Marriage Visa 13a visa obtained from Phil consulate in the U.S.

For anyone immigrating to Philippines and checking in at BOI, JCentre Mall, Cebu do the following to save time, hassle and taxi fares:
1. Go directly to Bureau of Qaurantine located several buildings down from the Cebu City Health Department vice going directly to BOI. The taxi driver should know were it's at.
2. Tell the guard you have a 13a visa, sign the logbook, he will then direct you to the proper office where a nurse will review your medical records which is enclosed in the 13a visa packet.
3. If all OK, then she will direct you to the Medical Officer office where he will review, ask you some quesstions and sign off on the records.
5. Back to the nurse who will stamp your U.S. passport with Qaurantine stamp. Pay P500.00.
6.Taxi to BOI, JCentre Mall. Behind the main BOI office, go to TLC(law office) to photocopy 1 each, both sides of U.S. Passport data page, 13a visa page and Quarantine stamped page. Also there, purchase file folder with fastener(it's required). Total cost P100 or less.
7.Go to the ACR-1 card section across from the main BOI office to continue your immigraton process.

 

How soon after your arrival do you need to do this? Can this be done in Dumaguete, or is it necessary to go to Cebu for this?

 

You will have to go to Cebu as your passport needs a Stamp that only a commissioner can Sign. It is unfortunate that you can't (at this time that) do it at Dumaguete, our BI is only good for Extensions & reporting.
I believe you should go to cebu within 30 days of arriving but no doubt someone here has better knowledge on timings.

 

Sorry for not replying sooner. Just hooked up Globe internet at the apartment. We arrived in Cebu on 12 June. Went to BOI the following day to process immigration. My 13a visa is good for one year, but I would do it sooner than later. Waiting til Sept to pickup my ACR-1 card which will be good for 5 years. Yes, it must be done in Cebu probably because the Bureau of Quarantine is located there.

 

Is that because you are currently on Probationary 13a and have to renew to Permanent Resident after your one year probationary period or you have to renew your 13a yearly?

I applied for my 13a here (in Phils) and was on probation for one year then I had to go back to Cebu to convert, now I am a Permanent resident and no longer need to renew my 13a, only my ACR every five years.

 

No Brian, 13 a's that are Obtained out of the PI are Permanent from the Start, there are a Lot more Requirements to provide,Bank Records, Health screening for two which we (or at Least I didn't) are not it seems required here

 

Okay just a lil confused by *this mate, wondering why it is only good for a year?

 

I can only assume he means his ACR card as that could be 1 year then followed by the 5 year

 

If I recall correctly I made the same error when replying in the 13a Visa thread some time back when I became confused about my ACR Card and my 13a (speaking of it has now been 6 months waiting for Manila to reissue my ACR Card after making some error causing Cebu BOI to send it back, better chase that one up!)

 

I'm about to start applying for my 13A trying to get my brain in gear, got my NBI clearance, Wifes wrote a letter, got my passport copied, filling in the BI CGAF form, marriage certificate, now whats BI clearance certificate?
Cheers