Today we got a comment and question from Tomas Serrano.
This is what Tomas had to say:
This site have already answered many of my questions but still I want to clarify, If some one knows the answer to this. Is the 13A visa a separate document or card or some paper that goes attached to the USA passport? I’m asking since they said the 13A once permanent does not have to be renewed, but what happens then if you have to renew your USA passport, If that means you have to renew your 13A visa also? please reply if someone knows the answer to these.
Is the 13A Visa a Separate Document?
This is John Miele’s reply:
Thomas: The visa is a stamp, just like your entry stamp (similar). Normally you can just keep your old passport with the visa stamped inside it, but it may be prudent to just go and have them stamp your new passport. No idea what this would cost… Probably on the BI site. I do know that the Philippines will generally recognize the valid visa in an old passport as long as you have the new one and the details match.
I received my Permanent Resident status on the 4th of this month. It looks like another card to carry around in the billfold. I won’t have to do extensions, but with the Permanent Resident I have to check in with Immigration every January and pay a small fee.
If I go by my Barangay Office and pay a small tax on my house, I can take the receipt to the City and get a Senior card, they say it’s legal for Permanent Residents who have a house.
I’m still learning all this stuff, others might have better info than I have.
Hi Kenneth – The card you are talking about is an ACR I-Card. The visa you have, I believe is a 13a Resident Visa. Truth is they are two completely different things. The check in at immigration is for your 13a visa, not for the i-card. A lot of people mix up these two things.
My visa is my alien card. So is my ECC and RP.
If you have a new passport, ou just do the same as you normally would, present your ACR.
I am sorry, Robert, you are incorrect. Your visa is stamped in your Passport. Your ACR card is an identification card that is totally separate from your visa.
Hi, I am glad this kind of website exists! This is really helpful!!!! I visit your facebook page often too. =)
Okay so this website really helped me a lot when I petitioned my husband who is a US Citizen for a 13A visa (1year visa) I also read it somewhere here that we have to pay the annual fee of P300.00 WOW Thanks a lot for posting that information the Immigration officer didn’t inform us about that when we got his ACR Card I am sure we would have problems in the future about this stuff. I really hope you could help me with this, one of the requirements in paying the Annual fee is the “Residence Certificate” now HOW do we get this Residence Cert.? We don’t have a permanent address here in Manila because we are only renting a condo unit for now. PLS PLS PLS help us.
Have a good day to all!
Thanks in Advance!!
Dee De Salvo
The residence certificate is more commonly known as a “Sedula” here in the Philippines. Just go to your local Barangay Hall and apply for a Sedula, and you’ll be in business. The cost of the Sedula varies, depending on your employment and salary. It could run anywhere from P50 to P500 or so, I’d say.
Hi Bob,
Again Thank you so much for such quick and informative response. Sorry it took me so long to read your comment, been so busy with work. Is there any requirements that my husband would need to get the Cedula? Can I just pay for my husband’s Cedula instead? or is there a need for my husband to show himself at the Baranggay Hall and pay for it?
Thank you so much!
Your husband really needs to go in person to get a sedula, because it requires his signature and fingerprint. As far as I know, the only thing that is required to get a sedula is the money to pay for it!
Bob,
Lol ! Interesting!!
I guess we’re all ready to go. We are heading to the Baranggay Hall next week. One more thing? My husband Bryan would like to sign up for this website,how can we do that? Thanks for such big help!
Dee
Hi Dee De – Thank you very much.
I am not sure what you mean when you say “sign up” for this website. I mean, anybody is free to visit and read the website, we don’t really have any kind of sign up.
You need more than just money for the CTC. You’ll need two IDs, your lease or title, an affidavit from the owner or representative, utility bill, and the fees.
The fees will be for basic community tax, business earnings, percentage of income earned from a profession, income from real property, and interest.
Perhaps that is the case, Rosalyn. I have never needed any of that, though. Perhaps because the people at the Barangay Hall know me.
Okay I get it =) My husband would like to share his experiences in the Philippines to this website can he do that?? Oh God, you’d be amazed of what he is going to say about the Philippines Lol
Hi Dee – On this site, I pretty much try to focus on Visa issues. For stories about experiences of living in the Philippines, I would welcome your husband’s contribution on my other site, Live in the Philippines. It has a lot larger audience anyway. If you husband is interested have him contact me here.