Asian Journal- The Filipino-American Community Newspaper

The Philippine Consulate General in San Francisco (PCGSF) provides many services to Philippine nationals within its areas of jurisdiction (Northern California, Northern Nevada, Washington, Oregon, Alaska, Utah, Montana, Colorado, Wyoming and Idaho), including the issuance of passports and visas, authentication and/or notarization of documents, and assistance to Filipino citizens when they need it.

The PCGSF is constantly trying to address the delivery of its services, aiming to make it more convenient and more accessible to Filipino citizens and foreign nationals. Through its partnership with Filipino American publications and by maintaining contact with some 350 Filipino American associations operating within its areas of responsibility, the PCGSF informs the public of changes or updates on its services and/or fees.

Most recently, the PCGSF began issuing machine-readable passports as part of the Philippine Government’s effort to satisfy the requirement of the International Civil Aviation Organization that all passports be machine-readable by 2010.

For those applying for new passports or renewing their expired passports, the PCGSF recommends applying at least seven to eight weeks before the expected travel date or applying as soon as possible since it takes about six weeks to complete the processing of the new machine-readable passport.

Applicants must bring 2 passport pictures with royal blue background (the face should occupy 80% of the photo, the ears should be visible, the person should wear no contacts or eyeglasses, and a shirt with collar should be worn), fill out the necessary form and pay the corresponding fee.

The PCGSF continues the dual citizenship registration process for former Filipino citizens who wish to reacquire their Philippine citizenship. Becoming a dual citizen will allow a former Filipino citizen to acquire residential land (agricultural land subject to agrarian reform law), apply for a Philippine passport, stay in the Philippines indefinitely, engage in a business or profession, register as an overseas absentee voter, and even run in the Philippine elections. There are no tax implications for dual citizens. Some 2,160 former Filipino citizens have become dual citizens this year alone.

According to consular officials, RP government-issued passports of Filipinos become invalid when they become naturalized citizens of other nations, hence it is important for them to become dual citizens if they still want to acquire a Philippine passport and take advantage of the benefits attached to being a Filipino citizen.

Filipino citizens and dual citizens will be able to register as overseas absentee voters starting December 1, 2008 until August 31, 2009.

Regarding visas, Filipinos who were born in the Philippines but who have become US citizens, and their foreign spouse, are eligible for the balikbayan visa, which has a validity of one year.

US passport holders can stay for up to 21 days without a visa in the Philippines. However, if a U.S. passport holder intends to stay longer in the Philippines, then they would need to apply for a visa by filling out the necessary forms and paying the appropriate fee.

The PCGSF does not only issue passports and visas, it also notarizes and authenticates documents, including deed of sale, special power of attorney, affidavit of consent and support and other certifications needed by Filipinos who may be involved in a transaction in the Philippines where they require representation.

Aside from these, the PCGSF also assists its nationals in other ways, including coordinating with local authorities when a Filipino citizen is arrested, talking to lawyers of Filipinos or providing a list of lawyers to Filipinos who are detained or arrested, helping stranded seamen, and referring victims of domestic violence to the proper agency or NGO (like CORA). Even relatives living abroad of Filipino citizens who live within the jurisdiction of the San Francisco Philippine Consulate General may be extended assistance upon request.