News from the phils

Immigration 2 the Phil's

IMMIGRANT VISA. (Permit Residence).

An immigrant is an alien coming from abroad to reside permanently on the Philippines.

An immigrant may enter the Philippines under the quota or non-quota basis by virtue of special qualifications.

Form of Application and Documents.
An application for an immigrant visa MUST BE MADE IN PERSON.
In case of minor under fourteen (14) years of age, application may be made for him by any person who, in the opinion of the consular officer is responsible for his welfare.

The consular officer shall require applicants, whether quota or non-quota to accomplish FA No. 3 to be filed at the Embassy.
The applicants shall submit the following documents in TRIPLICATE.

1. Duly accomplished form FA no. 3;
2. Valid passport of applicant;
3. Birth certificate of applicant, (if issued by the National Statistics Office: authenticated by DFA; if issued in The Netherlands, International Birth certificate, authenticated by the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Philippine Embassy);
4. Philippine passport of spouse and/or birth certificate of spouse;
5. Marriage contract, (if issued by the National Statistics Office, authenticated by Department of Foreign Affairs; if issued in The Netherlands, International Marriage Contract, authenticated by the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Philippine Embassy);
6. Police clearance/Certificate of Good Conduct; (authenticated by the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Philippine Embassy);
7. Bio-data of applicant;
8. Medical Report on FA Form No. II; authenticated by the Dutch Ministries of Health and Foreign Affairs and Philippine Embassy);
9. Proof of financial capacity (such as bank statement, statements of assets and liabilities, statement of salary/pension,); and
10. Six (6) photos 4.5 x 4.5 cm.

VISA FEE: Euro 195,00
Authentication Fee: Euro 32,50 per document

MEDICAL EXAMINATION
The medical certificate on FA Form No. II, shall contain a complete medical report accomplished by duly authorized physician.
It must be also include the chest -x-ray film and laboratory reports.
The medical examination report is acceptable only if submitted to the quarantine officer at the port of entry, together with visa application, within six (6) months from the date the examination was conducted.

Tourism

PLRA entices balikbayans with new visa

Balikbayans or returning Filipinos will get more benefits, including the right to own real estate, if they decide to retire in the Philippines or take extended vacations in the land of their birth.

J. Antonio Leviste, chairman of the Philippine Leisure and Retirement Authority (PLRA) said that the new benefits have been extended to balikbayans by the Philippine government under the Investors and Retiree Resident (IR2) Balikbayan Visa which is PLRA’s latest product.
“For a start, the normal $50,000 to $75,000 deposit requirement for foreigners to avail of a permanent visa has been reduced to $1,500 for all balikbayans availing of the program,’’ Leviste said.
He added, “More importantly, IR2 Balikbayan Visa holders can own real estate up to 5,000 sq. meters, whether they be residential, urban or agricultural.’’
Further, Leviste disclosed that they can engage in business under Republic Act No. 9178 otherwise known as “An Act to Promote the Establishment of Barangay Micro-Business Enterprise,’’ which is government-funded at R30 billion.
Under the IR2 Balikbayan Visa program, former Filipinos can purchase $1,500 worth of goods from government-owned and controlled duty-free shops.
They can also avail of additional tax exemptions for the purchase of livelihood tools under the “Kabuhayan Shopping Privilege’’ of up to $2,000.

“It’s the least we can do for our former compatriots, which are rightfully dubbed the modern heroes of our country. While working abroad, most of them have remitted money to their relatives at home, thus helping bolster our country’s foreign exchange reserves,’’ Leviste said.
The PLRA has been set up by the government to set up a program to entice foreigners and former Filipinos to use the Philippines as a ‘retirement haven.’
“Because of its warm climate, beautiful natural scenery, modern health and leisure amenities, and other advantages, the Philippines is an ideal retirement haven for foreigners from America, Europe, Japan, Korea and other cold countries,’’ Leviste disclosed.
He especially emphasized health care for the elderly as “Filipinos are noted as excellent and loving care givers.’’
Balikbayans are also enticed back to their country of origin because after earning hard-earned currency abroad, they deserve a rest and leisure with some considerations by their countrymen who have benefited from their remittance of foreign currency, he said.
Other benefits available to balikbayans under the PLRA program are: availment of an alien employment permit authorizing them to work in the Philippines; coverage of spouse and dependents under 18; exemption from student visa and study permits; exemption from taxes and pensions remitted to the Philippines; guaranteed repatriation of deposits and investments, including profits.
Foreigners who deposit at least $50,000 in a Philippine designated bank can also acquire an IR2 Visa, providing for multiple entry and extended stay in the Philippines and tax free privileges. (PNA)