There is lots of information about getting a 13(a) visa all over the Internet, even here on LiP. But, of all of the answers available, not all of them go far enough. Some of them only tell you what application to file, what supporting documents are needed, how much the fee is, stuff like that.
But, what do you do if your visa is issued and it is not exactly what you were expecting?
Recently, a LiP reader filed for a 13(a) Visa in Los Angeles at the Philippine Consulate there. When she was finished filing, being interviewed and paying, though, she got a surprise. What she was given was certainly not what she was expecting. She panicked and contacted me, pleading for help with the big surprise! When I got the information, I was not surprised at all, and I was quickly able to put her mind at ease, though.
What was the surprise?
Why was it so unexpected?
In today’s podcast I address the entire situation and let you know what to expect when you file for your resident visa abroad.
Give it a listen and see if you would be surprised too!
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Thanks again for listening, everybody!
Bob Martin is the Publisher & Editor in Chief of the Live in the Philippines Web Magazine. Bob is an Internet Entrepreneur who is based in Davao. Bob is an American who has lived permanently in Mindanao since May 2000. Here in Mindanao, Bob has resided in General Santos City, and now in Davao City. Bob is the owner of this website and many others.
I applied for, and got my 13 A visa, in the states. As you know if one applies there it doesn’t have the years waiting period. The fee for the 13 A visa can be the same whether one gets it here or in the States. However, the process of fulfilling the requirements can be cheaper.
Something that people aren’t informed about in the States is having to get an ARC-1 card once they get to the Philippines.
Yes, the I-Card must be obtained in the Philippines.
Process couldn’t be any easier in the States. Took one day and didn’t even have any interview. Staff at the Chicago Consulate were really nice and helpful.
I agree that it is very easy, I know it was for me. They did my interview via telephone. But, I can’t see how you could do it all in one day! That includes getting your medical checks, police reports and everything? 🙂 That is pretty amazing.
Yes, it is very easy in the States. The whole process probably took me about a month. That’s mainly because I wasn’t in a hurry to get the police clearance, medical check up, etc.
I went through the Filipino immigration consulate in LA. The consulare even called me when I forgotten to send them something.
Rusty
It took me abotu 30 days also… we were getting 5 visas. One for me, one for Feyma and one for each of the boys.
Yes, the chest X-Ray appointment alone took a few days. Plus the other appointments. But getting it done in the States was definitely worth it.
I suppose one could do everything in a day but it would be a tremendous rush. I wasn’t in that much of a hurry.
I was very rushed to get it done in a month…. we had our third child during that time… sooo busy!