New BI system: Tourist visa in one day [in Philippines BI offices]

[Welsh_Italian]

Hi Welsh_Italian, thanks for posting all that useful info. I'm so happy to have found this thread through Google.

My husband and I are considering getting a 13g visa, which requires about the same documents as a 13a. Since you have gathered the docs yourself and even got your visa approved (congrats!), I hope you don't mind my asking the following questions:

1. What should the 'letter of application' contain?

2. Just to clarify: were you able to get your BI clearance certificate and apply for your 13a visa on the same day? So does this mean you don't have to get a BI clearance certificate days or weeks beforehand?

3. Did you have to have a photocopy of your passport authenticated at a Philippine embassy/consulate in your home country?

Would really appreciate any info you could give. Thanks.

1. Our letter of application was boilerplate written by the notary. I can't remember it's contents but it was quite formal and brief.

2. Yes, you get the BI clearance on the same day. You just pay for it at the time and they consult their computer and print out a slip of paper for you there and then.

3. No I didn't have my passport photocopy authenticated, but I had my original with me for them to examine when I applied.

All the best. As you will see from my previous post, things aren't always what they seem to be, but keep trying and be patient. I get the impression that the new system managed to cut out a little of the under-the-counter stuff for our friends in the BI; but they're back up to speed now and have figured ways to get their hands on some foreigner-sponsored overtime by creating endless committees.

[Welsh_Italian]

We managed to get through this afternoon and the final round (really?) will apparently be on the 18th or 25th April. The problem is that my visa extension runs out on 20th (Sunday).

Does anyone know if I can apply for my extension after overstaying (if I don't get the visa)? I would prefer to wait for the response to the residence visa before laying out even more cash for another extension.

[ria]

Thanks, Welsh_Italian, for the updates and answers to my questions. Will also keep readers here posted on our 13g visa application. We're still in the process of gathering the required docs.

In the meantime, I'm happy to report that my NSO birth certificate arrived within 3 business days of ordering it on www.ecensus.com.ph. All the other documents are easy to obtain, except for our marriage certificate which will have to be translated and then go through a whole circus of legalization (first by a court, and then the Ministry of Justice and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and finally the Philippine Embassy where we got married).

For anyone who might be interested here is the list of requirements:

CHECKLIST OF DOCUMENTARY REQUIREMENTS FOR APPLICATIONS FOR CONVERSION TO RETURNING FORMER FILIPINO CITIZEN
(Section 13, paragraph G)

1. Duly notarized letter of application;
2. General Application Form duly accomplished and notarized (BI Form No. MCL-07-01);
3. NSO authenticated copy of birth certificate of the applicant;
4. Bureau of Immigration (BI) Clearance Certificate; and
5. Plain photocopy of passport, with English translation if written in other foreign language by the Philippine embassy/consulate nearest to or in the place where the passport was issued, showing applicant’s bio-page, admission stamp and authorized stay of at least twenty (20) calendar days from date of filing.

If in the application, the applicant is joined by his/her spouse and unmarried minor children:
1. Copy of marriage contract of applicant and spouse, duly authenticated by the Philippine embassy/consulate nearest to or in the place where the marriage was solemnized, with English translation, if written in other foreign language;
2. Copy of birth certificate of minor unmarried children, duly authenticated by the Philippine embassy/consulate nearest to or in the place where the marriage was solemnized, with English translation, if written in other foreign language; and
3. Plain photocopies of the passport/s of foreign national’s dependents showing its bio-page, admission stamp and authorized stay of at least twenty (20) calendar days from date of filing.

[Welsh_Italian]

Well I have my 13A residence visa now!

My wife and I travelled to Manila yesterday and we got my passport stamped all nice and good.

We were originally told when we enquired by phone that my case would be seen on the 18th or 25th April which was a problem as my extension visa ran out on 20th (a Sunday too). I was concerned that I would have to pay for another extension visa which would have cost a fair bit (it was the 4-6 month extension). We travelled down yesterday (21st) and asked only to find that my case had been reviewed on the 14th. The office was on the second floor of the BI (to the left just as the top of the stairs coming up) and the guy there was really helpful. He found the record, gave me the receipt but I had to pay an extra 500PHP to have it done the same day because 13A visas are not dealt with on Monday (Tuesday and Thursdays) (btw, this wasn't a bribe - I mistakenly tried to pay him and he made it clear that he wasn't to receive any money at all). We went upstairs to pay, came back downstairs with the receipt and had to make a couple of photocopies of papers (made at the extension building). We came back and waited 30 minutes for the application to be ready, and then my passport was handed over - all stamped with the 13A visa!

Overall, it was quite an easy process except for the wasted trip down and trying to get through on the telephone. To improve, I would suggest telling applicants about the process and most importantly, giving them a 'bottom line' date of when they may anticipate their application being completed. But the staff were friendly, and didn't want bribing or anything else. A bit of waiting and running around is needed, but it's not onerous and considering that I have now got a visa for the next 12 months (probationary period) for a cost little more than the second extension, I'm happy. The best bit is not having to travel to Manila again though - as usual, it was hot, dirty and polluted and we were glad to get back home in the provinces.

We applied for the ACR-I card too the same day but will have to wait 3 weeks until it's ready. The guy there said we could have it the next day for 1800PHP, but there's no rush to get it so we decided to wait.