[Pugwash01]

Apologies if this has been asked / answered before.

Firstly I'm married to a Filipina who is currently staying in the Philippines, I'm working in the UAE.

I've read in various questions / responses that it's possible to apply for a 13A visa whilst not actually in the Philippines, i.e. through the local consulate / embassy.

I emailed the Philippines consulate here in Dubai and got the following reply.

'13A visa is only being processed at the Bureau of Immigration in Manila. Thank you'

Not sure if things have changed or they just can't be bothered here?.


Cheers
Andy

 

[AppalachianBiker]

I believe that's an accurate statement. Mine will be processed there in Manila, once I get my marriage certificate back.

 

[M.C.A.]

I believe that's an accurate statement. Mine will be processed there in Manila, once I get my marriage certificate back.

AppalachianBiker, if you want you can get this done in Davao, there's several PBI Satellite Offices but there's a PBI District Office in Davao:

DAVAO IMMIGRATION DISTRICT OFFICE
ACO: SITTIE RIZMINH M. ALONTO
Office Hours: 8:00 am - 5:30 pm
Direct Line(s): (082) 8228-6488; (082) 8228-6477; (Airport) 8232-8076; 300-1446; Intel (082) 8300-1446
Facsimile Numbers: (082) 8228-6488, (082) 8228-6477
E-mail Addresses: [email protected]
Office Address: JP Laurel Avenue, Bajada, Davao City

And then if you click on this link it's alphabetical to Davao, it'll have all the PBI Satellite Offices listed in alphabetical order so scroll down to Davao and it lists and all the transactions that t hey can perform, the 13a can be done there. PBI Satellite Offices Philippines

 

[M.C.A.]

Apologies if this has been asked / answered before.

Firstly I'm married to a Filipina who is currently staying in the Philippines, I'm working in the UAE.

I've read in various questions / responses that it's possible to apply for a 13A visa whilst not actually in the Philippines, i.e. through the local consulate / embassy.

I emailed the Philippines consulate here in Dubai and got the following reply.

'13A visa is only being processed at the Bureau of Immigration in Manila. Thank you'

Not sure if things have changed or they just can't be bothered here?.


Cheers
Andy

Sorry to hear that Pugwash, probably because they don't have the staffing in the UAE. I did mine in the US through the Chicago Philippine Consulate and all through the mail but due to the Covid lockdown challenges this service was stopped in the US and ? but maybe it's back to normal now in the US and other Western countries.

It doesn't take long if done in your homeland (If still being offered) it did take me two months due to some questions about my health and I had to use the mail system but I've heard of guys getting this accomplished in a week if they live near an Philippine Consulate or Embassy.

 

[AppalachianBiker]

I know it well now.

AppalachianBiker, if you want you can get this done in Davao, there's several PBI Satellite Offices but there's a PBI District Office in Davao:

DAVAO IMMIGRATION DISTRICT OFFICE
ACO: SITTIE RIZMINH M. ALONTO
Office Hours: 8:00 am - 5:30 pm
Direct Line(s): (082) 8228-6488; (082) 8228-6477; (Airport) 8232-8076; 300-1446; Intel (082) 8300-1446
Facsimile Numbers: (082) 8228-6488, (082) 8228-6477
E-mail Addresses: [email protected]
Office Address: JP Laurel Avenue, Bajada, Davao City

And then if you click on this link it's alphabetical to Davao, it'll have all the PBI Satellite Offices listed in alphabetical order so scroll down to Davao and it lists and all the transactions that t hey can perform, the 13a can be done there. PBI Satellite Offices Philippines

 

[Lunkan]

I just "know" - applicants said so - during covid closed borders period Americans could apply in USA for TOURIST visa,when having connection to Phils by such as wife/kids there, so they could get time to be in Phils to make 13a application INSIDE Phils. I have no idea if its changed since then

 

[Gary D]

London, all the visas have gone third party online, there's no mention of the 13a, they did it prior to covid. The web page is now difficult to find, just facebook etc.

 

[Jawny]

It looks like there is a Facebook for the consulate. That suggests they may respond to a message. This might get a different answer. However I suspect it has more to do with staffing priorities. More staff invoked in OFW issues than visa approval. The process in Manila will be similar but may require travel of course depending upon where you end up. Of course the real hassle is when done in the Philippines it has to be redone a year later. Good luck

 

[Pugwash01]

Thanks everyone, I'll probably wait until I retire in not so many years - just a ball ache with stuff like banks.

I use HSBC here in UAE and Have a joint HSBC account with my wife in Manila, I can transfer USD - I get paid in USD - to HSBC Philippines instantly through the app but because I don't have a 13A visa I can't then transfer it to the Peso account with the app (my wife cant get on with the security token to do it herself ). I have to log onto online banking, go onto 'chat' and ask the 'person' in their chat window to transfer it for me, not the end of the world but definitely a PITA and only works during their chat 'active hours'.

Anyway enough grumbling from me.
Cheers
Andy

 

[M.C.A.]

Thanks everyone, I'll probably wait until I retire in not so many years - just a ball ache with stuff like banks.

I use HSBC here in UAE and Have a joint HSBC account with my wife in Manila, I can transfer USD - I get paid in USD - to HSBC Philippines instantly through the app but because I don't have a 13A visa I can't then transfer it to the Peso account with the app (my wife cant get on with the security token to do it herself ). I have to log onto online banking, go onto 'chat' and ask the 'person' in their chat window to transfer it for me, not the end of the world but definitely a PITA and only works during their chat 'active hours'.

Anyway enough grumbling from me.
Cheers
Andy

What made it easier for me to retire was that I had my 13a Visa or Permanent Resident Visa and so I could open up a US dollar account right away, I could never get my wife (wife was in the Philippines I was in the US) to open up a bank account and now I know the reason why, I was dumbfounded, shocked, dismayed and disgruntled at what it took no only to open up a bank account but to get an Internet package, landline, post paid SIM and a real internet connection and in order to open up an International line I had to bring in my banking statements.

Andy, the good news is money fixes everything so once you retire to the Philippines all this can be accomplished if you have a nice savings account or piles of heaping cash until your immigration woes are completed.

 

[AppalachianBiker]

My "local" confirmed what M.C.A. said. Since Covid apparently the process can be initiated in satellite offices like Davao City. He believes it may be faster to originate the process in Manila.

 

[M.C.A.]

My "local" confirmed what M.C.A. said. Since Covid apparently the process can be initiated in satellite offices like Davao City. He believes it may be faster to originate the process in Manila.

Without what PBI calls the Police Clearance (US police record) I'm not sure you can get an NBI clearance until living here at least 6 months.

If you brought your police record you're good to go for sure. Under our useful links for expats you'll find the Philippine Chicago Consulate and it'll give you an idea what they'll need, it's a process plus not a one stop shop yet because of the Physical.

There's going to be a new main PBI building soon and so eventually it'll move next the Mall of Asia (MOA) so a much better spot but? It's completed I think and yet they haven't made that move, the current location is a pain with very little parking and stuck in an odd spot for such a busy place.

 

[AppalachianBiker]

Casino is close by and I brought my clean police record that has been apostille by the great state of Tennessee. We're just waiting for the official hard copy of the marriage certificate. So many hurdles. Piles and piles of blue PHP still grease the wheels of progress. Out for seafood tonight. We've been married a week. I wasn't sure we would ever make it. A gentle reminder for me to SLOW DOWN.

 

[M.C.A.]

Casino is close by and I brought my clean police record that has been apostille by the great state of Tennessee. We're just waiting for the official hard copy of the marriage certificate. So many hurdles. Piles and piles of blue PHP still grease the wheels of progress. Out for seafood tonight. We've been married a week. I wasn't sure we would ever make it. A gentle reminder for me to SLOW DOWN.

Enjoy Manila, the Main Office PBI is close to (across the river) China town or Binondo, that's about as close as you'll get to eating Chinese food here, somewhat of a cool shopping area for electronics.

My son spent a weekend recently with his High School friends in a Manila condo and what a view and beautiful night life.

 

[Pugwash01]

What made it easier for me to retire was that I had my 13a Visa or Permanent Resident Visa and so I could open up a US dollar account right away, I could never get my wife (wife was in the Philippines I was in the US) to open up a bank account and now I know the reason why, I was dumbfounded, shocked, dismayed and disgruntled at what it took no only to open up a bank account but to get an Internet package, landline, post paid SIM and a real internet connection and in order to open up an International line I had to bring in my banking statements.

Andy, the good news is money fixes everything so once you retire to the Philippines all this can be accomplished if you have a nice savings account or piles of heaping cash until your immigration woes are completed.

'MCA 'Money fixes everything' - yep doesn't it just, had a house built and the contract included getting the building permit. House was handed over and no permit 'due to COVID delays in city hall' of course that was a load of hogwash and the contractor then disappeared and we are left having to get the permit retrospectively - lots of 'greasing' required and still no permit so far..........

 

[Talako]

Two things to mention as they bit me in the backend trying to apply within the Philippines at one of the newly authorized 13A office:

1. Some of the new offices that now process 13As don't do the face-to-face interviews. They have new interview forms that you and your wife have to fill out separately and get notarized. One of the questions is "What don't you like about your wife?" I wish you luck and a no bolo spousal response on that one. They also want you submit an extra filing form attesting that everything you are submitting is true and correct.

2. The BI didn't care about my Texas police clearance. (I had applied for the 13A at the 3 month mark of my arrival.) They wanted a NBI clearance instead. Reason given was that I had visited the Philippines numerous times in the past. Ran in a problem with NBI. They insisted my first name is both my first and middle together. I have no middle name, as my mom's maiden name isn't my middle. They refused to budge, so I need to go to the BI to figure out what to do.

I came here before Houston opened up for 13A processing, so my advice is to get this outside the Philippines. For now I have stalled out. I will be going to Japan in a couple of months, and that will reset my BB. Then, back to the good fight.

 

[M.C.A.]

Two things to mention as they bit me in the backend trying to apply within the Philippines at one of the newly authorized 13A office:

1. Some of the new offices that now process 13As don't do the face-to-face interviews. They have new interview forms that you and your wife have to fill out separately and get notarized. One of the questions is "What don't you like about your wife?" I wish you luck and a no bolo spousal response on that one. They also want you submit an extra filing form attesting that everything you are submitting is true and correct.

2. The BI didn't care about my Texas police clearance. (I had applied for the 13A at the 3 month mark of my arrival.) They wanted a NBI clearance instead. Reason given was that I had visited the Philippines numerous times in the past. Ran in a problem with NBI. They insisted my first name is both my first and middle together. I have no middle name, as my mom's maiden name isn't my middle. They refused to budge, so I need to go to the BI to figure out what to do.

I came here before Houston opened up for 13A processing, so my advice is to get this outside the Philippines. For now I have stalled out. I will be going to Japan in a couple of months, and that will reset my BB. Then, back to the good fight.

So? Your name, could you elaborate more because we're missing something here.

 

[Talako]

So? Your name, could you elaborate more because we're missing something here.

Example: John Alan Smith

The NBI clearance lists the name:
First: John Alan
Middle: [Blank]
Last: Smith

What I haven't cleared up is how to file the 19A. Use Philippine naming or US naming convention. If they want US naming, then is the NBI clearance good as it is?

Probably not a BFD, but I've been here long enough to know people strive to be a PIA on stupid stuff like this. I just need to go down to the BI and ask.

 

[M.C.A.]

Example: John Alan Smith

The NBI clearance lists the name:
First: John Alan
Middle: [Blank]
Last: Smith

What I haven't cleared up is how to file the 19A. Use Philippine naming or US naming convention. If they want US naming, then is the NBI clearance good as it is?

Probably not a BFD, but I've been here long enough to know people strive to be a PIA on stupid stuff like this. I just need to go down to the BI and ask.

Okay, so... If you're an American then it's your first name, middle name and last name? Your U.S. Passport makes it clear, your United States born birth (born in the US?) certificate makes it clear.

If you're from another country then check your Country of origin passport, the birth certificate, identifying documents you go by that.

The 13a is just a Permanent Resident Visa, you keep your name as written in your own country or how it matches up with your legal documents.

If none of this applies (you have no middle name) for sure talk with the Philippine Bureau of Immigration.