Moving to Manila July 2018

[Angel1403]

2 minutes ago, Jollygoodfellow said:

Yes but after the first one year if you dont leave and come back with your wife by your side you become a tourist and do extensions for the next 36 months. I might be wrong but I think you are missing the point as to a balikbayan is a one year only privilege.  

Thanks for the info. I think I get it, as in the Balikbayan privilege is only valid for a year.....on receipt of that my options are then....

 

1) leave with wife before the first 12 months is up, fly to  Singapore or similar for a few days and then return and my wife then requests Balikbayan privilege for me again for another 12 months, or

2) before the first 12 month Balikbayan privilege expires move onto tourist visa for maximum of 36 months in total, including the 12 months of Balikbayan privilege. 

Then before the end of 36 month period leave Philippines with wife visit Singapore or similar close by country for a few days and then return to Philippines with wife and she request Balikbayan privilege for me again.

Is that correct?

Thanks for all information ?

[Jollygoodfellow]

1 minute ago, Angel1403 said:

Thanks for the info. I think I get it, as in the Balikbayan privilege is only valid for a year.....on receipt of that my options are then....

 

1) leave with wife before the first 12 months is up, fly to  Singapore or similar for a few days and then return and my wife then requests Balikbayan privilege for me again for another 12 months, or

2) before the first 12 month Balikbayan privilege expires move onto tourist visa for maximum of 36 months in total, including the 12 months of Balikbayan privilege. 

Then before the end of 36 month period leave Philippines with wife visit Singapore or similar close by country for a few days and then return to Philippines with wife and she request Balikbayan privilege for me again.

Is that correct?

Thanks for all information ?

yep, some people return the same day but if you're going somewhere you may as well make a holiday out of. 

[Angel1403]

7 minutes ago, Jollygoodfellow said:

yep, some people return the same day but if you're going somewhere you may as well make a holiday out of. 

Great, thank you. Yes i think we would make it a short holiday, a few days.

Cheers ?

[Dave Hounddriver]

3 hours ago, robert k said:

Not to mention there are some gotchas in the tourist visa, like you have to keep the BoI updated as to your residence.

I guess its one of those "Your Mileage May Vary" Issues if I understand you right.  I am always on a tourist visa with a tourist ACR card and one day I was getting my renewal in Dumaguete when it was so busy that the boss, Peter Bueno was helping the counter staff and renewed my visa for me.  I said "I'm sorry but I haven't updated the address on my tourist ACR card for almost 9 months now, should I do that."  His exact words, as I remember them, were: "You're on a Tourist Visa.  We don't worry about that.  Its only the married ACR card holders that have to change their address.

[jpbago]

1 hour ago, Angel1403 said:

fly to  Singapore or similar for a few days

Go to the Venetian Casino in Macau and play 3 card poker. 

[Gerald Glatt]

No bank account or drivers license either?

[Dr. Shiva]

Afaik do you only pay twice for a 13a visa. (The second time the 13a becomes permanent.) And have to report only once per year to the BI. Therefore a 13a visa can be a less hassle in a longer time than to make yearly travels to a foreign country just for resetting the BB visa.

[Amberforce]

Would recommend doing it the 13A way really if you're married to a Filipina. It's a lot easier to apply here in Manila than in your home country as they tell you that you need medical examinations and all kinds of other information to provide. The truth of the matter is you don't undergo any medical examinations, you still have to provide a lot of paperwork though including a CRB check from the Department of Foreign Affairs (only took a day). It took around six weeks from start to finish to process the full 13A application, undergo a formal interview and be accepted, so now I have a probationary ACR card (valid for twelve months) and a probationary 13A visa stamp in my UK passport. I can work (should I choose to), I can do most things that the locals can do. You can drive on your own driving licence for the first three months, however when I went to get my UK licence exchanged for the local one they told me I had to wait until my ACR/visa was permanent. After twelve months your visa becomes permanent and your ACR card is renewed every five years. Just need to report to the Bureau of Immigration to file an annual report in the first sixty days of every year, but is only around P300.

I have been here in QC for three months already and is the best move I ever made. There are difficulties, mainly cultural, but you would expect this moving to any new country. 

Would gladly share my experiences with anyone else if it would be helpful.

Good luck with your plans and don't be surprised if you find out that there is more to do in the country that you are leaving than here when you come.

[Angel1403]

14 hours ago, Amberforce said:

Would recommend doing it the 13A way really if you're married to a Filipina. It's a lot easier to apply here in Manila than in your home country as they tell you that you need medical examinations and all kinds of other information to provide. The truth of the matter is you don't undergo any medical examinations, you still have to provide a lot of paperwork though including a CRB check from the Department of Foreign Affairs (only took a day). It took around six weeks from start to finish to process the full 13A application, undergo a formal interview and be accepted, so now I have a probationary ACR card (valid for twelve months) and a probationary 13A visa stamp in my UK passport. I can work (should I choose to), I can do most things that the locals can do. You can drive on your own driving licence for the first three months, however when I went to get my UK licence exchanged for the local one they told me I had to wait until my ACR/visa was permanent. After twelve months your visa becomes permanent and your ACR card is renewed every five years. Just need to report to the Bureau of Immigration to file an annual report in the first sixty days of every year, but is only around P300.

I have been here in QC for three months already and is the best move I ever made. There are difficulties, mainly cultural, but you would expect this moving to any new country. 

Would gladly share my experiences with anyone else if it would be helpful.

Good luck with your plans and don't be surprised if you find out that there is more to do in the country that you are leaving than here when you come.

Hi 

Thanks for the info. Yes I guess I will now go the 13a route after I have been in Manila for a few months. Really useful info .

We will be in Manila also.....We had considered renting at Grass Residents in QC, but I think we may go to Eastwood City. However, its not set as yet. We will be in a few areas during this years vacation, checking out each location.

Any tips you have I would appreciate if you have time to message me hehe

I'm sure we could learn from your recent experiences.

Cheers

[virginprune]

On 10 May 2017 at 11:42 AM, Amberforce said:

You can drive on your own driving licence for the first three months, however when I went to get my UK licence exchanged for the local one they told me I had to wait until my ACR/visa was permanent. 

Does this mean that I cannot avail of a local driving license until I have a permanent 13a? I understand that rules have changed but most people I know on tourist visa here have local driving license.