Quote Originally Posted by ria View Post
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.