Being an OFW is it questionable or quite doubtful bearing valid 3 months business visa?

Ramon Billanes
is a Regional QA Manager in Bangladesh

 

Reply as anonymous (Your real name and picture will not be seen)
Adelaimar C Arias-Jose
is a Legal expert in the Philippines
Tama ba ang intindi ko sa question mo? You are traveling/working abroad under a business visa that is valid for only 3 months? Well, I'm no expert on immigration, but I do know that the US grants short term visas like this. If for example, the purpose of your visit is to attend business conventions and the business conventions will take place within three weeks, you may be issued a business visa by the US Embassy in Manila that is valid for a year but your visa will be stamped upon arrival at the port of entry by the immigration officer with a 'valid until' and then the date of validity is only for four weeks. That is legal under their immigration laws. Ibig sabihin lang, may valid visa ka pero, sa bawat punta mo sa US, puedeng lagyan ng immigration officer ng limit yung duration ng bawat visit mo. It's legal so I don't understand kung sino ang magdu-duda tungkol dito. Please clarify. :)
1 person likes this
Ramon Billanes
is a Regional QA Manager in Bangladesh
part 2, nakalimutan ko isama: ang proseso sa Bangladesh na pag nag bago ka ng employer, exit ka sa country of origin, apply a Business visa (3months)sa Bangladesh embassy sa Manila, then within 3 months mag apply na ung employer ng E visa including work permit after it. Sa case ko, dahil sa manedyer at humahawak ng tao at mga factories, B visa is just right because I am also getting training for new system, training all quality staffs, factories etc., as per my agreement with my new employer every time kasi lahat ng work ko at company are foreign based then liaison office ang sa Dhaka. Kahit local income tax nagbabayad ako or ung office ko kaya wala akong problema sa Bangladesh. Sa Pilipinas lang...
1 person likes this
Ramon Billanes
is a Regional QA Manager in Bangladesh
hi Atty Bimbi
Great to hear from you.
First, my business visa is for Bangladesh(conduct training & inspections) and was working(E visa one year valid) there since 2000. Only last January I experienced this harassment and I felt insulted how the mmigration officer handled it. Parang illegal entry or feel ko like a criminal being hold right there even my visa is legal. Ganito: nang nasa window na ako, ung babaeng immigration tiningnan lahat ng previous visa ko kasi ang tanong nya? Bakit panay ang balik mo sa Bangladesh? Sagot ko, dahil doon ako lagi base at ung employer ko. Sagot nya bakit ngayon business visa? Sabi ko bagong employer ko ngayon kaya umuwi ako at nag apply ng B visa. Bigla tinawag ung isang immigration officer sa likod. Itong lalake hiningi lahat ng papers ko (I had all original and photo copies)at tapos makita tanong sa akin. Bakit anong gagawin mo doon? Sagot ko inspection and training of local QC's (quality controllers in garments). Same question next: Bakit lagi ka pumupunta doon? Sabi ko doon ako employed ever since at pag business visa, my papers are being process and would take another 3 months for expat like me. As per Bangladesh requirements na explained ko diff category plus work permit, etc since am very familiar with. Di na sya umimik at tanong ko: bakit may problema ba itong visa ko? lahat ng papers ko legal and see was authenticated by BOI in Bangladesh and personally ako nag asikaso kaya alam ko. Then binigyan nya ako ng isang form (diko na maalala ) filled up ko at hiningi nya ung mga original papers requirements for visa application. After 30 mins pag hintay sabi nya ok na. Ganun lang. Yug kasabay ko, hold din dahil may E visa and working in Bangladesh, pero dahil kasama ung pamangkin na may Tourist visa for 1 month. Sa Bangladesh allowed nga ang landing visa so ano ang punto ng pag hold? Mayron akong nakikita madalas dyan sa immigration na pag nag work abroad ka at di naka register sa POEA question din at hold sa immigration. KUng E visa visa ka syempre POEA registered ka at ang pila mo sa immigration ibang window din (wala ng airport fee). Pag business visa babayad ka sa airport pero ang pila doon na sa regular traveller/passenger lane. Ewan ko anong dahilan. Pero hindi tama kasi di kami magnanakaw kundi nagpapadala ng dolyares sa Pinas, at lalong hindi illegal. Mahirap mag sulat ng ganito dito at di ako sanay. Kung may additonal tanong ka Atty Bimbi, you can semd me email. Again thanks for your time.
Adelaimar C Arias-Jose
is a Legal expert in the Philippines
I might have an insight for you to consider: Bangladesh is one of the countries na naka-timbre as possible transit area ng mga extremists from Pakistan or Afghanistan. Meron din kasing mga gun runner na ang mga visa ay short term lang at dito sa Asya nagpapa-ikot-ikot bago pumunta sa kanilang target destination. Kaya siguro parang red flag sa immigration iyon. Talagang irritating at frustrating. I can empathize with you. Don't take it personally, though. Isipin mo na lang that they are not familiar with Bangladeshi rules on visas. Medyo praning ang mga tao lalo na't after the Boston Marathon Bombing. Kasi, the Philippines has been identified as a transit area also for terrorists since 9/11. Dito dumadaan ang mga terrorista bago pumunta sa iba't ibang lugar para maghasik ng lagim. Pasensiya ka na sa kanila. Charge it to ignorance. Or better yet, just think that they are trying to do their job and they are simply not good at doing it. Hope you have a better experience next time. Best regards!

About the author

Adelaimar C Arias-Jose

I am a graduate of the UP College of Law. Member of the Integrated Bar of the Philippines since 1995. I am currently involved in private practice in criminal, civil and labor law.
Profession: Lawyer
Adelaimar C. Arias-Jose
Office Address: #34 St. Michael Street
Philippines , Manila , Makati
The medical information contained in this section is not intended for treatment or prescription. It is used to complement, not replace, the communication between a patient and their physician. Reliance on any information provided by BuhayOFW or any medical experts is solely at your own risk. If you have a medical emergency, call your doctor or go to the hospital immediately. BuhayOFW's Medical Review Board is a team of board-certified doctors who ensure our content is medically accurate and reflects the latest in health information. Our experienced board of medical professionals verify that our content is thorough and all-inclusive, in order that you can trust the information you read here will help you through improvements in your health journey—whether that’s for yourself or for a loved one.

Disclaimer: The materials available in the Buhay OFW web site are for informational purposes and not for the purpose of providing legal advice. You should contact your attorney to obtain advice with respect to any particular issue or problem. Use of and access to this Web site or any of the e-mail links contained within the site do not create an attorney-client relationship between Buhay OFW and the user or browser.

If you are a legal expert who would like to help answer questions, please register here.