Forum Support Posted June 16, 2020 1 hour ago, DaveB said: Mike J...thanks for that advice. You resolved one of the questions I've been pondering - whether to go with the 13a here, or in the Philippines once I arrived. I have the application and was assuming it would just be easier if I can get it done before I go, so was targeting the end of summer to work it. Haven't resolved if there is an "expiration date" - by that I mean, if you get it approved, do you have to complete the immigration by a certain date, or duration - like "valid for 60 days" or something. It affects the processing lead times, if there is. I've dealt with the consulate for a while - great people, but it sure is hard to beat any info out of them remotely (I live near Seattle). Anyway, appreciate you resolving that little nit - I'll go for it while I'm here. I have to resolve this other weird dichotomy - I hear no visas are being granted at the airports, but then in the next breath, spouses of Filipinas can get admitted to the country. Seem to see a lot of that with gov't policies - they hit with a certain simplicity, and then they sort out the details later. We lived in Yakima Washington prior to moving here. Our house sold within 30 days of my retirement so I was not able to apply for the 13A while still in the US. I agree the folks at the SF embassy are great. I expect it is more difficult to get information as the rules, at least here, seem to change quite often based on status of the pandemic. They did stop issuing visas, but you would be able to enter and get a balikbayan privilege stamp in your passport. It is sometimes refered to as a balikbayan visa, but it not a visa, just a stamp in your passport allowing you stay for a year. During that year there are no visa or reporting requirements. You need to enter with your wife and it is best to have a copy of marriage certificate. A lot of couples, especially those who like to travel, get by for years using the BB privilege by leaving and coming back into the Philippines at least once a year for mini vacations. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jollygoodfellow Posted June 16, 2020 Posted June 16, 2020 16 hours ago, DaveB said: I'm in the US and my wife and I have been planning for 2 years to immigrate to PI in March I would not be thinking to much about what might happen between now and March. Might be 3 years of planning before you get here but Im sure you will at some time. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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