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You may be stepping on a landmine!

May 18, 2012 By
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As you can imagine, I get a lot of e-mails with various questions about visiting the Philippines, and also about living here.  One of the most frustrating things to me is when somebody sends me an e-mail through one of my websites, and when I take the time to send them a reply, the message bounces. I mean, the fact that I took time out of my busy schedule to help these folks with answers to their questions, then when I send the reply to them, I get a message that the e-mail address is not valid.  It’s frustrating, and makes me usually feel that I have wasted my time in answering, or really even reading their e-mail.  Some such … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Live in the Philippines Tagged With: ,

Is My Friend Still a Dual Citizen?

May 17, 2012 By
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We got a question from makeup newbie today, Here’s what makeup newbie had to say: hey bob. a friend (X) who’s a dual citizen married a filipina in the philippines. marriage certificate indicates that X is filipino(he being a dual citizen). now, he wants to bring the wife to the US. how can he do it if the marriage certificate shows that he is a filipino? can he just show his naturalization papers or does he need to change the nationality indicated in the marriage certificate from filipino to american? thank you. Here’s what Bob had to say: Hello makeup newbie – Honestly, I see nothing unusual about your friend’s case. He … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Philippine Dual Citizenship

13a Visa

May 17, 2012 By
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Today we got a comment and question from Ron. This is what Ron had to say: Hi John,Thanks for the info on 13a.I travel back to Australia every 13 weeks(have been doing it for four and a half years).I am on a pention that if I am not there in person every 13 weeks they will stop my pension.I have 2 more trips to do Aug and Nov then I qualify for the age pension.That is the time I will apply for permanent residency.I will have to go to Cebu to do this and i hope it will all go smoothly.Yes Cebu Pacific do require you to have a ticket out of the country.The one time I didnt have they refused to stamp my passport and I had to buy a ticket at the … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Your Philippine Visa Tagged With: , , ,

The Global Pinoy Center

May 16, 2012 By
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Have you ever heard of the Global Pinoy Center?  It is a relatively new thing, perhaps a year or so old now.  It may be even older than that up around Manila, but we have had it here in Davao for a year or less now. The Global Pinoy Center is owned by SM, and can be found in almost all of the SM Malls around the country now.  The Global Pinoy Center is primarily aimed at Overseas Filipino Workers (OFW’s), and the member ship to the Center is limited to OFW’s and other Filipinos who have traveled or worked abroad.  Expats can also qualify for membership in the Global Pinoy Center. I joined the GPC about 6 months ago or so, and … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Live in the Philippines Tagged With: ,

Does My Daughter Have to Renounce Her Citizenship?

May 14, 2012 By
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We got a question from janice P. Tolentino today, Here’s what Janice had to say: Hi Bob, I have a 16 yr old daughter who was born in San Francisco, Ca. We moved here in the Phils. when she was 7 yrs old using a Philippine Passport. Right now, she has both Phil and US passport. My questions are: 1. Does she needs to renounce her Filipino citizen when she reaches 18 yrs old? 2. If yes, how can she keep her filipino citizen? does she needs to have her renewal of US passport be done in the US? How old can a naturalized born US citizen petition her parents? I am a Filipino citizen… Hoping you can help me with these… Thank you and more … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Philippine Dual Citizenship

In Terms of Obtaining a 13 Series Resident Visa

May 13, 2012 By
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Today we got a comment from Claudette. This is what Claudette had to say: In terms of obtaining a 13 series resident visa, I think the entire process is perfectly doable without a lawyer. All it takes is to know the process and not to be intimidated by the immigration personnel. A great deal of patience is also necessary as they (BOI personnel) seem to think you are at their mercy and can make you wait as much as they want to get whatever it is you need from them. But in fairness to the BOI satellite office, they processed our papers very quickly. I do wonder though if it is a big factor that the petitioning spouse (myself), is an Ombudsman … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Your Philippine Visa Tagged With: , , ,

Bob, why did you move to Davao?

May 11, 2012 By
Dad and daughters hanging out on a nice day, enjoying some time together on the front porch.

The other day, I got an e-mail from Don.  Don lives in Canada, but it seems that he is considering making a move to Davao with his family. Don has a wife and two kids.  He asked me why Feyma and I decided to move here, and especially why we decided to raise our kids here in the Philippines. I have written on this subject matter in the past, but it’s been a long time, so I thought I’d share my e-mail exchange with Don, for the benefit of others who may have such questions on their minds. Here is what Don wrote: Hello Bob, Can you tell me why you and your wife decided to move to the Philippines and raise your children there ? Why … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Live in the Philippines Tagged With: ,

Which Passport Do I use to Travel and Enter the Country?

May 10, 2012 By
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We got a question from Nathalie today, Here’s what Nathalie had to say: Hello Bob, I was born in Germany and have a German father & Filipina mother. We are now living in the Philippines. I’m already 25 yrs old but haven’t yet applied for a petition for dual citizenship. But I have both passports and are renewing them when needed. I need to go abroad and will be using my German passport, and my question is, can I enter the PH with my German passport (because my Filipino passport is still in process for renewal)? Will the immigration officer give me a visa because I don’t have my PH passport with me? Also, do I really need the … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Philippine Dual Citizenship

They Insisted That I Have a Forward Ticket Out of the Philippines

May 10, 2012 By
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Today we got a comment from Lenny. This is what Lenny had to say: Just got back from Hong Kong Extension run yesterday, Let me clue you in with Cebu Pacific. They insisted that I have a forward ticket OUT of the Philippines when returning there!! Even though I showed them proof I was living here, Billings etc.. I told them I have never had a problem or have been asked for a forwarding ticket upon arriving into the Philippines, they answered yes, it is random, but that is our rule.. So I bought a ticket back to Hong Kong, and they boarded me.. Maybe PAL might be different, just thought I let you guys know what happened…( Was not asked for a … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Your Philippine Visa Tagged With: , , ,

Does That Mean I’m a Citizen of the U.S.?

May 7, 2012 By
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We got a question from LadyJoyce, Here’s what LadyJoyce had to say: Hi bob, i reside here in nevada and i’m a direct citizen cause my mother petitioned me and i’m still a minor. i’ll be getting my US passport probably 2 weeks from now. i want to apply for dual citizenship since i’m still planning to study college in the philippines. though i don’t have the naturalization certificate. would the US passport be enough to prove that i’m a citizen here in the US? please reply asap. thank you. Here’s what Bob had to say: Hi LadyJoyce – I believe that you are already a dual citizen. If you obtained US citizenship through an … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Philippine Dual Citizenship
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