FAQ

VISA TO AUSTRALIA

WHAT IS A TOURIST VISA?

This visa allows people to visit Australia for a holiday or recreation, or to visit family and friends. This visa may also be used for other short-term non-work purposes including study for less than three months.

WHO IS THIS VISA FOR?

This visa is available to all passport holders who are: outside Australia and want to apply for a visa to visit Australia and want to extend his/her stay as a visitor in Australia.

WHAT DOES THIS VISA LET ME DO?

If granted, this visa will allow you either a single or multiple entry to Australia for a stay period of up to three, six or twelve months. The period of stay and number of entries granted will depend on the purpose of the visit and your personal circumstances.

HOW LONG WILL AN AUSTRALIAN TOURIST VISA ALLOW ME TO STAY IN AUSTRALIA FOR?

Your Australian Tourist Visa will permit you to stay in Australia for up to 3 months on each visit. If you are staying longer please feel free to visit or call our office for free assessment.

CAN I ENTER MORE THAN ONCE ON THIS VISA?

Your Australian Tourist Visa is valid on your passport for 12 months from date of issue, and will allow multiple entry.

MY CHILDREN IS ON MY PASSPORT, WILL THEY REQUIRE A SEPARATE VISA?

WHAT IS AN AUSTRALIAN VISA?

An Australia visa is a stamp or endorsement placed by officials of Australia on a passport that allows the bearer to visit Australia.

MY SPOUSE IS A U.S. CITIZEN OR A LEGAL PERMANENT RESIDENT. CAN I OBTAIN A NON IMMIGRANT VISA?

Spouses of U.S. citizens are usually issued visas especially if the U.S. citizen spouse is not a resident in the Philippines. While it is possible to receive a non immigrant visa even if one has been petitioned for an immigrant visa, the consular officer must be satisfied that the intended stay in the United States for this visit is temporary.

If an applicant is married to a Legal Permanent Resident of the United States, it may likewise be difficult to overcome the presumption that he/she intends to immigrate to the United States to live with his/her spouse. We advise the applicant to have his/her spouse file the immigrant visa petition as soon as possible.

I HAVE AN IMMIGRANT PETITION ON FILE. CAN I STILL QUALIFY FOR A TOURIST VISA?

There are so many different situations regarding persons who have been petitioned to immigrate that the best answer is “It Depends.” While the existence of an immigrant petition is in one sense evidence that a person is an intending immigrant, and thus subject to refusal, we also recognize that s/he may not be intending to immigrate at this time. Having an immigrant petition on file is not grounds for an automatic refusal, but as an applicant, he/she will need to provide strong evidence that he/she intends to leave the United States after his/her planned visit. In this case, please contact Ultimate Visa Corporation so that we can guide you appropriately on how do we go about this.

HOW SOON WILL I KNOW WHETHER I QUALIFY FOR A VISA?

The interviewing officer will inform the applicant of the outcome of the visa application at the conclusion of the interview.

VISA TO UK

WHEN DO I APPLY FOR MY VISA?

You should apply for your visa within three months of your intended date of travel.

I HAVE A VALID UK VISA BUT MY PASSPORT EXPIRES IN SIX MONTHS. WHAT DO I DO?

The visa remains valid even though the passport has expired.

CAN MY FRIEND OR FAMILY MEMBER IN THE UK APPLY FOR MY VISA FOR ME?

No, visas for the UK can only be made in person at visa application centres overseas, as you will need to submit your biometric data. If your friend/family member needs a visa, they must get it before they travel to the UK.

CAN SOMEBODY ELSE APPLY FOR A VISA FOR ME OVERSEA-SEAS?

No. You will need to submit your biometric data in person. The biometric data collection includes a digital finger scan and photograph.

IF I ENTER UK AS A VISITOR CAN I CHANGE TO A STUDENT?

No. You can only apply to extend your stay in the UK as a student if you originally entered the UK with a student visa. If you are in the UK as a visitor and you want to study for longer than your current approved visitor stay, you must return to your home country to obtain the correct student visa.

WHAT IF I HAVE BEEN REFUSED A VISA FOR OR ENTRY TO THE UNITED KINGDOM BEFORE?

If your visa has been refused before, it does not necessarily mean that you will not be allowed to enter the UK again.

I HAVE A SCHENGEN VISA. CAN I USE IT FOR THE UNITED KINGDOM?

No. The UK is not part of the Schengen group of countries.

WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN A UK WORK PERMIT AND A UK VISA?

A work permit is a permission to work in the UK. A visa is a clearance required by nationals from certain countries before they come to the UK for whatever purpose including just a visit.

UNDER WHOSE NAME IS THE REQUIRED FOREIGN CURRENCY DEPOSIT BE CREDITED?

The required foreign currency deposit maybe opened in the name of the principal retiree or under an “and/or” account with the spouse provided the latter is also a member of the PRA Program. This applies also to an applicant/retiree who is legally married to a Filipino Citizen even if not a PRA member.

WHEN CAN THE REQUIRED FOREIGN CURRENCY DEPOSIT BE CONVERTED INTO INVESTMENT?

After one (1) month from the time it was opened in any of the PRA accredited banks as a retiree account.

WHAT AREAS OF INVESTMENTS ARE AVAILABLE TO A RESIDENT RETIREE?

The areas of investment are the following:

1. Purchase of a condominium unit;

2. Lease of a parcel of land or house and lot;

3. Construction of a residential unit on a leased parcel of land;

4. Propriety shares in golf clubs;

5. For former Filipinos, purchase of a lot not exceeding 5,000 square meters in urban areas or three (3) hectares rural areas to be used for business or other purposes.

CAN RESIDENT RETIREE APPLY FOR PHILIPPINE CITIZENSHIP?

Yes, in accordance with the Naturalization Law of the Philippines. One of the basic requirements for naturalization is the continuous residency in the Philippines for a period of ten (10) years.

The period may be reduced to five (5) years if the applicant has any of the following qualifications:

1. Has honorably held office under the Government of the Philippines or under that of any of the provinces, cities, municipalities, or political subdivision thereof;

2. Has established a new industry or introduced a useful invention in the Philippines;

3. Being married to a Filipino citizen;

4. Has been engaged as a teacher in the Philippines for a period of at least two (2) years;

5. Has been born in the Philippines.

WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN A PASSPORT AND AN AUSTRALIAN VISA?

A passport is an official government document that certifies one’s identity and citizenship. The passport serves two purposes; to regain entry to the country of citizenship (i.e. the United States) and is a requirement by many countries to gain entry to the country you are visiting.

An Australia visa is an official government document that temporarily authorizes you to be in the country. Many countries require a visa to gain entry. The Australia visa is in the form of a stamp/sticker in the passport and is obtained from a Australia

HOW LONG DOES IT TAKE TO OBTAIN AN AUSTRALIAN VISA?

Typically, a visa takes 2 to 3 weeks processing time.

VISA TO USA

DO I NEED TO HAVE A SPECIFIC TRIP PLANNED IN ORDER TO APPLY FOR A VISA?

One may apply for a visa even if he/she simply wishes to have the option to make a trip at some point in the future

I WOULD LIKE TO TAKE MY NEPHEW OR GRANDCHILD ON A TRIP TO THE UNITED STATES. WHO MUST APPLY FOR THE CHILD’S VISA?

Visa eligibility for minors age 20 and under is typically based upon the qualifications of their parents or legal guardians, who must submit their applications. Exceptions will be made only in cases where it is impossible for a parent/guardian to appear for interview.

CAN WE TAKE OUR DOMESTIC HELPER ON THE FAMILY’S TRIP TO THE UNITED STATES?

Domestic employees may accompany their employers on temporary visits to the United States.

WHY ARE THE VISA INTERVIEWS SO SHORT? I WAS ASKED ONLY A COUPLE OF QUESTIONS AND THE INTERVIEWER HARDLY LOOKED AT MY DOCUMENTS.

In a typical 8-hour day, a consular officer may need to interview 150 applicants or more, which allows about 3 minutes per applicant. The application form, if completed thoroughly, contains most of the information needed to adjudicate the visa. Additional documents are examined only if the consular officer needs to obtain further clarification of the applicant’s situation.

VISA TO CANADA

WHAT IS A TEMPORARY RESIDENT VISA?

A temporary resident visa is an official document issued by a visa office abroad that is placed in your passport to show that you have met the requirements for admission to Canada as a temporary resident (either as a visitor, student, or worker).

A valid temporary resident visa is not a guarantee of entry into Canada; an officer at the port of entry will decide if you still meet the requirements for admission when you arrive. If there has been a change in circumstances between the date of your application and your arrival in Canada or if subsequent information is given which was not originally available to the visa office, you may be refused entry.

A visa may be for a single entry, for multiple entries, or for transit purposes.

A single entry visa allows you to enter Canada only once.

A multiple entry visa allows you to enter Canada from any country multiple times during the validity of the visa.

A transit visa is required for travel through Canada to another country by those persons who need a temporary resident visa and whose flight will stop in Canada for less than 48 hours

DO I NEED A TEMPORARY RESIDENT VISA?

Persons who are not Canadian citizens or permanent residents of Canada may require a visa to enter Canada.

DO MY SPOUSE OR COMMON-LAW PARTNER AND DEPENDENT CHILDREN NEED TO APPLY SEPARATE VISA?

Your spouse or common-law partner and children who wish to visit Canada must apply for permission to do so.

CAN I WORK OR STUDY DURING MY STAY IN CANADA?

Temporary residents are not allowed to work or study in Canada unless they are authorized to do so under the regulations. In many cases, a work or study permit will be required. However, there are categories of workers who do not require work permits.

A temporary resident may also take a program of study up to six months duration without having to obtain a study permit.

SPECIAL RESIDENT RETIREES’ VISA FOR THE PHILIPPINES

HOW LONG IS THE VISA VALID?

The SRRV is valid for so long as one remains a member of good standing of the Program and provided his time deposit and/or investment exists in the Philippines.

CAN A RESIDENT RETIREE BRING HIS/HER FAMILY MEMBERS WITH HIM/HER INTO THE COUNTRY TO JOIN THE PROGRAM?

Yes. A resident retiree can bring with him/her, without additional deposit, his spouse and a child who is unmarried and below 21 years old or if the spouse is not joining, two (2) children (provided they are unmarried and under 21 years of age). Additional children with the same qualifications may also be allowed to join the principal retiree provided there is an additional deposit of US$15,000.00 or equivalent foreign currency per child. The deposit is subject to the same terms and conditions with that of the principal deposit. This does not apply to former Filipinos citizens.

WILL DEPENDENTS CONTINUE TO BE SRRV HOLDERS OR RETAIN THEIR SRRV EVEN AFTER REACHING 21 YEARS OLD?

Yes. For so long as the principal retiree remains a member of the Program, his dependents retain their SRRV even if they reach 21 years of age and above.

WHAT HAPPENS IF THE PRINCIPAL RETIREE DIES?

The surviving spouse, provided he/she is a SRRV holder, has the option to assume the status of a principal retiree using the original account as his/her qualifying deposit. Should he/she not choose to become the principal retiree, then the Law on Succession prevails.

As far as the beneficiary is concerned, the withdrawal of the time deposit should be made in accordance with the Philippine banking rules and regulations. The beneficiary will have to pay estate tax as the retiree is treated as a resident alien and therefore covered by the National internal Revenue Code.

DOES PRA ACCEPT CURRENCIES OTHER THAN US DOLLARS AS REQUIRED FOREIGN CURRENCY DEPOSIT?

No. Nonetheless, the PRA Accredited Banks agree to accept any acceptable foreign currency for deposit in the accounts, provided that it shall be credited to the account as United States Dollars or Philippine Peso equivalent.

After the issuance of SRRV the retiree may convert the Dollar time deposit to Philippine Peso or Euro money.

CAN THE REQUIRED DEPOSIT BE DIVIDED INTO ANY OF PRA’s ACCREDITED BANKS?

Yes, for a minimum deposit of US$10,000.00