13a - Apply in advance or wait until arrival?

[top_secret 2,421]

2 minutes ago, flicks1998 said:

Your wife's situation was exactly my wifes situation, I think she was around 5 years old as well.  Because of that, we had to get the NBI AKA for USCIS.

 

Yea, we had to get NBI AKA as well.  It didn't help that my wife kind of randomly switched back and forth between names throughout her life so there are all kinds of important paperwork in randomly differing names.

[Skyman 321]

I've had a 13A for, hmmmm, 14 years maybe? If you wan5 one I recommend getting it anywhere but the Philippines so you only have to do it once. Wish I had known it could be done in the US. I left the Philippines every other year since I got it. I calculated after I had it for 10 years or so, it was just then becoming the cheaper option than the BB visa with annual trips for 2 to (wherever).  This is due to the fact that a BB pays nothing on departure whereas a 13A has to pay about p2880 to the BI and p1640 travel tax (every time you depart). Also, a 13A has to pay p310 AR every year and renew their ACR-I card every 5 years which runs something like $50 plus p5k or whatever.  Probably the biggest reason to get the 13A over BB is for tax advantages if you have foreign income. As a 13A holder, you are bona fide resident of a foreign country and are eligible for foreign income exclusion regardless of the time spent in the US each year. 

 

[Skyman 321]

Oh, and 1 other major advantage to the 13A over the BB visa showed up during the scamdemic where guys with families had been doing annual visa runs with their wives to Hong Kong or wherever to refresh their visas were suddenly unable to return. They could leave no problem but it was a 1 way trip and their wives couldn't leave as tourists.  Many just went over their year meaning they had to start doing tourist visa extensions. When they, and regular tourists, got to the 3 year point, they had to pay some hefty fines which were accompanied with a 'get out of dodge' order.  While I was free to come and at will. When flights were available, of course. My wife couldn't leave though on a B-2 for about 8 months. 

Edited March 6, 2023 by Skyman

[Stevephoto 230]

These updates have been extremely helpful. Salamat. Most of you know that I will be starting the 13A/move process in a few months and, while exciting, it is a bit daunting too. I THINK what I am about to say is true but PLEASE correct me if I am wrong: Doesn't the 13A also allow you to work in the Philippines but not the BB? I feel like I felt 11 years ago when Joan was coming here!

 

I want to (again) thank all of you. I hope that my experiences and comments have helped some people along the way, but I KNOW you have all helped--and continue to help--us for 11 years.

[Talako 785]

On 4/13/2023 at 10:53 AM, Stevephoto said:

These updates have been extremely helpful. Salamat. Most of you know that I will be starting the 13A/move process in a few months and, while exciting, it is a bit daunting too. I THINK what I am about to say is true but PLEASE correct me if I am wrong: Doesn't the 13A also allow you to work in the Philippines but not the BB? I feel like I felt 11 years ago when Joan was coming here!

 

You can work on a 13a.  See Section 2 item "e" at the link.  You're exempt from obtain a work permit.

 

https://www.dole.gov.ph/news/department-order-186-17-revised-rules-for-the-issuance-of-employment-permits-to-foreign-nationals/

 

You can not work on a BB.

[Stevephoto 230]

11 hours ago, Talako said:

You can work on a 13a.  See Section 2 item "e" at the link.  You're exempt from obtain a work permit.

 

https://www.dole.gov.ph/news/department-order-186-17-revised-rules-for-the-issuance-of-employment-permits-to-foreign-nationals/

 

You can not work on a BB.

That is `what I thought. Thanks for confirming it.

[YNSS 0]

On 3/5/2023 at 8:40 PM, Skyman said:

I've had a 13A for, hmmmm, 14 years maybe? If you wan5 one I recommend getting it anywhere but the Philippines so you only have to do it once. Wish I had known it could be done in the US. I left the Philippines every other year since I got it. I calculated after I had it for 10 years or so, it was just then becoming the cheaper option than the BB visa with annual trips for 2 to (wherever).  This is due to the fact that a BB pays nothing on departure whereas a 13A has to pay about p2880 to the BI and p1640 travel tax (every time you depart). Also, a 13A has to pay p310 AR every year and renew their ACR-I card every 5 years which runs something like $50 plus p5k or whatever.  Probably the biggest reason to get the 13A over BB is for tax advantages if you have foreign income. As a 13A holder, you are bona fide resident of a foreign country and are eligible for foreign income exclusion regardless of the time spent in the US each year. 

 

I just got my 13a visa from the Chicago consulate.  Was straight forward.  Great info, but would like to know if other things I've read are truth.  If I don't stay six months am I exempt the BI requirement.   

[hiram a 11]

Short answer, get the 13a before you get to the PI. Less hassel