Manila Tread for English Speakers - join here!

[Steph C]

Ok, my wife had to take her seminar when she re-applied for her new passport using her new married name (my name) before the Philippines Government would issue it, so now she will go back to Manila before exciting the country, and just get a stamp in her passport as proof of having sat through the seminar.

The whole process around her getting her new passport was a total pain in the backside, we married in Calgary, then she went back home so we could apply for her to come back here. But when she got back to the Phil's that was when we found out about the report of marriage (after they got her passport) so that had to be taken care of because she wanted to change her last name from her Maiden name to her Married one. Which resulted in a seven month wait while the paper work for the ROM, moved at a snails pace from Vancouver to Manila, once that was done she finally got her passport released which was this past May (which was 11 months of being back home) there was another four month wait prior to that when we found a mistake on the marriage certificate from Alberta, which just happened to co-incide nicely with the postal strike here. Been a blast playing hurry up and wait so far.

Just finally glad to be on this last leg of paper work now!

Oh my gosh.. that's a really long wait for a name change.. they don't make it easy for us!

 

[Dan_from_Surrey]

No not at all, they do not. I don't know how many times I went to the consulate in Vancouver to see what the hold up was (not that it did any good) it was simply going to take as long as it was going to take, and nothing was going to change that.

I fond the people at the Consulate (Philippines) very easy to deal with, but man the slow moving process sure set my teeth on edge. Honestly we figured we would be back together by now. But we are relieved to be in the "First stage approved" group at least, slow baby steps are better than no steps, or steps backwards

 

[Steph C]

Just an update on the penalty at the airport for overstaying 21 days.. the total fee is now 4040PHP and on top of that a departure tax of 550PHP.
A breakdown of the fees:
Update Fee 500
Visa Waiver Application Fee 1000
Visa Waiver Fee 500
Legal Research Fee 40
Motion for Reconsideration 500
Certification Fee 500

For a total of 3,040 and then for paying it late it's an extra 1,000 (new price) which breaks down to:
Express Lane Fee (Certification) 500
Express Lane Fee 500

Add to that an additional 200PHP for leaving the airport in Davao. Cost of leaving the Philippines? $116 Leaving the Philippines .. Priceless ;D ;D Just wish I wasn't leaving my partner there.

 

[Dan_from_Surrey]

Just an update on the penalty at the airport for overstaying 21 days.. the total fee is now 4040PHP and on top of that a departure tax of 550PHP.
A breakdown of the fees:
Update Fee 500
Visa Waiver Application Fee 1000
Visa Waiver Fee 500
Legal Research Fee 40
Motion for Reconsideration 500
Certification Fee 500

For a total of 3,040 and then for paying it late it's an extra 1,000 (new price) which breaks down to:
Express Lane Fee (Certification) 500
Express Lane Fee 500

Add to that an additional 200PHP for leaving the airport in Davao. Cost of leaving the Philippines? $116 Leaving the Philippines .. Priceless ;D ;D Just wish I wasn't leaving my partner there.

Does that fee/do those fees apply to everyone trying to exit the country? Or are those fees specific to "tourists". I know my wife had to pay some sort of fee/s the first time she left, and I am sure there will be more when her and her son finally get their visas.

Thanks
Dan

 

[Steph C]

According to this website, with her documents promising her a PR when she lands she should be exempt from all but the airport fee of 550PHP. Mine were high because I overstayed my 21 day visa.

http://www.philembassy.se/tourist-information/travel-tax

Requirements for Exemption

Filipino Overseas Contract Workers -

Valid passport
Employment certificate
Valid overseas Employment certificate (OEC) from POEA if hired through this agency. The OEC serves as the travel tax exemption certificate; workers do not need to go to PTA for exemption.
For those directly hired abroad, a certificate of work or employment issued by the employer and noted by the Philippine Embassy / Consulate or the Employment Contract authenticated by the Philippine Embassy / Consulate.
Filipino Permanent Residents Abroad -

Copies of ID pages of passport and stamp of last arrival in the Philippines
Proof of permanent residence in foreign country which may, among others, be the official document issued by the foreign government concerned showing the grant of permanent resident status to the Filipino citizen
For those between 18 to 60 years old and are employed, Philippine Income Tax return (ITR) for the previous year
The ITR may either be
An Information Return (BIR Form 1701C or 1703) for those who do not derive income in the Philippines
The appropriate ITR form prescribed by the BIR for those who derived income in the Philippines
For those between 18 to 60 years old and are unemployed, an Affidavit of Unemployment notarized by the Philippine Embassy or Consulate

 

[Dan_from_Surrey]

Thanks Steph!

 

[Steph C]

Found this on the third page.. BUMP!

 

[Dan_from_Surrey]

Completely unacceptable! This is definitely first page material! ;D

 

[Steph C]

Hi guys,
It's been a month since my late sponsorship approval and my file has supposedly been sent to Manila. How do I know they got it? Did you guys receive AOR's from the VO and if so, when?

 

[Dan_from_Surrey]

The only thing I received was the email informing me I was approved, and that things where being forwarded to Manila. Then almost immediately ecas updated to "Medicals received".

Beyond that, I have just assumed (trusted) that the file is over there in one form or another. But I have not yet received anything specifically from the VO in Manila, nor has my wife yet.

 

[truesmile]

No worries I'm only staying 21 days this time - exactly. I leave in a few weeks. Didn't get an AOR but another May applicant with the exact same SA date as mine sent a CSE and got confirmation they had received it, I simply assumed our application was sent within the same diplomatic pouch . . .

 

[AnaMaria]

Hi guys,
It's been a month since my late sponsorship approval and my file has supposedly been sent to Manila. How do I know they got it? Did you guys receive AOR's from the VO and if so, when?

Since the SA email on July 24, there had not been any progress until very recently. Although I had to contact VO in August for additional documents, and they responded to me to send them to the VO. So I knew my file has been received in Manila. Then AOR from Manila came in November 6 and it said that my application was received on August 6. So it took about 2 weeks to travel from Mississauga to Manila. eCAS changed to DM between Nov 12 and 14. The AOR email said the correspondence will be made via email where possible but COPR, Passport, original doc will be sent collect couriered for increased speed and security (I am already in Canada). I have not received email so I am checking my mail box every day now for the notice although it could be a month to get it.

I had the impression that VO was processing the applications in the order they were received by Mississauga, not VO. But maybe not for May as it was so messed up.

If you have not bookmarked, here are some links to follow Manila activities:
March Manila: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/ccc?key=0AmGZelo6tUANdHJNbi11aXhsd1JaUVZVNjdWNlRwdFE#gid=0
April Manila: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/ccc?key=0Ak0syqkNXIJEdGsyNWo3WFpHMnlZczZyaXh3WEpiOUE#gid=0
May and onward Manila: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/ccc?key=0AhYSbv3Vc0IzdFBrMlJtemcyNW96ZFpkamh6dnBvT0E#gid=0

 

[scos]

I think the "nice" Filipino myth is the same as the "nice" Canadian myth. In general both have reputations for being polite, nice, etc. But I am sure we all know a number of exceptions to the rule.

As for the seminar, I remember the marriage one which was I think 8 hours. They covered things that you should know entering a marriage and while you might think it should be common knowledge, many there never thought of a lot of what was said. I was in a similar course in Canada (I was married before) and it was the same here. Many people enter marriage without ever really thinking about the changes it will bring. I am sure the CFO is similar. My wife has had a lot of things told to her about coming here that are just wrong. Like she HAS to drive. She is scared to drive and was worried because her friends told her they force you to get your license here. Or simple things like cultural differences. All sorts of things you don't really think about until you get here and realize how different it is. I think the biggest difference will be getting a job or taking a course. Every job or course she has had there is usually a pretty social affair. You make a lot of friends. They will put on shows or do activities or travel together. That will be a major shock getting here and finding work is about work and school is about learning and socializing is something you do on your own time...

As for extended stays... If you find yourself wanting to have unrestricted entry and exit there is a way you can accomplish it. If you check out their immigration pages you will find a special visa for spouses of citizens. If you are willing to give then $10000.00 for "investment" in the Phils, they will give you an unlimited VISA. Think of it as similar to the over $180000.00 "investment" CIC was requiring of Chinese immigrants back in the 90's. I don't know if you get a choice of how it is invested or if it is a government run fund. My wife and I have discussed retiring there in 30 years or so and at that time I would definitely consider it.

 

[Luckyman]

10K?

Hmmmmm, I'm actually considering this! I miss my wife sooooo much!!

Cheers!

 

[scos]

Oops, it had been a while since I looked at it. It is tailored to those wishing to retire in the Phils. Younger people are asked to pony up more cash. Anyway, here are some links if you are interested...

http://www.pra.gov.ph/main/srrv_program
http://immigration.gov.ph/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=18&Itemid=37