Best Posts in Forum: Passports and Visas

Thumbs up to Mr Mison's new task Force for Visa issuance.
About an Hour ago I got the Confirmation that my Application for my 13 a has been approved and ready for
stamping and ACI card.
This has all taken place since the new system as of the 1st of June all in all in took 23 days from Start to finish.
For me it works.
The only draw back was that my hearing should have been on the 25th June but there was a health bug in Manila Immigration and 3 hearing commissioners were off sick so I was put back to July 2nd. This unfortunately put me over my allowed time by 5 days and was thus an over stayer, they will make me extend for one month and a fine of 500p but it's OK I have now got my 13 a back which they took off me for the 2010 cock up by the Spanish PI Embassy in Madrid. ( I was not told that they can longer do the annual report, I paid but it never found it's way to Manila) 2010 was a disaster if some remember on annual reporting. Followed by the 2011 local issue.
Anyway I am just at this time Confident that they have got things a little better sorted on 13a's

So Thursday I am off to get my stamp and things as they are now in Cebu.
Just a heads up for those that are going to apply. Things are better all round.
But again here, just a reminder to get that ARP done if you have been here over 6 months. All this fast track is due to having your ARP done. Do it now and it is Free, Do it After Sept 30th and it is $50

This is for those on 9a visa extensions.

JP

 

Talked to them the other day, As of now you have to go to Cebu only for Biometrics but they are in the process of trying to convince Cebu to use the Biometrics on file for your ACR card. She told me that they would contact me when this is accomplished hopefully this year.

 

My wife's passport was due to expire in June so in May she tried to book an appointment for renewal - the earliest available appointment was mid-August, which she attended. All done in less than 20 minutes with pick-up 2 weeks later. In theory the whole exercise could be done online with pick-up acting as proof/validation (In & out in 5 mins). I get the feeling it's the bureaucrats justifying their existence and slowing the whole process down.

 

From another completely unrelated situation. An American is being deported in part because as a result of a warrant the State Department withdrew his passport. The Philippine government then connected the dots, no valid passport = undocumented foreigner (even though he was here on a valid passport on arrival) = automatic deportation.

This seems to answer the question. Since your foreign passport is the underlying document for the ACR card, and an invalid (revoked or expired) passport is considered as undocumented, and undocumented foreigners will be deported, it is very important to ensure you always have a valid passport. (a non-attorney opinion)

 

"By birth a.k.a Jus soli is quite self explanatory. It means you’re an automatic citizen if you were born in the Philippines soil or territory."
I don't believe this is correct. I'd always heard that the Philippines did NOT recognize the principle of "jus soli", rather that Philippines citizenship derives from at least one parent, regardless of place of birth:
"I would then have to explain that I wasn't really Filipino — even though I was born here (where jus soli — acquisition of citizenship through place of birth — is not in effect) and even though I speak the language fluently. Neither of my parents are Filipino and I'm not married, so aside from being Pinoy "sa puso, sa isip, sa salita at sa gawa," I still wasn't legally a Filipino.
How I became a Filipino: A guide to naturalization for fellow foreignoys
R.A. 9139

 

Sedona i think you are correct. Having all the copies is for their convenience.
Whenever I get a new passport I always have it re stamped. I don't know what problems a person would encounter trying to re-enter the country without one. I'm not adventurous and don't want to find out.
One guy had his ACRI Card receipt but didn't have his card yet because it had gone astray. He got fairly gruff with the girl and she told him she needed to see the card or he would be fined. She told him she didn't know where his card was and didn't care. Go to Manila and sort it out yourself.
My ACRI card went astray, my wife asked the Dumaguete office to please help her find it. In a matter of minutes they told her the courier company, waybill number and who signed for it. Moral of the story, if you get grumpy with the BI they can give you a reason to be grumpy.

edited some of the spelling mistakes

 

Unfortunately I believe the Philippines will have to learn the hard way - like most teenagers during their puberty years with "independence" and "stubborn" and "what do others know" attitudes.

Look at US Base issues - 1st we kick them out - now let us give them 8 bases (I know - logistic support only - yeah right ).

Look at Army, Navy, Airforce, PNP, etc equipment. If somebody comes a knocking, we can not even throw rocks - only sticks.

Look at foreign investment issues - they restrict with both hands and legs tight together - then wonder why the foreign companies pull out.

Overseas Foreign Workers - as much as 10% of GDP is directly linked to the support given by OFW to family in Philippines. If they did not go overseas they would be an unemployment burden.
And they are an easy mark for corruption (customs, employment agency, etc). And then have the president state that they should have stayed in Philippines - they decided to go overseas ().

Anyways we'll see how the election will go. Hopefully there will be a government that is forward thinking and planning with some positive strategies.

My rant for the day .

 

I have a 13A Permanent Visa, but this Permanent Visa only lasts 5 years and has to be renewed. Rather annoying, as once my wife and I were married in the UK, the British Authorities treated her like a natural born Brit. Makes you feel second class and never really accepted in this society.