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Tag: 13A Visa

BI allows overstaying foreigners to extend stay in PH

The news that the BI allows overstaying foreigners to extend stay in PH will come as welcome news and a relief to some. With the effect of Covid, it’s a sensible move. I personally know of at least two foreigners who are happy at this news for different reasons. One got married recently here in the Phils and intends to apply for his 13A visa, but of course that takes time and his three years on a tourist visa expires in October 2021. He was telling me, before he heard this news, that the cost of flights out of the country (if you can find one) are exorbitant right now owing to the travel restrictions. You can read the full article in the online Inquirer…

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13A Visa Process Updated

Another step closer to converting my tourist visa into a 13A Visa. This is intended as an update for all who are contemplating the same 13A visa process and to those of you who have asked me for the information. I hope what follows is helpful. May I say at the outset that there is no need to pay lawyers or fixers to process this application. It is easy if you complete the forms correctly and follow the simple step by step guide below. For the uninitiated, a 13A Visa is to convert from a tourist visa to a Non-Quota Immigrant Visa By Reason of Marriage. If approved, you, the applicant foreigner, are permitted to stay in the Philippines on a one year Probationary basis.…

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Expat In Bacolod Got Married!

Yes, you heard me right – me, an expat in Bacolod got married! I was the lucky man to slip the ring on Zabrina’s finger at our wedding ceremony on August 17, 2017, at the Hall of Justice, Bacolod. We were both happy as I believe you will see from the photos and videos.   It was a great day for many reasons. Not only did I marry the woman I love but we had two dear friends as our witnesses, Ging and Edgar. Thanks for the flowers, Ging! To top it off, we were married by the most lovely man – Judge  Estefanio S. Libutan Jr.  He did his duty but added such a warm, personal touch. Our two dear friends were instrumental in…

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Part 2 – Myth Busting: 13A Permanent Residency Visa

Part 1 of my attempt at myth busting over the 13A Permanent Residency Visa can be found by clicking here. This is by way of an update and in particular the process of obtaining your NBI (National Bureau of Investigation) clearance.  Please don’t forget you need to be in the Philippines for at least 6 months to go through the NBI process. If you have been here for less than that time you need to obtain police clearance from your home country. Only yesterday I completed the process and gladly, I found it fairly straightforward with one exception. First, let me give you the link once more to the excellent article on obtaining a 13A visa by way of marriage to a citizen of the…

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Myth Busting: Philippines Permanent Residency 13A Visa

The first thing I must make clear about Philippines permanent residency and the ’13A Visa’ is that I do not hold myself out as a legal expert. I have researched this issue with a legally trained eye but no longer practise law in any jurisdiction worldwide. Therefore, while the following is written in good faith, check it out for yourself! I also urge you to check out an excellent blog post on this subject and will post the link at the foot of this article. I became prompted to write about the 13A Visa for a number of reasons. First off, it concerns me because the beautiful Zabrina and I plan to be married later this year. She is a Filipino and I am a…

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