Permanent Quota (13) Visa In The Philippines

[Filipatrik]

Hello!Does any of you have some knowledge about those quota visas?Is there anybody who has been through this process?Or do you know someone who got this visa?Seems to be a good choice for people who are not married toFilipinas, but bought some condominium in the Philippines, for example.Is it easy to obtain if you indeed invested more than 40 thousand USD?Especially if your nationality is less popular, not American, Australian,Canadian etc. Are there more than 50 applicants from most countries every year?Moreover, what is the procedure if someone wants to start in the Philippines, not abroad?Thank you in advance for describing your experiences in this field.Philippines Immigrant Visa - Quota (13)The conditions provided in this Act allow only 50 applicants whose countries accept Filipinos as immigrants on a reciprocal basis to obtain the Immigrant Quota Visa annually.Requirements 1. Accomplished and Notarized General Application Form (BI Form No. MCL-07-01) 2. Original and photocopy of passport valid for at least six, showing the admission stamp and authorized period to stay 3. Original copy of proof of actual investment of at least US$40,000.00 (bank deposit is not accepted) in the Philippines or proof of applicant’s special qualification which has advanced or will advance the country’s national interest 4. Original copy of the Medical Certificate issued by the Bureau of Quarantine and International Health Surveillance or any government authorized medical institution which certifies that the applicant is not infected with any serious or contagious disease; and, is mentally healthy 5. Bureau of Immigration (BI) Clearance Certificate; and 6. National Intelligence Coordinating Agency (NICA) Clearance.Procedures 1. Submit the requirements above to the Philippine Embassy or Consulate (addressed to the Consular Officer). 2. The Consular Officer will forward the application to the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA). 3. The DFA will determine that the number of applicants has not reach the quota for the year. 4. The Consular Officer will interview the applicant. 5. Approval or Refusal will be issued. 

Edited June 27, 2010 by Mr. Lee
remove link/new member rules. Govt links may be allowed by new members but not by private orgs.

[Tom in Texas]

Hello!Does any of you have some knowledge about those quota visas?Is there anybody who has been through this process?Or do you know someone who got this visa?Seems to be a good choice for people who are not married toFilipinas, but bought some condominium in the Philippines, for example.Is it easy to obtain if you indeed invested more than 40 thousand USD?Especially if your nationality is less popular, not American, Australian,Canadian etc. Are there more than 50 applicants from most countries every year?Moreover, what is the procedure if someone wants to start in the Philippines, not abroad?Thank you in advance for describing your experiences in this field.

WelcomeTo me, your situation sounds as though it may be well suited for the Special Resident Retiree Visa (SRRV). It has several options based on your retirement status, does not require you to be married to a Filipina, does require you pay a fee and put up money, and provides you with a permanent resident visa. I am posting some information that I have saved from prior post, but there are several websites dealing specifically with SRRV.Age, Pension and Time Deposit Requirements1. With Pension of $800/mo single or $1,000/mo married 50 years of age and above $10, 000.00 time deposit2. Without Pension 35 to 49 years of age – $50, 000.00 time deposit 50 years of age and above – $20, 000.00 time deposit 3. (I have not confirmed this member comment) If your spouse is a Former Filipino, the required Deposit is $1,500.00. She can bring in 2 dependents. As her dependent spouse, no additional deposit is required. TIPS AND COMMENTS-SRRV holders are exempt from paying the travel taxSRRV holders are exempt from ACR, I-card, exit clearance and re-entry permit requirements. SRRV holder have photo ID card and PRA visa inserted into their passportNo $500 annual visitorial fee if you keep your investment in the bank$10 per year for the ID card$30 for a new passport with SRRV ID and PRA visa inserted in your passport$1400 application fee.SRRV avoids dealing with BID, multiple trips to BIDSRRV in five business days once all documents ready and fees and bank deposit paidAnnual US Social Security benefits letter from SSA acceptable as proof of pensionFax or email a copy of your SSA benefit statement to the PRA for approvalPRA management seems anxious to provide good service, but hard to get attention of the staffYou can apply for SRRV while in balikbayan or tourist visa statusProve your pension check is deposited to a PI bank by letter from the bank or deposit slipsPRA offices, 26th floor in Citibank Tower, MakatiGo to PRA offices to receive SRRV ID card, visa, sign and fingerprint SRRV "affirmation"Office process only takes about 15 minutes.If agree to keep deposit in bank for 3 years, you get SRRV ID card valid for 3 years at $20 costAt end of 3 year period, renew for another 3 years for $30No other recurring fees unless you withdraw your funds and invest them in real estate If investment still in place when you die, wife inherits the funds.PRA offers free assistance in getting drivers licenses, employment permits, etcIf you leave the Philippines, you must let the PRA know three days in advance. Notice can be done by email or fax or phoneMust trust PI bank with money at approx 5% interest. Avoids cost of leaving the country once a year and visa renewal fees.Seem to break even on SRRV cost vs visa fees with a deposit of $20,000 or less.Do not go through PRA , use one of their "Partners" listed on the PRA website.The "partners" keep most of the application fee and do the whole process for you. MISCELLANEOUS INFO, CONTACTS AND COMMENTSFrom Philippine Star:Ex-Col. Fernando Francisco, acting PRA general manager, said recorded number of "foreign retirees" who registered with PRA 1,263 in 2005, 2,398 in 2006, first four months of 2007 recorded 1,060. Registered membership with PRA are foreign nationals 35 years old and above who opted to retire in the Philippines permanently with their family. Koreans accounted for 56 percent of the total retirees, Chinese 16 percent and Japanese 6 percent. Foreign retirees registered with PRA are allowed to travel in and out of the country without clearance from the Bureau of Immigration.The number of active retirement visa holders totaled 5,183 at the end of 2006, excluding dependents."We aim to have one million retirees here by 2015," says Ernesto M. Ordonez, president of Philippine Retirement Inc., a nonprofit organization that helps foster cooperation between private companies and the government's Philippine Retirement Authority, which processes visas for retirees."We believe that every retiree who comes will create four jobs -- such as maids, cooks, drivers, nurses and caregivers, barbers and hairdressers. If every retiree spends an average of $1,000 a month, we will bring in revenue of $1 billion a month as well as creating four million jobs."EURopeanAMericanAssociation - communicates about SRRV matters between themselves andwith PRA via an internet forum - http://srrv.studio2401.comBank of Commerce, Joseph Pineda, 02-896-7085, Bel Air Makati branch on Jupiter Avenue is BOC's point person for the SRRV program. Local branches will assist with the application, such as Iloilo JM Basa street branch, the Dumaguete branch (see below) and Cebu branch (see below). Your local branch can help put together your application package and then send via FedEx or DHL to Pineda in Makati. He will review it and take it to the PRA offices for submission. About 3 weeks for SRRV to be approved and then can be picked up at PRA offices. Mr. Pineda can accompany you if you wish. Suggestion - do not pay any fee or make any deposit until the PRA has informally reviewed your application and found it to be complete. Then make your deposit and pay the $1400 application fee. When you make the deposit, BOC will give you a deposit certificate for submission to the PRA. US$ time deposit pays about 4% interest. Once you have your SRRV, you can convert to peso time deposit. BOC has good rates on five year, tax free, peso CDs. Unless you withdraw the money to buy a condo or other investments, you must keep the $10,000 on deposit and cannot withdraw without permission from the PRA. . Mayen, assistant manager, Bank of Commerce, Cebu-Main Branch, at Osmena Blvd, near Robinson's Dept. Store, (032)253-1951 to 53, 9am to 4pm on Mondays to Fridays, 10am to 3pm on Saturdays, modigal@bankcom.com.ph Bank of Commerce, Dumaguete, one hour to get passport style photo's, 15 minutes with the manager to do the application form and open the trust account with $20,000 deposit. Three weeks later, half hour signing receipts, picking up papers and listening to an Immigration official speach on the rights and responsibilities. Interest is deposited into a Peso savings account quarterly. Advised that can withdraw from the program at any time and get return of deposit within few days. Equitable-PCI offers social security direct deposit for $2.50 monthly service charge and no minimum balance required, can withdraw the full amount of your SS check and leave a zero balance until the next SS check arrives with no fees or penalties.Good luck,Tom in Texas