Unpaid credit cards and loans

[Markd69 0]

Hi. I want to ask if there's a possibility that I'll be hold at NAIA immigration due to unsettled credit cards and loans here in the Philippines? I am so worried about this matter and I hope it will not be an issue before I leave the country. I was not able to pay my debts here due to uncertain circumstances that happened to me for almost 8 years now. I want to settle those debts but I don't have any means now. I hope someone here can shed me some lights on this matter. Thank you.

[Marco&Bettina 502]

Hi. I want to ask if there's a possibility that I'll be hold at NAIA immigration due to unsettled credit cards and loans here in the Philippines? I am so worried about this matter and I hope it will not be an issue before I leave the country. I was not able to pay my debts here due to uncertain circumstances that happened to me for almost 8 years now. I want to settle those debts but I don't have any means now. I hope someone here can shed me some lights on this matter. Thank you.

It's dangerous waters. It could appear that the beneficiary is just trying to escape debt. I would recommend doing everything possible to settle them.

[Markd69 0]

Thanks Marco&Betina for your inputs. People may think that I am running from my debts obligation here and I respect their comments but as much as I wanted to settle those debts now unfortunately, I am not capable of doing it now.

[sweet cakes 326]

Hi. I want to ask if there's a possibility that I'll be hold at NAIA immigration due to unsettled credit cards and loans here in the Philippines? I am so worried about this matter and I hope it will not be an issue before I leave the country. I was not able to pay my debts here due to uncertain circumstances that happened to me for almost 8 years now. I want to settle those debts but I don't have any means now. I hope someone here can shed me some lights on this matter. Thank you.

Hi Markd! Welcome to the forum. Most likely, it can affect your NBI clearance, if you haven't obtained it yet. Also, if your credit card is Visa or Mastercard or even JCB, you are already marked in their international database or whatever they call it. So, this will be a concern for you come the time that you want to get a credit card in US. Not sure about the other type of loans, but it's always best to settle all financial matters before you leave the country.

By the way, how far are you in the visa process? Please fill-up your timeline.

[Hank_ 9,174]

Hi. I want to ask if there's a possibility that I'll be hold at NAIA immigration due to unsettled credit cards and loans here in the Philippines? I am so worried about this matter and I hope it will not be an issue before I leave the country. I was not able to pay my debts here due to uncertain circumstances that happened to me for almost 8 years now. I want to settle those debts but I don't have any means now. I hope someone here can shed me some lights on this matter. Thank you.

No you will not get held at the airport for having unpaid loans.

[Markd69 0]

Hi sweet cakes. Appreciate your thoughts about my issue and for your warm welcome in this forum. I wasn't able to manage my finances and it's my bad. I really want to settle those debts but I don't have chance now since I'm still having financial issues. I am migrating to US for me to start a new life and when things get better in the US Then I will do my best to pay my obligations here in a manner that is best for both parties (bank) and myself. By the way, I was able to get NBI clearances for the past few years without any derogatory remark on it. Is that a good sign that no one has filed a case on my behalf due to my unpaid cc? I have my US visa already and planning to leave by May of this year. I'm just anxious or paranoid that I might be hold in the immigration due to this issue.

[Markd69 0]

Thanks hank for your comments, appreciate it much.

[sweet cakes 326]

Hi sweet cakes. Appreciate your thoughts about my issue and for your warm welcome in this forum. I wasn't able to manage my finances and it's my bad. I really want to settle those debts but I don't have chance now since I'm still having financial issues. I am migrating to US for me to start a new life and when things get better in the US Then I will do my best to pay my obligations here in a manner that is best for both parties (bank) and myself. By the way, I was able to get NBI clearances for the past few years without any derogatory remark on it. Is that a good sign that no one has filed a case on my behalf due to my unpaid cc? I have my US visa already and planning to leave by May of this year. I'm just anxious or paranoid that I might be hold in the immigration due to this issue.

Ok, wishing you the best! Hank is right, and as long as you don't issue a bouncing check, no case can be filed against you.

Immigration does have internal arrangements with other agencies, but they are not concerned with individual cases, rather on issues that has national concerns.

[Markd69 0]

Thank sweet cakes. I am looking it that way as well.

I hope someone here who have the same dilemma as mine share their experience. I tried searching in the net for the question raised but can not find anything. I guess no one have problems in the immigration due to unpaid loans.

Crossing my fingers that things will go well!

Thanks to everyone who shared their knowledge on my issue. Appreciate it very much.

[HollyGolightly 72]

Truth is, no one is imprisoned for nonpayment of debt in the Philippines, unless it is BP22 (bouncing check) or estafa, which are both criminal offenses. That being the case, a credit card debt only incurs civil liability which means the card company would have to file cases (individually) for all card debts incurred. This is expensive and the card companies would often just call it a (business) loss and write it off on their taxes rather than spend more on trying to recover it. There are no credit reporting agencies in the Philippines and bad (or good credit) there will not be carried over when you immigrate to the US.

[Greenbaum 12,260]

Markd69, on 25 Mar 2014 - 5:26 PM, said:

Hi sweet cakes. Appreciate your thoughts about my issue and for your warm welcome in this forum. I wasn't able to manage my finances and it's my bad. I really want to settle those debts but I don't have chance now since I'm still having financial issues. I am migrating to US for me to start a new life and when things get better in the US Then I will do my best to pay my obligations here in a manner that is best for both parties (bank) and myself. By the way, I was able to get NBI clearances for the past few years without any derogatory remark on it. Is that a good sign that no one has filed a case on my behalf due to my unpaid cc? I have my US visa already and planning to leave by May of this year. I'm just anxious or paranoid that I might be hold in the immigration due to this issue.

If you have a clear NBI (you stated you did) and you have been issued a visa (you said that you do have your visa) then there is nothing that will prevent you from legally leaving the country. What would have prevented you from getting a clear NBI thus allowing you to receive your VISA would have been if a court case was filed, charging you with the debts. Since no filing has taken place your record is clean, hence the clear NBI and the availability of your VISA.

Having said that, the right thing to do is pay your obligations, which you indicated you are willing to do once you are financially capable to do.

Like Hank said you will not have any problems clearing through immigration or customs up your departure from the Philippines. Safe travels.

[Hank_ 9,174]

Thank sweet cakes. I am looking it that way as well.

I hope someone here who have the same dilemma as mine share their experience. I tried searching in the net for the question raised but can not find anything. I guess no one have problems in the immigration due to unpaid loans.

Crossing my fingers that things will go well!

Thanks to everyone who shared their knowledge on my issue. Appreciate it very much.

Did you complete CFO and get the sticker?

[Markd69 0]

Truth is, no one is imprisoned for nonpayment of debt in the Philippines, unless it is BP22 (bouncing check) or estafa, which are both criminal offenses. That being the case, a credit card debt only incurs civil liability which means the card company would have to file cases (individually) for all card debts incurred. This is expensive and the card companies would often just call it a (business) loss and write it off on their taxes rather than spend more on trying to recover it. There are no credit reporting agencies in the Philippines and bad (or good credit) there will not be carried over when you immigrate to the US.

Thanks HollyGolightly for your comments. Very well said, your explanation thus give me full of hope that things will go well on the day of my Travel date to US. I'm so excited on my next journey...

[Markd69 0]

Thanks Greenbaum!

Hank, I am not done with my CFO and planning to get it by early next week.

Once again, Thank you so much for all your inputs, appreciate it. I'll keep you posted on this issue soon...

God speed everyone! VJ Rocks!!!!

[Hank_ 9,174]

Sounds like you have all your ducks in a row!!

Safe Travels!