visa run to Phillpines

[terryc]

I attended the embassy to obtain 60/90 day tourist visa for me and my Phillipina partner.

 

They seemed friendly enough, but quitely change their poilcy at the drop of a hat. They questioned my 2 day hotel booking, screenshot of my bank acount (full of information, if you use a bank statement PDF make sure it contains enough information, and sponsorship letter. The sponsorship letter carries little weight these days due to policy change.

With the benefit of hindsight I should have:

 

1 Helped her open an account in her name put 1000 USD (Its the only reliable method!) the account and transferred the money later (can also be a blood relative AC of the Phillpina, IF they are willing to cooperate). 

 

2 Had an existing rental agreement in thailand.

 

Anyway, we were successful, so here is the advice. Arrive at the Embassy early Monday morning and be aware of public holidays Have a flight booked for say Saturday. Your Hotel will help with print outs. A monday morning submission means a wedensday afternoon pick up. Any problems they will phone you. Be humble. Also, it doesnt hurt to arrive at the Embassy 30 mind before opening time when applying.

 

If they take your money your chances are high. If applications fail you can normally fly in on a 30 day visa exemption, assumming your history isnt too crazy. No point in wasting the tickets. Your Asian partner must have travelled before or they will examine the relation to rule out pimping ????.Once you are in Thailand money buys pretty much anything.

 

IMHO we got our TRs okay because our travel historys stacked up.

 

Terry

[Destiny1990]

Now lets turn this hassle around..

Your are in Thailand and like to go to the Phillipines with your Thai gf..

In that case Just buy 2 plane return tickets at Suvarnabhumi  and buy a 30 day visa up on arrival in Manila. u may stay up to 3 years!.. sounds less complicated that way..

[BritManToo]

3 minutes ago, Destiny1990 said:

Now lets turn this hassle around..

Your are in Thailand and like to go to the Phillipines with your Thai gf..

In that case Just buy 2 plane return tickets at Suvarnabhumi  and buy a 30 day visa up on arrival in Manila. u may stay up to 3 years!.. sounds less complicated that way..

30 day VISA waiver on entry free for western folk entering Philippines.

[rodentwarrior]

If you plan to stay longer than 30 days, you can get a Visa On Arrival (VOA) extension, which gives you 60 days.  You must go to the office before passing through immigration.  I can't remember the fee, but it's not much.  You can also extend your 30 day free Visa at any local immigration office, by another 30 days for a small fee.  It is indeed possible to stay in the Philippines for up to 3 years, on tourist Visas.  It is far easier to live in the Philippines than Thailand, any day of the week!

[ubonjoe]

29 minutes ago, rodentwarrior said:

If you plan to stay longer than 30 days, you can get a Visa On Arrival (VOA) extension, which gives you 60 days. 

A visa on arrival is only for 15 days and cannot be extended. A visa on arrival is only for those from 21 countries.

You seem to be writing about a 30 day visa exempt entry that can be extended for 30 days at immigration.

[rodentwarrior]

56 minutes ago, ubonjoe said:

A visa on arrival is only for 15 days and cannot be extended. A visa on arrival is only for those from 21 countries.

You seem to be writing about a 30 day visa exempt entry that can be extended for 30 days at immigration.

Visa on arrival in the Philippines is 30 days for a UK Passport.  But if you approach immigration, at the airside, you can get a 60 day Visa.  I know this because I do it all the time.  It maybe different for other nationalities.

[Proboscis]

9 hours ago, rodentwarrior said:

If you plan to stay longer than 30 days, you can get a Visa On Arrival (VOA) extension, which gives you 60 days.  You must go to the office before passing through immigration.  I can't remember the fee, but it's not much.  You can also extend your 30 day free Visa at any local immigration office, by another 30 days for a small fee.  It is indeed possible to stay in the Philippines for up to 3 years, on tourist Visas.  It is far easier to live in the Philippines than Thailand, any day of the week!

In the Philippines, a foreigners from many countries can buy a bond for about $14,000 (that amount may have changed) and get residency with all the benefits of citizenship except voting for as long as they want. When they want to give it up, they get their money back. They can even use an investment instead of a bond but the bond is easier for most.

[watcharacters]

11 minutes ago, Proboscis said:

In the Philippines, a foreigners from many countries can buy a bond for about $14,000 (that amount may have changed) and get residency with all the benefits of citizenship except voting for as long as they want. When they want to give it up, they get their money back. They can even use an investment instead of a bond but the bond is easier for most.

 

 

Funny how that hasn't been mentioned earlier in all the discussion threads about alternative countries to Thailand.      

[BritManToo]

18 minutes ago, watcharacters said:

Funny how that hasn't been mentioned earlier in all the discussion threads about alternative countries to Thailand.      

It's been mentioned many times, truth is it's easier and cheaper to just rock up and stay on holiday extensions for three years, then leave for a day and repeat.

[onera1961]

4 hours ago, BritManToo said:

30 day VISA waiver on entry free for western folk entering Philippines.

Many Asian countries also, including Nepal. Many African countries also.

[lensta]

1 hour ago, Proboscis said:

In the Philippines, a foreigners from many countries can buy a bond for about $14,000 (that amount may have changed) and get residency with all the benefits of citizenship except voting for as long as they want. When they want to give it up, they get their money back. They can even use an investment instead of a bond but the bond is easier for most.

I would be interested in knowing how to do this.

[ubonjoe]

3 hours ago, rodentwarrior said:

Visa on arrival in the Philippines is 30 days for a UK Passport. 

The topic is about a Thai visa not visas for Philippines so I assumed you were writing about a visa exempt entry for Thailand.

[rodentwarrior]

1 hour ago, ubonjoe said:

The topic is about a Thai visa not visas for Philippines so I assumed you were writing about a visa exempt entry for Thailand.

The topic is about Visa runs to the Phillpines (sic), not specifically about Thai Visas.  I was simply explaining the availability of Visas on arrival in the Philippines.  Sorry if you were confused.

 

As far as I know, the visa exempt entry for Thailand is still 30 days?  I haven't been to LOS for more than 3 years.

[brianthainess]

On 5/10/2019 at 2:13 PM, rodentwarrior said:

The topic is about Visa runs to the Phillpines (sic), not specifically about Thai Visas.  I was simply explaining the availability of Visas on arrival in the Philippines.  Sorry if you were confused.

 

As far as I know, the visa exempt entry for Thailand is still 30 days?  I haven't been to LOS for more than 3 years.

And can extend at any immigration office for another 30 days,

[crees]

Great information for those of us that want to remain in Asia but need to move on from Thailand. Thailand is my families first choice, P.I. is second and Viet Nam is third

[baansgr]

On ‎5‎/‎10‎/‎2019 at 11:21 AM, watcharacters said:

 

 

Funny how that hasn't been mentioned earlier in all the discussion threads about alternative countries to Thailand.      

It has many times SRVV is an easy option at $10,000 for anyone over 37 years of age ...no 90 days, no border runs, stay for life...its all out there. Has a few options and better still ex servicemen get prefered benefits.

[watcharacters]

On 5/10/2019 at 11:41 AM, BritManToo said:

It's been mentioned many times, truth is it's easier and cheaper to just rock up and stay on holiday extensions for three years, then leave for a day and repeat.

 

 

So let me get this straight.    A person can fly to the PI and stop off at a government agency  (immigration?) and establish a bond for the sum of 14,000 USD and "get residency with all the benefits of citizenship, except voting, for as long as they want. And when they want to give it up, they get their money back"?

 

On the face of it, it definitely sounds like it falls in the category of "if it sounds too go to be true..."

 

What say you?    I only ask about that 14K claim.

 

[BritManToo]

58 minutes ago, watcharacters said:

 

 

So let me get this straight.    A person can fly to the PI and stop off at a government agency  (immigration?) and establish a bond for the sum of 14,000 USD and "get residency with all the benefits of citizenship, except voting, for as long as they want. And when they want to give it up, they get their money back"?

 

On the face of it, it definitely sounds like it falls in the category of "if it sounds too go to be true..."

 

What say you?    I only ask about that 14K claim.

 

There's yearly fees as well, around $300/person/year, and an application fee of $$$$s

https://www.philembassy.no/consular-services/visa/special-resident-retirees-visa-srrv

 

It's pointless but a lot of retentive old farts need feelings of security that they feel this gives them.

Extending your tourist VISA/waiver is easier and cheaper.

(deposit is $10k with pension, $20k without pension)

Edited May 12, 2019 by BritManToo

[wotsdermatter]

On 5/9/2019 at 8:26 PM, Destiny1990 said:

Your are in Thailand and like to go to the Phillipines with your Thai gf..

 

On 5/9/2019 at 6:44 AM, terryc said:

I attended the embassy to obtain 60/90 day tourist visa for me and my Phillipina partner.

No need to turn anything around as the comment never mentioned a Thai girlfriend but a Phillipina female. 

'nuf sed.

[AtoZ]

2 hours ago, watcharacters said:

 

 

So let me get this straight.    A person can fly to the PI and stop off at a government agency  (immigration?) and establish a bond for the sum of 14,000 USD and "get residency with all the benefits of citizenship, except voting, for as long as they want. And when they want to give it up, they get their money back"?

 

On the face of it, it definitely sounds like it falls in the category of "if it sounds too go to be true..."

 

What say you?    I only ask about that 14K claim.

 

Some countries realize that long term expats with outside money are 100% net benefit for their country.

 

Thailand don't, they already sucked billions and feel invincible. 

[dbrenn]

On 5/10/2019 at 2:41 PM, BritManToo said:

It's been mentioned many times, truth is it's easier and cheaper to just rock up and stay on holiday extensions for three years, then leave for a day and repeat.

You'd have to be pretty desperate to live in the Philippines. Alongside Jakarta, Manila is the anus of south east Asia, the infrastructure is terrible, and the food is vile.

 

Thailand is still, and always will be, far better. That's why it can be as fussy as the western world about who gets permission to stay.

Edited May 12, 2019 by dbrenn

[BritManToo]

1 minute ago, dbrenn said:

You'd have to be pretty desperate to live in the Philippines. Alongside Jakarta, Manila is the anus of south east Asia, the infrastructure is terrible, and the food is vile.

 

Thailand is still, and always will be, far better. That's why it can be as fussy as the western world about who gets permission to stay.

Barretto, Olongapo, Zambales is a really great place, I usually transit through capital cities which are all generally shitholes.

[dbrenn]

1 hour ago, BritManToo said:

Barretto, Olongapo, Zambales is a really great place, I usually transit through capital cities which are all generally shitholes.

And I haven't even started on the national gateway: that dilapidated and festering sore that is Manila airport.

 

Some parts of the Philippines may be nice for a visit. Just bring your own food, medicine, etc, and fly back to Thailand when you get sick of the place.

[AtoZ]

9 hours ago, dbrenn said:

And I haven't even started on the national gateway: that dilapidated and festering sore that is Manila airport.

 

Some parts of the Philippines may be nice for a visit. Just bring your own food, medicine, etc, and fly back to Thailand when you get sick of the place.

lol, you can get great western food in most tourist places for 1/3 of the cost in Thailand

 

of course if you like your som tum and sticky rice, then stick to Thailand

[BritManToo]

15 hours ago, dbrenn said:

And I haven't even started on the national gateway: that dilapidated and festering sore that is Manila airport.

I quite liked Manila airport, had a special lane for the over 60's so I didn't have to queue.

Toilets were clean, food court was cheap.

[Mike Teavee]

34 minutes ago, BritManToo said:

I quite liked Manila airport, had a special lane for the over 60's so I didn't have to queue.

Toilets were clean, food court was cheap.

Cheer up, when you hit 70 you'll also be able to use fast track in Thailand ????

 

Not a fan of MNL since it took me 1 hour to transfer to the domestic terminal (yes traffic really is bad in Manila) for an onward flight, much prefer flying into Cebu, Borocay or Davao 

 

To the OP: Is a Thailand Visa still free in Manila and by "Sponsorship Letter" was this a letter that you wrote or an official Red Ribbon document certified by DFA?

 

Edited May 13, 2019 by Mike Teavee

[ExpatPH]

On 5/12/2019 at 4:18 PM, dbrenn said:

And I haven't even started on the national gateway: that dilapidated and festering sore that is Manila airport.

 

 

Philippines has 12 International airports.

Easy to avoid Manila, if that's important for some.

 

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_airports_in_the_Philippines

 

[ExpatPH]

Manila requirement: 

 

* Bank statement showing 1.000 USD.

 

*Plane ticket arrival and departure.

 

* Hotel accommodation for the full period of stay.

 

* Alternative lease contract.

 

[BritManToo]

On 5/13/2019 at 7:38 AM, Mike Teavee said:

Not a fan of MNL since it took me 1 hour to transfer to the domestic terminal

Should have walked, domestic is only 1Km from the two international terminals.

I usually walk from the international, to the bus station (Pasey City), and walk past domestic.

Edited May 14, 2019 by BritManToo

[BritManToo]

19 minutes ago, ExpatPH said:

Manila requirement: 

* Bank statement showing 1.000 USD.

*Plane ticket arrival and departure.

* Hotel accommodation for the full period of stay.

* Alternative lease contract.

I have no idea what you're on about.

I've never arrived at Manila airport with anything but the return ticket.

Edited May 14, 2019 by BritManToo