hi, how is with the visa in phillipines?

[BritManToo]

41 minutes ago, nickmondo said:

put up with the visa nonsense in Thailand if you want to be in a nice country with nice food, nice accom........everything in Thailand is better. 

The PH is a toilet, it really is. its much more expensive and its much lower quality.

 

Beaches and sea around PI were always better than Thailand + no bitey sandflies on the beaches.

[bob smith]

On 9/5/2023 at 3:02 AM, SuperSaiyan said:

No, you just need to extend it the first time after 59. I don't have the exact dates in my head, but it is something like: Extend first after 59 days for another 60 days, then after 60 days extend it for 90 days and after 90 days you can extend it for a year or so.

 

You can stay inside Philippines for up to 3 years without leaving! After 3 years you just do a border run by flying in and out and you can stay another 3 years! It's an absolute dream!

wow.

 

That sounds great!

 

and I am in what many would consider to be a privileged visa situation here in Thailand.

 

I also hate the bureaucracy of this place and I am always keeping my options open. I may pay an extended visit to the Phils before I relocate abroad next year. I've heard a lot of good things about those girls....

[Scouse123]

48 minutes ago, SuperSaiyan said:

How much is such a "popular opinion thread" worth if it's not even looking at the visa situation? And then the anecdotes over and over and never forget the "we expats in Thailand are better" bit. Everybody needs to see and compare it for himself.

If you had read the thread Visas and many other issues at that time were covered. It was a very long thread dealing with many aspects of Thailand and the Philippines.

 

Nobody is talking about ' we expats in Thailand are better ' as you are suggesting, this is based on mine and other posters extensive travels throughout South East Asia and covering the good and bad points of all the countries that we visited.

 

It did used to be far easier for under 50s to stay in Thailand but for various reasons, those days are gone.

 

Stop looking for friction where there isn't any and going on the defense when somebody offers up a different point of view.

 

 

 

 

 

[SuperSaiyan]

Just now, Scouse123 said:

If you had read the thread Visas and many other issues at that time were covered. It was a very long thread dealing with many aspects of Thailand and the Philippines.

 

Nobody is talking about ' we expats in Thailand are better ' as you are suggesting, this is based on mine and other posters extensive travels throughout South East Asia and covering the good and bad points of all the countries that we visited.

 

It did used to be far e3asier for under 50s to stay in Thailand but for various reasons, those days are gone.

 

Stop looking for friction where there isn't any and going on the defense when somebody offers up a different point of view.

 

Don't get so defensive about your great comparison thread. All threads about Thailand vs. Philippines always end up with the majority here on this forum of Thailand expats telling how better they are than the poor sods living in the Philippines.

 

I have lived in Thailand for 10 years and 1 year in the Philippines, I value my opinion much more than some randoms having lived a few months in Thailand and none in the Philippines while telling me how bad everything there is, not meaning you personally, however have you lived in the Philippines?

[BritManToo]

58 minutes ago, Scouse123 said:

Complaints included terrible food, expensive to rent very basic accommodation, utilities expensive, bad living conditions and rampant poverty, too many guns with people more than prepared to use them.Guards with machine guns and metal detectors at shopping malls. They also said you must remain very vigilant.

 

Many of these countries such as Philippines and Cambodia get people that cannot afford the rules and regulations to stay in Thailand.

I like all 3 countries.

Can't understand the excessive 'love Thailand' posts.

Nothing special about it, except the Thai gangs kicking the poop out of male foreign tourists.

Filipinos are always very polite, I much prefer being called 'sir' or 'boss' to 'you' or 'farang'.

[BE88]

25 minutes ago, parafareno said:

 

 

 

about your opinion in thailand almost everybody speaks english...besides old people...i never had problems....only like girls from rural areas do not speak english, but i used the app, but it was really rare....

 

 

 

I think you spoke English only with those who worked in your hotel or restaurant in Thailand, as for your concern to find beautiful women like Italian man rest assured that in the Philippines there are hundreds of thousands to millions of them.

 

[parafareno]

26 minutes ago, marin said:

As I recall you had some health problems while here. The medical care is not up to par in the Philippines especially outside of Manila. The food is going to be a really big deal for you. Their fruit in no way is near Thailand's as most is imported from China. Good luck.  

yes medical evenin thailand they did not resolve so i had to go back to eu and it dissapeared on its own so i am not worried about that

how come they dont grow mango? It is same climate as in thailand

[parafareno]

5 minutes ago, BE88 said:

I think you spoke English only with those who worked in your hotel or restaurant in Thailand, as for your concern to find beautiful women like Italian man rest assured that in the Philippines there are hundreds of thousands to millions of them.

 

no all my girls spoke perfect english...and that is most important, also in all restaurants everybody spoke english..i rarely came across somebody who did not speak english....even girls in clubs...all spoke english....only 1 girl that came to visit me from chonburi did not speak almost no english...and i met like 30 girls all with almost perfect english...on the other hand....russian chaps really did not speak no english in most cases lol...i will try i guess and if i dont like it i will go back to thailand like now for the 7th or 8th time lol...  also i wanted to go to colombia, which seems even cheaper and the girls are stunners and cray cray for foreigners.... so it is either Phillipines, colombia or back to regular old thailand

[actonion]

9 hours ago, GypsyT said:

I didn't like the prez who liked to kill thousands of his own people.

Now it's time go and see beautiful islands and friendly people.

 

 

Not so different in Thailand, remember "Black May" in  1992   the riots  in Bangkok when  over 100 died,  200 injured,  over 200 disappeared,  violent clashes between  Army /Police  / Demonstrators

[parafareno]

but i agree xenophobia is really bad in thailand especially from like taxi drivers, older uneducated people....young people not so much lol

[BE88]

30 minutes ago, parafareno said:

no all my girls spoke perfect english...and that is most important, also in all restaurants everybody spoke english..i rarely came across somebody who did not speak english....even girls in clubs...all spoke english....only 1 girl that came to visit me from chonburi did not speak almost no english...and i met like 30 girls all with almost perfect english...on the other hand....russian chaps really did not speak no english in most cases lol...i will try i guess and if i dont like it i will go back to thailand like now for the 7th or 8th time lol...  also i wanted to go to colombia, which seems even cheaper and the girls are stunners and cray cray for foreigners.... so it is either Phillipines, colombia or back to regular old thailand

Are you sure you have been to Thailand?

Because in my normal life I always find nobody or in rare cases someone who speaks English.

 

[parafareno]

12 minutes ago, BE88 said:

Are you sure you have been to Thailand?

Because in my normal life I always find nobody or in rare cases someone who speaks English.

 

i was in pattaya and in bkk ... almost everybody speak english...even girls in 7/11 

[jaideedave]

2 hours ago, Scouse123 said:

I did a very popular thread on this a few years ago now on Thai Visa forum and the overwhelming opinion was, with the exception of English speaking women, nothing much else to go for. Also, plenty of scams from the women there as well as Thailand, they just do it in a different way.

 

There was the odd poster who liked it in the Philippines but they were very much in the minority.

 

Far more unpredictable and volatile than Thailand.

 

Complaints included terrible food, expensive to rent very basic accommodation, utilities expensive, bad living conditions and rampant poverty, too many guns with people more than prepared to use them.Guards with machine guns and metal detectors at shopping malls. They also said you must remain very vigilant.

 

Many of these countries such as Philippines and Cambodia get people that cannot afford the rules and regulations to stay in Thailand.

 

I rent a house to a Filipina lady working in Thailand, she does not have a very high opinion of the place but loves her family of course. She doesn't run the place down, it's more a case of what she doesn't say.

 

I have never inquired much other than passing pleasantries but she just says he is happier working here.

 

For great local food, fruit and vegetables, you will be hard pressed to beat Thailand in this region.

Back in the day a small group of us booked a 2 week vacay to the PP looking for p4p and found it in Ermita district.We also found it very dangerous and and generally an uncomfortable rip off everywhere.

After 1 week we rebooked our tickets back to LOS and never looked back.

[Phillip9]

1 hour ago, parafareno said:

how come they dont grow mango? It is same climate as in thailand

They certainly grow mangos and other tropical fruit, but it's a bit harder to find than in Thailand.  You usually have to go to the one central market in each town.  There are not lots of roadside vendors or night markets like in Thailand.  

 

[BritManToo]

17 minutes ago, jaideedave said:

Back in the day a small group of us booked a 2 week vacay to the PP looking for p4p and found it in Ermita district.We also found it very dangerous and and generally an uncomfortable rip off everywhere.

After 1 week we rebooked our tickets back to LOS and never looked back.

Should have gone to Barretto or Angeles.

[jaideedave]

1 hour ago, BritManToo said:

Should have gone to Barretto or Angeles.

I recall we took the Victory Liner to Subic/Alongapo for 2-3 days a few months after Mt Pinatubo blew.

[eddiesdad]

I currently work in the Philippines but live in Thailand. 2 months there then 2 months here.  Worked in Asia in general for 30 years, Thailand for 13 years.

When I am in the Philippines I live in a purpose built factory managers house. This is in a Freeport zone.  The house is OK but build quality is not particularly good.  Same issues as Thailand, damp rising in the walls, things breaking or never finished.  Food is cooked by two women hired for the job.  I constantly have stomach problems.  The food is not good.  Diabetes is rampant. You will see many dialysis signs as you travel around. 

There are guards on everything.  Fact - these private guards if you total all of them together actually outnumber the total number of soldiers in the Philippine army.  You do get used to them eventually but you have to ask yourself what are we dealing with here that needs this level of survelance.  All the workers in my factory are inspected in and out daily - no exceptions.

Is it more dangerous - I don't know.  Both Thailand and the Philippines can get you into trouble if you go looking for it.  I find the Filipinos to be more engaging and friendly.  I go hiking on my days off.  I go alone into remote jungle.  No matter where you go you will find a squat with dirt poor people living in it - even huge distances inside the jungle.  They are normally friendly but I think that will also depend on how you greet them.  I have never had a problem.  

Manilla has only one district that looks affluent - the financial district.  All the rest of Manilla is of a lower quality compared say to Bangkok. 

The Philippines is made up of several thousand islands.  The law of averages says there has to be many places of beauty to stay.  Some of those places will be tourist traps.  I have always thought that if enough time was given to looking then I'm sure a good location could be found.  

My feeling is you need to accept that you will have to cook for yourself if for no other reason than your health.  To put it simply, Philippine food is bad.  Some people may accept it but you will pay a price in the long run.

Price wise it is probably similar to both countries - some things are cheaper, some more expensive.  Put together it could be a wash.   It would also depend on where you were wanting to live in each country.  A remote village in either is going to be cheapest.  A tourist bar area in either is going to bring it's own prices and rip off's.

If you have been in Asia for any length of time then you will have dealt with corruption.  No different in the Philippines.   

If your looking for the pot smoking life then don't go to the Philippines - penalties are severe. 

At the end of the day it depends on what you will accept.  The Philippines will be a step down from Thailand.  How much of a steep will depend on how much research you are prepared to do.

I would tend to agree with those looking for a female partner that the Filipinos are more engaging. But remember, they are doing this in the hope you will support their family.  If you haven't been there then you will be surprised at the level of poverty that exists.  It's quite bad and they are all looking for a way to get out of it.

If you are religious then you will have plenty of places to go on Sunday, if not then find a hobby !

Some countries have pension parity with the Philippines which Thailand doesn't so this can be a bonus.

As has already been said above - do your own research.  You must visit for at least 6 months to get a true feeling for the Philippines.

 

[theoldgit]

A number of off topic posts removed, a gentle reminder that this thread is about visas.

[Shop mak]

Visa related.

 

1. ACR-I card (Fee) are a obligatory card you will have to pay for at Immigration, when 2 months in country.

 

2. ECC Exit Clearance Certificate are required if you have stayed in country 6 months.

1 week before departure go to immigration with your departure ticket. You can't leave the country without this.

Some airports can issue ECC, but to be on the safe side you better do this at immigration office in the city.

 

https://immigration.gov.ph/services/alien-registration/acr-i-card-issuance

 

https://immigration.gov.ph/visa-requirements/non-immigrant-visa/temporary-visitor-visa/extension-of-authorized-stay-beyond-59-days

 

 

 

[john donson]

let's go together explore PH... I'm in...

[RuamRudy]

On 9/6/2023 at 3:43 PM, Shop mak said:

Visa related.

 

1. ACR-I card (Fee) are a obligatory card you will have to pay for at Immigration, when 2 months in country.

 

2. ECC Exit Clearance Certificate are required if you have stayed in country 6 months.

1 week before departure go to immigration with your departure ticket. You can't leave the country without this.

Some airports can issue ECC, but to be on the safe side you better do this at immigration office in the city.

 

https://immigration.gov.ph/services/alien-registration/acr-i-card-issuance

 

https://immigration.gov.ph/visa-requirements/non-immigrant-visa/temporary-visitor-visa/extension-of-authorized-stay-beyond-59-days

 

 

 

One important thing about the ECC that I didn't fall foul of, but only by good fortune rather than being aware of it - you are required to keep each of your monthly extension certificates to present when you request the ECC.

[Adumbration]

On 9/6/2023 at 5:43 AM, scorecard said:

And be aware that many people carry handguns, city and rural.

So...same as Thailand then...

[Adumbration]

On 9/6/2023 at 12:20 PM, eddiesdad said:

I currently work in the Philippines but live in Thailand. 2 months there then 2 months here.  Worked in Asia in general for 30 years, Thailand for 13 years.

When I am in the Philippines I live in a purpose built factory managers house. This is in a Freeport zone.  The house is OK but build quality is not particularly good.  Same issues as Thailand, damp rising in the walls, things breaking or never finished.  Food is cooked by two women hired for the job.  I constantly have stomach problems.  The food is not good.  Diabetes is rampant. You will see many dialysis signs as you travel around. 

There are guards on everything.  Fact - these private guards if you total all of them together actually outnumber the total number of soldiers in the Philippine army.  You do get used to them eventually but you have to ask yourself what are we dealing with here that needs this level of survelance.  All the workers in my factory are inspected in and out daily - no exceptions.

Is it more dangerous - I don't know.  Both Thailand and the Philippines can get you into trouble if you go looking for it.  I find the Filipinos to be more engaging and friendly.  I go hiking on my days off.  I go alone into remote jungle.  No matter where you go you will find a squat with dirt poor people living in it - even huge distances inside the jungle.  They are normally friendly but I think that will also depend on how you greet them.  I have never had a problem.  

Manilla has only one district that looks affluent - the financial district.  All the rest of Manilla is of a lower quality compared say to Bangkok. 

The Philippines is made up of several thousand islands.  The law of averages says there has to be many places of beauty to stay.  Some of those places will be tourist traps.  I have always thought that if enough time was given to looking then I'm sure a good location could be found.  

My feeling is you need to accept that you will have to cook for yourself if for no other reason than your health.  To put it simply, Philippine food is bad.  Some people may accept it but you will pay a price in the long run.

Price wise it is probably similar to both countries - some things are cheaper, some more expensive.  Put together it could be a wash.   It would also depend on where you were wanting to live in each country.  A remote village in either is going to be cheapest.  A tourist bar area in either is going to bring it's own prices and rip off's.

If you have been in Asia for any length of time then you will have dealt with corruption.  No different in the Philippines.   

If your looking for the pot smoking life then don't go to the Philippines - penalties are severe. 

At the end of the day it depends on what you will accept.  The Philippines will be a step down from Thailand.  How much of a steep will depend on how much research you are prepared to do.

I would tend to agree with those looking for a female partner that the Filipinos are more engaging. But remember, they are doing this in the hope you will support their family.  If you haven't been there then you will be surprised at the level of poverty that exists.  It's quite bad and they are all looking for a way to get out of it.

If you are religious then you will have plenty of places to go on Sunday, if not then find a hobby !

Some countries have pension parity with the Philippines which Thailand doesn't so this can be a bonus.

As has already been said above - do your own research.  You must visit for at least 6 months to get a true feeling for the Philippines.

 

Thanks for your detailed post and welcome to the forum.  It is very refreshing to see a new member who is a real person and not another fake account posting nonsense.

 

One of my primary greivances with my life in Thailand is that it is now too suburban.  I moved here to escape the blandness of western life and was seeking a more gritty experience.  I moved out of Phuket long ago and now live in a tiny fishing village however suburbia has now arrived here in with a bullet post covid.

 

I speak good Thai but my Indonesian is much better.  I would move to Indo but visa situation is a PITA...unless you marry a local which I have no desire to do.  So the PI is in my crosshairs.

 

Cooking for myself is not an issue, because I cook nearly all of my meals here in Thailand using the best ingredients I can find at the local market and seafood that I catch myself.

 

If I move to PI I will be seeking out a location such as Coron Island that has pristine fishing grounds and very little tourism (except for a few enclaves).

 

I live pretty much as a native here, but if I go to the PI I will go all in.  Very first purchase will be a wooden sea fishing boat.

 

This is me:

 

 

 

 

[Gottfrid]

On 9/5/2023 at 9:06 PM, SuperSaiyan said:

What didn't you like?

The risk of being kidnapped and beheaded

[Liverpool Lou]

On 9/5/2023 at 9:06 PM, SuperSaiyan said:

On 9/5/2023 at 9:57 AM, Trippy said:

PI is not for everyone, including me. 

What didn't you like?

My guess would be the flippers.

[Liverpool Lou]

On 9/6/2023 at 7:54 AM, SuperSaiyan said:

Thailand

+ Good food, street food is amazing

+ Accommodation is cheap and high standards
+ Private Hospitals have high standards

- nobody speaks English

- no Churches

- Visa for under 50 yo's make long stay impossible

- dirty beaches, dirty water

- many prostitutes, everywhere

- draws many shady people

Plenty of people speak English.

Several churches.

You think there aren't pros all over the place in the PI?

You think PI doesn't attract shady people?

[Shop mak]

On 9/6/2023 at 4:59 AM, parafareno said:

is 1000 usd enough to live a good life?

In the province I spent only 600 USD a month, including 2 trip to city supermarket to buy foreigner food.

 

In City I spent nearly 2000 USD month, rent is much higher, dining in the malls, nightlife ..

 

If you don't need comfort / luxury, but rent a moderate place and make most meals at home, you be ok with 1000 USD. 

What we define as 'good life', differ from person to person.

[SuperSaiyan]

3 hours ago, Liverpool Lou said:

Plenty of people speak English.

Several churches.

You think there aren't pros all over the place in the PI?

You think PI doesn't attract shady people?

What? Can you please rephrase, I didn't understand your questions.