Hi Marco,

Thanks for the response. The Permanent Residency is that still linked to my wife. As I have read some comments where if you are widowed then you have to leave?
Thanks
Michael

First, I'm sorry to hear about your wife's passing.

Regrettably, your statement is correct. The 13a is a marriage visa and is permanent, except if you become widowed or divorced. You don't "have to leave," but your visa will revert to a tourist visa and you'll need to make other visa arrangements (SRRV, SIRV, etc.)

If you would like a consultation about your visa options, let me know.

Hi Marco!

Before paying for your consult services I needed to verify if you have any issues with how I'm planning on filing for my spousal visa.

My PH wife and I were Married in the USA over a year ago. I'm submitting my spousal visa form with exhibits of a Common Law marriage that was not licensed nor registered with any government agency. There are multiple ways I'm proving the union that will be accepted by PH and USA Law. Affidavits and more. Is this an issue for you to move forward? I'm also financially taking care of her two boys as they were my own blood.

Hi Obi,

Thanks for reaching out. i understand the concern. I'm going to need to check with my immigration specialist. I don't want to provide you any incorrect information. I'll reach out to you via email with a clarification.

Cheers,

Marco

Hi Danny, If you apply for the 13a in the Philippines, they don't ask for financial documentation. However, if you apply outside of the Philippines, most Consulates and Embassies will require two kinds of financial documents to support "Proof of financial capacity." The hard part is the Consular officer has leeway on determining "sufficient funds." A guideline is what the Philippine law describes as "Medicants."

"Mendicant" refers to adults with no visible and legal means of support, or lawful employment and who is physically able to work but neglects to apply himself to some lawful calling and instead uses begging as a means of living. - PRESIDENTIAL DECREE No. 1563 Mendicancy Law of 1978

Sooo...make sure you're not it looks like you have enough money not to be begging 🙂

My husband and i are going to retire to the pinas. My husband will get a 13a visa, how do we bring my step son , his biological son with us?

Hi Duda, depending on your stepson's age, you would also use a 13a. I am assuming you are a Filipina citizen. While primarily used as a marriage visa, you can also use a 13a as a visa for an unmarried minor child under 21 years old. If you have any questions or would like assistance with your 13a visa application, let me know.

Hoe long can I stay abroad with my 13A visa permanent resident

Hi Jan, the 13a is permanent, as long as you stay married to your Filipino spouse and are not divorced or widowed.

Is original birth certificate pf the foreign applicant needed when applying for 13a in Washington DC consulate ? I see that it is needed in LA office, but not in NY or DC

Hi Shon, to confirm, you and your spouse are both in NY or DC?

Can you explain what
Sufficient financial means is ?? How much money are we talking about total or per month to qualify... This inquiry is for a elderly friend...He married A filipina in the philippines twenty years ago... They are divorced now in the
US of A But of course stillxd married in the Philippines because, of course, there's no divorce here... Is he still eligible to apply for the permanent residency??

Hi Robert, there are a few questions in there, so I'll try and answer each. The sufficient means requirement is only necessary if you apply outside of the Philippines. What qualifies as "sufficient" will depend on the Consulate, but generally speaking they just want to ensure you are not going to be a vagrant or burden to the country. If you apply in the Philippines, than the BOI doesn't require a financial means test.
The divorce one is weird, because while there is no divorce in the Philippines, you can get a divorce recognized that was done from the US. I guess if he doesn't ever get the divorce recognized in the Philippines than he is still married in the Philippines and could apply for a 13a, but he needs his "wife" to be part of that application. I'm guessing she wouldn't want to pretend and help him out.
Your friend could apply for permanent residency under the SRR Visa, if he meets the requirements. If he wants more detailed and specific visa assistance, have him reach out.

If I travel to the Philippines with my Phil Filipino wife, can I return alone to the USA without a visa?

Hi Ray, do you mean return to the US? If you are a US citizen, you don't need a visa to enter the US.