Applying For My 13(a) Visa

[TheMason]

I was approved yesterday for my 13(a) visa. It will take another 3-4 weeks for final processing and issuing my I-card, but I'm approved! Yay! In the event anyone else is contemplating applying for a 13(a), here's the process I went through. I applied for the 13(a) at the Baguio BI office, other BI offices may handle this differently. If you apply for the 13(a) while outside the RP, requirements for a medical exam and proof of financial means are in addition to what I provided.The Initial ApplicationI went to the Baguio BI office and submitted my application form. The application packet included:

• Two notarized application forms, each with a recent ID photo attached. This is the General Application Form MCL-07-01 available for download from the BI website.
• Notarized letter of application from my wife. There is a template for this letter available on the BI site.
• NSO issued birth certificate for my wife.
• NSO issued marriage certificate
• Photocopies of my passport bio page and pages showing most recent entry and current departure date.

When I submitted my application I paid 2510 php. This fee included the normal application fees plus a fee for my BI clearance. The notary cost me 100php per document, or 300php.First Waiting PeriodI submitted my initial application on December 5. I was told to 'wait a while' and I'd receive a notice in the mail about when and where my hearing was scheduled. I received the notice on December 26. My hearing was scheduled for January 9 in the Manila immigration office. They do not hold 13(a) hearings in Baguio so I had to travel to Manila. I was scheduled for a hearing a little more than 1 month after applying. Considering the Holiday season, I was very impressed with the quick turnaround time. During the waiting period, my file was reviewed by Baguio BI and forwarded to Manila with a recommendation of approval.The Hearing DayMy hearing was scheduled for January 9th at the main BI office in Intramuros. Our hearing started on time, 5 minutes early in fact. The BI lady reviewed my application and asked basic questions such as my wife's birthday, mother-in-laws name, how I planned on supporting us, how was my relationship with my in-laws and other things like that. She asked numerous questions about my work history and how I would support my family here. She was satisfied with my answers, but I was also ready with some financial statements to show I had the means to support us. I recommend planning ahead and getting financial records that show you have enough money to support yourself. You don't have to divulge your entire net worth, just show enough to prove you can support yourself.There were a couple of funny moments. She asked if I spoke any Tagalog and I replied, "I speak a little, but not any words I would say in front of a lady." This prompted a brief interchange between her and my wife. She was basically asking her if I was a good man. My wife replied yes. The interviewer than told me that I should try to learn some Tagalog and I said Ok. I think my reply to her question actually helped me. She was laughing with my wife so it was ok.When the interviewer asked me what my mother-in-law's name was, I replied Nanay. She asked again and I repeated Nanay again. She then asked, "No, what is her given name?" I told her and she asked me again, "What do you call your mother-in-law?" I replied with her given name and she then asked my wife in Tagalog why I called my mother-in-law by her given name. She said it was disrespectful of me to do that. My wife than explained I don't call her by her given name, I call her Nanay. Which is what I thought I told the BI lady the first time.After about a 20 minute interview, she stamped my application approved, gave my wife a phone number to call in 3-4 weeks, and directed us to another room where we could pay our 'filing fee'. There was a 1000php filing fee with no receipt issued. I don't know if the lack of receipt was carelessness or a sign of graft, but I suspect it was the latter. Either way, I've learned not to make waves when I need something from the govt. If a request is really out of line, my wife steps in and handles things.Next StepsAfter calling in 3-4 weeks we'll be given the information on the process of visa implementation and issuing my ACR card. I checked the BI site and it looks like I need to go to Manila again and pay about 5k in fees to get this done, but it's ambiguous about where I can do this and which fees I'll have to actually pay. Once I've actually gone through this part of things, I'll update this post.

[Mike S]

Interesting ... seems they are more interested in how you are going to interact with the family than with your wife ....... hahahahahaha ....... 1 guy reported that he was asked "how he planned on supporting the family" not just himself and his wife ........ If you don't mind me asking ... how old are you ..... the reason I ask is because I wonder if they have different questions for different people based on age ...... I noticed you said you didn't have to get a cenomar there ...... here in Cebu you have to get one even if you are a foreigner or not ..... strange ... different rules for different areas ...... I would think it would be the same for all regions ...... but I guess that is not the case ............

Edited January 10, 2009 by Mike S

[TheMason]

Interesting ... seems they are more interested in how you are going to interact with the family than with your wife ....... hahahahahaha ....... 1 guy reported that he was asked "how he planned on supporting the family" not just himself and his wife ........ If you don't mind me asking ... how old are you ..... the reason I ask is because I wonder if they have different questions for different people based on age ...... I noticed you said you didn't have to get a cenomar there ...... here in Cebu you have to get one even if you are a foreigner or not ..... strange ... different rules for different areas ...... I would think it would be the same for all regions ...... but I guess that is not the case ............

The focus was definitely more on how I got along with the family than how I got along with my wife. Seeing as how many expats are killed by their relatives, maybe that's not such a bad thing to focus on though. :th_interesting: I think you're right about the reason for the financial support questions. I'm 41 so I don't draw a govt. or job pension. If you're retired, I doubt they'll ask you much about this. I don't get the whole CENOMAR issue. Unless you've been married in the Philippines, the NSO has no way to know if you've ever been married or if you've been legally divorced, widowed or what have you. It just makes no sense to me at all. If it was me, I'd swear before God and on my Mother's good name (she's still alive or I'd swear on her grave) that I'd never been married, whether it's true or not. Sure, it might be a lie, but if you tell a consistent story, nobody will every prove it to be a lie. This would be easy to rationalize by telling mysefl that I must be adapting to Filipino culture just fine. I can tell a 'white lie' as good as any Filipino can.

[Jungle]

i inquired about the 13a visa in cdo last friday, 31- july.i was told basically the same but with a couple of differences.. like having an atterney represent me at the hearings(for a fee) but i don't have to appear..i may have misunderstood but i am going to try for it when i get back to cdo on sept 4.i will let you all know what happens.

[samatm]

What is the CENOMAR. I need to apply in Cebu too> Thanks for sharing the experience

[Jollygoodfellow]

What is the CENOMAR. I need to apply in Cebu too> Thanks for sharing the experience

I believe it is the certificate of no marriage, to prove that you are not married to someone else.

[Mr Lee]

What is the CENOMAR. I need to apply in Cebu too> Thanks for sharing the experience

NSO CENOMAR Copy Request and Application Online You may now make your copy request of certificate of singleness or certificate of no marriage or NSO CENOMAR online at the official website of NSO for ecensus - https://www.ecensus.com.ph/Secure/frmIndex.asp. Payments are now also entertained with the use of a credit card.Reminders for NSO CENOMAR Online Transaction:1. If you already paid for your request, no cancellation will ever be entertained so you must make sure you are making the right request as well as the information you provide before paying.2. NSO adopts NO CANCELLATION and NO REFUND policy for its services.3. Only paid transaction requests will ever be processed.4. Processing of paid Copy Issuance requests takes about three (3) working days after receipt of payment and nine (9) working days for Certificate of No Marriage Record (CENOMAR or Singleness) requests. Delivery will take two (2) to six (6) working days for destinations within the Philippines and six (6) to eight (8) weeks for outside the Philippines. (taken from NSO website)For more updates, please take a few seconds to subscribe to our feeds below here at the NSO Online Inquiry. Thank you.http://nsophilippinesonline.blogspot.com/2...equest-and.html

[Mik]

I would recommend that a person get their 13(a) visa in their home country before moving here. I got mine in the US at a Philippine consulate and it was no problem at all (and no probationary period either). The Philippine consulate in San Francisco, CA is very organized and efficient.