Today we got a comment and question from Anne: This is what Anne had to say: Good day, Me and my fiancee are planning to get married this November 11. He will be staying here for 3 months. Departing ticket is on January. What visa should he get. Im afraid he will be sent back to Canada when they see his return ticket which is dated january 2012. The options im thinking are the following , please correct me if im wrong. 1. Use 21 days visa free, and then go to BI pay extension fee for 59 days. Will the immigration question him if his return ticket is not within 21 days? Can he just tell them that he wil go to BI to apply for extension? Im … [Read more...]

Today we got a comment and question from Danny. This is what Danny had to say: Hi John, I have a 13a visa since 2001. Unfortunately my marriage of 28 years appears to be coming to an end in the very near future as my wife and I are filling for divorce in America. I am currently in the Philippines and my ACR card is up for renewal soon. Can I simply surrender the card (instead of renewing) and get downgraded to a 9a visa now? A travel agent here is telling me that it is more of a hassle to get downgraded. Why can’t I surrender the card, simply stating that I do not wish to have it anymore due to my pending divorce (probably later this … [Read more...]

Today we got a comment and question from Jenny. This is what Jenny had to say: I am Philippine born Chinese national. My parents told me they paid for my ACR until I reached, maybe, 3 years old. In short, I no longer have the ACR. I called BI sometime ago and they said I will need to pay the penalty fee for each year of non-payment. I think it’s around $47 dollar per year. Meaning, it would cost me about $1,000 to apply for it! Does anyone know a case like mine? This is John’s reply: Jenny: This would certainly be a question for immigration. Problem you have is that, as a foreigner, the ACR is required for so many things. It is … [Read more...]

Today we got a comment and question from Roselyn. This is what Roselyn had to say: You mentioned that you have a 13a Visa. I am researching getting a 13a Visa for my husband when we retire. I am contemplating of taking the early retirement from the University that I worked for. Is it advisable to apply for the 13a Visa for my husband through the Philippine Consulate offices in the U.S. or is it better to apply in the Philippines when we get there? This  is John’s reply: Roselyn: From my understanding, the tradeoff for abroad vs. here is a question of time vs. paperwork. Here, less paperwork is required, but it took me four visits to … [Read more...]

Today we got a comment and question from Dave. This is what Dave had to say: I have been here two years, on a Balikbayan status. We fly out to Guam once a year. No one has ever said anything to me about an ACR card. I am assuming it is not required if you are here on balikbayan status. Is this correct? I could ask my local immigration office, but other expats have told me that they don’t know what they are doing, and constantly give out wrong information. Inflated fees are the order of the day as well. This is John’s reply: Dave: It is not required, for the moment (things change rapidly with immigration), however, on BB status … [Read more...]

Today we got a comment and question from David. This is what David had to say: Hi John I have been to Phil a few times and was unaware i should carry my passport with me all the time. It looks like i have been lucky not to be involved in any drama that needed police attention. Can i just carry the card now and put my passport away in a safe place or is still advisable to have both available when i go outdoors…. This is John’s reply: You can carry the ACR instead of your passport… I keep my passport secure at home. Steven added: Carrying your passport is generally the rule wherever you go in the world, but it is rarely … [Read more...]