quiltman

Does anybody know the procedure? My son has just got a new passport but his current visa is in his old one. He has been told that in order to transfer it he needs to go to Manila BI office! Is this true?
Can it not be done at BI in Cebu? I would have thought that when it is due for renewal he would just take both passports to BI here and they would put new visa in his new passport.

Bealinehx

Is there an endorsement in the new passport stating that there is a valid visa in the previous passport? If so just carry both passports.
If not, I would go to the local BI field office

quiltman

No, that's the problem. He went to BI here to ask how to have a note in his new passport saying there was a valid visa in his ,now expired, passport and they told him he has to go to Manila! Something to do with the new commissioner of immigration changing the rules. I thought , for a fee of course - it is the Philippines!- that they would just renew his visa and update his passport details.

Something for others to be aware of as it's a real PITA. Plus as it's short notice it's costing a fortune to get a flight to Manila at such short notice.

Ah, the joys of living here!

Stokkevn

The endorsement should have been inserted by the UK passport office, one for each valid visa. They used to do this when I was traveling and as far as I know they have not changed the rules. You did have to have the visa put into your new passport before that passport expired.

BritInParis

That's not something I'm aware they ever did and it's certainly not been done in at least the last five years.

quiltman

No, nor me. I had a US multiple entry visa some years ago and was told by the US border people to just carry both passports until my visa was due for renewal. I've found out from the Immigration Facebook pages that others here are having the same problem, only finding out when they go to renew their visa.

BritInParis

That's normal practice. Sounds like the Philippines are doing something different.

Bealinehx

I have had two passports in which UKPA (or their predecessors) endorsed with reference to valid visas being in previous passports. However we are in interesting times with paranoia ruling over common sense.

quiltman

Oh yes! The Philippines always make life difficult, but don't tell you till you go check. Then you end up being say 2 days late in renewing your visa and Bingo! a penalty charge!

quiltman

They may have done that in the past - I was talking about the1980s for my US visa and it certainly wasn't done then! It may also depend on which country the visa is for I suppose. Ah well, such is life. i just hope others don't get caught out - it applies to ALL countries, not just UK.

mikemike

I am not sure why this is a problem

My old passport has my 13a visa in it

My ACR card lets me travel

Am I in for a rude awakening and an ambush pinoy style?? I will be renewing my ACR card in February same time as doing my annual pilgrimmage to pay my 310 pesos

Pulaski

I am inclined to agree with you, but I got into an argument (on BE) a few months ago, because apparently Australia does something different with Australian visas in UK (and presumably other) passports.

I still believe that carrying an expired passport with a current visa would be acceptable, but apparently that isn't "preferred" by Australia these days.

BritInParis

Australia's visa system is now wholly electronic so there's no visa to physically transfer anymore. If you hold a valid visa and change your passport then you need to let DIBP know so your new passport can be attached to your existing visa otherwise you'll run into problems at check-in when attempting to board a flight to Australia.