Continuing My 13a Immigration Visa Woes

[Terpe]

Hi Terpe! Just thought id share the fact that i applied for section 13A non-quota immigrant status today........
We live on Cebu, so we travelled to the immigration office situated within J Centre Mall, Mandaue; having read about your exploits in Davao, we didnt really know what to expect, but to be honest (and thanks to your related information regarding paper size, file colour etc) it went really smoothly and quickly! I forgot to bring photo copies of the application, and my passport! Doh! so we did have to leave the office and find a photocopy (i mean xerox) shop outside, then when we had the copies we returned to the office to be told we needed to photocopy the receipts the lady behind the counter just gave us, along with BI certification. When we returned we paid (the fee included fast track which we didnt ask for - i guess they do it automatically.......) all in all, it wasnt too bad at all , and it was busy in there all the time that we were there! Time-wise, from leaving the house this morning to getting home totalled about 7 hours - not bad as we live about 60 Km north of Mandaue! We just have to wait 3 days before returning to Mandaue for the interview!

Hi mickmyrna,
Glad to know you had a successful day.
Also pleased my failings actually helped

Based on my experience the 'interview/hearing' is nothing to be concerned about.

I'm now still waiting for my next appearance and ACR card.

It's great fun here in the Philippines

[mickmyrna]

Hi mickmyrna,
Glad to know you had a successful day.
Also pleased my failings actually helped

Based on my experience the 'interview/hearing' is nothing to be concerned about.

I'm now still waiting for my next appearance and ACR card.

It's great fun here in the Philippines

Thanks for that Terpe! Hoping i get my ACR card soon so we can make my wifes Land Bank of Philippines a joint account - keep having problems sending ourselves money from our UK bank......

[Terpe]

Thanks for that Terpe! Hoping i get my ACR card soon so we can make my wifes Land Bank of Philippines a joint account - keep having problems sending ourselves money from our UK bank......

They told me after the interview it would be 3 - 4 months processing as the 'application bundle' will be sent to Manila then back to Davao.
The Attorny who did our interview was new in the post and was very surprised to learn it would take so long.

I actually enquired whether I could get one faster if I made a seperate application as a tourist and was told no, it wouldn't be any faster.

Anyway, lets enjoy our life here to the max, relax and have fun.

Just an idea Mick, but if you have time have a word with your local PNB branch about the Global Filipino Card.
It's a pre-paid reloadable ATM card. You can load it up from UK in Peso and it works in real time. Access your funds (in Peso) at most ATM's

You should find that both you and you wife can get one each without needing the ACR card. Just need 1 ID
Believe or not but it's free

[mickmyrna]

They told me after the interview it would be 3 - 4 months processing as the 'application bundle' will be sent to Manila then back to Davao.
The Attorny who did our interview was new in the post and was very surprised to learn it would take so long.

I actually enquired whether I could get one faster if I made a seperate application as a tourist and was told no, it wouldn't be any faster.

Anyway, lets enjoy our life here to the max, relax and have fun.

Just an idea Mick, but if you have time have a word with your local PNB branch about the Global Filipino Card.
It's a pre-paid reloadable ATM card. You can load it up from UK in Peso and it works in real time. Access your funds (in Peso) at most ATM's

You should find that both you and you wife can get one each without needing the ACR card. Just need 1 ID
Believe or not but it's free

Thank you for that useful bit of info Terpe! I will look into that..... cheers!

[Terpe]

Thank you for that useful bit of info Terpe! I will look into that..... cheers!

You'll know by now that banks here are still run by the bank manager.
That's why it always best to see what the individual branch can do.

If I had the time I'd research every bank near to me just to see what I could get from them.