Comments

• May 15, 2011, Opus writes: 12,220 pesos! What a bargain! So far, it's cost me around $2000 US (86,220 PH Peso) to go from K-1 Fiancee Visa to Resident for my now Pinay wife. Can't complain, though. She's a great cook!
• May 16, 2011, Jan writes: Hi Opus, A K1 visa is for a Filipino going to the USA, as far as I know. You cannot compare it to the Immigration procedures in the Philippines. And if she's a great cook, just do not complain and pay..... You'll have a partner for life... (if you behave yourself ;-) )
• May 21, 2011, filmguy writes: can you also get the retired visa as well or is it only the 13A. The reason I am asking is because if you have the other one there are no import fees when you are bringing your household goods with you to the PI as I am. which would be better or do they both have the same privleges? thx
• May 21, 2011, Jan writes: Hi, I'm not sure about all the privileges for 13a. I do not need to import goods anymore. In my case I send everything I wanted to bring through a balikbayan service, even furniture items. But you are right about the SRRV program, it is allowed to import your household goods without paying taxes for them. How this goes in real life, I don'y know and I haven't heard about it of someone, but knowing the Philippines..... At the respective websites you will find more information about both programs.
• August 10, 2011, Joe writes: How long is the interview, and what were the questions asked? Generally Speaking? Thanks
• August 10, 2011, Jan writes: The interview took only 10 minutes. The lawyer was interested to see if we didn't have a marriage 'just to have the papers'. Nothing serious or anything to worry about.
• August 11, 2011, Joe writes: Thanks! Our first hearing is in 9 hours, so I guess I should get some sleep now? :)
• August 11, 2011, Jan writes: Joe, let me know your experience with the interview
• August 12, 2011, Joe writes: Arrived @ 9:30am, while waiting an older white male passed out in the elevator. Created a stir of course.At 9:55 we went to the office of the atty that was handling our hearing. We finally got in there around 10:20-ish! The atty was really nice. She asked a few questions, most were of the obvious type. Near the end, she dropped the bombshell on us. They (BOI) were in the mist of changing things (which we experienced before) This one was, before it took two weeks to get approval. Now she says it will take at least one month! Soon as my name appear on the website, we're to report to the executive office window to start the acr card process. So now, we wait! Good thing I extended this past Monday!
• August 14, 2011, Jan writes: Hi Joe, Thanks for sharing your experiences. Hopefully you do not have to wait too long. (and prepare already for next year: same procedure again)
• August 20, 2011, Heinz Schirmaier writes: How about if I go there and marry my g/f? what will it take to become permanent?
• August 24, 2011, Jan writes: after your marriage your wife can apply for a 13a status for you at the immigration office
• August 26, 2011, gerald cochran writes: great info from every one maybe you can answer my simple question im American with pino wife we are planning moveing back to general santos the end of this september i will get the one year visa at time of entry ,when i apply for 13a can i do it in gensan or do i have to go to manila? also will i still have to leave the country every year? sounds like we will have a busy 1st year thanks/jerry
• August 26, 2011, Jiri and Dalia Vacek writes: Hello! We are new here! We will move to Filipines in 2014 with my Pinõy wife for good from Australia. WHAT IS THE BEST TO SHIFT ALL OUR FURNITURE AND OTHER THINGS safely and cheap. Anybody have done it? Share experience please Regards Jiri and Dalia
• August 26, 2011, Jan writes: Gerald, When you enter the PI you will receive the balikbayan status, this is valid for 12 months. If you do not take further actions you have to leave the country for 24 hours. Possibility 1 is: change balikbayan status into tourist visa (valid two months, extendable 10 to 12 times each two months). Possibility 2: your Filipino spouse has to apply for 13a visa. This can be done at any major Immigration Office. If nit in GenSan, maybe in Davao? You may visit their website and call them to find out. 13a visa takes some time so prepare early.
• August 26, 2011, Jan writes: Jiri and Dalia, look on internet for balikbayan services in Australia, and ask for the possibilities.
• August 27, 2011, Jiri and Dalia VACEK writes: Thank you! We are using one company called LBC. Sending parcels to my wife's family. Cheap and you can trust them. Wish to trust company they bring in your yard container and drop it in Philippines with everything inside untouched. Lot of moving companies in Philippines take what they like and them say SORRY..... We'll keep looking it is still time. We're moving in 2015.. Thanks Jiri and Dalia
• August 27, 2011, gerald cochran writes: thanks for your time and all the info im sure you are a great help to many.maybe when i get settled and have lots of exsperiencs behind me i can be help to some one thank you for your services.be there soon gerald
• September 2, 2011, Jiri and Dalia writes: Hello Jan! We would like to know, how to make sure if you're buying used car, that car hasn't been stolen, it is under finance and generally it is a legal car to buy and drive in Philippines. We have option in Australia to check every motor vehicle you can buy using VIN number. Any experience with that? Thanks for reply.....
• September 2, 2011, Jan writes: Hi Jiri and Dalia, When we bought our car, almost three years ago, we decided to buy a brand new one. Our arguments were: if we buy a second hand car you never know if the car had an accident before, what the mileage is, how the maintainance was, and if the car was stolen or fully paid. To avoid any problems and to get a full three years warranty we decided to buy a brand new one. So we do not have experience in buying a second hand car. But if you plan to do so, look for someone in your family whom you can trust and who knows about cars. Prizes of second hand cars are high compared to other (western) countries. Brand new cars are much cheaper here than in the rest of the world.
• September 4, 2011, Jiri and Dalia writes: Hi Jan! Thank you. I agree with you. New cars are sure new and all title and history are clear. I will (when our time will come) look for a new car option. You are right prices of new cars in Filipines are lower, much lower then here in Australia. I drive BMW 120i and my wife little compact Mercedes A 160 class (I came from Europe..... hehehe) I have already list of dealers and will deal with them. Safe and sure what you're buing. Thank you for your reply. We will write again in another topics soon. It is so many question to live safely and happy up there. Regards Jiri and Dalia
• September 19, 2011, Joe writes: Just an update, it has been over a month now and no word yet! :-( I don't know if this is normal since it is a new thing they started, but they update the website when they want to it seems, but when they DO get around to updating, the date is always the previous Thursday! I'm in a corner because my return ticket expires on the 1st of Oct, although the current extension is up on the 8th! If they didn't screw us on the NSO crap, I think things would have been settled one way or another now, but I'm trying my best to keep positive!
• December 27, 2011, John writes: 13a is only p7000 now!
• January 18, 2012, Matthew Beatty writes: Hello! I've been here a year and I'm getting married in June. However I have to leave the country for 24 hours on March 31 and come back on a new tourist visa which will erase time ive been here. Is there a minimum stay required to apply for the13a? (example: if I've been in the Phil for two months and get married, can I apply for the13a just being here 2 months on my new tourist visa?)
• January 18, 2012, Jan writes: Hi Matthew, To get a 13a visa, you need to be married first. After that your wife needs to apply for your 13a visa. Tourist visa can be extended every two months.
• February 2, 2012, karl writes: Hi, Do you know if i can leave the Philippines having 13A probationary visa ? I read at several forums once you leave the country the 13A is no longer valid and one have to start the procedure all over again, is this true ? Thanks, Karl
• February 2, 2012, Jan writes: Hi Karl, When you have a probationary 13a visa you should read the small letters in the black area on the back of the card. It says: This card serves as re-entry permit ..... In my opinion customs cannot make difficulties. But it would be wise to go to immigration and ask a permit to leave the country for a vacation. When someone has a similar ACR card on a tourist visa, that card should be given to the customs when leaving the country. Right under your name and place of birth is stated what kind of visa you have: if it states TV = tourist visa; if it states Sec 13A (prob) = probationary 13a visa. note: this is my view on things, it might not be correct, but I believe it is.
• February 2, 2012, karl writes: Hello Jan, Thanks for your advice I live since 1998 most of the time in the PH on Tourist visas. Married in 2006 in Davao, now i'm planning to ship my personal things over in a 20' container from Antwerp (if i can find transport for a reasonable price, i'm still searching). I want to avoid the heavy import taxes so with the 13a no problems i'm bin told. However i dont't have the 13a yet, i'm planning to apply for one when i arrive back in the PH in April, problem is that i only can stay for a couple months this time and hope to get everthing done in that short period. i will be back in october 2012 hopefully forever if everything works out fine. PS, the example document "Duly notarized letter of application by the Filipino spouse" as you stated, i can't find it on the ph website, do you have a clou where i can obtain one ? Thanks again and best regards, Karl
• February 3, 2012, Jan writes: Karl, check these document links: http://immigration.gov.ph/index2.php?option=com_docman&task=doc_view&gid=94&Itemid=99999999 http://immigration.gov.ph/index2.php?option=com_docman&task=doc_view&gid=7&Itemid=117
• February 7, 2012, karl writes: Hi Jan, Thanks for the info. I found out that one need a re-entry permit before leaving the country on a 13a visa. 3 passport-sized photographs, proof of residency status are needed, the fee is 2800php. Leaving without the re-entry permit invalidates the 13a. One should also pay the 1640php Philippine exit tax. How long you can stay abroad is not clear to me. Best regards, Karl
• February 7, 2012, Jan writes: Thanks for the update Karl. I suppose that you should be back before the card expires....

Related posts:

• finding job in the Philippines
  Finding employment in the Philippines is difficult. It is for Filipinos, but even more for foreigners. Wages are low, compared to US or European standards. And there is the Philippine law about hiring employees. Companies in the Philippines are allowed to
• visa issues in the Philippines
  Many visitors to this website ask me about the possibilities to get an extended visa aside from the ordinary tourist visa. I'll explain the most common visas here. Upon arrival in the Philippines (almost) every tourist gets a 21 day visa
• tourist visa in the Philippines
  Almost every foreigner who enters the Philippines will get a visa for 21 days. Read about the latest updates if you are also entitled. If you are planning to stay longer you have to go to one of the many

Share and Enjoy

Comments

• April 1, 2011, angel writes: hello, i would just like to ask how much did you pay for the extension of tourist visa for every 2 months? thank you..
• April 2, 2011, Jan writes: All information about the costs of extending visa can be found on the Department of Immigration website. Fees might change from time to time, so better check what is written on the website.
• September 5, 2011, Jason writes: Hi, My family and I are coming to the Philippines for a surprise 40th B'Day for a friend. We will be there for 10 days. I'm chasing Visa information.... I've been getting different stories from diferent websites. Is it true that you don't need a Visa if staying less than 21 days? Is there any cost for entering the country? If we do require Visa's are we able to get them before we leave or should we just wait and get them on arrival? Any information would be appreciated. Thanks, Jason
• September 5, 2011, Jan writes: Hi Jason, If you plan to stay below 21 days, NO visa is needed.

Related posts:

• visa issues in the Philippines
  Many visitors to this website ask me about the possibilities to get an extended visa aside from the ordinary tourist visa. I'll explain the most common visas here. Upon arrival in the Philippines (almost) every tourist gets a 21 day visa
• finding job in the Philippines
  Finding employment in the Philippines is difficult. It is for Filipinos, but even more for foreigners. Wages are low, compared to US or European standards. And there is the Philippine law about hiring employees. Companies in the Philippines are allowed to
• visa issues – Philippines
  

Share and Enjoy

Comments

• February 15, 2010, Klaus writes: What a nice custom, my wife(philippina) and I are laughing about that. Where do you find genuine products nowadays that are not made in Chna??? Made in Asia reimported to Asia, what a way to waist your money.... :-D
• February 16, 2010, Jan writes: Klaus, When you look at it closely, it is very funny. But Filipinos like it that way. It is a way of showing their families that they love them and have thought about them while being away. Ask your wife, she will admit it.
• August 29, 2010, Felicor writes: Dunno if that applies to every Filipino. I remember my mom brought a lot of stuff to Philippines the first time she went home. Something for everyone. Everyone was happy. As the years went by, and we go for a visit almost every year, we don't bring anything anymore but our family are still very happy to see us. But it must be a headache for others to think about what to bring. Good luck with that!
• August 31, 2010, Jan writes: Hi Felicor, Thanks for your visit and your comment. Many Filipinos who have family abroad expect something when they come home to visit. Maybe not all families, but a lot. Filipinos abroad also send many 'balikbayan' boxes home with presents and other goods, it is more or less the same thing.

Related posts:

• license plates in the Philippines
  When you drive your own car in the Philippines, but also when someone visits this country, you might notice that several cars have double license plates. Usually a foreign plate and a local plate on top. Having something IMPORTED is very
• transport of workers
  During rush hour you can see some trucks loaded with people in their working clothes. Usually they are contractor trucks bringing their workers to the site or bringing them home in the afternoon. In Europe or America you will not
• something imported
  Filipinos in general like to possess things if they are imported. They do not like to buy their local products, especially if it concerns durable goods, perfumes and clothing. When someone visits family or friends the Philippines from abroad they are

Share and Enjoy

Comments

• November 26, 2009, Dave Starr writes: Hi Jan, Getting your 13-swries permanent residency visa is probably a good thing to do, so don't let this appear that I am trying to talk you out of it, but I've been in the Philippines more than three years now and the balikbayan privilege (BB for short) has served me fine. The only thing I see in your article I can disagree with is a technicality. The BB can _not_ be extended beyong one year, but you _can_ convert the BB to a tourist waiver at the end of its one year period of validity and you can then renew the tourist visa waiver stamps every 60 days for varying fees each time. The issue you have with the travel agent appears to revolve around the fact that many travel agents are not familiar at all with the rules which apply to foreigners. This is one reason I avoid using them. I buy my tickets, forign and domestic online. If you are not trying to fly PAL, you absolutely can buy round trip tickets to a location like Kuala Lumpur and the airline will board you for your return flight, and Philippine Immigration will stamp your passport with another 1 year BB stamp. Why not PAL? Based on my own personal experience, they do not follow the laws of their own country ... not much else I can say. Cebu Pacific has much better deals anyway. You and others in this situation may want to read this article, detailing how I renewed my BB privilege stamp earlier this year. Why I Left The Philippines
• November 26, 2009, Jan writes: Dave, Thanks for your comment. I think a lot of readers will be redirected now to your pages, which is good. I have read your post and it is clear that it is possible to just go and come back here without much problems. I explained the travel agency already that I was having a visa for the Philippines untill dec 5 of this year, and we were thinking of returning in the PI around november 25. The sales lady even called to the airline headquarters, but was confirmed that I needed a return ticket to Holland. Next time, if there will be any because I will go far the 13a, I will buy my ticket on-line again, like I did before in Holland. Thanks again for your comment.
• November 27, 2009, Dave Starr writes: Jan, It is _never_ a requirement for a foreigner to have an onward ticket to his or her homeland. This is a frequent myth, apparently perpetuated by people who sell tickets. What the law requires is proof of 'onward travel' within the period of stay allowed. 21 days for no visa (visa waiver program), 59 days for regular travel visa holder and one year for persons eligible for the balikbayan privilege. The onward travel may be anywhere outside of the Philippines, it does not have to be a ticket to a persons homeland. PAL, in particular, seems to refuse to allow what their own country's law allows. When my wife and I came here in 2006, they refused to sell me a one way ticket, even after if specifically showed them the rules, on paper. Because we were jammed up by time ... we had to get here by a certain date, I ended up buying a follow-on ticket to Hong Kong. Cost about $90 extra ... a little "Immigratiion Tax" imposed by PAL. Welcome to the Philippines
• November 27, 2009, Jan writes: Dave, I suppose you are right, but we were a little in a hurry and I couldn't find good deals on the internet. That was the reason for going to this travel agency. I didn't understand why they were asking for a return ticket. I was even trying to convince them that I was married to a Filipina and was entitled to receive a new BB status upon arrival in the PI. Anyway, I will keep it it mind for the next time. Thanks for your support.
• November 28, 2009, stephen dickinson writes: Hi I'm a British national living in England and planing to retire to Cebu in a few years with my Filipino wife I read your exchanges with interest as the Visa/Permanent stay and return to the Phils issue is one that worries me. Do you guys know or have experience of the Retiree Visa on offer for various rates of investment known as SRRV? It would seem that to avail (see picking up the lingo) the least level of investment if your pension's less than $1000 US a month is to get your wife to become a foreign national, in my case to become a British Citizen, so we then need only invest $1500 US and the husband of a returning Filipino national I can stay permanently and have muliple entry status as her dependant. I got this info from the Phipinnes Retirement Authority by emailing their office in Cebu so hopefully it's correct. Any comments or additional info would be most welcome as would on going conversation about general life in the Phils like buying property etc. Regards Stephen
• November 29, 2009, Jan writes: Hi Stephen, Thanks for stopping by at my website. There are a lot of forums on the web handling this question. I suggest to become a member of such forum where you can ask your specific questions. For example: THIS ONE. The owner of this forum has a SRRV visa and can tell you all about it. Check it out.
• November 30, 2009, stephen dickinson writes: HI thanks for that had a look and it seems the same info I got from the agency but good to have lots of contacts. Best wishes Stephen
• December 2, 2009, Jan writes: Hi Stephen, The more information one gets the better. I know from experience that not everything you read on the internet is correct. Also the Government of the PI is changing their laws on small points and even their civil servants do not always know the law exactly. It is always better to inform yourself at the Philippine embassy in your country. You can get a 13a visa there too. Best wishes to you and your family !
• July 5, 2010, Edna Salva writes: Hi, My husband and I were just done with his 13a permanent visa. But before that, you have to go through first with the one year 13a probationary status. Two months before the expiration of your probationary status you could proceed on processing your application to permanent. We processed his permanent on May 21, 2010 and it was approved on June 17, 2010. But we just know that it has approved on that date because you can't seem to contact the number that they have given to us. It just keeps on ringing and no one is answering. So what I did it to wake up early in the morning for thats the best time to call time. Sometimes it was a success but it works. After it has been approved we went to the Immigration Office in Intramuros to process the implementation. We paid P3,690 for the double express and after that we proceed to the ICR-Card window. We paid P2,829 for the card and waited until 4:30 pm for the release of his ICR- Card. But you should also be aware that upon leaving the Philippines you have to pay I think P3,500 plus. I am not so sure what kind of fee is that. My husband thinks that it is better if we proceed with our Singapore trip to get that Balikbayan visa but if you are planning to stay here for a long time, I think you will benefir form the 13a visa. If you have more questions, just email me and I am willing to help you as much as I can.
• July 6, 2010, Jan writes: Hi Ednalyn, Thanks for this presize explanation and overview of the costs. Many visitors will appreciate it, and so do I.
• October 8, 2010, Fritz Reinders writes: That mystery fee was most likely the Travel Tax (P1620 per Philippine Resident or visitor who has stayed 1 year or more) If you are a Philippine citizen who is a Permanent Resident or resident citizen in a foreign country the tax is P200 (the cost of the Exempt certificate) Also be prepared for the Philippine airport fees you will pay on the way to your boarding gate. P200 domestic & P750 international per passenger. (US currency accepted) The Philippine Tourism Authority has a Travel Tax Primer with details of the Travel Tax. http://www.philtourism.com/ttax.html On the immigration board I usually visit I see a lot of questions from Filipinos who discover these at the airport :) On the onward travel requirement. The Honolulu and Chicago (USA) Philippine Consulates list this as a requirement for Balikbayan Privilege entry...other consulates say nothing about it. PAL enforces it & I have seen reports that Cebu Pacific and a few of the other carriers also enforce it. The POE document check in Philippines also requests this proof occasionally. The advice from the PAL ticket counter is to buy a cheap ticket to Singapore, HK or similar nearby country and get a refund on arrival in Philippines.
• November 19, 2010, John Jackson writes: So you just buy a refundable ticket to someplace? Is it 100% refundable? When we came to the Philippines in May 2010, we had follow on tickets to Hong Kong, that we just tossed when we arrived here. That was $100 down the drain (I bought the tickets during a promo). In May 2011 we plan to travel to South Korea for a few days and return for our new Bilikbayan status. So are you saying I must get a follow on ticket, or are there airlines that won't check for such things, since it's kind of wrong anyway?

Related posts:

• balikbayan versus 13a visa
  
• tourist visa in the Philippines
  Almost every foreigner who enters the Philippines will get a visa for 21 days. Read about the latest updates if you are also entitled. If you are planning to stay longer you have to go to one of the many
• visa issues in the Philippines
  Many visitors to this website ask me about the possibilities to get an extended visa aside from the ordinary tourist visa. I'll explain the most common visas here. Upon arrival in the Philippines (almost) every tourist gets a 21 day visa

Share and Enjoy

Comments

• August 9, 2009, rienus ernst writes: Jan Rienus here, I wish you a very happy stay here in the ph. from the Ernst family Rienus, Pat, Iris regards
• August 9, 2009, jan writes: thanks
• August 22, 2009, Alibre writes: It suits me.

Related posts:

• Via Dolorosa in Antipolo City, the way of the cross to Golgotha
  Next week will be Holy Week again, the week before Easter. This is a special week in the Philippines and other Roman Catholic countries. In all parishes, all over the country a procession will be held along all stations of
• one year celebration
  Today it is exactly one year that we arrived in the Philippines to live here. When we decided to move to the Philippines we have made a lot of plans what to do once we were there. We decided to travel a
• Pioduran, Albay (Bicol)
  This post I am writing directly from Pioduran Albay. The hometown of my in-laws. This is the place where my father-in-law lives with his youngest daughter and her family. It's also the place where we are staying right now. It is

Share and Enjoy

Related posts:

• hello, my name is Emily part 1
  It is more than two years now that we (me, Jan and Flor) made the move to the Philippines. Now it is time that I tell you MY story of our move to the Philippines. My name is Emily, I am almost
• global warming
  The whole world is talking about global warming. It might be true that the global temperatures are going higher every year. Yet there are a few things I do not understand in this subject: USA and Europe are
• preparing to leave the Netherlands
  The time to make final plans and schedule our relocation has come. First we have to decide if we were going to bring all our furniture, so we asked for quotations for the move by sea container. Costs vary

Share and Enjoy