[Gary D]

I googled it but no dice. Who is James Biron? Thanks.

He used to be an PRA marketeer but now charges for his services.

 

[NewfieDrool]

I googled it but no dice. Who is James Biron? Thanks.

I think this is his website

Visa Consultancy | Special Resident Retiree's Visa

www.visaconsultancy.ph

 

[strich]

I retired here on a tourist visa for 3 years and then BI told me the tourist visa couldn't be renewed anymore.

It eventually happens to everyone.

by that point I had overstayed my visa almost 3 years, so I could easily have been deported. But James Biron took care of it in 2024.

You left out the best part; how was it taken care of and how much did it cost you?

 

[boracaypat]

He works for the PRA. The Philippine Retirement Authority. He's an attorney handling SRRV visas. [email protected]. 927-784-1111 He's an authority on expats retiring in the Philippines. Getting a visa and moving and retiring, even under the best of circumstances, are stressful events. James Biron walks you through it step by step, handling so many of the details. He's good.

 

[danphone67]

See, that's where I am confused. You say he works for the PRA, you said he charges (not legal, PRA pays consultants direct) but not just a consultant but actually works for PRA but also is a lawyer handling PRA visas? I also disagree that getting an SRRV is stressful although he probably makes money if you think it will be stressful. In fact we made a vacation out if it, flying to Manila staying in Makati, working with Mary Rose's team, paying one of her people 500php per day as both a guide and a person getting us to the front of the line for each agency we had to visit including NBI, DFA, BDO for deposit, medical Lab and also US Embassy plus PRA itself at the citibank building . Because of traffic we limited the no. of agencies per day. At night we visited the restaurants in Makati, the malls and casinos in Metro Manila. Far from being stressful it was a fine 5 day mini-vacation. It all depends on perspective but I just wanted to say that the SRRV experience does not gave to be stressful if you have a great marketer like Mary Rose.

 

[SkyBluesSeas]

Personally, when I come to apply, I'll use a recommended consultant, lawyer, or marketer to help me navigate the process. Anything that might smooth the process is fine by me, although pretty sure plenty are successful with DIY. Still considering whether to go for the 13A/military SRRV....

James Biron is on the accredited Marketers PRA list.
As is Mary Rose (Van Ingen Management) Retirement Visa in the Philippines

PRA | Philippine Retirement Authority

 

[danphone67]

Please , if you were to go DIY, although in your case you are not, others should realize that once the applicant submits his own application, PRA will no longer compensate a marketer, thus no free marketer would likely work with you. You are on your own or require a paid agent. I suspect the paid lawyer agent wouldn't care but most marketers are free and paid by PRA, not the client. I would like to put in a plug for Mary Rose whose team does an awesome service, free to the client. You don't really need an attorney in most cases, unless you overstayed 3 years as in the example. Normally it is straightforward and the PRA can work alongside you in getting it done.

 

[grahamw57]

So what about the 13A then folks ?

 

[NewfieDrool]

So what about the 13A then folks ?

Don’t quote me on this but I was reading another expat was working with an attorney on the 13e visa. I’ve no idea how that works but I’m guessing the SRRV would be the best route if death occurs.

 

[Quezon Expat]

I was told if the holder of a 13A visa's spouse died they could remain under the 13A if there were children. True? Who knows but it's easy enough to ask BOI.

 

[NewfieDrool]

I was told if the holder of a 13A visa's spouse died they could remain under the 13A if there were children. True? Who knows but it's easy enough to ask BOI.

I believe that’s correct and documented, can’t the age limit though. Not sure my other half is keen on children 🤣

 

[SkyBluesSeas]

If, as me, you might be contract working remotely from the Philippines to the UK, then 13A might be much easier as it grants rights to work. The SRRV, being a retirement visa, is apparently more complicated for remote workers. Best to talk to the authorities, perhaps.

 

[grahamw57]

I believe that’s correct and documented, can’t the age limit though. Not sure my other half is keen on children 🤣

You can keep the 13A while your Phils citizen child is a minor.

 

[strich]

I was told if the holder of a 13A visa's spouse died they could remain under the 13A if there were children.

True. And even if there aren't children, they don't automatically downgrade you to a tourist unless you give them a reason to.

 

[NewfieDrool]

True. And even if there aren't children, they don't automatically downgrade you to a tourist unless you give them a reason to.

how does that work, what about the annual report?

 

[Howard_Z]

 

[Howard_Z]

James Biron is a PRA marketer.
A PRA marketer is allowed to charge fees

James is so good at his job, he has plenty of customers.

The PRA website has a list of PRA marketers to choose from to help foreigners get the SRRV. Some may be free, and some may charge a fee

 

[danphone67]

James Biron is a PRA marketer.
A PRA marketer is allowed to charge fees

I love it when you guys just make these blanket statements with no cites and just expect us to accept what you say because you know all truths lol.

And technically you are correct, for services beyond the SRRV advice and counsel and to a limited degree. However, those charges YOU mentioned? $500? $2500? No way. I have the contract in front of me that I can cite. You can check it yourself on a search engine:

"The MARKETER is discouraged from charging fees from its retiree-applicants other than the SRRV application and annual fees, however, in the event that charging of additional fees (e.g. professional and/or service fees necessary and incidental to defray expenses incurred by the MARKETER) is inevitable,all eenses/charges must be properly documented fir the purpose of transparency."

So the guy is a lawyer and he can charge for lawyer services like getting the overstayer off the hook. But he cannot pay for activities and counsel associated with the SRRV application. He can charge for having someone take you around town or pick ypu up at the aitport and take you to PRA etc. and to the agencies for documentation but for acquisition of the visa: zero.

And I want to repeat that the SRRV application was not stressful to me or my wife or to anybody I know, really, especially if they used Mary Rose. ittedly if the client overstayed throughout the pandemic it would probably be better to use that person than Mary Rose but for normal applications she is highly recommended by many expats including myself and she complies with the above-stated PRA policy.

 

[NewfieDrool]

I think to be fair did they not change the charges that can be made. Like most things here don’t expect the rules followed by the book. Example is PAO service that’s free to use which we did with the land purchase, you can’t give them money but behind the scenes you make sure they are thanked.

I think as long as you get the visa and it’s smooth running personally I don’t care if someone pays for that service x amount or not. If that individual is happy so what at the end of the day.

 

[Howard_Z]

Dan,

You are misinformed.

But, I have no skin in this game.
I already have my SRRV.
And James Biron is my go-to man for anything regarding my SRRV. (and anything else)
James also renewed my SRRV one year when I was not in Philippines to do it myself.

I get nothing from arguing with you, and so I will not.

Eventually you will realize you are not correct.

I have better things to do.

Enjoy the Philippines.