Here is what is on the Immigration Web Site
Amendment to PRV by Marriage Permanent Resident Visa by Marriage
And here is what is listed for the requirements for the PRV
http://immigration.gov.ph/images/ImmigrantVisasForms/PRV/2014-12-006%20Rev%200%20Amendment%20from%20Prob%20to%20PRV%2013A.pdf Once you receive your PRV you will be required to go to Manila every 5 years for an updated photo for your PRV ACR I-Card and warrants check.
Now for the initial conversion to 13A application (Probationary Resident Visa by Marriage) the process is
Conversion to Non-Quota Immigrant Visa by Marriage and the requirements are
http://immigration.gov.ph/images/ImmigrantVisasForms/ImmigrantVisaByMarriage/2014-12-001%20Rev%200%20Conversion%20to%20Non-Quota%20Immigrant%20by%20Marriage%20Probationary.pdf shows that "Valid Police Clearance from country of origin or residence, if the applicant has stayed in the Philippines for less than six (6) months; " So that tells me that you do not need your home residence clearance if you have been here longer than 6 months when you file your 13A Conversion request. Which kinda validates why the home town Police Record certification is only valid for 6 months after issue by the Philippine Consulate in the US.
So based on all of this and how the Balikbayan Visa on Arrival
Balikbayan Privilege is treated (after the first year, you can extend every 1, 2 or 6 months up to 36 months) the BB Visa is nothing more than a special Tourist visa (therefore you use your Tourist ACR I-Card for your Probationary Resident Visa Application). Also on the BB Visa you are required to do the Annual Report
Annual Report with the BI in Jan and Feb.
I am going this route as I want to be able to legally work in the Philippines should the oppportunity present itself and seeing as how it takes a while to go thru this I might as well start this when I get back.
After dealing with all of the misinformation out there about the US Tourist Visa for my wife and the other info published about the 13A process on various forums and blogs, I think that a lot of the concerns are overblown or misunderstanding what is exactly required.
esv, yes we are bringing an NSO Copy of our Marriage Certificate with us.
I am trying to find out who is telling the applicants that the home country Police clearance is required? As the form states, only needed if you are applying for the 13A conversion in your first six months.