I will be applying for 13a (probationary) in Manila while on Balikbayan visa in Philippines. 1) Do I need to bring divorce certificate from previous marriage? Checklist doesn't mention it, but it says any foreign document need to be validated by PHL embassy in UK. I am thinking if divorce certificate not needed, then it will save trio to PHL embassy in London. 2) For 'Character References', can I mention names of my wife's mother and sister, who will live in same house as me. Do they accept relatives as character references? 3) Do I need to show any bank statement from UK? It's not mentioned in checklist 4) Do I need photos? It's not mentioned in checklist. Is there any photo booth inside BI Manila? 5) Do BI send anything by post to Philippines address?
Currently no. As far as I can recall they don't contact any character referees. Probably yes. You will be asked to show your means of support for yourself, your wife and any dependents living with you. You will need Passport sized photos and you can get them at any SM grocery. Nothing. You have to fetch and carry documents to/from BI yourself. You will additionally need a (ACPO) Police Clearance Certificate issued by the Hampshire Constabulary (I think) which must be less than six months' old at the time you apply for your 13A.
I am sure Police Clearance not needed now, as they changed this requirement 1-2 years ago. People who applied for 13a recently have confirmed this too, if you search on Google.
you do require a police clearance, I'm in the process of obtaining my 13A How to get Police Clearance in the Philippines, Requirements ...
Are you talking about NBI clearance withn Philippines? Or, are you talking about police clearance certificate from UK?
do you think its better to apply for the 13a in uk or in philippines? me and my wife were married last year and in march i will be hoping to apply for 13a and move over there in may permanently.
If I was to do this again I would do it in the UK. Doing it in the Philippines you only get a probationary 12 months, then have to apply for a permanent(5 year) and involves 5 or 6 visits.
It may or may not be enforced depending on who's on duty at any given office on any given day. Dressing in smart casual clothes shows respect for the officials one deals with: would you attend an appointment at (say) your local tax office in Britain on a hot July day wearing a wife-beater t-shirt, shorts and flip-flops?
wife-beater t-shirt lol, no I would not and I don't do that in the Philippines either. though I saw a few expats who did. short sleeve shirt, shorts, and sandals was the usual dress, went there four times last year.
many years back--i attended a UK government office for an interview--conducted by a spotty faced oik dressed in a batman tee shirt.. i wore a suit and tie.