Visa Question SRRV approval before entry to Phil

I am doing our SRRV from inside the Phils. We had to get certified copies of US documents like marriage certificate and police clearance sent here thanks to friends and my kids who got them for us. But this is no small matter when done from here. We had to make an appointment with the US Embassy in Manila to get those certified copies notarized. Then we have to take those plus other documents to the DFA in Manila to be “ red ribboned” (I love how they verb their nouns ). We have appointments to apply for Philippine NBI clearances in Manila for which we have to hire a runner to pick them up since we will not be there when ready. For that, we have to give the runner a SPA (Special Power of Attorney) to allow him to pick it up for us. We will need to visit the PRA in Manila for an interview...PRA is a nice place unlike BI and we needn’t visit BI at all for SRRV permanent residence. But before PRA visit We must go to BDO in Makati to open our PRA account. We have already transferred the money from the USA to a special holding account at BDO. Thankfully no pension paperwork as we are doing the courtesy SRRV. Finally, after PRA we get our physicals somewhere in Manila AFTER paying VISA application fees to PRA (different from PRA bank account deposit). Btw, courtesy visa is a great way to go; for some people it is the best option. Then, your leave the passports with PRA so they can apply the very cool-looking VISA stamp with palm tree motif, and make your SRRV ID card (no plastic shortage here!). After 4-6 weeks, we come back to Manila to pick up the passports at PRA. I probably missed some other bureaucratic items...I know I did. But if you love the Phils like us it will be worth it, every bureaucratic inconvenient step of the way. But if we can find any time, we will have a nice vacation in Manila...twice. Perhaps it is easier to do most of this in the USA, I don’t know. Good luck!


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A few extra thoughts. If you are in Dumaguete, these might still work,

Ask the PRA office what you NEED and whether "notarized" or "authenticated":

the PRA office in CEBU might be easier to work with than manila

We got documents "notarized" at the American Consulate in Cebu in the waterfront hotel

We got docs "authenticated" at DFA in Manila (DFA cebu & duma will NOT red-ribbon)... Used an "expediter" to do it, stayed home here..

We got our police clearance here at the office behind the prov capital. PRA didn't care about our SF police clearance...

We did the land bank thingy because we had already set up a dollar account and a peso account here. We had a lawyer friend here say we were good people and that was enough for the bank to open our accounts.

You might be able to use skype or something to call the Philippine Consulate in SF to find out what happened to ur docs....

Remember if you have a DD214, everything is easier and $1500 instead of $10,000

Are you headed back to the states for a visit anytime soon. Some things are easier in the states.

 

AGREE that PRA does not care about your local police clearance. However, BI must approve the application (but you do not interface with BI). BI cares about your local police clearance but will not let lack if it delay issuance of SRRV as long as you provide notarized affidavit that you will supply notarized and I suppose authenticated police clearance within 60 days. Our consultant is in Manila and has excellent record of success. She requests Manila DFA red-ribboned documents after notarization by US Embassy in Manila. It is not surprising to see procedures in that place that differ slightly between Manila and Cebu.



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Well, I think it is both good and bad for the average Filipino. Our presence here adds a lot of tax revenue to the treasury just from VAT. We cause some businesses to thrive, such as auto dealerships and realty companies. We overpay for health insurance which allows the poor to have cheaper health care. But on the flip side and perhaps with more immediate impact, our purchasing power raises prices significantly. We tend to buy in quantities the leave little left for the locals. All prices including gas, food, appliances, motorcycles and cars, restaurants, hotel rooms plane fares etc. etc. are all higher for the locals because of the higher demand we create by living here. We make the govt happy with increased revenues but the people on the street may wish to not encourage too much of a good thing so to speak.


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Hi. Is it possible to get the name of your consultant in Manila? This is all very confusing, and I'd love someone to guide me along.

 

I will send you a PM with details of the agent I used who was absolutely brilliant. There was a complication which was sorted within hours and would use her again.