Philippine help site

Most problems can be solved

2009-07-18T04:38:00.000-07:00

Consultancy for the British and other Expats too

My name is John Grant, and I moved from London, UK, to live here in the Philippines, particularly in Davao and Manila.
My professional background includes over two decades worth of experience in management and retail development, which I have since used to take on business consultancy assignments for small and medium businesses here in the Philippines. I also co-founded Friends of Mindanao in Davao City to serve as a forum for expats and locals alike to support and learn from each other.
If you are planning to live and/or run a business here, then I would be more than glad to offer my assistance. Would you like to have a better understanding of how local business organizations are run? Do you need to gain insight crucial to merging local and foreign values as well as resolving business-related differences and issues? Are you looking for useful contacts to work with as you jump start or grow a business here in the Philippines?

CONTACT
JGRANT8165@YAHOO.CO.UK

OR SKYPE JGRANT8165

Whatever your questions are, don’t hesitate to contact me (be sure to select John as the recipient). Having greatly familiarized myself with the professional and cultural environment here, I am eager to help in any way I can. I can provide you with the consultancy services that you may need to live and work in the Philippines. Moreover, with the connections I have made with local companies as well as with several foreigner communities, I can help you reach the right people, resources, and solutions.
Please do not limit your requests to only business as I am glad to help in whatever way I,or my associates can.
So please don’t hesitate to get in touch. I’d love to hear from you!

CONTACT JGRANT8165@YAHOO.CO.UK

Also check out

friendsofmindanao

Brits abroad

2008-10-10T01:07:00.000-07:00

This is a subject on which I have, regrettably, had to become an expert upon. The facts are these, confirmed both by my PCT and the Dept of Health with who I have spoken. Availability of treatment, other than for an emergency, is restricted to those who are "ordinarily resident" in the UK. For a British citizen this means that you can leave the UK for up to 3 months outside the EU, or 6 months within the EU, return and receive treatment without question. Once you have passed those periods you must demonstrate your intention to remain in the UK for longer than 6 months to re-establish that you are "ordinarily resident" otherwise the NHS will seek to charge you for your treatment. It is NOT true that new arrivals must obtain private health insurance. Anyone with a legal right to be in the UK is considered "ordinarily resident", and is entitled to free NHS treatment unless their visa specifically restricts it. You don't have to be here for 6 months before receiving treatment.

It is certainly true that not all NHS personnel are well informed about this but there is a very significant tightening up going on and anyone within a doctors practice who have doubts about a patient's eligibility are required to refer them to their regional control. Improved passport and border controls will soon link to NHS computers and flag up anyone trying to abuse the system.

This means that no-one can expect to live in the Philippines and pop back to the UK just to get NHS treatment and once complete leave again. They must demonstrate that they intend to become "ordinarily resident" in the UK and then stay for a minimum of 6 months. Anyone leaving before that would be at risk of being back charged by the NHS, if their doctor's practice were aware they had left or, as will soon become the case, their exit is picked up by border controls and cross referenced to the NHS computer.

Visa

2008-05-24T07:06:00.000-07:00

PERMANENT RESIDENT VISA

I am an alien whose country has
an immigration reciprocity agreement
with the Philippines. I am also married
to a Filipina. Am I qualified to apply
for a permanent residence visa?

Yes, under the Philippine Immigration Act

of 1940, Section 13 (a) you are eligible for

permanent residency in the Philippines.

This visa is issued to an alien on the basis of

his valid marriage to a Philippine citizen.

To qualify for this visa, the applicant

must prove that:

    * He contracted a valid marriage
    * with a Philippine citizen.
    * The marriage is recognized as
    * valid under existing Philippine laws.
    * There is no record of any derogatory
    * information against him in any local
    * or foreign law enforcement agency.
    * He is not afflicted with any dangerous,
    * contagious or loathsome disease.
    * He has sufficient financial capacity to
    * support a family and will not become a
      public burden.
    * He was allowed entry into the
    Philippines
    * and was authorized by Immigration
     authorities   to stay.

NOTE: This visa is only available to citizens

of a country which grants permanent
residence and immigration privileges
to Philippine citizens.
How can I apply for 13 (a) visa?

Ask for an application form
(Form numberRBR 98-01)
from the Public Assistance Unit

of the Office of the Commissioner Window

One (1) or from the Makati Extension Office

and accomplish the form properly. If you

will be accompanied by your unmarried minor

children they must fill up a separate form.

All documents to support your application
must be properly certified as true copy.
Sworn statements or affidavits should
be notarized.

Foreign documents must be duly
authenticated by the Philippine
Embassy or Consulate at the
place where they are issued.

You may submit the duly
accomplished application form
with the supporting
documentsto window
(1) located at

the ground floor of the main building
of the Bureau of Immigration
or to the Makati Extension Office.

NOTE: Filing fee should first be paid
before
an application is filed.