Are The Good Times Over For Foreigners In The Philippines

[@retiredcryptohunter9031]

I’ve been here in the Philippines for 2 and a half years and I was on a tourist visa for the first two years and I finally applied for the 13A visa and got my probationary 13A a few months ago. It’s good to see the Philippines cracking down on people who are abusing the Philippines immigration system. Hopefully we will see some positive changes in the immigration system and process.

[@deograciasgrantos7761]

Most filipinos are friendly and easy to get along, they are kind, hospitable and helpful to others, but if you are rude, then you will be in trouble.

[@eobardthawne5246]

What are you talking about? We Filipinos are rude too but no trouble ensues because we're ignorant of each other's rudeness (plus the fact we fear confrontations and public scandals over small issues). That's how dumb Filipinos are -- unaware of common sense etiquette. Filipinos don't observe self-discipline and decorum as much as foreigners. Filipinos actually spit and blow their noses in the streets, leaving saliva, phlegm and sputum in the streets. We also don't clean up after ourselves after eating in fast food joints. We use our mobile phones while watching movies in theaters so the screen glare is a distraction to the audience. All sorts of rudeness, immaturity and bad behavior. Frankly I'm embarrassed to be a Filipino.

[@randysalerno6274]

Good for their government. I think this will bring more and better tourists to the Philippines. Who wants to deal with bad foreigners who give tourists a bad name? This is long overdue.

[@user-gx3bl5ij3z]

Let’s not panic just comply with the questions everything will be fine

[@johnlacey3857]

Yeah... because we can always trust government 🙄

[@genejordan9983]

From what I was told by a senator, there has been a few problems with some foreigners and the Philippines has too much trouble finding them. Several incidents involved Chinese. But others have abused their rights here. For the most part, he said if we keep clean and obey their rules, we are very welcome here. Makes sense to me.

[@oceanproalaska2203]

I think the crackdown on People on a Tourist Visa, working or doing criminal activities, is a good thing. We know people coming from certain countries Continually disrespect the laws of Philippines. The problem being that many people involved in criminal activity usually have a lot of money and power. I would love to see a Crackdown on Foreigners that disrespect the laws and the people of the Philippines Like the sign says at the immigration office, Good people in Bad people Out.

[@michaellewis3747]

@@oceanproalaska2203 spot on

[@Male666chauvinist]

I like to see a crackdown on all the corruption in the Philippines government, as the sign says the rich are getting richer and the poor are getting poorer 😂😂😂😂😂

[@bones5785]

Some tourists form what are essentially ghettos and shut out Filipinos from certain areas/condos, and if you know their language, they deride, scorn, and insult Filipinos. Main culprits are Southeast and East Asians. Those people like to retire in the Philippines and treat Filipinos like second class citizens. It makes Filipinos very angry. They should stay in their ugly countries.

[@WorldTravelerCA]

I live in Cebu and just extended last Thursday my tourist visa in Mactan Lapu Lapu immigration office no problem, it wasn’t any different then my prior 5 years of extending my visa’s, if anything I was in and out in total no more then 20 minutes and no one asked me any questions verbally only few more questions on visa application. Please don’t panic guys, it’s Philippines 😉

[@Neal_only1]

If you are on a SRRV visa resident multiple exit/entry no ECC or ReEntry permit is required and the SRRV visa has a renewable 2 year registry vs every year❤

[@ednamolina2772]

With the influx of foreigners in the Philippines, it is more of disadvantage with the Filipinos. How? Rents become high due to dermands where foreigners can afford. Not only on rents but also on othetr commodities. Philippines is the better hubb for them in so many many ways moneywise and family living. No need to explaun more.

[@kristinhannah001]

for the Philippines, this is good. this is really good..

[@britinoz4305]

Only thing that will change is their statistics. The honest tourists will change their status to SRRV, 9A or Balikbayan. Some may leave !!!

[@johnlacey3857]

Woah there... if you’re not married to a Filipina then an SRRV is *hugely* expensive! Prohibitive to many people.

[@Gizziiusa]

been here a bit less than a year. metro manila area. do my 2 month visa renewal regularly. on my third visit, they scrutinized me a bit with further inquiry of "Why are you here ?" etc. I thought it odd for them to question, b/c I made it abundantly clear from the beginning that Im a gulf-war era, medically retired US Army, service connect disabled veteran utilizing the VA outpatient facility on Roxas Blvd. Showed them the appt details too. Even suggesting to them to add a new box to the list "Medical" on their form. Next visit, same BS. (wait, didnt the last person interrogating me put info into the computer about me ?!) obviously No. The vibe I get from there is dark. and sure, I get it....working your boring job as a govt employee day in and day out...seeing the same "cast of characters" "visiting" every 2 or so months. But I am observant too. I see the lil hand offs of money to govt officials, aka bribes going on. How does that all work out ? A [very ?] corrupt govt seeking to stamp out criminality/corruption ? Make it make sense...

[@jerseyboy1791]

If they start bothering me too much I will just leave .. It's not like I stole 5 to 10 billion USD from the country 🤔 like a family I know of !!!

[@johnlacey3857]

It was 35 billion... but he built a few highways and bridges and silenced many malcontents so hey... what’s the problem?

[@pingyu5141]

So which family you know?! Because it might be the wrong family you heard about.

[@Neal_only1]

Yea, so glad i finished my SRRV visa back in Jan❤

[@Neal_only1]

My investment was $1,500 For expanded courtesy SRRV $1,400 for immigration visa And $20 every two years after completing first year. Extra costs were for JRC the marketers i used to acquire the visa and additional extensions on tourist visa awaiting approval of SRRV

[@Neal_only1]

I do not recommend JRC as there are people whom do not charge fees and the process is easy to follow by PRA.

[@marareyes1956]

The main reason these foreigners come here, mainly the retirees, is to be able to live with their pension. We are a democratic country, we have our immigration rules, and.if you abide by those rules, then you can stay in the Philippines, nothing to brag about. We dont have any special entitlement to any nationality, to be specific. Normally, Retirees dont open businesses here, they are here to survive in their monthly pension, thats all.

[@AprilIrvin-c1i]

Who would look to the philippines to find a job . Make more at a silly mcdonalds job in usa ,,,,myself im retired so i dont need to make money here in Philippines

[@heroictesticles6870]

Indians, Indonesians. The Chinese especially have been known to make money in country and there are more of them than any other foreigner.

[@rounder400]

The Visa Renewal Memorandum, is a nothing buger. My interview comprised about 30 seconds. I was asked if I had a partner, and to include her name in the space where comments were to be made. That was it. Yes, nailing down my address was reviewed. No questions on WHY I wanted to extend my Vistor Visa. It was a pleasant experience, and I stressed beforehand for no reason. I have been renewing for almost 3 years.

[@newtonlee10]

what is your advice if asked "do u have a partner?" yes, no, or still looking?🤔

[@realismatitsfinest1]

I heard that they are wanting to introduce a Golden Visa. By investing US$75,000 you can get permanent residency. In other countries it would be real estate but, from my understanding, foreigners aren't allowed to own real estate in the Philippines. So perhaps government bonds or investing in the culture of the Philippines perhaps? But this would draw in a lot of retirees I think, especially since most of the other GV's from other countries start at $200k+.

[@Philippinesadventures]

I confess I’ve overstayed unintentionally a few times for about a week or so and immigration just told me to pay a fine

[@KeithFLOOK-wd3uw]

The main thing they are doing is trying to stop people abusing the tourist visa system... living somewhere for 3 years or more is not being a tourist, you should get the correct appropriate visa, either retirement, working or marriage one.

[@johnlacey3857]

I have to disagree. The majority of people who are “retired” and living on the 3-year tourist visa plan are good decent people pumping plenty of foreign money into the Philippines economy. The SRRV is *hugely* expensive; the cost is a big deterrent to many.

[@laurencehyde2168]

Will take years to go through.. 💯

[@michaellewis3747]

That's fair enough there entitled to know who is coming into there country

[@mattgoodwin-king2228]

they're / their

[@johnlacey3857]

They already know that. This is just a power grab and an opportunity for more bribery.

[@fruitloops3718]

I think the 3 year tourist visa should go. Make it a year with a recert every 3 months. There's no reason why someone should be allowed to stay in a country on a tourist visa for 3 years. There's a lot of rif raf I would like to see removed from the Philippines. When I go there, I take better care of the places that I stay than their own citizens, but that's another story.

[@heroictesticles6870]

In 2007 it was 1 year. Thankfully they changed it because they actually wanted to encourage people to come and bring money into the country. Going back to 1 year is a terrible idea and they know it, since they went up to 2 years and then 3 years.

[@Philippineinformation]

I just extended my visa in Dumaguete. The they want to know your address, contact no. And if you have a girlfriend as a reason for being there, or what you’re reason is and that is it. The world is on the verge of WW3 and they might want to know who is in there country.

[@rounder400]

I did the same in Dumaguete last Thursday, and they verified it. Nothing wrong with what they were asking, especially the contact number and address. They should have been verifying my phone and address from day one.

[@johnlacey3857]

And what if you change your address? Or your phone number (as happens frequently in the Philippines)? It’s not like their bureaucracy could ever find you if they needed to.

[@newtonlee10]

what is your advice if they asked if u have a girlfriend....yes, no, still looking?

[@faronray5765]

Not only do the rules change it seems every 2 or 3 months but each immigration office, in each city seems to have it's own rules, standards and interpretation of them. If anything, the Philippines would do everyone a favor if the Rules, paperwork were all standardized from each office. They should make it easier to stay in the Philippines than making it more harder. Tourist spend lots of money here to help the economy. Making the rules harder only chases away more hard currency to other locations around the world.

[@davethorsen8538]

This is getting stupid. Only people who will be treated differently is the one who is doing something shady. I went to extend 3vweeks ago and it was a 2 min conversation. I have yet to find anyone who can present someone who has been kicked out if they had their things in order . The few stories I’ve heard was people who lied about stuff and left out some crap they did. Long story short if you are a normal guy with your things together you can keep extending no problem.

[@davethorsen8538]

@@edv1261 so did you get kicked out of the country

[@edv1261]

@@davethorsen8538Noo. I follow the rules.I’m sure I would have been arrested if I had argued with the BOI. I did make a comment and the lady next to him smiled when I responded to the stupid question her coworker (BOI) asked.

[@Scarrus666]

Lied about what stuff and left what out?

[@davethorsen8538]

@@Scarrus666 one guy forgot to mention he had been pulled over 4 times on his bike with no license and ignored it

[@Neal_only1]

Scott, you should just get your 13A since your married❤

[@Marker44]

That’s the future plan for me.

[@robertcrowder3606]

Yeah but we get sick of s*** changing every other day what day is good next day is bad then you spend all day at the office doing something that should only take 10 minutes and then you have to go back to the next day to finish up and they won't even be there I should just go on to Vietnam or Thailand

[@bhinbayoucity5691]

....and....were having unlawful behavior here in the USA by a lot of immigrants..and were giving them free stuff....not right...we need to start enforcing our laws as well. 😮😮😮

[@ItsOk-mq9ex]

Democrats .... will never enforce laws on crimigrants. They need the votes. Retaining full dictator style strangle hold on the country is all they care about.

[@edv1261]

@@ItsOk-mq9exyou mean like the bipartisan republican immigration bill that the orange moron told his minions to kill because it would hurt his election? Get real. 🤦‍♂️

[@stevedrake360]

@@edv1261 He/ she is talking about ILLEGAL immigrants. He/ she is correct.

[@stevedrake360]

@@edv1261 What is your point then? I don't care how hard immigrants work. They need to come into the U.S. legally.

[@stevedrake360]

@@edv1261 Are you kidding me? Entering the U.S. illegally is trespassing, and THAT is unlawful. Illegal immigrants are given many free things including healthcare, food, shelter and money. These so-called freebies are funded by hard-working taxpayers.

[@edexter97]

How do you get a new acr card without asking where someone lives. They have a signup form anyway that always asks that question

[@MissBlackFry]

Hi, Question! I am looking for information that says the 30 day visa has been changed to 59 days? I know it's possible to extend once you are in the country, but I can't find any information on the change like you said. 🌴

[@Marker44]

These are proposed changes possibly being passed in 2025.

[@robertnunn3015]

I think it’s Good keep Those out of the country that don’t need to be there !

[@briankendall65]

Exit visa is required after 6 months in country...

[@mm-zw2vp]

My many visits to the immigration office. Have all been very positive, the officials have always polite and kind. But I've seen forgeiners with extremely bad attitudes, that they wouldn't dare behave that way in other countries. Their countries , their rules.. just be respectful!!

[@Velsbasketcase]

Philippines is set to have more tourists than Myanmar in 2025.🎉

[@rounder400]

Funny!. I am not a big fan of Myanmar, where I did numerous visa runs from Thailand.

[@genejordan9983]

Hey guys, I need to update you from my last comment. I just went to the Davao office and did another extension. There is a new form that has a blank multiline section to explain why you are wanting to stay longer. That’s it. I write in “ retirement and tourist”. I was processed just as fast with no questions. I did notice that “6 month” was still on the form. I asked. It applies only if you have Philippine marriage license or birth certificate of a Philippine child with your last name. Just some FYI

[@Marker44]

Thanks for the update and good to hear you had no issues!

[@bamblejuiceblake7111]

Thanks for the info

[@jefferystrong6852]

Planning on getting a 13A visa soon. I figured there was a change comming. I recently renewed myACR card and didn't have an interview like the first time. Might be a Davao BI office thing.

[@michaellewis3747]

Most other Asian countries have stricter visa requirements

[@rounder400]

And some have less stringent visa requirements.

[@johnlacey3857]

And most other Asian countries have healthier economies and aren’t as reliant on long-term tourists.

[@michaellewis3747]

Self inflicted

[@johnlacey3857]

@@michaellewis3747 Maybe true but irrelevant in this discussion.

[@michaellewis3747]

Depends how you see it

[@kimojames808]

Scary when BOI detains you for months with no charges as they did to Paul from "World Zoom". What do you say bout that? Careful! 😅

[@kevinandgemma7740]

You believe what World Zoom tells you , you believe the world is flat ..

[@rounder400]

@@kevinandgemma7740 And if we listened to a judgemental fool like you, we are all lost souls. You do know the saying about 'glass houses'?

[@rounder400]

@@kevinandgemma7740 Yes, I do. WHen it smells like crap, and it looks like crap, it probably is crap. Paul has backup, and if you are too closed minded to consider what he is saying really happened, well that's to your detriment.

[@kimojames808]

@kevinandgemma7740 RU that unhappy w urself to put other people down? Asshole!

[@rounder400]

@@QuicknStraight Yes he was. An old picture was passed onto BI by an asshole foreigner, stirring up trouble. He was never charged, but he was fleeced out of many thousand by Cebu BI.

[@venturaVlogger]

That exit clearance stuff will drive down tourist numbers and revenues. It will discourage others to visit philippines

[@Marker44]

Seems like it could be a big hassle. I agree, some people won't want to deal with it.

[@newtonlee10]

​@@Marker44 why normal tourists would worry about getting an exit clearance, other than having to pay an extra fee?

[@MarcL-dp3oh]

In a few months, we won't be able to travel around the world anymore, so I wouldn't focus too much in what is going to happen next year

[@stevedrake360]

Why do you say that?

[@Gizziiusa]

@Arthur-da "It will severely curtail the amount of long haul flights that a person can make each year." -you Im certain all of this pertains to the newly evolving carbon credit system (a person's carbon footprint). Another key word is "net zero". I agree it has been talked about, and indeed it is beginning to be implemented on the larger corporations, other organizations, and such... but I doubt it will be in full effect within a few months like OP says. Best guess i'd make is around 1.5 to 3 years from now. But yes, make no mistake about it, it WILL be integrated into what many are calling a neo-feudal technocratic global system (aka the proverbial biblical beast system), tied in with the current financial credit system, and the also evolving social credit system. Of course, cashless society is within the framework too for oh so obvious reasons. Ergo "FInsocarb" aggregate rating. financial +social + carbon. (Finsocarb is a word I coined myself for this. Feel free to ask any questions, and ill do my best to answer. ~gizziiusa

[@rounder400]

@Arthur-da This is nuts. I watch 6+ news outlets each day, and nothing like this has come up.

[@ShikokuFoodForest]

I think many expats have retired and are living in the Philippines. Is the tourist visa fine for retiring there?

[@Marker44]

Yes I believe thats all you need.

[@ShikokuFoodForest]

@@Marker44 Thanks. I was just wondering what changes are being considered to the tourist visa in the Philippines? Other than asking for an address and having a basic interview prior to applying for a visa renewal, do you foresee anything changing?

[@heroictesticles6870]

You can but you are at the mercy of big changes and events. I'm surprised they didn't remove tourists from the country during covid. Had covid actually been something dangerous they probably would have.

[@Coffewithsteve]

Get right visa tourist is short time

[@johnlacey3857]

Wait so you’re saying if someone is visiting the Philippines for just a few days on a tourist visa will then need exit clearance??? 😮

[@Marker44]

Thats the proposal.

[@johnlacey3857]

@@Marker44 That’s ridiculous. I’m not aware of any “free” country that requires such a ridiculous condition to leave. I don’t want to stake my travel itinerary on flaky government computer software and comm lines of a 3rd world country.

[@Marker44]

@@johnlacey3857 you can check the BPI website for clarification on the proposals.

[@johnlacey3857]

@@Marker44 I’m not disputing your analysis; I think you’re a smart guy and you’re probably reading it correctly. I’m just remarking how insane a proposal that is. I would not want to put my head in the noose of a buggy and vulnerable Philippines computer system every time I try to leave the country.

[@clarkwayne3440]

THE GATES SHALL BE OPEN CONTINUALLY. Isaiah 60:11 Therefore thy gates shall be open continually; they shall not be shut day nor night; that men may bring unto thee the forces of the Gentiles, and that their kings may be brought. Isaiah 60:3 And the Gentiles shall come to thy light, and kings to the brightness of thy rising. 4 Lift up thine eyes round about, and see: all they gather themselves together, they come to thee: thy sons shall come from far, and thy daughters shall be nursed at thy side. 5 Then thou shalt see, and flow together, and thine heart shall fear, and be enlarged; because the abundance of the sea shall be converted unto thee, the forces of the Gentiles shall come unto thee. Isaiah 60:9 SURELY THE ISLES SHALL WAIT FOR ME, and the ships of Tarshish first, to bring thy sons from far, their silver and their gold with them, unto the name of the LORD thy God, and to the Holy One of Israel, because he hath glorified thee.

[@highclassbum2538]

Charge more fees

[@markjohnson3616]

Yeah to much hastle not going i will just bring her here

[@HunkyMan777]

Change it to a 2 month tourist visa only. No visa runs allowed. You must leave for at least 9 months before any tourist visa return

[@BasedInBrazil]

I'd give 90 days renewable once for a max of 180 days per year.

[@JamesHickman-g5c]

Then they might not come back, ever. Remember, too, some are parents supporting their families and can't marry for one reason or another. They would have to move somewhere else for good. No more pay piggies buying their mates expensive properties. It would turn the country upside down. I doubt any 3rd world country will do that.

[@oceanproalaska2203]

That will never happen. Visa renewals create a lot of revenue for the B I . If you limit visas to 2 or 3 months , They would loose Millions in renewal fees, you will force many ex-pats to just go to a country that treats them better. Many countries welcome Retirees, Digital Nomads and people that want to start businesses with open arms.

[@edbaker4260]

I am married to a filipina I brought to the US on a fiancee visa she has since become a US citizen. We are retired living on a fixed income so getting a little tough. We are talking about going to the Phillipines for most of the year if Harris gets elected gas will probably go to $7.00 to $10.00 a gallon like it is in Calif. we could not afford that. I understand we would qualify for a balakbyan visa, can we get those several times?

[@Marker44]

Not sure but I believe you could extend it up to 3 years. Then go out to a nearby country for 24 hours, come back in together with your wife and start all over. You can also apply for a 13a visa being a spouse. You may want to check into the requirements. I hear you on the gas and cost of living!

[@joekahno]

Sounds like you would qualify for a 13a visa or an SRRV. Either one grants resident status and exempts you from needing a tourist visa. On a side note I recently was interviewed by a Philippine census worker. I really wasn't enthused about playing twenty questions with a representative of any government agency. If I was in the US I might have intentionally given false information. Here I'm not going to do anything that might affect my resident status.

[@toddsmith3017]

13a is much easier to get at a Philippine consulate. Enter go to bureau of quarantine, then apply for acr card that's good for 5 years. Do yearly report. Have to do ECC b and reentry permit to leave.

[@antoninogeniston7506]

I think the Duterte admin, with the very bad allegation on extra-judicial killings, drove foreign tourists to other destinations. It will take much efforts and much time to recover. Meanwhile our economy will continue to suffer from this problem.

[@kristinhannah001]

@@antoninogeniston7506so what? if this will allow unruly aliens to enter the country, so be it

[@oxvendivil442]

Of course in a few years foreign tourism will be dead here, we are slated to be the next Ukraine after all.

[@BrianDodgen]

Just wait 30 mins it will change again ...

[@JoeyZee-vs4kr]

These are the kind of disrespect the Immigration Office should be able to target. Other countries like Thailand update their visa rules so why can't the Philippines? Are you addict?

[@bobbykoller2003]

If only we could have some reform in America in retrospect to immigration, wouldn’t that be something?