Bama14 0 Posted May 15, 2013 Share Posted May 15, 2013 Hello, I am have had a 13a visa since 2001. Heading back to U.S.A. this year to file for divorce. I am returning to the Philippines to live. My question is: Knowing that I am getting a divorce in the very near future, do I, upon leaving the Philippines, voluntarily surrender my I-card to the BOI or can I simply exit the country and reenter the Philippines as a tourist and let the 13-a I-card expire? Or am I allowed to keep my 13a visa after my divorce? I have read conflicting posts here about a 13-a visa holder being able to keep his/her 13-a I-card after divorce. Some say, yes you can keep it after divorce as long as your ex-wife doesn't have it revoked. Other's say that upon divorce, you automatically lose your 13-a status. I certainly want to do the right thing. Any advice would be very appreciative. My concern with keeping the 13-a status after divorce is this: Hypothetically speaking, I am back in the Philippines holding a 13-a visa and legally divorced. I noticed that the civil status on the back of the I-Card reads "married". If after divorce, would I take my card to BOI and have them change my civil status to "divorced" or "single"? Upon coming back after my divorce, it is very possible that I will be traveling abroad (Thailand, Hong Kong, etc) with a single female. We get to the airport and go through immigration. I show my 13-a card and passport to the immigration officer, who in turn says, is this your wife? My answer is "No". Then as you can imagine, I foresee a lot of issues with trying to explain why I am holding a 13-a visa, that has "civil status" as married, even after showing my divorce decree and traveling with a single female. I see my single female companion having a difficult time being approved for travel with me. Any comments/advice/suggestions would be appreciated. d Link to post Share on other sites
Wolfpack 2,166 Posted May 15, 2013 Share Posted May 15, 2013 Hello, I am have had a 13a visa since 2001. Heading back to U.S.A. this year to file for divorce. I am returning to the Philippines to live. My question is: Knowing that I am getting a divorce in the very near future, do I, upon leaving the Philippines, voluntarily surrender my I-card to the BOI or can I simply exit the country and reenter the Philippines as a tourist and let the 13-a I-card expire? Or am I allowed to keep my 13a visa after my divorce? I have read conflicting posts here about a 13-a visa holder being able to keep his/her 13-a I-card after divorce. Some say, yes you can keep it after divorce as long as your ex-wife doesn't have it revoked. Other's say that upon divorce, you automatically lose your 13-a status. I certainly want to do the right thing. Any advice would be very appreciative. My concern with keeping the 13-a status after divorce is this: Hypothetically speaking, I am back in the Philippines holding a 13-a visa and legally divorced. I noticed that the civil status on the back of the I-Card reads "married". If after divorce, would I take my card to BOI and have them change my civil status to "divorced" or "single"? Upon coming back after my divorce, it is very possible that I will be traveling abroad (Thailand, Hong Kong, etc) with a single female. We get to the airport and go through immigration. I show my 13-a card and passport to the immigration officer, who in turn says, is this your wife? My answer is "No". Then as you can imagine, I foresee a lot of issues with trying to explain why I am holding a 13-a visa, that has "civil status" as married, even after showing my divorce decree and traveling with a single female. I see my single female companion having a difficult time being approved for travel with me. Any comments/advice/suggestions would be appreciated. d stop by the immigration office, they will tell you how to handle it the right way... 1 Link to post Share on other sites
Dolsos 504 Posted May 15, 2013 Share Posted May 15, 2013 In your specific situation I'd recomend going to BI and asking them specifically, I'd hate to find out I was wrong after the fact. I do know you can "downgrade" your 13a so I'm sure you can get back on tourist status, and then if you're qualified get a SRRV visa or do tourist visa runs (which may not be an issue if you're travelling abroad frequently). Best of luck, sorry to hear about the divorce. Link to post Share on other sites
Paul 55,116 Posted May 15, 2013 Share Posted May 15, 2013 IN the days before the I-Card, I knew guys who had 13(a) visas, and had been divorced. They were able to keep their status and continue living in the Philippines. Perhaps that holds true today? I wish I could give you more information. But, that is my limit of knowledge on this topic. Link to post Share on other sites
Bama14 0 Posted May 17, 2013 Author Share Posted May 17, 2013 Thanks to all who responded to my post. Much appreciated......dC Link to post Share on other sites
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