Expat Visa Run
Living in The Philippines has one major pain in the butt for foreigners. Immigration is a pain but it is a pain every where in the world. Its not all bad, after all, I’m here. It is easy to enter the country if your from the US 
and many other countries too. For many, all we need is a valid passport with two blank pages and more than six months before it expires. Once here via passport only, which is referred to as a “Tourist Visa” you are required to get an extension within 21 days. This extension gives you 59 days total. You are not allowed to work and you cannot go to school. Some people try to run a business in the name of their significant other and often get away with it. However, if you some how get BI looking into your stay, they wont be fool by such.
The Hard Part For Expats Living in The Philippines
You have to get your stay extended every 59 days. To do this, you have to go to Bureau of Immigration (BI) within 30 days before your latest extension expires. I don’t find this unreasonable at all, I’m not complaining about the need for having to do this but it is still a pain. Its reasonable but a pain none-the-less. 
I use a travel agent to handle my extensions. Its still a three hour trip to get to that travel agent! And that’s one-way. Most of the time my girlfriend makes the trip and I stay at home. I don’t like sending her alone but the trip often is hard on me, I guess because of my “fragile health.”
It cost on average, about $50 or P2000 a month. I have been putting back P1500 a month but I’m going to increase that as it sometimes cost more and that way I’ll have most of it built up. Your second extension will be more than $100.
On my last extension, I got a letter along with my passport stamped. I think that there was a new fee of P500 attached to that. 
I don’t know if this will be an every month fee or just this once. I’ve been paying P3000 or about $75 for most of my 59 day extensions.
While I’m on the subject, if your last day falls on a non-working holiday or weekend, you are expected to renew your extension the last working day before your extension expires. If you fail to do so, you’ll be required to pay fines and additional fees.
Within 16 months of your arrival you are required to leave the country. I’ve read on the BI site that it must be three days and I’ve asked a travel agent that confirms this. Many expats living in the Philippines however tell me its not required to stay out for three days.
I sent an e-mail to BI asking for help on that subject a couple of days ago. So far, no reply but its still early. I couldn’t find this requirement on the website the last time I looked. I had trouble finding it before though. I’ll stay out for three days just to be on the safe side.
The law states its 24 months but after 16 months it requires the approval of the director of the BI. It is very unlikely you’ll qualify for that.
I’m planning on going to Bangkok, Thailand and hotel rates are often available from $10 to $20 a night. That’s with cable TV and internet access. There is even a fridge in the room at the hotel I plan to stay at for $18.00 a night.
My flight is going to be under $220.00. So, I’m going to visit another country for under $300. The taxes and other hidden charges that I expect to encounter along the way will likely push it very close to $300. Maybe more depending on what I spend in Thailand.
A friend pointed out that I would need a Certification to Exit document too. I’ll get that on my next visit to my travel agent. There will likely be a fee for that too. I have to go before July 5th to be within my 16 months. So, I plan to make my trip to Bangkok around the middle of June. I can adjust that though.
Group Trip For Expats
I’d like to get a group together, even a group of two, that I could join for the trip. As it is right now, I’ll be going alone. I don’t plan on doing much more than taking some pictures and girl watching. With a group though I’d probably find more things to do. Hard to say, I can be a real homebody at times.
Not A Travel Professional
I’m not a travel professional. You shouldn’t take anything I say here as absolute fact. I may have left thigns out too. These are just my general experiences. I would be sure to use a travel agent that has experience with such matters, especially on your first entry into the country. I’ve been through the system and I can tell you what goes on with my experiences with the Philippine Bureau of Immigration.
Tagged with: Bureau of Immigration • Living In The Phlippines
Filed under: American Expats In the Philippines • Cost of living in the Philippines
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great blog joe. i am looking to move there as soon as i get my visa. i think i have made a mistake though. i have asked for a 12 months tourist visa for about eighty dollars. sounds from your blog that it isnt that straight forward. i am guessing now that a 12 month tourist visa requires a big bond.
You wont need a bond. You’re American? Aussie? Other?
It just isn’t necessary to get the 12 month re-entry visa. The only benefit is that you don’t have to extend within 21 days when you first get here. You have 59 days. You are talking about the re-entry visa right? If not then I don’t know what your talking about.
Under a tourist visa you will need to go to BI and extend your stay every 59 days. Cost is usually about $75.00 every two months but sometimes more.
You should be fine, it doesn’t hurt to have it. If you leave several times during the year then it is good to have. Save you some hassle when you come back.
i am from the uk, rusty. i thought my 12 month visa would just allow me to come and go as i wanted for 12 months. i dont know what you mean by BI. am i going to have to go through this every 2 months!? is there any way around it? i think it would encourage me to live close to wherever i had to get the extension. a bit of a drag. where would you suggest i try first? i was thinking of san fernando on the west luzon coast. what i am looking for is a safe coastal town or city, with a good infrastructure, reliable broadband, beautiful beach, good seafront aPartment in the 3 to 4 hundred dollar a month range. having read what you said, i would like to be on the same island as where i can get the extension. i am 37, male, straight and single. i have a business in the uk, which will be run in my absence. i will be living on about three thousand us dollars a month. thanks again, very useful blog.
Dan I believe the 12 month is a multiple reentry visa. It doesn’t actually allow you to stay in country for 12 months. The normal term is 59 days then you will need to extend.
If you arrive without a visa they will automaticly give you 21 days which you then need to extend for 38 making 59.The advantage of the multiple reentry visa is you will get 59 days each time you enter but if you want to stay longer you will have to extend it.
You might try the Subic bay area. Angeles City Has an Immigration office it is only an hour or so away. You could also try Cebu it Cebu City is actually on the east coast of the island.
Dan, I thought pretty much what you did about the 12 month re-entry VISA but it doesn’t do that. You can get a travel agent to visit BI for you. They usually charge P500 for that but probably goes up the further you are from the Bureau of Immigration (BI). Getting married is the primary way to get around the 59 day extensions. There is a retirement visa, that’s what I call it but you’ll need to deposit $10K in the bank to get it. I think I remember you have to be 50 years old but I may have made that up. LOL
There are also some visa that can be obtained if you hire a certain amount of people.
East coast of Luzon, more typhoons. I’d take a strong look at Bacolod, Valencia (suburb of Dumaguete) or even Bogo City. I’m in Bogo City but it may be too small for you. Valencia is a small mountain town but is within 10 minutes of Dumaguete which seems to be a nice place too. Dumaguete is close to 300,000 people. Its on the same Island as Bacolod but at different ends of the island, at least that’s the way I recall it. Valencia is a significantly cooler than many other places in the Philippines because of its elevation. They actively seek out expats. I have not visited there myself yet but I’m considering moving there.
Lots of expats in Cebu City. I’m not sure I see a huge benefit in that. I still can’t find many things I would like to have in Cebu City and its pretty badly polluted.
$400 is at the high end of rent. $3000 a month will be a very good income here. I have six people in my house and I don’t make that.
Angeles City is known for its bars and the girls that work in them. Subic Bay is where the American Naval base was so there are still lots of businesses there that cater to Westerners. I also hear they have a lot of long term leases there geared for expats. I want to visit there.
My biggest headache is that 59 day extension. Even though my girl usually takes my passport down to Travelways, a travel agent, its a 2 to 3 hour trip. We have to pass through Danao and Mandaue to get to Cebu City and the traffic there is so bad that it takes about half the trip.
Look for a place that includes the word CITY in its name. Or that has such a location near it. City means that the location meets certain requirements and you’ll have the infrastructure your looking for but don’t look for what you have in the UK, you’re not going to find it. Maybe in Manila.
Great sea front and good infrastructure are probably mutually exclusive. You have enough cash to go Island Hopping whenever you please. Great clear water just off the coast. Too much dumping of raw sewage near the bigger cities or townships.
Best thing you can do is come check it out, avoid long term leases as much as possible and travel around. You really gotta take the plunge to find what you want.
You might like Davao that is in Mindanao but I don’t think it is for me, its low on crime but there are issues there that bother me. The mayor has a good grip on things there but is also a little restrictive for my liking. Perfect for most conservatives though, unless you smoke. If you do, don’t go there. There are some civil rights issues going on there too with vigilante groups. Most people support them but I prefer to support the rule of law.
Best thing you can do is get yourself here and travel. Educate yourself in Mindanao before you go there. Most expats say it is safe, for me, too many bombs going off and kidnappings though there are areas I would love to visit. Davao, Dipolog, Cagayan de Oro (CDO). You’re okay on the east of the Island, the west is far more questionable. Especially south west.
Most of what I know is second hand though, I’ve not been able to travel much at all.
I have one of the retirment autorty’s, retirement visa.You have to be prepared to leave your money in good hands, minmum being US10,000.oo, which is nothing more than a time deposit, you can draw the interest out. This saves a lot of problems running back and forth to immigratioon, don’t have to leave the country.
Next time your at the immigration department, ask the to show you where the Philippines Retirement authority is located. Its worth the trouble if you going to live here’
I live in CEBU, like the place.
The SRRV is what you’re referring too.
Many, that can afford it, choose not to get it. Many feel like it just isn’t worth parking the 10,000 in the bank. I’m not so sure I agree with that. Seems though MOST feel that way. i don’t see many people that are fans of it.
You still can’t do business here with that visa, so I think that is a major reason for that. Instead, many hire 10 people, put them to work and earn money. Usually through some kind of outsourcing operation. That is what I want to do myself.
Honestly, I don’t have $10,000 in the bank that I can do that with. So it is a no choice situation for me. But parking the money here and drawing interest and saving on the extension fees is significant. I think many of those that don’t like the SRRV miss that. Saving $500 or so a year on extension fees is like interest earned.
At the same time, it serves as a good hedge against a currency fluctuations. I suppose someone could earn more than $500 with $10,000 but they could also loose more.
Some expats put money in a few pie in the sky banks offering 50% interest, or some outrageous number. Those banks failed. I know of expats that had to leave the country because of those failures.
I saw some expat offering the deal again. Not sure of the details on it. Its crazy. A ponzi scheme. I want no part of it myself.
The other thing people do is put the 10K in a condo. If the Philippines ever opens up foreign land ownership, those that have purchased real estate now, I think could join the ranks of the super rich.
All out of my league, just a retired civil servant, making ends meet the best I can.
To be a well off American and living here would be very sweet.
Dan, I thought pretty much what you did about the 12 month re-entry VISA but it doesn’t do that. You can get a travel agent to visit BI for you. They usually charge P500 for that but probably goes up the further you are from the Bureau of Immigration (BI). Getting married is the primary way to get around the 59 day extensions. There is a retirement visa, that’s what I call it but you’ll need to deposit $10K in the bank to get it. I think I remember you have to be 50 years old but I may have made that up. LOL
#I actually remember reading something that said i qualified for retirement at my age. i may have made that up as well!
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There are also some visa that can be obtained if you hire a certain amount of people.
East coast of Luzon, more typhoons.
#San Fernando is west coast pampagna and protected from most storms by the mountain range. It seems to be most famous for the lantern festival and self flagelation day! A lot of footage on youtube. It is about a 2 to 3 hour drive from manila. the mayor is said to have taken a zero tolerance attitude to crime and it is meant to be very safe. i am guessing that the catholic church casts an even longer shadow over SF than the rest of the country. Hell, if the fear of god discourages someone from kidnapping me then ill say as many hail marys as you want!
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I’d take a strong look at Bacolod, Valencia (suburb of Dumaguete) or even Bogo City. I’m in Bogo City but it may be too small for you. Valencia is a small mountain town but is within 10 minutes of Dumaguete which seems to be a nice place too. Dumaguete is close to 300,000 people. Its on the same Island as Bacolod but at different ends of the island, at least that’s the way I recall it. Valencia is a significantly cooler than many other places in the Philippines because of its elevation. They actively seek out expats. I have not visited there myself yet but I’m considering moving there.
#A lot to consider there. Adjusting to the heat is going to be an issue. i have always found living on the coast bearable, in terms of heat and humidity, but i have not been to asia before! i might have to quickly retreat to the mountains to begin with. so long as there is a swimming pool, within the complex, i can live with that. I would be grateful if you could give me further details of how valencia is courting expats. I hear that street crime is becoming more of a problem in Durmaguete.
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Lots of expats in Cebu City. I’m not sure I see a huge benefit in that. I still can’t find many things I would like to have in Cebu City and its pretty badly polluted.
# I just think the city looks to big for me.
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$400 is at the high end of rent. $3000 a month will be a very good income here. I have six people in my house and I don’t make that.
#I know it is well above average but gordon brown is currently bankrupting the uk and we are about to start printing money. Expect a serious run on sterling, in the next few weeks, and my income to fall significantly. My uk business is heavily reliant on exports though, so we should stay solvent while the country burns. Worrying though. My net income will be £2k a month.
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Angeles City is known for its bars and the girls that work in them. Subic Bay is where the American Naval base was so there are still lots of businesses there that cater to Westerners. I also hear they have a lot of long term leases there geared for expats. I want to visit there.
#I am guessing it will be too hot for me.
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My biggest headache is that 59 day extension. Even though my girl usually takes my passport down to Travelways, a travel agent, its a 2 to 3 hour trip. We have to pass through Danao and Mandaue to get to Cebu City and the traffic there is so bad that it takes about half the trip.
#Are you saying that you can send her and not go yourself?
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Look for a place that includes the word CITY in its name. Or that has such a location near it. City means that the location meets certain requirements and you’ll have the infrastructure your looking for but don’t look for what you have in the UK, you’re not going to find it. Maybe in Manila.
#Again, manila looks to hot and crazy. i know that i am going to be in for a shock, wherever i go. i think you just have to give a place a bit of time. there is going to be a huge sense of disorientation to begin with. in time, things start to make sense.
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Great sea front and good infrastructure are probably mutually exclusive. You have enough cash to go Island Hopping whenever you please. Great clear water just off the coast. Too much dumping of raw sewage near the bigger cities or townships.
#Is boracay worth a look?
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Best thing you can do is come check it out, avoid long term leases as much as possible and travel around. You really gotta take the plunge to find what you want.
#Agree.
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You might like Davao that is in Mindanao but I don’t think it is for me, its low on crime but there are issues there that bother me. The mayor has a good grip on things there but is also a little restrictive for my liking. Perfect for most conservatives though, unless you smoke. If you do, don’t go there. There are some civil rights issues going on there too with vigilante groups. Most people support them but I prefer to support the rule of law.
#is there a ban on smoking cigarettes? i am trying to quit lol.
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Best thing you can do is get yourself here and travel. Educate yourself in Mindanao before you go there. Most expats say it is safe, for me, too many bombs going off and kidnappings though there are areas I would love to visit. Davao, Dipolog, Cagayan de Oro (CDO). You’re okay on the east of the Island, the west is far more questionable. Especially south west.
#I am not going anywhere that has seen any unrest.
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Tom, thanks for your advice too. looks like the smart money is on staying north.
Most Filipino take religion very serious. That’s for all areas. I went to a live crucifixion in Cebu City lat year. That generally happens on good Friday. Someone forgot the pain medications and the guy went through with it anyway.
Those that are involved in kidnapping activities are usually going to do what they please. There is not a lot of kidnapping in Luzon, the Island Manila is on but there is some. Most kidnappings are around Zamboanga or Sulu in the South West but not always.
I think Cebu City might be a good starting point for you. Or Bogo City.
There is likely far more street crime where you are now. Most crimes in the Philippines are theft of cell phones, pick pockets or snatching jewelry cameras and demanding wallets. Far less bodily injury crimes here. There are precautions you need to take and know where to go and where to be on high alert if you do go.
Davao mayor is known for an extremely tight grip on the city, no smoking in public there. Personally, I prefer the rule of law over vigilante groups. It is in Mindanao. It is pretty safe to go there from what I can tell but fly in. Don’t go by bus. One Filipina from there tells me it is still dangerous. Other say its not.
Yes Boracay is worth a look. I know very little about it. Just see its name come up from time to time. Seems like it is a playground from what I remember. I personally wouldn’t get in the water around any city that i’ve seen so far and that includes Bogo. I think we are still under 50,000 people but not sure on that. It is a bit of a hub for Northern Cebu Island.
I think Baguio is close to Angeles City. I’m sure crime is far worse there than in Dumaguete. I’ve not been there but I doubt it is worse than any other mid size place in the Philippines.
There almost no crime in Bogo City but there are people in the jail so there is some. Most places you can’t walk down the street with your cell phone, you shouldn’t do that in Dumaguete either. You can walk down the street in Bogo with your cell phone out. Bogo is kind of a city, it received city status but it is in limbo right now. Supreme court revoked it but many believe the court will reverse itself.
Is Mindanao a no smoking area? That’s news to me.
Dan, I took my girl to Bantayan Island. Boracay doesn’t even use peso, they use dollars.
I haven’t been though and I certainly want to see it for myself. My girl says its way to expensive and others tell me it is over run with people.
I went to Bantayan, the beaches were next to empty but white sand as fine as sugar. During high tide, the sea water lapped against the hotel and in parts of the hotel the “floor” was beautiful white sand.
The people bent over backwards to please me. This place is a paradise inside of paradise. Its one hour boat ride from t the island from the northern tip of Cebu. If your not wanting a lot of action, calm days and cam nights, this is the place to go. Or, perhaps Bogo City and then grab the boat to the Island whenever you feel like resting. I’ll be writing more soon!
Christine,
Davao is a non-smoking area in public. You can smoke in your home. And I am told it is strictly enforced, light up on the street and you’re going to jail. I don’t think businesses are allowed to setup smoking areas but perhaps I’m wrong on that. If I am someone PLEASE set me straight.
I found it absolutely amazing that Boracay does not use peso. When I first brought my husband home in 1986,the taxi driver from Manila International airport wanted to charge us a fixed amount of $US50 to take us to our hotel. My husband could not get around his head on that one as well, because the official currency is peso and they’re asking US$. Hubby actually said why our “heroes” wanted independence from the US (even as far as kicking the US bases out), then the citizens want to get paid in US$$ anyway? Anyway, we did not come from the US so we didn’t actually have US$$. I think the driver was happy to accept A$, but we weren’ prepared to pay for that much especially as I know it doesn’t cost that much from the airport to the Hilton. I think someone eventually agreed to take as on a ticking meter, and I was more than happy to give him a reasonable tip. Re-Boracay, I’ve seen it on TV. It is becoming crowded, so I think I’ll take Bantayan Island anytime, or even Virgin resort. By the way, do Philippines offer permanent residency to people like you? They do here in Oz, you’ve got all the rights as a citizen except you can’t vote and you can’t have an Aussie passport.
thanks rusty. i’ve been away for a few days, but i have been looking into boracay. it was probably great 30 years ago, but looks overrun. i have started my course of injections and will probably be arriving in early april. i could really use someone like yourself to show me the ropes of philippines life for the first 7 days of my stay, for a fee obviously. if you are interested, or know of anyone else who might be, then please send me an email. hope that doesn’t sound to weird!? i doubt i would stay for long in bogo, but it might be a good place to learn the main issues i will have to contend with over there.
I have sent you an email. If you don’t get it, let me know. Always can end up in a spam folder.
Christine,
They have several ways to become a resident in the Philippines. It requires marriage or more in USD than I have. I do plan on becoming a resident at some point. I admit marriage scares me, I seem to turn women into monsters after five years.
Kind of the opposite of kissing the frog thing? LOL
It is even possible for me to become a citizen, but as of now, I have to denounce the US. The US doesn’t honor such a denunciation, but I wont do that. The US doesn’t require that of its naturalized citizens any more. I hope the Philippines will move in that direction too.
When you go to Manila, the taxi stand at the airport doesn’t have to use the meter. I think they call it the public taxi stand? I’m not certain. As soon as you said Hilton, prices probably went up for you.
The rule of thumb the expats give to each other is don’t take a taxi from the airport. Go across the street where they are required to use the meter. If they refuse, write down his LTO number after getting out. They will usually agree to turn the meter on then. I’ve never had any problems with taxi drivers but I didn’t request one in Manila.
I don’t understand the bases being kicked out. That was beneficial for the US as it saved the US tons of money. I know there are problems with having US military personal here, but there’s always trouble with having any population any where. I suppose a bunch of young military guys could be more troublesome. Having the economy collapse was probably a severe blow to the region.
Its what the people demanded though. I hear lots of complaints from some government officials about the American’s conducting joint exercises with the Philippine National Army. Its not my country, but I am paying the taxes that support our troops being here. Its a little upsetting that so many don’t want our military here at all. I think we should not force ourselves upon the people. If they don’t want us here, I think we should get out.
Dan, or course I’m interested. Sounds great and fun!
One thing I’ve noticed is that you can’t assume what you learn about one place in the Philippines will apply to another place.
What I would recommend for someone is they stay in a pension home or a resort for a while. Where, depends on your income. They are pretty inexpensive out in the province. More expensive in Cebu City.
I have also recently come to the conclusion if you limit yourself to the larger cities of the country, you don’t know the Philippines.
I’ll get an email too you.
Message for Joe….is it possible as a Single guy to buy a Condo in pHilippines and get rental income paid into Philippino bank? What are the pitfalls that you are aware of? How does one go about renewing a passport when living in Philipines?
I have had trouble opening a bank account. Other expats have done so though. I’m going to keep trying.
Not sure what you mean rental income paid into an account. If you mean deposit it into an account, once you manage to get it open. I’m told expats do have some funds direct deposited into their accounts in the Philippines. I would really talk to a lawyer here on these issues. I don’t know if rental income is taxable here. I don’t know if you need permits to rent out a condo. I doubt it for one or two units.
It is possible for a non-citizen to own a condo here. There are certain ownership percentage requirements. I believe that Filipino must own 60% of the units within a building. I know an expat that owns two condo’s. I’ll try to get him to stop buy and post. Maybe someone else will know if he doesn’t.
Your passport needs to be valid for more than six months when you enter the country. Extending it will depend on the country that issued it. The US Embassy in Manila would handle that for Americans. They us to have a courier service, I think through LBC. LBC is like the UPS of the Philippines. I got an email from the embassy that indicated they would be discontinuing this through LBC. I don’t know if they replaced it with another service. If not, I suppose you’d have to go to Manila to do it.
I’d check the embassy website and see what services they offer. My passport has nine years left on it so its not been big issue. I guess with all the extensions I’ve had stamped in it, I’ll need new pages. Round trip airfare to Manila would be around $250 or less.
I hope I’ve been able to help you some! If not, let me know and I’ll try to find out more.
A foreigner can buy a condo with no problem but the builder must be careful to not sell to more then 40% foreigners and the only problem comes should you want to sell and the ratio is right at the limit, then you would have to sell only to a Filipino. I do not think that would be a problem because most expats here rent.
As for rentals, it would depend on how much you earn if you would have to pay taxes here on the rental amount, I think the amount is set at p10,000 but you would have to talk to an accountant or lawyer to be sure.
Next, if you get a good rental agent, then they would handle the depositing of your rental income into your bank account for a fee. It is very important to get one you can trust. My wife is a Filipina and she handles anything related to the Philippines and I handle anything related to the states because we live in two places, but if you want to buy in the Cebu City area, The name of the guy who handles the rentals is Angelo and I am sure he could handle it for you too but you would have to talk to him directly and it would of course depend on where you buy. He is a sales agent for Winland Towers condos in Cebu City and his name his cell phone number is 09212 739 620 and his work number is 256 2636. Be sure to ask for Angelo if you want to buy or rent because if someone else sell you a unit then Angleo cannot be your rental agent either. I know that is weird but this is the Philippines. BTW, Angleo has handled quite a bit of money for us over the years on different things, like paying taxes, opening electric, cable, and telephone accounts and he has never taken even one centavo except what we give him for his troubles.
The usual is for the rental agent and the company he works for, to get a total of one months rent for a 12 month rental and half a months rent for a 6 month rental, and my wife gives the agent p500 each month to handle collecting of the rents and making the deposits into our account here and he also handles any minor problems that might arise with the unit and should a major problem arise, he contacts us and we tell him what we want him to do and give him a little extra.
As for opening a bank account, we know the assistant manager of Bank of Commerce, her name is Mayen and she would be able to open an account for you, but otherwise it is going to be hard to open an account until you get your retirement ACR. Contact info, Bank of Commerce Cebu-Main Branch, at Osmena Blvd, near Robinson’s Dept. Store, you can call her at (032)253-1951 to 53, and just ask for Mayen. Banking hours are from 9am to 4pm on Mondays to Fridays. And from 10am to 3pm on Saturdays. She is at the bank from Monday to Friday but not always on a Saturday.
One word of caution, my friend and neighbor had p250,000 stolen from his account at Robinsons bank in Robinsons Mall and it was probably done by an employee there. I cannot say more about it on here but so far he has not gotten his money back and things here do not work like they would in a first world country, so my advice would be to stay away from Robinsons bank because it seems they do not have control over their employees and are slow to help when money is stolen from an account and you might not want to keep too much money in any of the smaller banks here.
OK, hope some of that helped you. Good luck,
I’ve just found out that as a “Balikbayan” I’m allowed to own/buy properties (with limitations on size of course) in the PI. This thought came to my mind because an uncle in Tabogon died 2 weeks ago and he did not have any heirs. I’m thinking of buying his land, a large part of which farming land, then his surviving siblings can just split the funds. I’m just wondering whether if I buy this land, I can then will it to my children. However, they are (technically) foreigners because they are Australians through and through. I know I’ll have to consult a lawyer on that one. I think I’ve got the best of both worlds, being an Aussie citizen but still able to stay and own land in PI even with limitations. I understand as Balikbayan I can stay for up to a year without a visa? That would be plenty time for me. I’d probably ran out of money after 6 months in PI, so have to come back to Oz then. LOL!
I’m confused Christian, you’re not a citizen of the country any more? I know there are Balikbayan and even a special visa for them, I just don’t understand. I’m always an American Citizen. I’m still subject to American law as well as Philippine law. I don’t understand how staying out of the country for a while causes you to loose your rights.
I thinking of opening a business here. Maybe just a videoke bar then I can get a special visa without getting married. I’m going to go see a lawyer soon. There is a videoke place that recently closed down in a good location. I’d like to get it. Even if it breaks even I can set use it as a jumping off place.
PS on that, I thought you had to hire five people for that type of visa though. Maybe its not five people full time.
the philippines has been a death trap for many years for foreigners visiting the philippines,any filipino person can make a false and bad intentioned accusation against any foreigner to the immigration department ( BID )and the foreigner is arrested by BID officers and most of the time deported from the philippines.
So how a foreigner can live safely,invest safely or retire safely with all that fear hanging on top of their heads all the time .
To my opinion is better to live in other country where the foreigner is most respected like thailand,and not like philippines unless the foreigner is prepared to lose his freedom or his life.
Please visit bicutan detention center at manila (BID ) and listen how foreigners are treated and the injustices comited towards them.
Anna, you are Filipino?
There are certainly perils here. Extortion is always a problem but its not the norm. It is important for any expat to know the people he is alone with, especially the Filipina that he is alone with.
Most Filipino are wonderful people with a lot of respect toward westerners. There are exceptions though.
I wouldn’t believe everything someone in a prison told me. Just because they say they’ve been falsely accused doesn’t mean its true or more likely, all the truth. There do appear to be abuses though.
I read of one BI official that claimed a tourist walked up to her and slapped her. No prior contact, that he just walked up to her and did that.
I find that hard to believe. Even if she did give him a hard time or even ask for a gift, hitting her in any way was a insane thing to do and he was and should have been deported.
There are abuses on both sides of this issue. The expat certainly needs to take low profile approach. Drawing attention to yourself could be a problem.
Thailand is getting expensive. Most expats are looking to save money or NEED to live in a low cost place. And you gotta admit, some of the most beautiful girls in the world do live here. Not that Thailand is lacking in that. Japan, Mexico, Brazil have a good number of those as well. So far things have been good for me.
There are abuses every where.
Basically I lost my rights when I renounced my Phil citizenship. So basically because I have an Aussie passport, the PI laws as it is applied to any other foreigner applies to me because of my “nationality”, but at least I’m still allowed to own property outright, albeit with limitations, and longer time frame to stay in PI without a visa. I have looked into inheritance laws, and I’m pretty sure because I’m classed as “foreigner” I can’t leave land to my children, unless it is “hereditary” land. I know it gets really complex, that is why I will consult a lawyer about this matter. I might even speak to my uncle (who is a retired judge). I find it really intriguing that 2 foreign nationals (you and me) have different rights and certain laws are applied differently. Don’t you? Do you think you’d make money on Videoke bars in a town like Bogo? I think you should find out first why they closed. BTW, if you end up opening that bar, I’d suggest add a pool table. I don’t know what they’re called in the US, they’re called “Snooker” in UK, probably billiards in PI, but it’s commonly referred here as the “game of pool”, hence people would ask “you wanna game of pool?”. I’m just not sure whether Filipinos are crazy on that. If they’re not at the moment, you could introduce one and see how it goes. It’s very popular in the pubs here. As for Anna’s comments re-danger of living and investing in PI for foreigners. I can say Thailand is no better. One of my collegues (let’s just say her name was Karen) here was married to a man who left her for a Thai woman. He sold up everything and moved to Thailand. The Thai woman had adult Thai children, and they were extracting money from him, because Karen’s husband was demanding Karen pay him off urgently for his share of the property. But Karen did not do so. He was murdered in Thailand not long after his requests for money from Karen. Karen thought the Thai woman’s children killed him. Till now, they never found his killers. Karen had to bring his body back to Oz and bury him. They had one daughter. The Thai woman claimed his superannuation, leaving nothing to his Aussie family. Honestly, I think Bogo is far safer than Thailand or even Bali. I think the best thing for expats is to keep a low profile and not wave his money or expensive properties around. Incidentally, one of my friends here always goes shopping for second hand clothes for her husband whenever they plan to visit PI. The oldier and tattier the better. She said she wants her husband to look as poor as possible so they won’t get hassled with money when they go back to the provinces where her family lived. She’d even go as far a putting holes and little tear in them LOL!
I wish I could buy some land now. I would like to buy three times what I need on Bantayan Island. When the kids are grown we could sell one of the lots and build a house on it the other 2/3rds but I doubt I have the money I need for that.
I should talk to my friend about buying land on the Island just off the coast of Davao to see if I can even get in the ball park. Probably not. I’m sure I will be able to eventually but I don’t know if I want to leave myself cash strapped.
When a doctor told me 6 or 7 years ago I had five years left, I stopped living for tomorrow. I stopped suffering today for a better tomorrow. I started living for today, even Christ said let tomorrow worry about tomorrow as today has enough problema of its own. Okay so that’s my tagalish translation but it works.
Yes Bogo is pretty darn safe. Bantayan even more so. There was a robbery there while we were there but they said it was someone that had come from another island. That no one the island could pull that off as every one knows each other so well.
I prefer the rule of law but in some parts of the world, often in the US too, the one with the most money controls the outcome of “justice.”
I think the guy got a little “rough justice” too and battering a woman is reason enough to have a “talk with him” about the error of his ways. I suspected he had been warned, at least once.
The US does not require you to renounce your country of birth nor do they honor it even if you do it to became a citizen of another country. We can have dual citizenship. That’s one cha cha I’d like to see in the PI. Though I do understand the difference.
The US government is very stable, there is no war going on in the country.
I would enjoy being a citizen here but I wont renounce my birth land. The US is flawed but it is still a very impressive land. So I will continue to love both countries. Hmm I need to file my tax return tomorrow. LOL
LOL, Poor him up some huh?
No danger of my waving around money. Funny thing is people think this camera I have is so expensive and its old and barely works. But its big so people think its worth a lot. It was 7 years ago.
It wont make much but it should break even. The reason it closed is horrible customer service. We went in once. They didn’t even have a fan. We left. Its not big enough for a pool table. My purpose wouldn’t be to make money. It would be to break even and get started and then build.
I don’t know how much it would be to rent. I think about P2000. The videoke cost nothing. I’m only exploring the idea for now.
Another problem with the location is that it has a lot of competition but I think I know how to make it more valuable than the others. It is in a long line of other bars and it is the last one.
I don’t want to give away too much.
The Philippines allows a Philippine citizen to regain citizenship by just swearing allegiance to the Philippines and then be considered a dual citizen. I believe that it can be done at any embassy or at the BI in the Philippines. Also if a person still has their Philippine passport and renews it when back in the Philippines, then they would be a Philippine citizen and I do not know how the Philippines would know otherwise.
Good points Lee. what your talking about is the some-what new Balikbayan law I think? That probably wasn’t in effect when Christine got her Au passport and she MIGHT not be aware of the updates.
That’s a good point. But my Phil passport expired 20+ years ago. Will they renew it still? What if they asked where I’d been all these years?
They have passed some new laws in recent years called Balikbayan, if I’m spelling them right. Same spelling as the box.
The intent was to make it easy for Filipino to regain their national standing here.
I wouldn’t lie to them but I’m sure many people don’t ever renew their passports. Most Filipino never get one. I want to get Jessie one and we’re working on that so she can travel with me.
Probably when you left it was much harder to return than it is now.
There is an immigration lawyer in Bogo, well he has a huge sign out saying he is one. I’d have a hard time finding him again. I hope Jessie remembers where he is.
I’ve just remembered, if I present my Phil. passport for renewal, they will ask how I got back into the country and where I’d been. It’s got the entry stamp to Australia, but no other exits! So much for that idea. I guess it’s back to the Dual Citizenship drawing board. Not that there is something wrong with that. As a Dual citizen, I can actually leave properties to my children. God bless the Phil.!
iff you Google Balikbayan immigration, I ssupect you’ll find it easy to solve this issue. it isn’t hard for you to get dual citizenship.
Here, I googled it, try here:
http://www.philippine-embassy.org.sg/index.cfm?GPID=77
Rusty, you didn’t have to do that. I will sort this out once I’ve got enough Phil. investments. Well, I think I’ve got enough to worry about, but I will have my PI holiday first, then I will look into it when I come back. Thanks anyway….
Others may be interested as well.
See that is nested but I can barely tell, its indented a bit.
Like your finger, he,he,
Not sure if this is the right place for this question or if it’s already been answered somewhere else.. but here goes…
I’m the child of a Filipino mother and an American father, I’m a natural born American citizen… (born and raised in Texas!) and I wanted to stay in the Philippines for a year. I’m about to turn 18, and graduate from high school, and I wanted to spend a year away from home in Cebu City…. I spent my summer vacation there and loved it. I have a ton of family and friends there. I was just wondering what I would need to apply for… it’s all so confusing! A visa? Would the balikbayan law apply to me? Or would I be eligible for dual citizenship because of my mom? Agh I would really appreciate some help. I can’t find any specific information regarding my situation. Also, what if I wanted to go to college there? Is there some special visa for international students?
I would contact a travel agent and ask these question. A big one though. A big one will usually have people that work on these kinds of issues.
You can come for 21 days without a Visa. When you come through immigration at the airport, ask the officer if you qualify for Balikbayan. As I understand it, it is pretty much up to t hat officer, bring copies of your birth certificate alone with your moms.
You can always come on tourist visa, which is your American passport and renew it ever 60 days. That’s what many of us do.
18 and tasting freedom, are you?
I bet you’re one very pretty girl. 
Hi Sandy, if you haven’t turn 18 yet, and your mom is not dual citizen get her to apply for dual before you turn 18 and you will be included in that application. Once you turned 18, you will be classed as just another Kano! I’m waiting to be sworn in for the reacquisition of
Phil citizenship, and because my daughter is not 18 yet, she will be included and she is keen to be dual as well. Good luck!
And in the highly unlikely event that I marry a pinay during my upcoming time there, would I gain dual-citizenship? I think that would either rock or just end up making me eligible to pay new and exotic taxes
Hi Joe, if you marry a Pinay, you only have to wait 5 years and you can then apply for Phil. citizenship. But in the meantime, you will be entitled to permanent residency. I think it is called Visa 13a. Phil. taxes are very low compared to Aussies. But apparently, what you would earn in PI your US govt. would tax you also. I don’t know if they would find out if you don’t tell
.
Very interesting the comments about getting Philippine citizenship back for Filipinos who have other citizenships.
My wife who is from Cebu has British and Australian passports, of our three daughters the eldest was born in Cebu and the other two were born in UK.
My wife and a few of her friends have got back their Philippine citizenship with no affect on their current Australian citizenship. The benefit being that they can legally own anything they want compared to the limited land purchase as before.
This is where it gets foggy; from what we found out only a person born in the Philippines can inherit, in this case our eldest daughter did have a passport at age 3 weeks!! and apparently she is considered a filipina as having been born there.
She will also at some stage shall get back her citizenship as we have property to pass on.
My other two daughters cannot inherit as they were not born there.
When my daughter showed the immigration people her Philippine birth certificate they allowed her indefinate stay, they were happy to see this in a foreigner who has come back to see her grandparents and cousins.
In all honesty I’m never quite sure how things are until we see it printed on a government directive.
The citizenship idea was to attract all the thousands of filipinos living in America to make it easier to invest/come back to Phls and is probably one of the best things they could have done.
I was wanting to move over there, and needing information on how to get started, like money exchange, housing, whatever else that would be helpful on this move. Looking for a cooler climate area to live in where would you suggest that i should look at. I’m a 50 single man with a decent income and I am in good health.
Hey Bill,
Welcome to the site. All of those questions have been answered on the site.
I really gotta write some ebooks on too.
If you want some one on one time and willing to the pay my consultancy fee, let me know and we’ll get together in a chat program or VoIP. Sorry, get asked too often now to keep answering those same questions again. They are all here though, for free.
oh god dont go to the bi for a visa extension trouble just come in with a wheelchair and pay the two boys 2 50 usd bills and then 3 usa for the boy each one and they will just fix your passport for 365 minus a day go to hongkong and u turn at the airport and return in a wheelchair helps the poor its called balikbayan visa
What does a wheel chair have to to with a Balikbayan visa?
As far as I know, you must be either Filipino that has lost citizenship or married to a Filipino to get that. Please enlighten me.
Balikbayan means to come back, in my limited understanding of the language.
Use you’re real name if you want to reply.
has any one ever been late to extend his or her visa. i’m on a boat back towards manila now and we had to stop overnight becuz of engine troubles. i know the fee’s total 1010 plus normal extension fee’s. my question is do the extend the visa from the day i get the extension or from the day the visa expired?
I thought I recalled a daily fee too. Perhaps it is a monthly fee. The philippines is not going to allow you to extend your stay by delaying when you get your paperwork and fees up to date.
Usually you have to talk with the chief int he local office and explain why you’re late. Don’t put this off.