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From Student Visa to Temporary Resident Visa

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Professor Stygian

Hello,

I would like to know if these procedures are right so that I am not being misguided. It's a hell lot of money to spend. I recently got married in the Philippines to a Filipina, and downgraded my student visa, so I can apply for a TRV.

However, I had to file for a motion of reconsideration and once that is accepted, the Bureau of Immigration said I have to pay a 25000 pesos fee for ACR and tourist visa extension (around 10-12k) before I can apply for TRV. May I know if anyone has similar experience or are these procedures the correct one? Thank you.

See also

Visas for the PhilippinesWork visa for the PhilippinesObtaining a 13A visaRelocation to PhilippinesSRRV agent: cost and recommendation?
Andy_1963

I would apply for a 13a visa as you are married with a Filipina now.


A student/work visa needs to be downgraded before you can apply for another visa.

Lenny Gemar

@Professor Stygian you have options.  Theoretically, you could live here just fine with no visa whatsoever.  When my wife and I retired here, we entered the country as Balikbayan.  That's a privilege (not a visa) that is available where if you enter the country with your Filipina spouse, you get a stamp for one year in your passport.  If you leave the country and return together, the one-year clock restarts.  So if you plan to leave the country at least once per year (maybe a vacation trip to Taiwan or Singapore) then your clock resets upon your return.  Easy peasy and no ACR card expenses or visa extensions necessary.


That said, COVID19 reared its ugly head right around the time we were going to make our out-of-country trip.  Without that ability, I started the 13A process.  Yeah, it has some expenses involved, but nothing that I found particularly onerous, so if you choose to go that route you shouldn't have any issues.


The other choice is an SRRV, which is done through PRA and not Immigration.  It has its own upsides and downsides, as does a 13A.  The 13A is tied to your marriage and you revert to a tourist visa if she dies or you separate.  The SRRV is all yours and marriage status is immaterial.  That said, if you're not a US military veteran, the fees are quite a bit steeper.

Good luck, no matter how you go.

JustCallMeJoe

The SRRV is all yours and marriage status is immaterial. That said, if you're not a US military veteran, the fees are quite a bit steeper.
Good luck, no matter how you go.
-@Lenny Gemar


I don't believe the cheaper SRRV option is limited to military veterans from just the US, other veterans - from the UK, Europe and elsewhere - are also eligible.


I'm considering an SRRV but, unfortunately, don't have military service of any kind behind me so am going to have to pay full whack.

Professor Stygian

I am already going through the process of applying for a TRV. What I wanted to know is, this ACR fee of 25000 pesos that I have to pay once my motion of reconsideration is approved, is that truly legit? I have to pay that, extend tourist visa because I am not leaving the country after downgrading my student visa. Then I can apply TRV.

Enzyte Bob

The term TRV was new to me so I looked it up. TRV (Temporary Resident Visa)


It is for foreign nationals whose country does not have reciprocity agreement in the Philippines but have contracted a valid marriage, recognized by Philippine laws, with a Filipino citizen.


The TRV allows the applicant to stay in the Philippines for *five years provided the conditions of the visa are maintained. The visa can be extended.


*Some websites differ in the number of years. 

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