New Immigration Rules coming?

The article states “Under current rules, the VUA is good for 30 days but may be extended for up to 6 months”. Under current rules. I thought current rules was 36 months and perhaps the article is incorrect. This is somewhat confusing because you say that is what is being proposed. Perhaps you would have to make a visa run every 6 months (Vietnam is every three months). Anyway, this seems to be focused on Chinese visitors, some of the concerns being related to security risks. The 13a does involve a background checks and I know even for SRRV, that is something closely looked at, even for speeding tickets that were above the limit in which the crime is greater than misdemeanor. DUI could be a problem especially if the drug involved were an actual “drug” instead of alcohol. However, even if they tighten up, the rules here are easier than for most nearby countries. The tourist visa was never meant to be permanent although the balikbayan visa (not mentioned here) is fairly permanent. I suspect they are trying to encourage more SRRV and 13a with stricter background checks (maybe) but most people in this group would qualify for one or the other, or balikbayan.


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Well, if they did invade, maybe we could find some good Chinese take-out and get fast and reliable internet.


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For SRRV, having been here for greater than 6 months they wanted NBI report. We went to NBI in Manila; SRRV consultant helped us and we made it through there in a flash. They had no problem giving us electronic fingerprints. You pre-register with Manila NBI online. They also request background check from home country. I just asked my daughter at home to go to local sheriff department and get copies for us; anybody can do it as police records are not confidential information. Just costs $25 apiece. She dhl’d them to us. My report showed a speeding ticket more than 15 mph over the limit pled down to 5 mph over; SRRV consultant did not like that and did not submit it. I still got SRRV visa; I had to submit affidavit (per approved BI procedure) that I would submit home police report within 6 month so she submitted it after I received SRRV. No problems! She was concerned that BI would delay approval until they could confirm that speeding ticket was NOT crime of moral turpitude...a regular BI clerk cannot make that judgement apparently, so it takes additional time for approval. But BI allows for an affidavit promising to submit within 6 months of approval so SRRV can be issued quickly. I didn’t want delays because we intended to travel to US in 6 weeks. Thiscis one of the great value adds of the free PRA consultant who get paid a commission by PRA for this work. We never would have been aware of the affidavit loophole; PRA consultant even gave us the affidavit form promising to submit home police report and you have your attorney notarize it. As of this date my speeding tickets has been removed from sheriffs report due due it being > 10 years old. Three things to take away are that 1) even small marks in police report can cause delays if not handled properly 2) FBI report is not required, local sheriff or police dept report will suffice 3) Full NBI report from Manila where the have fingerprint facility are required, in addition to home country police report, are required if you are have been in Philippines more than 6 months. If less than 6 months I THINK fingerprints are still required and probably can be obtained at NBI in some large city here. I cannot overestimate the value of the free PRA marketing consultant when you obtain SRRV; they make it very easy when you fly to Manila and visit all the agencies such as NBI, DFA (for red ribboning), BDO or whatever for bank deposit, Doctor for physical exam, USA embassy for marriage license and birth certificate affidavits, and PRA office at Citibank for application submittal and payment of application fee. We did not ever have to enter BI office during the process as the much friendlier PRA does that on your behalf. You go to 2 agencies max per day due to traffic in Manila; plan to spend 5 days there. Stay at a nice hotel in makati; not expensive at all! Make a vacation of it; “grab” cars will take you everywhere very cheaply and efficiently. After we travelled to the US, we returned to Cebu and were allowed to bypass long immigration lines at the airport and go through the diplomatic line for fast efficient processing. My apologies if I went too far off topic.


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