Best option for US/Filipino couple?

[wanderingengine]

My girlfriend and I are looking for someplace where we can reunite. I am from the US and she is from the Philippines; I am vaccinated and she is not. The Philippines is closed to foreign visitors with no end in sight.

We are hoping to reunite in Thailand.

I read in a few places that visa on arrival is still active, including for Filipinos, and is now 45 days. It can be extended by 30 days, followed by 60-day covid extensions as long as they continue. However, Traveldoc (klm.traveldoc.aero) seems to suggest that a visa is required. Which is correct? Is there a link to anything official?

I am aware of the need to get a COE. That's no problem. However, a COE is not a visa.

Finally, if we can get in, is there an advantage to flying in to the Phuket sandbox instead of Bangkok? I think that we would have to do the 14 day quarantine anyway. Is it a "better" quarantine than the one in Bangkok?

[DrJack54]

I wish you luck.

For me I think it's a crazy idea. Wait 6 months minimum. I assume that you are aware of current situation in Thailand.

Perhaps some guys might have more helpful advice.

Edited July 4, 2021 by DrJack54

[wanderingengine]

Same thing everywhere. Anyway, her chances of getting vaccinated are better in Thailand than in the Philippines.

I would really appreciate help understanding the visa-on-arrival system and Bangkok vs. the Phuket sandbox.

[Salerno]

2 hours ago, wanderingengine said:

I read in a few places that visa on arrival is still active, including for Filipinos, and is now 45 days.

 

Correct ... kind of; what you are talking about is visa exempt not visa on arrival (which is still not an option and is irrelevant for you and your girl).

 

2 hours ago, wanderingengine said:

It can be extended by 30 days, followed by 60-day covid extensions as long as they continue.

 

Correct.

 

2 hours ago, wanderingengine said:

However, Traveldoc (klm.traveldoc.aero) seems to suggest that a visa is required.

 

Incorrect ... with respect to you and your girl; see first comment above (haven't looked but likely they are actually talking about countries that are eligible for visa on arrival in normal times).

 

2 hours ago, wanderingengine said:

Finally, if we can get in, is there an advantage to flying in to the Phuket sandbox instead of Bangkok?

 

For you there would be, not your girl as she's not vaccinated therefore, sandbox isn't an option for.

 

IMO, best plan would be to see if there is any way possible to coordinate a transit on the way to Thailand where you and your girl can meet and be on the same inbound flight. That way you could quarantine together in an ASQ.

 

That or get her locked in a room on her own for 14/15 nights while you chill out and are free to roam in Phuket : )

 

Edit: you also need to keep an eye on what countries (if any) are totally banned entry at any given time. Philippines is currently high risk so not eligible for sandbox even if she was vaccinated.

 

Edited July 4, 2021 by Salerno

[BritTim]

I assume reuniting on a temporary basis (perhaps three months) in the US is not an option. That aside, some places in Europe might be possible, though the Covid situation is in a constant state of flux everywhere that is reasonably welcoming to visitors. What you can afford financially is also a consideration. I regard this as a bad time to be visiting Thailand.

[wanderingengine]

6 hours ago, Salerno said:

 

IMO, best plan would be to see if there is any way possible to coordinate a transit on the way to Thailand where you and your girl can meet and be on the same inbound flight. That way you could quarantine together in an ASQ.

 

That or get her locked in a room on her own for 14/15 nights while you chill out and are free to roam in Phuket : )

 

Edit: you also need to keep an eye on what countries (if any) are totally banned entry at any given time. Philippines is currently high risk so not eligible for sandbox even if she was vaccinated.

Thanks. Better get the COEs before the situation changes again....

 

Do you know where the "banned countries" list can be found?

Edited July 5, 2021 by wanderingengine

[BritTim]

1 hour ago, wanderingengine said:

Do you know where the "banned countries" list can be found?

 

There are very few outright banned countries. Indeed, I think India is the only one at this time. However, there are a lot more countries where you cannot get a COE for the sandbox. There is an official list of these, but the UK, for instance, appears not to be banned yet for use of the sandbox in spite of having been recently assigned the "high risk" label. As I understand it, you will not care about that as your girlfriend must use ASQ, and it seems you will attempt to do so with her.

[ubonjoe]

40 minutes ago, BritTim said:

I think India is the only one at this time.

There are more than just India.

Source after clicking Thailand on the map here. https://www.iatatravelcentre.com/world.php

43 minutes ago, BritTim said:

There is an official list of these, but the UK, for instance, appears not to be banned yet for use of the sandbox in spite of having been recently assigned the "high risk" label.

The UK is still shown on the above site as allowed for the sandbox. It seems the MFA has not taken the UK off the list.

[DrJack54]

49 minutes ago, BritTim said:

but the UK, for instance, appears not to be banned yet for use of the sandbox in spite of having been recently assigned the "high risk" label

Cuts both ways. Would not come as a surprise if UK closes borders to Thailand. Labor pushing for that. 

[Thalueng]

I don't believe you can reunite in Thailand. Thailand currently allows foreigners to enter Thailand only if they hold certain visa types, which you can find described in a download pdf file under Consular Services of the Royal Thai Embassy in Manila. In any case, your g/f would need to obtain a visa before leaving the Philippines, but as said I highly doubt she would be able to do so. Without such a visa she would not be allowed to board the airplane in the Philippines.

[BritTim]

12 minutes ago, Thalueng said:

I don't believe you can reunite in Thailand. Thailand currently allows foreigners to enter Thailand only if they hold certain visa types, which you can find described in a download pdf file under Consular Services of the Royal Thai Embassy in Manila. In any case, your g/f would need to obtain a visa before leaving the Philippines, but as said I highly doubt she would be able to do so. Without such a visa she would not be allowed to board the airplane in the Philippines.

 

Your point about the difficulty of leaving the Philippines is a good one. Philippine women who have not travelled before will have especial difficulty trying to do so now.

 

On the other hand, I believe Philippine nationals are at this time still allowed to enter Thailand visa exempt, and the embassy would issue the necessary Certificate of Entry assuming flight, ASQ and insurance requirements were met.

[Thalueng]

11 minutes ago, BritTim said:

 

Your point about the difficulty of leaving the Philippines is a good one. Philippine women who have not travelled before will have especial difficulty trying to do so now.

 

On the other hand, I believe Philippine nationals are at this time still allowed to enter Thailand visa exempt, and the embassy would issue the necessary Certificate of Entry assuming flight, ASQ and insurance requirements were met.

As far as I'm aware of all visa exempt immigration is suspended at the moment. You need to obtain a visa before leaving your home country, without which you cannot obtain a COE.

[Salerno]

2 minutes ago, Thalueng said:

As far as I'm aware of all visa exempt immigration is suspended at the moment. You need to obtain a visa before leaving your home country, without which you cannot obtain a COE.

 

Visa exempt was reintroduced in December.

[connda]

Best option for US/Filipino couple?

Either the US or the Philippians. 

[Thalueng]

8 minutes ago, Salerno said:

 

Visa exempt was reintroduced in December.

Thanks, you seem to be correct, so maybe my whole explanation is wrong. Sorry if I have created any confusion.

[mvdf]

If she is in the Philippines, her chances of winning the lottery would be more realistic than being allowed to exit the country. Philippines immigration was even stricter during pre-pandemic years for Filipinas. How much more during these restrictive times. 

[TooBigToFit]

I'm sure after the Covid lockdown there are a lot of Thai girls who would like to get back together with their old boyfriends too or any boyfriend for that matter. Good luck with it in these tough times for everyone.

[2 is 1]

19 hours ago, wanderingengine said:

The Philippines is closed to foreign visitors with no end in sight.

As i know all people can request visa to Philippines  (only from few country not possible), if you married to Filipina you get country whitout visa whit her (Balikbayan right). Need book quarantine hotel etc. 

Things chance all the time but this is sitution travelers from Europe now. You should contact to Empassy in US and ask what is visa situation to Philippines now.

[ubonjoe]

1 hour ago, 2 is 1 said:

As i know all people can request visa to Philippines  (only from few country not possible), if you married to Filipina you get country whitout visa whit her (Balikbayan right). Need book quarantine hotel etc. 

Things chance all the time but this is sitution travelers from Europe now. You should contact to Empassy in US and ask what is visa situation to Philippines now.

Clicking the Philippines on this map it appears the Philippines is more restrictive than Thailand at this time. 

https://www.iatatravelcentre.com/world.php

Edit: FYI the info is dated June 29, 2021.

Edited July 5, 2021 by ubonjoe

[CharlieH]

Post in  violation of format and fair use policy removed.

[2 is 1]

Is this better? Dated 1.7.2021 rules who can travel Philippines from Norway Embassy pages!

 

https://www.philembassy.no/newsroom/covid-19-public-advisory-no-56-guidelines-on-the-entry-of-filipinos-and-foreign-nationals

[ubonjoe]

20 minutes ago, 2 is 1 said:

Is this better? Dated 1.7.2021 rules who can travel Philippines from Norway Embassy pages!

It still appears to be more restrictive than Thailand as i wrote before. The green list of countries is very short compared to Thailand.

[wanderingengine]

Thanks for all the info.

 

She has traveled before. She really had to prove herself the first time; hopefully, getting out of the Philippines won't be as bad this time since she already has a few stamps in her passport.

 

Foreigners can only enter the Philippines if they are married, which we are not. There are a couple of other exceptions (special investor visas, retirement visas, etc.), but they do not apply here. If I could go there, I would. Its both cheaper and easier for one person to fly than for two to fly and coordinate.

[wanderingengine]

So, she submitted her application and got a "pre-approved" letter in a few minutes. Obviously, nobody has reviewed the documentation to decide whether they like it or not.

 

Is it safe to buy the plane ticket or is there a real pre-approval that should happen in the next 2-3 days?

Edited July 6, 2021 by wanderingengine

[BritTim]

5 minutes ago, wanderingengine said:

So, she submitted her application and got a "pre-approved" letter in a few minutes. Obviously, nobody has reviewed the documentation to decide whether they like it or not.

 

Is it safe to buy the plane ticket or is there a real pre-approval that should happen in the next 2-3 days?

If it is her intention to fly to Bangkok, and the application you are referring to is the Certificate of Entry for Thailand, I would not worry overmuch. If she meets the requirements (including Covid insurance) the Thai embassy is unlikely to be difficult. As far as being able to leave the Philippines is concerned, I really have no idea how troublesome that is likely to be. There could still be some risk of denied travel even when everything seems finalised and she is checking in at the airport.

[ubonjoe]

14 minutes ago, wanderingengine said:

So, she submitted her application and got a "pre-approved" letter in a few minutes. Obviously, nobody has reviewed the documentation to decide whether they like it or not.

The pre approval means that she qualifies to enter the country based upon the info provided.

There will be no more until she uploads her flight info, ASQ hotel reservations and covid 19 insurance proof.

[wanderingengine]

I was surprised to be rejected by the consulate in Los Angeles for not entering a "complete address in Thailand". I don't know what my address in Thailand will be, other than a SHA hotel. What are other people doing for this?

[ubonjoe]

7 minutes ago, wanderingengine said:

I was surprised to be rejected by the consulate in Los Angeles for not entering a "complete address in Thailand". I don't know what my address in Thailand will be, other than a SHA hotel. What are other people doing for this?

Pick a hotel someplace and use that for your address after the 14 days in the sandbox.

[wanderingengine]

So, they finally gave me the pre-approval.

When I first started this "journey", I visited https://asq.in.th/, clicked "non-married couples" and satisfied myself that there was a reasonable selection of hotels that we could stay at together. Now that I am booking, I see that most of them want double the price for two people.

 

I want to be sure that we will be able to do the quarantine together; otherwise, my plans need to change. Has anyone attempted to do a non-married ASQ together (sharing one room) in Bangkok? Can you recommend a hotel? Please use private message.

Edited July 16, 2021 by wanderingengine

[BritTim]

(No specific recommendation) but I have seen a couple of reports of unmarried couples arriving together on the same flight, being allowed to use the same room. Also, they seem to have been given (in at least one case) a small discount. It is reasonable that you do not get a large discount as the hotel is faced with double the costs for many of the services they provide.