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Status Of Quarantines In The Philippines

Status Of Quarantines In The Philippines



Passing this message along from the US Embassy:

Starting Sunday, January 3, 2021 at 12:01 a.m., the Philippines will temporarily ban the entry of travelers from, or who have transited through, the United States. Passengers coming from the United States or who have transited through the United States who arrive before Sunday should be allowed to enter the Philippines, but will be required to complete a 14-day facility-based quarantine regardless of their RT-PCR test result.   

 

Health Alert for U.S. Citizens in the Philippines:  Updated Travel Information Related to the Ongoing COVID-19 Pandemic

 

Through January 15, 2021, the Philippine government has suspended all flights from the United Kingdom and will bar entry to travelers originating or transiting from the following locations:  the United Kingdom, South Africa, Switzerland, Italy, Denmark, Israel, Hong Kong, Spain, Ireland, the Netherlands, Singapore, Lebanon, Japan, Canada, Germany, Sweden, Australia, France, Iceland, and South Korea. 

 

Passengers already in transit, or who were in any of the locations listed above within 14 days of their arrival in the Philippines, and who arrive before December 30, 2020, will be allowed entry but are subject to a mandatory 14-day quarantine, regardless of a negative RT-PCR result. 

 

For more information, see the Manila International Airport Authority website. 

 

The Philippine government also announced that the following quarantine classifications will be in effect through January 31, 2021:

 

General Community Quarantine (GCQ): 

 

Luzon – National Capital Region (Metro Manila), provinces of Batangas, Isabela and Santiago City; 

Visayas – cities of Iloilo and Tacloban; and 

Mindanao – Iligan City, Lanao del Sur, Davao City, and Davao del Norte.   

 

All other areas are placed under Modified General Community Quarantine (MGCQ). 

 

As a reminder, the Philippine government mandated all persons to wear full-coverage face shields together with face masks while in public places. Local governments continue to implement additional requirements to slow the virus’ spread. For more information, please see our COVID-19 information page. 

What Is The Chief Crime Of Babylon?

What Is The Chief Crime Of Babylon?

 

Whore of Babylon - Blake

My acquaintance with eschatology goes back many decades. I grew up hearing many different men speak on the subject. I loved to hear all of their varied interpretations of the Revelation and Daniel and other books thought to contain glimpses of our future.

One interesting topic that came up quite often and still does is the use of the word "sorceries" in the Book of Revelation:

Re 9:21  Neither repented they of their murders, nor of their sorceries, nor of their fornication, nor of their thefts.

Re 18:23  And the light of a candle shall shine no more at all in thee; and the voice of the bridegroom and of the bride shall be heard no more at all in thee: for thy merchants were the great men of the earth; for by thy sorceries were all nations deceived.

Early on there was not much expounding on this word and it was simply passed off as some form of witchcraft used to beguile the world. 

But eventually I picked up on the fact that the Greek word behind "sorceries" is more interesting than most give it credit for being.

The Greek word used in those two passages is φαρμακεία, transliterated as pharmakeia. You notice this is the word from which we derive pharmacy and pharmaceutical.

 The word φαρμακεία is found in Strong's Concordance reference # 5331:

1) the use or the administering of drugs
2) poisoning
3) sorcery, magical arts, often found in connection with idolatry and fostered by it
4) metaph. the deceptions and seductions of idolatry
This indicates that the global administration of some sort of drug(s) plays a key role in the end time.

But there is a lot more to this word φαρμακεί.

In general, both the Greek (φαρμακεία) and the Latin term (veneficium) indicate a type of homicide or attempted homicide: so in Greek themes the charge of φαρμακεία is essentially interchangeable with φόνος, as well as with ἐπιβουλή; - Law and Ethics in Greek and Roman Declamation, p. 157

φαρμακεί (sorceries) is interchangeable with φόνος and ἐπιβουλή?

What is the meaning of these two words?

φόνος: murder 

ἐπιβουλή: plot (conspiracy)

for by thy sorceries were all nations deceived

I believe that the metaphorical sense (deception) is active in the meaning here, but there is also a strong possibility that it also involves a world wide conspiracy to commit mass murder with drugs.

This is the chief crime of Babylon.

And what is the punishment for her crimes?

Re 17:16  And the ten horns which thou sawest upon the beast, these shall hate the whore, and shall make her desolate and naked, and shall eat her flesh, and burn her with fire.

Who is this Babylon?

Germany is the largest pharmaceutical exporter. Switzerland is #2 and the U.S. is #3.

Seems Babylon is a multi-polar operation.

Who pays leaders of other nations to push their drugs?

All makers of pharmaceuticals it seems: (ex.1, ex.2, ex.3, ex.4 (several examples in #4), ex.5 and many more).

Who controls the poppy fields? Seems as though a multinational conglomerate does.

Who controls the heroin and coca trade? Another coalition of the willing. Same with ice and every economically viable illicit drug. 

Many hands upon the poisoned chalice.

Many nations sitting upon many waters and many peoples, multitudes and tongues are joined together as Babylon.

Do not kid yourself about cartels. Cartels cannot exist without a lot of aid and comfort from government. As the book says, the whole earth lieth in evil ruled over by vessels fitted unto destruction. 

There is always a price to be paid. They shall pay it to the flame.

Also of note is the fact that φαρμακεία refers to criminal poisoning. The word virus is from the Latin meaning poison.

The chief god of Modern Babylon is Apollo, who both casts the plague and heals it. The arrows of Apollo are flying.

It is probable that the United States is Babylon The Great.

US Passport Photo Requirements

Passport Photo Requirements

 


 
The United States Embassy in Manila has released a notice to the public in regard to the poor quality of photos that they have been receiving with passport applications. The notice states that poor quality photos are the number one reason for passport delays. 

I personally have found that being proactive with quality assurance is quite necessary in making sure that I get acceptable passport images (or images for any other use).

If you have the proper equipment and setting, then you can produce your own passport images by following the Passport Photo Guidelines provided by the U.S. State Department.
 
The top five reasons for passport images being rejected by the U.S. Embassy:
  • Photo is digitally edited or retouched – Do not alter or edit your passport photo. This includes airbrushing the background to make it appear whiter (as this sometimes affects the shape of the head) and photoshopping of attire. Your passport photo should be the best likeness of you; do not use filters commonly used on social media.
  • Eyeglasses – Please remove your glasses for your passport photo, even if you normally wear them. If you cannot remove your glasses for medical reasons, please include a signed note from your doctor with your application.
  • Photo is more than six months old – Your photo must have been taken within six months of submitting your passport application.
  • Head size is incorrect – Often, the photo has been taken from too close or too far away. The head should be centered in the photo and sized between 1 inch and 1.4 inches (2.5 cm and 3.5 cm).
  • Poor-quality image or photos – We cannot use blurry, grainy, or pixelated photos, or photos that are not printed on photo-quality paper. Your photos should always be clear and as high-resolution as possible. 
This information is good to keep in mind not just for your US passport photos, but for any and all images that are required for IDs and other purposes. Size and background color of images may vary depending on the use.

2020 Philippines Census: Expats Count

2020 Philippines Census




It Is Census Time Again In The Philippines


The Census begins and ends in the month of September.

Census taker was one of the hats I wore when I was working through college. I am well aware of the very common antipathy for filling out the Census questionnaire.

Did you know that in the US you can be fined for refusing to fill out the Census questionnaire?

 The Philippines also takes the Census very serious, so serious that Section 25 of  Republic Act 10625 is referred to twice on the front of the Census questionnaire:

Obligation to Provide Information. – The National Statistician shall determine whether a statistical inquiry or survey to be conducted is with or without an obligation to provide information. If such obligation is stipulated, all respondents whether natural or legal persons shall be liable to reply to the statistical inquiry or survey. This section applies to all statistical inquiries or surveys conducted by other statistical offices in the PSS.
A lot of times the Census takers like to sit down with each individual and fill out the form. The Census taker will probably be someone you know who is from your own community, so they will probably let you have a copy to fill out at home at your leisure. 

There is nothing too invasive about any of the questions, but I understand the appeal to personal privacy that some people may put up. 

 Still, responding to the Census is the law of the land and as the front page of the questionnaire states, under RA 10173 data privacy does not apply to the material you are asked to disclose for the Census.

Your answers are confidential, but like I said there is nothing too juicy in there. Your neighbors probably all know that you have a flush toilet and a fridge.

After you complete the process, the Census taker will place a sticker on your residence noting that you have been counted.   

Philippines 13A Visa For Foreigners Married to A Filipino Citizen

Philippines 13A Visa For Foreigners Married to A Filipino Citizen

 




Disclaimer

This post can help fill in the gaps for people who are searching for information. This page may not be updated with the most current information. One is advised to consult the BI website and many blogs and forums to get a well rounded perspective of the 13A process.

Table Of Contents:


COVID-19 Impact

You may be aware that the Philippines is restricting entry to only certain groups at this time:

To date, only foreign nationals mentioned above; foreign spouses, children, and parents of Filipino nationals (COVID-19 Advisory No. 37); foreign nationals with long-term visas (COVID-19 Advisory No. 36); foreign seafarers; and accredited Foreign Government and International Organization officials and their dependents (COVID-19 Advisory No. 35) may be allowed entry to the Philippines provided that they have valid and existing visas and comply with relevant health and quarantine regulations. (COVID-19 Advisory No. 25).
Furthermore, the Philippines is not processing applications for new visas until further notice. 

 I suspected that there may be some exceptions to the no new visa rule and indeed there is at least one.

On August 10 the Philippine Embassy with jurisdiction over Iceland and Norway released details regarding an exception to the new visa limitation:
The Embassy hereby announces that foreign partners of pregnant Filipino nationals may now request for exemption from the temporary suspension on visa issuance to visit the Philippines, subject to submission of the following, in addition to the requirements for a Temporary Visitor’s Visa:
1. Medical certificate on the pregnancy of the Filipino national;
 2. Duly notarized affidavit executed by the foreign national that he is the partner of the pregnant Filipino national (and father of the unborn child), and that they have been in a relationship even before the COVID-19 pandemic;
 3. Other documentary proof establishing the relationship between the foreign national and pregnant Filipino national; and
 4. Documentary proof on the citizenship of the pregnant Filipino national. 
The Embassy emphasizes that above applications are requests for exemption from the temporary suspension of visa issuance on humanitarian grounds, and will be referred to the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) in the Philippines for processing and approval. The Embassy will issue visas to concerned applicants only after receiving authority from DFA.

Check with the Philippine Embassy in your country for specifics. 

If you are already in the Philippines 13A visas are still being processed by BI.

 

UPDATE December 2020

If you are going to the BoI main office, then they want you to make an appointment through the online system: http://e-services.immigration.gov.ph/


The page does not have an encryption certificate. 

Anything you enter may be passed over the Internet in clear text. If you are ok with that, then proceed.

Hopefully BoI will soon fix this.

UPDATE November 28, 2020

From the IATF, as of December 7, 2020:

  • Philippines shall allow entry of Filipino citizens’ foreign spouses and children, regardless of age, who are traveling with them.
  • Philippines shall allow entry of former Filipino citizens, including their spouses and children, regardless of age, who are traveling with them.
  • Travelers are allowed visa-free entry.
  • Travelers are required to pre-book a quarantine facility and COVID-19 test at an airport laboratory.
  • Travelers are subject to the maximum capacity of inbound passengers at the port and date of entry.

Costs 


Currently the Probationary 13A and the 13A Amended to Permanent visas are each 8620PHP plus $50 for the ACR-I card under each visa. 

 There will be many other fees and ancillary expenses tacked onto that ~22,000PHP.

 This is for the principal applicant with no beneficiaries.

Some 13A Visa Terminology


The foreign (non-Filipino) spouse is the "applicant" and the Filipino spouse is the "petitioner"/"sponsor."

 The 13A is called a "non-quota" visa, meaning that there is no numerical limit placed upon how many people may apply for and be granted this type of visa within a given year. Conversely, there is a Section 13 Quota Visa.

The 13A is also an "immigrant" visa, meaning it is for those who intend to live permanently in the Philippines, as opposed to a student or tourist visa.

The term "immigrate" refers to entering a country, whereas "emigrate" is a reference to exiting the country e.g. Emigration Clearance Certificate. 

When we arrived in the Philippines we were all given Balikbayan visas that were good for one year. The Balikbayan visa is a subclass of the Section 9A Temporary Visitor's Visa. If you are not married to a Filipino, the you will receive one of the other temporary visa types. My wife and daughter had not gone through the process of reacquiring/recognition for Philippines citizenship yet and that is why they both also received the Balikbayan visa.

Your Children/Dependents


If your children with your Filipino spouse are eligible for Filipino citizenship, then you may want to go through that process first before you apply for the 13A. Otherwise, you will have to include them as dependents under your 13A application. 

Having the children recognized as citizens before applying for your 13A visa is essentially the same expense and time investment as making them visa dependents, but it saves you having to double your effort in doing it later.

You may apply for recognition of birth for your Filipino children either before or after you arrive in the Philippines. Keep in mind that if you had the birth(s) recognized abroad, then you may need transmittal details from DFA so PSA can locate the record and provide you with a PSA authenticated copy of the document in the future.
 
Also, if you are applying beyond twelve (12) months after the birth takes place, then you will need to provide an Affidavit For Delayed Registration Of Birth.

We did not have a PSA-authenticated birth certificate when we applied for Delayed Registration Of Birth (in the Philippines), so we had to submit a Joint Affidavit Of Two Disinterested Parties to serve in lieu of a birth certificate. 

More information about 13A dependents can be found on the Probationary 13A Visa web-page.

You Can Apply For A 13A Visa Before You Come To The Philippines


This may be done in most countries at the Philippine Consulate/Embassy, such as the one in New York City.

 The process when you apply abroad differs from the process when applying in the Philippines in at least three requirements (that I have noticed thus far). 
 
The following is general information and you should confirm specific requirements with the Philippine embassy or consulate with which you intend to apply:
1. When you apply abroad you are required to submit a doctor's report, blood test, urinalysis, chest x-ray etc... This is not on the list of requirements for a 13A when you apply in the Philippines.
2. When you apply for your 13A in the Philippines you must submit an NBI clearance, but only if you have been in the Philippines for six months at the time you apply and there is no mention of any police clearance required from your home country. When you apply from your home country you must submit a police clearance (review of criminal history) from the police department having jurisdiction over the municipality shown as your address on your driver's license (as an example). All police departments should be familiar with this document, like the Denver PD.
3. When you apply for the 13A in your home country you will use the application on the Department of Foreign Affairs website. When you apply for the 13A after arriving in the Philippines you will use the Consolidated General Application Form found on the BI website.

Probationary 13A Visa


The BI Probationary 13A Visa page provides links to the application, the checklist and other requirements information for applying for  the Probationary one (1) year validity 13A visa.

 The requirements checklist:

REQUIRED DOCUMENT
NOTES

1. Joint letter request addressed to the Commissioner from the applicant and the petitioning Filipino spouse;


sample


2. Duly accomplished CGAF( BI Form CGAF-001-Rev 2);


link

3. Marriage Certificate or Marriage Contract;

If you had your marriage contract authenticated at a Philippine Consulate abroad, then you may need transmittal details from DFA so PSA can locate the record and provide you with a PSA authenticated copy.


4. Birth Certificate or certified true copy of BI-issued Identification Certificate as Filipino citizen of the Filipino spouse;


Obtain copy via walk-in @ PSA or order online via PSASERBILIS.


5. Photocopy of passport bio-page and latest admission with valid authorized stay;



6.Valid National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) Clearance, if application is filed six (6) months or more from the date of first arrival in the Philippines;

You do not need to obtain Barangay or municipality police clearance before obtaining NBI clearance. 

You should obtain NBI Clearance before obtaining BI Clearance. 

If NBI discovers a record in their database for someone with your name, then you will need to execute an Affidavit of Denial (sample) to assert that the person named in the NBI record is not you.


7. BI Clearance Certificate;

 
Bureau of Immigration Clearance is to show that you do not have any derogatory records with the BoI (i.e. not blacklisted, no delinquent fees, etc...)

If there is a hit in the database for your name, then you must apply for Certification of Not The Same Person (presuming it is indeed not you), for which there is another checklist of requirements and another application and an additional 500PHP fee - It may take anywhere from 1-7 days to process.


8. Original or certified true copy of Bureau of Quarantine Medical Clearance, if applicant is a national of any of the countries listed under Annex “A” of Immigration Operations Order No. SBM-14-059-A who arrived in the Philippines on or after June 2014.


Immigration Operations Order No. SBM-14-059-A was amended in 2016. The order pertains to the ebola outbreak. Check the list of nations in Annex A to see if it applies to you.



When your Probationary Visa is approved you will receive a document called the Board of Commissioners Order for Conversion to 13A Visa (Probationary). You need to protect that document because it is your proof that your visa was approved. Ours has the signature of the Commissioner, two Associate Commissioners, the Hearing Officer and the Chief of the Law and Investigation Division. It will also have a copy of your passport visa stamp on the signature page. 

You get another BoC Order when your permanent visa is approved and that document is what you will use whenever you apply for a renewed or replacement ACR-I card or if you should ever need to have your visa stamp replaced in a passport.

Where To Process The 13A Visa Application


You need to check the BI Directory of Transactions to determine which BI offices can process your various transactions. The file at that link was released July 22, 2020, so it is current as of the time of this writing, but make double sure that you are looking at the most current one by googling it and checking the date.

Batangas and Dagupan both are listed as receiving and processing both the Probationary Conversion to Non-Quota Immigrant by Marriage 13A and the subsequent Amendment to Permanent Non-Quota Immigrant Visa by Marriage (13a).

 Angeles, Santa Rosa and Iloilo are listed as being able to process "Conversion of 13A." Since the wording is not the same as what is shown for Batangas and Dagupan I will not assume that they perform the same services. I strongly suggest that you should contact the Bureau of Immigration to be certain that a particular office is capable of processing a specific type of application (the Directory of Transactions notwithstanding).

 When we first began the 13A process we inquired at a sub-office near us as to the requirements and where to submit the paperwork. A person in that office offered to accept our paperwork and submit it to Manila for a fee of 60,000PHP. We declined to take advantage of  the offer. If anyone approaches you with that type of arrangement, then you may wish to contact the Citizen's Complaint Hotline.

How To Apply For The 13A Visa 


On the BI Probationary 13A page you will see "How To Apply" and the ten steps of the application process:
1. Secure the CGAF from either at the Public Information and Assistance Unit (PIAU) at BI G/F Main Office or from the official BI Website.
2. Submit the documents for pre-screening to the Central Receiving Unit (CRU) or to the frontline officer or staff of other Immigration Offices able to process this transaction.
3. Get the Order of Payment Slip (OPS).
4. Pay the required fees.
5. Submit copy of Official Receipt.
6. Attend hearing. Please refer to the Official Receipt for the schedule and venue of the hearing and Image and Fingerprint Capturing.
  • Both spouses must be present. During our hearing the BI attorney asked how long we had been married, where we were married, if we had children etc....He also asked how we supported ourselves, but no documentation was requested. 
7. Proceed to Image and Fingerprint Capturing Counter of the Alien Registration Division (ARD) and submit requirements for ACR I-Card application.
8. Check website if visa application is already approved.
  • Our approval took four weeks.
9. If approved, submit passport for visa implementation.
  • You will be given a receipt for your passport.
10. If ACR I-Card is approved, claim ACR I-Card.
  • It may be possible for BI to send your ACR-I card to a BI sub-office. You will need to submit a letter of request for this.
  • See detailed ACR-I card information in the next section.

Alien Certificate Of Registration - Identification (ACR-I) Card 


Among other information openly available on the Internet pertaining to the laws governing the ACR-I card, I was able to find this excerpt long ago (though it is memory-holed now):
The validity of an I-card issued to a native born is 5 years and shall be renewed one month before its expiration. The enrollment to the ACR I- CARD Project and the renewal of I- Card subsequently issued are mandatory to all covered registered aliens. Thus, aliens who failed to comply with these requirements would be considered not properly documented and may be proceeded against under the provisions of Immigration Act of 1940, which includes deportation (Memorandum Order No. MCL- 07- 010, Providing for the Revised Implementing Guidelines for the ACR ICard Project).
Therefore, deportation is a possibility for you when you do not comply with all of the ACR-I card requirements. This includes applying for the card, renewing the card, complying with annual reports, notifying BI of changes in your address etc....

 Some people confuse the ACR-I card with the visa, but the ACR card is not your visa. Your visa gets stamped in your passport on the "visa implementation" page (like the image at the top of this post).

 Like your probationary visa, the ACR card is initially valid for only one year. However, when your Probationary visa is amended to permanent the visa becomes just that...permanent. The ACR card, on the other hand, must be renewed at five years and at ten years the ACR card must be "renewed" and "replaced."  I have not been through the ten year process of replacement yet and I will be sure to update this post with the details when I know for sure.

Application Process For ACR-I Card 


BI ACR-I card website

ACR-I card application

ACR-I card requirements:
1. Accomplished application form (BI Form 2014-08-006 Rev 0);
2. Certified true copy issued by the Records Section of the Board of Commissioners (BOC)’s Order granting the visa (for internal verification purposes);
3. Certified true copy issued by the Records Section of the Commissioner’s Order of Approval granting the Student Visa (for internal verification purposes);
  • not applicable to 13a
4. Photocopy of passport bio-page and passport pages bearing valid visa implementation and latest admission with authorized stay;
5. Photocopy of official receipt(s) of payment for applicable fees; and
6. Two (2) pieces of 2x2 photograph of the applicant with white background and must be taken within the last three (3) months from the date of application
It may be possible for BI to send your ACR-I card to a BI sub-office. You will need to submit a letter of request for this.

If Your Address Changes


Your physical address is recorded on the back of your ACR card. If you change your address it is the law that you notify BI of the change within thirty (30) days.

 I have seen people in forums tell others to conceal address changes from BI to avoid the hassle of getting a new ACR card etc.... This is very bad advice. BI has an intelligence division and they are becoming increasingly adept at rooting out those who are not following the law. You risk deportation by taking bad Internet advice.

 If you miss the thirty day deadline there will be fines per month until you apply for an address change with BI and this includes a new ACR-I card.

 You will need Barangay clearance from your new address and you will also have to submit an affidavit for change of address. The total cost will be approximately 1500PHP plus $50 for the new card plus any fines for being late.

This same process applies if your ACR-I card is lost.

Anatomy Of The ACR-I Card


Bureau of Immigration Order No. SBM-2015-017 established a color coding scheme for the different types of ACR-I cards:

13A Permanent Resident

They say the Permanent Resident card is yellow, but it looks gold to me.

The Gratis card is for Filipino veterans of World War II who acquired American citizenship pursuant to the United States Immigration Act of 1990 and who have been granted Permanent Resident status under RA 7837:
 
Gratis

Native Born

Probationary & TRV

Special Non-Immigrant

Student

Tourist

Treaty Trader

The Voluntary Registrant card serves Balikbayan; tourists with stays under 59 days; SIRV; and SRRV - these are not required to have an ACR card, but they can have one:
 
Voluntary

Worker
 
Your Permanent 13A ACR-I card will be yellow:

ACR-I Card front/back for 13A Permanent Visa holders

The SSRN (Special Security Registration Number) is a unique security identifier that is to be assigned to every registered foreigner in the Philippines. The SSRN along with your biometrics stored on the card may serve as your entry and exit clearance. This means that you, as a 13A visa holder do not need to visit a Bureau of Immigration office to obtain an ECC-A. You can obtain your ECC-B at the airport. More information about the Emigration Clearance Certificate.

The actual ACR # is on the reverse side under the Card Serial #. The ACR # is what you will record on your annual report data sheet.

 The Certificate of Residence # under the ACR # is a bit mysterious to me, but I can tell you that my ACR # is the same on my probationary ACR-I card and my initial and renewed permanent ACR-I cards. The Certificate of Residence # is the same on my two permanent ACR-I cards, but my probationary ACR-I card has a different Certificate of Residence #.

The ACR card for your probationary 13A will state "non-immigrant" for your immigration status, whereas the permanent 13A card states "immigrant."

Your ACR # follows you through changes in immigration status. The Certificate of Residence # changes every time your immigration status changes.

Permanent 13A Visa


The BI Permanent 13A Visa page provides links to the application, the checklist and other  information about requirements for applying for  the Permanent 13A Visa.

You should begin your application to amend your Probationary 13A Visa to Permanent 2-3 months before your one (1) year ACR-I card and Probationary Visa are set to expire.   

The requirements checklist:

REQUIRED DOCUMENT
NOTES

1. Joint letter request addressed to the Commissioner from the applicant and the petitioning Filipino spouse;


sample
Tailored to Permanent Visa


2. Duly accomplished CGAF( BI Form CGAF-001-Rev 1);
Note: at the time of writing this article the current version is 2.1 per the link;


link


3. Joint affidavit of continuous cohabitation of applicant and the petitioning spouse;


sample


4. Photocopy of passport bio-page and latest admission with valid authorized stay;




5. Valid National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) Clearance, if application is filed six (6) months or more from the date of first arrival in the Philippines;

See probationary visa requirements (above) for more information.

6. BI Clearance Certificate

See probationary visa requirements (above) for more information.


7. Original or certified true copy of Bureau of Quarantine Medical Clearance, if applicant is a national of any of the countries listed under Annex “A” of Immigration Operations Order No. SBM-14-059-A who arrived in the Philippines on or after June 2014.


Immigration Operations Order No. SBM-14-059-A was amended in 2016. The order pertains to the ebola outbreak. Check the list of nations in Annex A to see if it applies to you.

 
Some differences from the probationary application process:

  • The letter of request is simply tailored to the permanent visa.
  • There is a joint affidavit wherein you attest that you have been living as man and wife.
  • You will definitely need the NBI clearance this time, as you will have been in the Philippines for more than six months (with few exceptions).
You will receive another Board of Commissioners order approving your amendment from probationary to permanent. Take care to maintain this document, because you will need it when you apply for ACR renewals, etc....

Notarization Of Documents


Bureau of Immigration policy on document notarization:
Immigration Commissioner Siegfred B. Mison ordered that all applications and/or letter requests being filed at any BI office shall no longer require notarization.
Only required affidavits and sworn statements shall require notarization.
You will have many affidavits that will require notarization throughout your visa process. When we went through the process there were public attorneys available within the BI office who notarized our documents free of charge. This may no longer be the case so be sure to choose a trustworthy notary for your sensitive documents.

Bureau Of Immigration Derogatory Records Check 


BI is closing the gaps on those whose bad behavior has been slipping through cracks in the system by implementing derogatory records checks at multiple points:
It is worthy to note that normally, a Dero Check is being conducted only once, that is, upon filing of the visa application. Thus, it is very possible that an applicant would be able to have the BOC-approved visa implemented on his/her passport even if his/her name was included already in the Bureau’s Derogatory Record database after he/she filed visa application but before the visa implementation.
In view of the foregoing, it is hereby recommended that all visa implementors, releasing window clerks and ACR I-card section staffs should conduct Dero Check again immediately prior to visa implementation, release of passports with implemented visas and release of ACR I-cards, respectively. Once there is a Dero hit, the head of office concerned shall prepare a recommendation to the BOC for the cancellation of the BOC-approved visa and ACR I-Card.

Employment Under 13A Visa


Permanent resident foreign nationals and probationary or temporary resident visa holders under Section 13 of the Philippine Immigration Act of 1940 and Section 3 of the Alien Social Integration Act of 1995 (7917)...
are exempt from employment permit requirements. 
 

The Bottom Line 

 
As you go through the 13A process be sure to keep every receipt and check all receipts to be sure that your name, the fee paid, the date and the item paid for is all 100% accurate. Never submit documents without getting an official printed receipt. Do not accept hand written receipts. 

Copy and digitally scan every document and receipt that your receive. This is most import for ACR-I cards, BoC orders and annual report receipts. You may wish to make a double sided copy of your ACR card and have it laminated. It is best to buy your own printer/copier/scanner so that you can limit third party access to your sensitive documentation. 

Important links for reference: 
 I suggest that you navigate to the BI Operations Orders web-page and read them all.

 Good Luck