racinkc1

Thanks for the down low. So to reiterate, the ACR card is not a visa, but will enable me to stay in the country past 59 days, correct? And I am "extending" the ACR card, since I wont have a visa? And Im assuming they are relatively easy to obtain? I guess my only other questions are do you think I can realistically find an apartment in downtown Davao (or somewhat close to) for 10,000 a month? Im finding apartments on the outskirts of the city that are too far from infrastructure, gyms, food, etc. Also, do you know if they will accept a 6 month lease, or will they try to rope me in for a year?

On 2/7/2024 at 4:28 AM, spongeworthy said:

You will receive a tourist visa stamp in your passport upon arrival with a validity of 59 days. As mentioned by Brit you can extend that for up to 3 years at which point you'll have to leave the country for a day (as in be out of the country for 24 hours) and then return and start the process over again.

 

Tourist visas can now be extended online at https://e-services.immigration.gov.ph. No need to use an agent or go to an immigration office in person unless for some reason they've requested you to do so after applying for the extension online.

 

While the immigration website states you can receive up to a 6 month extension, in reality this varies at the regional offices for whatever reason. Smoothest option would be to apply for 2 months at a time as you're basically 100% guaranteed to have that approved. If you apply for a 4(?) or 6 month extension you may be denied. Now that the extensions can be performed online with online payment, there's really no reason to apply for more than 2 months.

 

After your initial 59 days here immigration will require you to apply and pay for the ACR card. I don't know if they will allow you to apply for one online at the moment. The card will state Tourist. If you're here on a retirement visa (SRRV) it will state Resident or something similar. This status will impact your ability to open a bank account at certain banks and obtain a drivers license, although just like in Thailand, corruption is rife and things that shouldn't be possible may become possible... with or without repercussions down the road.

 

Opening a bank account with a tourist visa is possible, but in my experience and the experiences of others, not at BDO nor BPI. They don't open accounts for tourists. There are plenty of other banks to choose from. You may have to try a few branches before finding one that will open an account for you, as depending on the bank, different branches can have different ownership and policies (franchise model).

 

In addition to opening a bank account, you'll make you're life a heck of a lot easier if you create a gcash account. Banking here is not as simple as in Thailand, and paying bills via your bank (electric, phone, internet, etc.) is often limited to certain "partner" banks but the bills can almost always be paid via gcash and some other e-wallets.

9 hours ago, BritManToo said:

That's BS.

 Which immigration office are you using that grants your extensions?

27 minutes ago, BritManToo said:

All my pals used a local agent for extensions, no big fees like Thailand.

I've been there about 10x and never had a VISA, always liked to stay In Barretto, on Baloy Long beach.

Plenty of houses, apartments, guesthouses to rent, lots of places to eat, German, English, Australian, Mexican.

Clean beaches and clear water.

 

 

I just spoke to a visa agent and she said I can not stay more than 6 months if I am not on a retirement visa or married to a filipino national, and will have to fly to Singapore or Thailand to renew my visa......

1 hour ago, BritManToo said:

I've no idea what landlords do ......... but there's nothing to stop a foreigner renting.

There's no problem getting extensions of stay in PI, but after 3 years you need to leave for at least 1 night.

I just want to make sure I can rent without a visa. It sounds like that is the case. Is the visa application easy? Or should I hire a visa service the first time I extend?

1 hour ago, BritManToo said:

You just turn up and can stay for 3 years, extensions cost around $30/month.

After your 2nd extension they provide an ID card that allows you to open a bank account.

No problems renting. 

So to reiterate; Landlords dont report alien residents to immigration, and/so I dont need a visa to rent an apartment? And no problem obtaining a visa IN the Philippines?

What the best way to stay long term (like a year)? If I come to Philippines without a visa (us citizen) for the first 30 days, will I legally be able to rent an apartment without one? Is it difficult to get a 6 month visa in the Philippines, or should I go to an embassy back home?

Thailand is reported to have 3.5 million immigrants living and or working in the country, or 5% of the population, while the Philippines is reported to only have 225K, or .2%. Thats literally 15 + times more immigrants (from various countries) in Thailand. So without going into my person life too much, I kinda feel like Thailand has become too westernized for my liking... Indo, Vietnam and Cambodia are also reporting very low immigation stats in comparison to Thailand. So I guess my question is: can you really notice a difference or does it not really reflect the statistics? 

https://worldpopulationreview.com/country-rankings/immigration-by-country

She was mentioning I need to be employed, however, this does not make sense since some people have money and are retired. She just got her bachelor degree and speaks good english. How can we fill the sponsor requirement if Im not currently working? Im here in Thailand living with her now, but we want to migrate back to the states. 

Whats up guys? As per the new immigration laws, I will need to do a border run in January. My visa agent recommended going to Myanmar, however, some friends argued its easier to go to Lao. I really just want to get a stamp and get back to CM. Any expat expertise? 

9 hours ago, Liverpool Lou said:

I've no experience personally with them so I don't know what they could do, bit I'd be surprised if they couldn't, though.   Why not ask them?

8 hours ago, Walker88 said:

If you are an owner or director of a Thai business, you do need a work permit, as well as a Non-B Business Visa.

 

If you are American, you can own 100% of the company, owing to the Treaty of Amity. If non-American, 49% is your limit.

 

You need trustworthy Thai partners and a good point-of-sales system. You need CCTV cameras for obvious reasons, including insurance.

 

You need to be on top of all supplier issues, and link orders with incoming supplies.

 

There are many licenses required for any business, so look it up depending on what sort of business you intend to run. You say 'restaurant', so that would mean alcohol, food and music license. There is also a sign tax, but if the sign contains any Thai characters, the tax is less. Good idea to get SHA+ approval, too, as you never know when the next epidemic will arrive.

 

For every non-Thai employed or who is a director, you must have at least 4 Thai employees. There is some slack granted if any employee is from an ASEAN country.

 

You need to register at DBD, provide a shareholder list, at least pretend to hold shareholder meetings, register for VAT payments, make sure your staff is on Social Security, and keep every possible receipt and record (giving copies to your accountant). To open a bank account, you will need lots of documents. Best to just ask the bank. Having more than one bank is also wise.

 

There is lots of bureaucracy, but not many legal issues if you follow the rules. Maybe you will get shaken down from time to time, but a payment usually suffices.

thanks for the info. These boards are becoming worthless with so much negativity. I realize there is a tax if your sign has english, as me and my partner have discussed this. There is tons of bureaucracy anywhere you go in the world. I still stand a better chance here where the economy is good and I can leverage my currency. I just contacted a law firm that specializes in foreign investment. Thanks again. 

On 10/22/2022 at 9:03 AM, Liverpool Lou said:

Nonsense.

It is not "virtually impossible for foreigners to get work permits". 

Opening a business does not require a WP unless that person is actually going to be physically working in that business.

Do you think Siam Legal might be able to answer some questions?

On 10/21/2022 at 12:59 PM, FritsSikkink said:

Nonsense, know enough very successful business owners

I personally know a few myself.... I mean, how else did I get the crazy idea of going into business here....?

On 10/21/2022 at 12:12 PM, Dan O said:

Consult a lawyer and set up an LLC first and then go from there when setting up the actual business. Small pain in the butt but gives you some protection and lays out all the legal requirements 

What type of lawyer?

Hypothetically, if I invested in a small restaurant/business with my Thai friend, and it started to have success, what immediate legal challenges would I be facing?

Are there any western trained Urologist or doctors here in Thailand?

On 4/10/2022 at 8:24 AM, bkk6060 said:

https://www.nolo.com/legal-encyclopedia/green-card-sponsoring-fiance-spouse-29026.html

 

Here is some info. it can take several years to get all the proper approvals.

haha im blocked from the site because my VPN

On 4/10/2022 at 8:09 AM, CartagenaWarlock said:

Bring her on a finance visa (K1) which is easier to obtain. After she lands in the USA, marry her in Las Vegas within 90-day, get her a social security number and apply for Green card. While waiting for a GC, get her a work permit and enroll her in a community college. 

Looks like a couple people laughed at your response, but never replied to it to explain why... You dont think it would be easier to get married in Thailand first? Will she obtain a SSN right after we marry? 

On 4/10/2022 at 8:05 AM, bkk6060 said:

Good luck.  My friend waited 15 months for a U.S k-1 approval.

Then, after being in the states for several months he still has not gotten the proper documents approved so his wife can work.  They have just been sitting around waiting bored to death and his wife started drinking everyday.  He is regretting all of it at this point wishes he was back in Thailand and single.

 

Why doesn't she just work off the books? My gf is hard core when I comes to not abusing substances. 

On 4/10/2022 at 5:09 AM, gt162 said:

"but get ur stories straight,  (you did NOT meet in a bar)"

 

You're right, US Embassy in BKK knows most Thai/Farang marriages/relationships are between Thai bargirls and/or freelancers from online dating web sites like ThaiCupid, ThaiFriendly, ThaiFlirting, Tinder, etc, etc. They goes through these all the time and are required to makes sure it's real. 

US Embassy like other embassies wants to know this is not just a fling, loneliness, desperation, mistake and be burden to tax payers back home.

 

We did meet on Tinder almost two years ago. Should we say we met somewhere else? 

On 4/9/2022 at 8:53 PM, zzzzz said:

Been there, done that 
TWICE>( 2 different thai ladies)
1st time married in Thailand and she went as my wife
2nd time Fiancé visa ( K-1) and married within 90 days 

you dont need a lawyer.  but get ur stories straight,  (you did NOT meet in a bar) have photo's to back up ur relationship and it really helps if;
1. you live together for awhile 

2, she has travelled out of Thailand with you

FYI: the process is very straight forward and it might take a  bit longer than 11 months,  as you can only do 1 step at a time an cant do the next step till the previous one is done and approved. so dont make any plans just yet.

 

The tourists visa is hard to get unless she is educated, employed and possibly owns land /house
 

Thanks for this. We have:

tons of photos (2 years worth).

lived together (not sure how to prove this)

She is getting her Bachelors next month.

She has work for Pandora for 10 + years

but, she doesn't own any property.

It sounds like our first step would be to get married here in Thailand and obtain our marriage cert.? 

On 4/9/2022 at 8:47 PM, Maha Sarakham said:

Have your soon to be Thai wife join the Facebook groups called 'visausa@thai' and 'VISA2USA'.

 

These are two very active and organized groups that the Thai ladies document the steps required and support one another with pursuing their green cards.

 

My wife recommends at the time of this post, that marrying in Thailand prior to coming to the USA is the fastest route, subsequently applying for a CR1 Visa instead of the K1 Visa.  Due to significant covid delays, waiting for a green card has taken some ladies up to 2 years going the K1 route, while the CR1 will facilitate the green card up front and likely take less time.

 

Hope that helps.

Thank you. We are aware of the VISA2VISA forum and she is on it. We will dig more into getting married here into Thailand first. Good advice. 

On 4/9/2022 at 8:15 PM, impulse said:

The first reason to get an immigration attorney is to decide whether the K-1 path is the best for his plans.  (Does he want to get married in Thailand, or later in the USA?)

 

Once she's declared an intent to get married, the simple 10 year multi entry tourist visa is off the table.  And that may be the simplest and quickest way to get her to the USA to see if she even likes it there.

 

I'm not claiming to be an expert.  There's lawyers for that.  I just know enough guys that have regrets over the way they went about it and complicated the process, some adding years.

 

I dont plan on marrying her in Thailand, unless that somehow made the process easier. 

I plan on flying my girlfriend to the states in a little less than a year from now (11 months or so) so that we can work and live together in California. I do plan on legally marrying her to help with her US citizenship process. So that we can start to feel out this arduous process, should she be looking to obtain a nonimmigrant work visa initially, or should she look to immediately obtain an immigrant visa? Any advice or good sources for information would be appreciated. 

Khrap Phom ????

15 minutes ago, jackdd said:

The landlord is wrong, probably just too lazy to do it.

Ok ill let him know. I wont be able to stay here if he does not fill it out for me.