If the bill becomes law as written, tourists would only be able to extend their stays for TWO years in the country before flying out and back, vs THREE years, as-is now. 

 

Note that this is only a bill for now, but provides insight into the thinking of the current government - they don't want to "crack down" on Tourists.

Still pretty friggin' great!

Currently i live in Thailand but considering various options. So if i leave Thailand and go to live in the Philippines.

Is it the case i can stay there a I can stay 2/3 years there as a tourist before needing to apply for other visa there?

Thanks!

On 7/31/2024 at 6:51 PM, Rob Browder said:

If the bill becomes law as written, tourists would only be able to extend their stays for TWO years in the country before flying out and back, vs THREE years, as-is now. 

 

Note that this is only a bill for now, but provides insight into the thinking of the current government - they don't want to "crack down" on Tourists.

 

Hi, this is my first visit to this thread.

Are there quite a few foreign expats(retirees) who stay on the Philippines on tourist visa(extension)?

No unfriendly questions on back to back re-entry?

 

I have lived in Thailand for years quite happily.

But always with some plan B, just in case.

So your reply post will be appreciated.

On 3/30/2025 at 12:55 PM, black tabby12345 said:

Hi, this is my first visit to this thread.

Are there quite a few foreign expats(retirees) who stay on the Philippines on tourist visa(extension)?

No unfriendly questions on back to back re-entry?

Provided you have proof of a flight-out, which is required, I have not heard of any case of denied-entry.  This has been allowed for decades.

 

I did read some reports regarding applying for extensions - one does have to actually answer some basic questions now about where you live, and how you support yourself.  This change was the result of a directive.  Before, you just "went through the motions," paid your money, and done.  The folks discussing this stressed the importance of being polite in this process - then, no problem. 

 

There are three "Plan B" countries in the region I keep in-mind, where longer-stays are not a problem:  Cambodia, Philippines, and Laos.  Cambodia and Laos have 1-year "official visa" solutions which cost about the same as an Agent-procured 1-year extension for retirement in Thailand - in the ~$350 ballpark per-year.  The cost is only a bit higher if below retirement age.

16 hours ago, Rob Browder said:

Provided you have proof of a flight-out, which is required, I have not heard of any case of denied-entry.  This has been allowed for decades.

 

I did read some reports regarding applying for extensions - one does have to actually answer some basic questions now about where you live, and how you support yourself.  This change was the result of a directive.  Before, you just "went through the motions," paid your money, and done.  The folks discussing this stressed the importance of being polite in this process - then, no problem. 

 

There are three "Plan B" countries in the region I keep in-mind, where longer-stays are not a problem:  Cambodia, Philippines, and Laos.  Cambodia and Laos have 1-year "official visa" solutions which cost about the same as an Agent-procured 1-year extension for retirement in Thailand - in the ~$350 ballpark per-year.  The cost is only a bit higher if below retirement age.

 

Hello, Rob,

Thank you very much for your kind reply with up-to-date details.

Proof of flight-out, means the boarding pass of the plane you used to temporarily leave PHL(short for the country name)?

 

Regarding Cambodia, I have also studied requirements for their retirement visa several years ago.

I was quite surprised to find out I only have to be over 55; only need to produce my passport  (other than ID photo, application form and fee).  Also learned Cambodia govt encourage foreigners to lodge their paper through travel agents(rather than in-person application at the department).

Very glad to know the condition has not been changed at all.

 

Since I am already over 55, looks quite easy to move to Cambodia when something wrong might happen here (no longer able to stay on in Thailand).

 

I thank you again your advice.

Wish you have a good day, from Thailand.

I think for the Philippines, the retirement age is only 35 with a sizeable deposit.

14 minutes ago, Older and Wiser said:

I think for the Philippines, the retirement age is only 35 with a sizeable deposit.

No age requirement to stay there 2 years on VISA waiver on arrival.

Just turn up, and have an agent renew your permission to stay.

You can even get an ID card so you can open bank accounts after the first 2-4 months

About $300 a year, same as Cambodia.

 

They don't even care if you work, as long as you aren't obvious about it and cause trouble.

On 7/31/2024 at 7:18 PM, Jingthing said:

Still pretty friggin' great!

or it would be if it weren't the armpit of the world and one of the most depressing places i have ever lived,

On 5/27/2025 at 12:15 AM, madone said:

or it would be if it weren't the armpit of the world and one of the most depressing places i have ever lived,

No matter what country you are in there are going to be, as you state "most depressing places I have ever lived".

 

Where were you,,, Angeles City? Yes, that would be depressing.

 

Did you try living in Iloilo City? How about a condo in Boracay? Cebu City? Davao City? Palawan?

 

California is pretty but were you to live in Compton that would be depressing. Painting the whole country with one brush is a mistake madone.

I have been to the Philippines three times in 4 years 

I get the feeling Filipino people there are not keen on tourism

I don't find them as friendly as thais 

 

I find many aggressive especially the beggars on the streets 

The steets in Manila are dirty 

Their transport system is rubbish 

 

 

10 hours ago, georgegeorgia said:

I have been to the Philippines three times in 4 years 

I get the feeling Filipino people there are not keen on tourism

I don't find them as friendly as thais 

 

I find many aggressive especially the beggars on the streets 

The steets in Manila are dirty 

Their transport system is rubbish 

 

 

I spent ~ 3 days in Manila - not ideal.  I liked other areas.

On 9/16/2025 at 4:02 PM, georgegeorgia said:

I have been to the Philippines three times in 4 years 

I get the feeling Filipino people there are not keen on tourism

I don't find them as friendly as thais 

 

I find many aggressive especially the beggars on the streets 

The steets in Manila are dirty 

Their transport system is rubbish 

 

 

In the 3 times in 4 years, how long was each stay and where were you? Just curious regarding some conclusions you state.

 

I agree with you on Manila, but when I go, it's just a transfer zone, I spend a couple nights then off to other places, stick to my small few blocks in Makati. 

As part of my retirement plan (my UK state pension is frozen here in Laos, same as Thailand, Cambodia etc), I plan to use the Philippines as my 'base' between my trips into Myanmar (when the junta chaps allow me to enter!).

 

I am lucky enough to qualify for the SRRV Extended Courtesy visa, which only requires a $1,500 deposit for a lifetime visa, no minimum monthly pension income etc.  I've been accepted for that visa type by the PRA (retirement authority), and I'm in the process of submitting the apostilled documents 🙂

Lifetime Visa, for US$ 1,500? Where do I sign up?

 

It's a varied country, seen peeps here say worst place ever. Clearly 3 weeks in Angeles.

 

Manila is dodgy 100%. Northern Luzon coastal,great. Boracay (o.k. touristy, still love it) Palawan lots of chill villages between PP and El Nido.

 

Food sometimes is harped on, rice and chicken adobo some veggies, fine. On the coast rice and fish.