What visa do I need

[stevewool]

If we was to come to the Philippines on a holiday then decided we wanted to stay for a longer period what are the things that I need to do like applying for a tourist visa or the 13a visa or any other visa that is required for a longer or permanent stay , plus also with the wife having a British passport would it be better if she had a dual citizenship passport instead to help with this, I’ve tried talking to Ems about this but I’m not convinced on her answers so to me it’s better to ask those who has gone before me , plus what are the cost and how long do the visa last for before you have to renew them 

[hk blues]

16 minutes ago, stevewool said:

If we was to come to the Philippines on a holiday then decided we wanted to stay for a longer period what are the things that I need to do like applying for a tourist visa or the 13a visa or any other visa that is required for a longer or permanent stay , plus also with the wife having a British passport would it be better if she had a dual citizenship passport instead to help with this, I’ve tried talking to Ems about this but I’m not convinced on her answers so to me it’s better to ask those who has gone before me , plus what are the cost and how long do the visa last for before you have to renew them 

13a is for married persons - really designed for those who intend to make their home here, at least on a semi-permanent basis rather than just dipping in and out at will.   Maybe a tourist visa or even a Balikbyan 'visa' would be better but it all hinges your intention as to how long you will stay at a time - tourist visa is good for up to 3 years but Balikbyan only 1 year.  Balikbyan doesn't need regular renewing but the tourist does.  The Balikbyan needs you to travel with your partner, the tourist doesn't.  

As for dual citizen passport - there is no such thing rather holding two passports and using the most appropriate one to enter/leave i.e. UK passport when she exits/re-enters the UK, Philippine one when she enters and leaves the Philippines.

If you did go for 13a my advice is to get it in the UK as it will become permanent from Day 1 rather than temporary for 1 year.

[earthdome]

Easiest is balikbayan. This is for returning filipinos and their family. You don't need to do anything except ems may need to prove she is filipino at immigration when entering. Easiest is for her to bring along her old Philippines passport. Balikbayan visa  is good for one year. If you stay longer you need to convert to tourist visa. This applies to both of you since ems is not yet a dual citizen.

This is what we do since we usually stay less than one year. We even flew in with one way tickets. Korean Air asked for onward ticket but we mentioned BB entry. They looked it up on their computer then we just had to show my wife was natural born filipino by showing them both birth and marriage certificate. Old phillipines passport may also work.

Edited September 4 by earthdome

[stevewool]

Thanks Boys , why can’t Ems say it like this rather then going around the nippa huts 

[scott h]

1 hour ago, earthdome said:

may need to prove she is filipino at immigration when entering.

Last time we entered on a BB visa 13 years ago, the wife just said in Tagalog, BB visa please

STAMP, STAMP and off we went.....

[earthdome]

23 minutes ago, scott h said:

Last time we entered on a BB visa 13 years ago, the wife just said in Tagalog, BB visa please

STAMP, STAMP and off we went.....

We did the same when we arrived in July.

Thats why I said _may_ need to prove. 

[Mike J]

14 hours ago, hk blues said:

If you did go for 13a my advice is to get it in the UK as it will become permanent from Day 1 rather than temporary for 1 year.

Steve would not be eligible for a 13a visa unless his wife is a Philippine citizen.  It was not clear in the original post if she was currently a dual citizen, but I had the impression she was not currently a Philippine citizen.  As others have stated the BB privilege is the best way to go unless you plan on a permanent move.

[hk blues]

7 hours ago, Mike J said:

Steve would not be eligible for a 13a visa unless his wife is a Philippine citizen.  It was not clear in the original post if she was currently a dual citizen, but I had the impression she was not currently a Philippine citizen.  As others have stated the BB privilege is the best way to go unless you plan on a permanent move.

Right...but she could recover her citizenship easily enough IF they wanted to go down the 13a route.

For some, including me, the 13a is the only viable option if they wish to make the Philippines their permanent home - many don't qualify for the SRRV or perhaps don't have the access to the large deposit that's required in many cases.