Hi

I have a business trip to Philippines and am trying to work around how long I will have to be in Manila to get my visa. Assuming I have all the correct docs for my first non imm O visa for marriage to a Thai and I apply first thing in the morning is there a wait overnight or through the day? Any experience with Manila would be aprreciated. Currently on a 30 day no visa, have never had a non immigrant visa.

Thanks Dman

Manila is said to be tough and it will possibly be an overnight thing. The wait varies from Mission to Mission and Post to Post

You will need your marriage documents to obtain the visa.

As Dr said you will probably have to stay overnight and collect the next afternoon.  Most official Consulates seem to operate on the morning in and next afternoon out basis.  Just check there are no Thai or Philippine holidays.  I would also bring a copy of her ID card as well as the marriage certificate as some want to see this.

Manila is a bitch! They don't trust the Filipinos so they treat everyone the same. Be prepared to show return or onward plane ticket and a bank statement. I was with my wife (Filipino) but U.S. passport, and they ask for our marrage contract. We were married in Manila 15 years ago so that was no problem to get, but what if we had been married Bum F*** Egypt, who carries their marrage contract around?

For your info the Thai Consulate opens at 0930 a.m. I arrived at the door at that time and applied for a tourist visa. I was told if approved it would be the next morning at the earliest. I was denied as can be seen in "denied tourist visa in Philippines". Don't know how long to wait for your required visa but hopefully just the same, should be next day but certainly you will not get it in one day. I wish you the best of luck, they are not very forthcoming or helpful and have very few staff. I noted one on duty on both occasions I was there.

If you have all your docs then hopefully you will be fine. I had to hand over a copy of my Thai Farmers bank book so be prepared to hand over bank details etc and return flight tickets.

For your info have a separate piece of ID; just to get into the office you must sign-in and leave ID with the security man before they will give you your position number.

Believe the office is closed again at 1200 noon and opens again at 1400 - 1600.

Good luck