Some Late-September 2022 Down Under Visa News       

Typhoon “Karding”

It’s over. It’s gone. One of the speediest typhoons I’ve seen traverse the country. It arrived and went in a matter of hours.

It was pretty rough for those who copped the brunt of it when it made landfall as a Signal 5. For us, we had a windy and rainy few hours, but no damage. No loss of power, We feel very fortunate..

Thank you all for understanding, Again fortunately we had very little work delay.

Affidavit of Consent and Support

What is it?

It’s an affidavit which you sign at the nearest Philippines Embassy or Consulate in Australia. NOT a statutory declaration, and not the letter of support which we include with visa applications. To be legal in the Philippines this must be notarized by someone authorized to do so under Philippines Law.

It’s fairly simple. You are stating that you are inviting this person (or these persons) to visit Australia, and that you will provide all necessary support for their needs.

Many of you have heard of this and have asked us if this is required?

What I replied with was that we had never had a client asked for one (apart from one or two who were stopped because they thought they were being human-trafficked) at the airport before yesterday.

Yes, it happened. One of our clients was sadly/horribly stopped from boarding the plane, and given a list of things to get before flying again. 

Now, maybe it won’t happen again? But maybe this will become a standard thing, and maybe they will ask every one of our clients from now on? We are not “in the loop” with the Bureau of Immigration here, and they will never make any effort to educate us as to what they are planning. 

And note that this is NOT a “visa requirement” for an Australian visa. This is purely the Philippines Government who will ask for something like this. So my advice to you is to GET one.

NOTE: There is a Philippines Embassy in Canberra, and Philippines Consulates in the capital cities. 

It means a trip to your nearest capital city, and sending the original and notarized copy to her by courier. A small price to pay to ensure this doesn’t get repeated.

That means:

• Don’t ask us to comment on whether the affidavit is done properly or not.
• Don’t ask us for template affidavits. The Embassy or Consulate will have this.

Just get it from the Philippines Embassy or Consulate and you can be assured it’s going to be OK.

Our client was also asked for:

• Photopcopy of the passport ID page of the sponsor
• Evidence of their relationship (specifically photos together and money remittances)
• CFO certificate (as they were engaged to marry)
• Return ticket

Suggest that all clients organize all of these, including the CFO if you are in any sort of relationship with an Australian*. Well worth removing that risk!

*Again, do not ask us about booking CFO seminars. We don’t get involved in this. We have no inside knowledge. We have no contacts or communication with the CFO.

Jeff Harvie is a Registered Migration Agent from Australia, but resident in Philippines since 2010 with his Filipina wife Mila and large extended family. Experienced with the Philippines culture, cross-cultural relationships and bureaucracy as well as Australian visas and Australian Migration Law, he writes with authority and fortunately with enough informality and humour that the average Aussie gets it!