Visa Requirements For Pilipino Girl Friend

[snowey]

Anyone know what the regs are - I'm asking
for a English friend who lives in Thailand on a retirement visa. He is travelling
to the Philippines to find a partner, and if it all works out to bring her to
live with him on a permanent basis. He has been told it is easy re the regs,
what sort of visa will be required for her to live with him in Thailand ?

[Lite Beer]

A Wife could live with him as his dependant.

Providing he has 12 month extensions of stay from Immigration.

She could get the same extensions.

If they are not married She could only get Tourist Visas.

[XINLOI]

Wouldn't it be easier on himself, ( money, cost of living, visas etc) if he just lived in the PI?

[Maestro]

De gustibus non est disputandum. Thailand and the Philippines are vastly different. It does seem a bit selfish, though, to chose the country of residence solely on one's own preference, disregarding the possible sentiments of the bride yet to be found in the Philippines, but the OP's friend may have other good reasons for choosing Thailand and it is not for us to question it.

Sent from my Android tablet

[Maestro]

An unmarried "partner" would need to get a tourist visa. If married in the Philippines, a non-immigrant visa category O would be appropriate and after arrival in Thailand annual extensions of stay.

Sent from my Android tablet

[visarunner]

Countless Filipinas live in Thailand on a mixture of Tourist Visas, 15 day visa runs and Student visas.

It is a costly procedure.

[moe666]

They may not let her leave the PI has that is an adventure of its own

[Markaew]

De gustibus non est disputandum. Thailand and the Philippines are vastly different. It does seem a bit selfish, though, to chose the country of residence solely on one's own preference, disregarding the possible sentiments of the bride yet to be found in the Philippines, but the OP's friend may have other good reasons for choosing Thailand and it is not for us to question it.

Sent from my Android tablet

Maybe it's none of our business, but I would be interested in his reasoning.

[IMA_FARANG]

The Phillipines is well known for making visas for those leaving the Phillipines to live in another country difficult.

That especially goes for young unmarried Fillipinas.

The reason is the problems the government has had in the past with Fillipina girls who get in trouble in other countries,and the government of the Phillipines has to pay to bring them back to the Phillipines.

Such as Fillippina "maids" in Saudo Arabia, as just one example.

Bottom line: it's difficult to get them a visa out of he Phillipines.

It's possible, but expect a lot of paperwork and delay.

[Pib]

Maybe the P.I. is having a promotion on partners. I spent over 5 years in the P.I. and there are plenty of partners to be found. But unless married, the partner will be pretty much limited to a tourist visa/visa runs.

[ubonjoe]

Philippians get a 30 day visa exempt entry by air and 15 by land. They also can also get free tourist visas.

But there have been many reports that Philippine immigration has denied departure to single ladies unless they could show a reason for the flight here.

Edited April 9, 2013 by ubonjoe

[jimmybkk]

"I'm just going down to Tesco Lotus to get some bread...."

"I'm on my way to Makro to pick up some cheese..."

"I'm off to the Philippines to find a partner..."

You gotta love this part of the world... Lol.

Tell your friend whenever he brings his lady here he should write a letter for her to present to the authorities at the airport of her departure in the PI confirming that he has invited her to join him for a vacation in Thailand, stating the dates of her arrival and planned departure etc. and confirming that during her stay he will be taking care of all her expenses. He should also state that he will be responsible for ensuring that she complies with Thai Immigration laws and for ensuring that she is repatriated in accordance with whatever visa she has been granted, i.e. he will make sure she doesn't overstay. If she will be staying with him then proof of his address would help, if she'll be staying in a hotel then a copy of the hotel reservation. I believe she should have a return flight and she should be able to show either a bank account with some spending money in it or else show the cash that she is taking with her. A few photos of them together or him with her and her family would do no harm also.

If she doesn't have the letter and at least some of the other documents mentioned above she may find that she is not allowed to leave the PI. She certainly wouldn't be the first to be refused exit...

[bri1guy]

Get some kind of student visa cooking school etc 1 yr visa

[julemanden]

Wouldn't it be easier on himself, ( money, cost of living, visas etc) if he just lived in the PI?

I don't think that's the question mate

[soinowinbkk]

"I'm just going down to Tesco Lotus to get some bread...."

"I'm on my way to Makro to pick up some cheese..."

"I'm off to the Philippines to find a partner..."

You gotta love this part of the world... Lol.

Tell your friend whenever he brings his lady here he should write a letter for her to present to the authorities at the airport of her departure in the PI confirming that he has invited her to join him for a vacation in Thailand, stating the dates of her arrival and planned departure etc. and confirming that during her stay he will be taking care of all her expenses. He should also state that he will be responsible for ensuring that she complies with Thai Immigration laws and for ensuring that she is repatriated in accordance with whatever visa she has been granted, i.e. he will make sure she doesn't overstay. If she will be staying with him then proof of his address would help, if she'll be staying in a hotel then a copy of the hotel reservation. I believe she should have a return flight and she should be able to show either a bank account with some spending money in it or else show the cash that she is taking with her. A few photos of them together or him with her and her family would do no harm also.

If she doesn't have the letter and at least some of the other documents mentioned above she may find that she is not allowed to leave the PI. She certainly wouldn't be the first to be refused exit...

That is correct. The letter is essential. Referring to knowledge of the family and their approval for the travel also very good, maybe required. Philippines Airlines can advise on this, too, but exactly as written is spot on target.

And she'll need some money her pocket, too. Don't forget that Filipino citizens must pay an exit fee or tax as well as the grueling exit interview!

[delanoalvis]

Hi, I have had many Filipino/Filipina friends face this matter. The main issue is getting out of the Philippines through the Philippine Immigration as they make it real hard. Now the way to do this is get her to sign up for a tour package to Thailand (in the phils) for lets say 3 days should be abt 300USD. plus the air Ticket. Then after she arrives in Thailand go to Laos and get a Double entry Tourist visa which in effect is good for upto 6 months (with extension and re entry)

Or when in Thailand sign up for a Thai Language course get the papers go to Laos and she can then get a one year ED visa which would cost abt 20k and then visa runs would not be required.

Edited April 9, 2013 by delanoalvis

[lopburi3]

One off topic post removed - this is about visas.

[BradinAsia]

Wouldn't it be easier on himself, ( money, cost of living, visas etc) if he just lived in the PI?

Having lived in the Philippines for 6 y6ears and now living here, I'd say the cost of living in Thailand is at least 20-30% lower than the P.I. depending on what area you live.

[Gassit]

Hi, I have had many Filipino/Filipina friends face this matter. The main issue is getting out of the Philippines through the Philippine Immigration as they make it real hard. Now the way to do this is get her to sign up for a tour package to Thailand (in the phils) for lets say 3 days should be abt 300USD. plus the air Ticket. Then after she arrives in Thailand go to Laos and get a Double entry Tourist visa which in effect is good for upto 6 months (with extension and re entry)

Or when in Thailand sign up for a Thai Language course get the papers go to Laos and she can then get a one year ED visa which would cost abt 20k and then visa runs would not be required.

My Filipina girlfriend has had problems with the Philippine immigration officers when exiting before - including her being dragged last minute off a plane in tears, because they didn't believe she was flying to meet me for a holiday in Hong Kong. I ended up flying to Manila to escort her out, armed with copies of her return plane ticket, hotel bookings etc. as proof. Even then my GF was asked to pay lagay (I think some call it tea money?). I understand the Phillipine immigration is trying to protect its people from exploitation by unscupulous people in foreign lands - but a very unpleasant experience all round - and one to avoid at all costs(!)

I agree the best longer term option to stay in Thailand is the study visa, and anyway learning the language would help her assimilate into what is quite a different culture.

[BradinAsia]

Countless Filipinas live in Thailand on a mixture of Tourist Visas, 15 day visa runs and Student visas.

It is a costly procedure.

A filipina staying here on an education visa attending Thai language course at

Study Thai Chiang Mai has the following cost for one year non-O ed visa:

12,600 baht -- tuition for one year

2,000 baht -- fee to convert tourist visa to ed visa at Vientiane

3,800 baht -- fees at Immigration for extension (1,900 X 2)

18,400 baht total

Of course, the cost of a visa run must be added.

has an annual cost of about 18,400 baht for

[BradinAsia]

The Phillipines is well known for making visas for those leaving the Phillipines to live in another country difficult.

That especially goes for young unmarried Fillipinas.

The reason is the problems the government has had in the past with Fillipina girls who get in trouble in other countries,and the government of the Phillipines has to pay to bring them back to the Phillipines.

Such as Fillippina "maids" in Saudo Arabia, as just one example.

Bottom line: it's difficult to get them a visa out of he Phillipines.

It's possible, but expect a lot of paperwork and delay.

Some of what you say is quite valid.

However, since Thailand and the Philippines are both ASEAN, no visa is required

in either direction.

Yes, it is sometimes difficult for a young filipina to leave the country, but it is not

that difficult for a young filipina to visit Thailand as a tourist, even accompanied

by a farang.

But both should be well groomed, dress smartly and be prepared to answer a few

questions from the Philippines immigration officer. For example, if the Immigration

officer ask the farang her date of birth, he should know it without hesitation... hehe.

Not a real problem. Been there, done that several times.

[Gassit]

De gustibus non est disputandum. Thailand and the Philippines are vastly different. It does seem a bit selfish, though, to chose the country of residence solely on one's own preference, disregarding the possible sentiments of the bride yet to be found in the Philippines, but the OP's friend may have other good reasons for choosing Thailand and it is not for us to question it.

Sent from my Android tablet

Maybe it's none of our business, but I would be interested in his reasoning.

I lived in the Philippines for 5 years, and have spent about 2 years in Thailand in tota to datel. For me Thailand is a better place to live in spite of its challenges, but it has always seemed to me that the ladies in the Philippines were more friendly - maybe that is just because they almost speak the same language - (American) English - as me . Not sure if this is the part of the reasoning of the OP's mate but I could understand if it was.

[NomadJoe]

Get some kind of student visa cooking school etc 1 yr visa

I have a Filipina gf. She uses education visa's to stay here from a private language school. Actually goes to the classes too!

[tropo]

"I'm just going down to Tesco Lotus to get some bread...."

"I'm on my way to Makro to pick up some cheese..."

"I'm off to the Philippines to find a partner..."

You gotta love this part of the world... Lol.

Tell your friend whenever he brings his lady here he should write a letter for her to present to the authorities at the airport of her departure in the PI confirming that he has invited her to join him for a vacation in Thailand, stating the dates of her arrival and planned departure etc. and confirming that during her stay he will be taking care of all her expenses. He should also state that he will be responsible for ensuring that she complies with Thai Immigration laws and for ensuring that she is repatriated in accordance with whatever visa she has been granted, i.e. he will make sure she doesn't overstay. If she will be staying with him then proof of his address would help, if she'll be staying in a hotel then a copy of the hotel reservation. I believe she should have a return flight and she should be able to show either a bank account with some spending money in it or else show the cash that she is taking with her. A few photos of them together or him with her and her family would do no harm also.

If she doesn't have the letter and at least some of the other documents mentioned above she may find that she is not allowed to leave the PI. She certainly wouldn't be the first to be refused exit...

If he travels with her, it won't be a problem for them to leave. If he wants her to travel here alone, then it will be difficult.

[tropo]

And she'll need some money her pocket, too. Don't forget that Filipino citizens must pay an exit fee or tax as well as the grueling exit interview!

1650 peso is the "tax" for the Filipino to leave. I can't remember if the exit fee (airport tax) is 500 or 700 peso.

Edited April 9, 2013 by tropo

[tropo]

I agree the best longer term option to stay in Thailand is the study visa, and anyway learning the language would help her assimilate into what is quite a different culture.

The student visa option is not good for long term.

There's only one good long term solution for expats over 50 - marry them and stay on a retirement visa. Extensions required once a year - 1900 baht x 2. That's it. No more costs other than a trip to an embassy for a letter of income if required.

[lopburi3]

Several off-topic posts removed - this is not about nationalities but about visas.

[RioMist]

Stand in any immigration line in Philippines and see the Filipino girls in tears cuz they are being refused exit... I'm not sure if there is a few thousand peso notes in your passport when you hand it over to the officer helps or not! I suspect it does! I am married to a Filipino and when her sister came here to visit she was very nearly refused exit.. It was only when my wife who was traveling too intervened and shown her documents they let her go.. but it was a very close call. They look for any excuse to refuse exit to young Filipino girls even if they have all the necessary visa's etc. Even if you accompany her, if she is much younger, I think you will have problems.

[BrianCR]

I have some friends living in Thailand and from the Philippines. One a lady of 25 has had a double entry tourist visa issued in Lao - last week she went and applied for a second double entry and was told that she could only have a single entry as she had already been issued with one double