Who can enter the Philippines without a Visa?

Can I enter the Philippines without a Visitor Visa?

Under Executive Order No. 408, nationals of the countries listed below may enter the Philippines without a visa.

If you are a foreign national from a country with diplomatic ties or bilateral agreement with the Philippines, you are allowed to enter the country without securing an entry visa and will be given an initial stay of thirty (30) days provided that you are a holder of a passport valid for at least six (6) months beyond your contemplated stay in the Philippines and present a return or onward ticket.

Allowed to enter for a period not exceeding 59 days.

Brazil
Israel

Allowed to enter for a period not exceeding 30 days.

Andorra
Angola
Antigua and Barbuda
Argentina
Australia
Austria
Bahamas
Bahrain
Barbados
Belgium
Belize
Benin
Bhutan
Bolivia
Botswana
Brunei
Bulgaria
Burkina Faso
Burundi
Cambodia
Cameroon
Canada
Cape Verde
Central African Republic
Chad
Chile
Colombia
Comoros
Congo
Congo, Democratic Republic
Costa Rica
Cote d’Ivoire
Croatia
Cyprus
Czech Republic
Denmark
Djibouti
Dominica
Dominican Republic
Ecuador
El Salvador
Equatorial Guinea
Eritrea
Estonia
Ethiopia
Fiji
Finland
France
Gabon
Gambia
Germany
Ghana
Greece
Grenada
Guatemala
Guinea
Guinea-Bissau
Guyana
Haiti
Honduras
Hungary
Iceland
Indonesia
Ireland
Italy
Jamaica
Japan
Kazakhstan
Kenya
Kiribati
Korea (ROK)
Kuwait
Kyrgyzstan
Laos
Latvia
Lesotho
Liberia
Liechtenstein
Lithuania
Luxembourg
Madagascar
Malawi
Malaysia
Maldives
Mali
Malta
Marshall Island
Mauritania
Mauritius
Mexico
Micronesia
Monaco
Mongolia
Morocco
Mozambique
Myanmar
Namibia
Nepal
Netherlands
New Zealand
Nicaragua
Niger
Norway
Oman
Palau
Panama
Papua New Guinea
Paraguay
Peru
Poland
Portugal
Qatar
Romania
Russia
Rwanda
Kitts and Nevis
Saint Lucia
Vincent and the Grenadines
Samoa
San Marino
Sao Tome and Principe
Saudi Arabia
Senegal
Seychelles
Singapore
Slovak Republic
Slovenia
Solomon Islands
South Africa
Spain
Suriname
Swaziland
Sweden
Switzerland
Tanzania
Tajikistan
Thailand
Togo
Trinidad and Tobago
Tunisia
Turkey
Turkmenistan
Tuvalu
Uganda
United Arab Emirates
United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland
United States of America
Uruguay
Uzbekistan
Vanuatu
Vatican
Venezuela
Viet Nam
Zambia
Zimbabwe

Source: www.immigration.gov.ph/…/travel-req

Visiting the Philippines as a Tourist

What are the Requirements for visiting the Philippines as a Tourist?

VISA

Most visitors do not need a Visa to enter the Philippines, and will be given a FREE stay of 30 days on entry.  Some countries are excluded from this option though, and need a Visa before they arrive.  www.in-philippines.com/who-can-enter-the-philippines-without-a-visa

If the visitor intends to stay more than 30 days, they MUST get an extension from a Bureau of Immigration Office [BoI] before that 30 days expires.

This first Extension will be given for 29 days, at a cost of 3,030 pesos (as at April 2015)

If staying longer than 59 days, then another extension is needed and an Alien Certificate of Registration [ACR-I Card]

This next extension is often done for 2 months, but can be done for 6 months at the major BoI offices.

The current price for a 1 month extension is quoted as: 4,400 pesos
The current price for a 2 month extension is quoted as: 4,900 pesos
– See: www.in-philippines.com/philippines-visitor-visa-extension-cost
The current price for a 6 month extension is quoted as: 11,500 pesos
– See: www.in-philippines.com/6-month-tourist-visa-for-philippines

The ACR-I card has a cost of US$50 + 500 pesos

Visas for most visitors can be extended up to a maximum of 36 months, before they MUST leave the country.

RETURN TICKET

Most airlines will not allow a traveller to board a plane to the Philippines unless they have an onward ticket to depart the Philippines.

Some people will buy a cheap one way ticket to Hong Kong, or similar, to get around the need to have an expensive return ticket back to their home country if they do not know when they will be returning.

Very rarely though do Philippine Immigration actually check if you do have a return ticket. But.. sometimes they do.

Tourist Visa Extension at Philippine Airports

Can a Tourist Visa be Extended at a Philippine Airport?

Some Airports have the ability to extend a Tourist Visa beyond the initial Visa Free period of 30 days.

Most foreign tourists will receive a 30 days Visa Free waiver on arrival at the immigration desk in ports and airports.

This can be extended during the first 30 days by another 29 days, and is normally done at one of the Bureau of Immigration offices around the country. It does have a cost of about 3,030 pesos.

Some people do get this 29 day extension at the airport immediately after they arrive. But many others say they have tried but have been unable to get it there.  Some get told that it cannot be done at the Airport.  Others say they have done it, and at a lower cost of nearer 2,800 pesos.

Why does the Philippines have the Emigration Clearance Certificate [ECC]

The reason for the Emigration Clearance Certificate.

When the ECC was enforced in 2013 the reason for this certificate was given as follows:

Immigration Commissioner Siegfred Mison said that the ECC is being issued to departing foreigner nationals to prove that they have no derogatory records in the country or any accountability with other government agencies.

There are two types of ECC that can be secured at any BI satellite office in the country and airports: The ECC-A is being issued to foreigners who have tourist visas extending for more than six months. The ECC-B, on the other hand, is given to holders of immigrant and non-immigrant visas with valid alien certificate registration I-Cards.

The new directive came amid warnings about foreign nationals who are involved in illicit drug trafficking and cybercrimes.

“Before, foreigners saw the Philippines as a haven of fugitives. Now, with honest enforcement of immigration laws, we are able to frustrate those who want to just stay here because they have cases abroad,” the immigration commissioner said in a statement.

And so…  the six month old child, born in the Philippines, to a Foreign parent, travelling on a foreign passport NEEDS to get this certificate to prove it has no derogatory record in the Philippines (see no 4 below)

Or…

Or what ?  I can’t think of another reason.  it cant be for the collection of 500 pesos can it ?

Who needs an ECC

The following foreign nationals must secure an ECC-A prior to their departure:

  1. Holders of Temporary Visitor Visa (also referred to as tourist visa) who have stayed in the Philippines for six (6) months or more;
  2. Holders of expired or downgraded Immigrant or Non-Immigrant Visas;
  3. Holders of valid Immigrant or Non-Immigrant Visas but are leaving for good;
  4. Philippine-born foreign nationals who will depart from the Philippines for the first time;
  5. Holders of Temporary Visitor Visa with Orders to Leave;
  6. Bona fide seafarers who have stayed in the Philippines for 30 days or more and has a duly approved discharge from BI.

ECC-B is issued to departing holders of Immigrant and Non-Immigrant visas with valid ACR I-Cards and are leaving the country temporarily.

How much are the Penalties for Overstaying as a Tourist in the Philippines?

How much is the Overstaying Fee for Tourists in the Philippines?

Most Tourists to the Philippines are allowed to stay for 30 days before needing to apply for a Visa. The first Tourist Visa extension is the initial extension of twenty-nine (29) days, taking the visit up to 59 days.

This is commonly followed by a two month extension, although some Bureau of Immigration offices allow a 6 month extension.

If a person stay in the Philippines without a Valid Visitor Visa, then penalties are applied, and added to the unpaid Visa fees.

These combined penalties and fees can add up over time and can be something like the following figures:

I have calculated the following approximate costs for overstay payments including Visa Fees, ACR cards and Penalties.

Pesos:
4,310 From One day to One Month Overstay (Updated Sept 2017)
6,000 Total for between One and Two Months Overstay (Updated July 2018)
13,000 Total for Up to Three Month Overstay
15,000 Total for Up to Four Month Overstay
17,000 Total for Up to Five Month Overstay
18,000 Total for Up to Six Months Overstay
20,000 Total for Up to Seven Month Overstay
22,000 Total for Up to Eight Month Overstay
24,000 Total for Up to Nine Month Overstay
26,000 Total for Up to Ten Month Overstay
28,000 Total for Up to Eleven Month Overstay
30,000 Total for Up to Twelve Months Overstay
60,000 Total for Up to Two Years Overstay
90,000 Total for Up to Three Years Overstay
120,000 Total for Up to Four Years Overstay
150,000 Total for Up to Five Years Overstay
180,000 Total for Up to Six Years Overstay
210,000 Total for Up to Seven Years Overstay
240,000 Total for Up to Eight Years Overstay
270,000 Total for Up to Nine Years Overstay
300,000 Total for Up to Ten Years Overstay
450,000 Total for Up to Fifteen Years Overstay

Note: These are approximate costs Immigration will determine the exact cost when you visit their office.

A reasonable ‘estimate’ can be made by calculating 3,000 pesos for every month of Overstay. Or about 30,000 for each year.

These figures are approximate calculations based on 2016 fees. They may reduce the cost if they base it on the actual fees dues for older years, which may be less than the 2016 fees.

Charges can also be higher in some cases, such as one example in the comments below:

Pesos:

79,500 For a 19 months overstay.

Financial Penalties for Visa Overstay in the Philippines:

The minimum penalties appear to be:

  • All Visa Extension Fees not previously paid.
  • Fine for Overstaying – (additional) Php 500.00 per month
  • Motion for Reconsideration for Overstaying – (additional) Php 500.00

I have read that the Overstay fee for just a few days would be about 4,000 pesos.

This would be the 3,030 peso first Visa Extension fee + Overstay Fees.  (2015 fees)

If the Overstay is for over one month, but less than two months, then I would guess that the fee would be closer to 12,000 peso, made up as follows:

3,030 pesos – First Visa Extension fee
7,340 pesos – Next Visa Extension fee plus the ACR-i card fee
1,000 pesos – Fine for Overstaying (2 months)
500 pesos – Motion for Reconsideration for Overstaying

If the Overstay is for just over one year, then I would guess that the fee would be closer to 35,000 peso, PLUS possible DEPORTATION.  The fee would be made up as follows (assume figures for 13 months):

3,030 pesos – First Visa Extension fee
22,490 pesos – Six x 2 month Visa Extension fees plus the ACR-i card fee
6,000 pesos – Fine for Overstaying (12 months)
500 pesos – Motion for Reconsideration for Overstaying
plus maybe one ACR-i card renewal fee

That is my guess, based on the actual costs for Normal Visas last year.  If anyone has paid an Overstay Fee, please give details in the comments box below, showing the date and the fee paid and the total days overstayed.  Thank you.

The Official Statement for Visa Extensions is:

Foreigners admitted under Section 9 (a) of the Philippine Immigration Act (PIA) of 1940, as amended, or Executive Order No. 408, as amended, may extend their authorized stay every two (2) months for a total stay of not more than:
– a) Twenty-four (24) months for visa-required nationals; and
– b) Thirty-six (36) months for non-visa required nationals.

The said periods shall be counted from the date of applicant’s latest recorded arrival.

Overstaying Foreigners in the Philippines

Foreigners who have overstayed for twelve (12) months or less but have been in the country beyond the maximum allowable period already may be permitted to update their stay with order to leave the country within fifteen (15) calendar days therefrom and their names may be included in the Bureau’s blacklist upon the discretion of the Commissioner; Provided that, the Commissioner, in the exercise of sound judgment, may allow such foreigners to update and extend their stay taking into consideration their Filipino lineage, medical condition, minority and other analogous circumstances.

Foreigners who have overstayed for more than twelve (12) months regardless if their stay is within the maximum allowable period or those found to be overstaying by virtue to a complaint or Mission Order regardless of the period shall be referred for deportation.

Sourced from: www.immigration.gov.ph/…/234-honorable-secretary

More stories on the Exit Clearance Certificate at:

How can a Foreigner acquire Philippine Citizenship?

The Requirements for a Foreigner to get Philippine Citizenship.

This information is for a Foreigner without any Filipino connection to acquire Philippine Citizenship.

Basis requirements seem to be:

  • Aged 21 or over
  • Lived in Philippines for 10 + years
  • Able to Speak English or Spanish AND a Filipino language (eg: Tagalog)
  • Persons who, during the period of their residence in the Philippines, have mingled socially with the Filipinos, or who have evidenced a sincere desire to learn and embrace the customs, traditions, and ideals of the Filipinos

Commonwealth Act No. 473 states the following requirements for consideration of allowing Philippine Citizenship to a Foreigner.

Sec. 2. Qualifications. – Subject to Section four of this Act, any person having the following qualifications may become a citizen of the Philippines by naturalization:

First. He must be not less than twenty-one years of age on the day of the hearing of the petition;

Second. He must have resided in the Philippines for a continuous period of not less than ten years;

Third. He must be of good moral character and believes in the principles underlying the Philippine Constitution, and must have conducted himself in a proper and irreproachable manner during the entire period of his residence in the Philippines in his relation with the constituted government as well as with the community in which he is living.

Fourth. He must own real estate in the Philippines worth not less than five thousand pesos, Philippine currency, or must have some known lucrative trade, profession, or lawful occupation;

Fifth. He must be able to speak and write English or Spanish and any one of the principal Philippine languages;

Sixth. He must have enrolled his minor children of school age, in any of the public schools or private schools recognized by the Office of Private Education of the Philippines, where the Philippine history, government and civics are taught or prescribed as part of the school curriculum, during the entire period of the residence in the Philippines required of him prior to the hearing of his petition for naturalization as Philippine citizen.

Section 4. Who are disqualified. – The following cannot be naturalized as Philippine citizens:

<..>
6. Persons who, during the period of their residence in the Philippines, have not mingled socially with the Filipinos, or who have not evinced a sincere desire to learn and embrace the customs, traditions, and ideals of the Filipinos
<..>

The full text of the Commonwealth Act No. 473 can be seen at: www.pcw.gov.ph/law/commonwealth-act-no-473

Not all applications for citizenship are easy.

One such application should be reviewed by anyone considering this, to give an idea of possible complications:

G.R. No. 170603

On February 28, 2002, petitioner Edison So filed before the RTC a Petition for Naturalization under Commonwealth Act (C.A.) No. 473, otherwise known as the Revised Naturalization Law, as amended.

The Regional Trial Court (RTC) granted the petition on June 4, 2003

The Republic of the Philippines, through the Office of the Solicitor General (OSG), appealed the decision.

In its Decision dated August 4, 2005, the Court of Appeals (CA) set aside the ruling of the RTC and dismissed the petition for naturalization without prejudice.

Although this application was rejected on one basic point, the entire reading will give an indication of things that you would need to be aware of.

Ownership of Philippine Land by a Foreigner

Can a Foreigner own land in the Philippines

First of all, a foreigner can buy land in the Philippines, it happens all the time, whether he actually owns it or not is a different matter.

Many foreigners even get their names on the title documents, and are happy to tell others that it proves they own the land.

Other people say it isn’t possible for a foreigner to buy land in the Philippines, as it states so in the Philippines Constitution.

So, who do we believe ?

How about: The Supreme Court of the Philippines

Look at the case of Borromeo vs. Descallar, G.R. No. 159310, February 24, 2009.

The Question to the court was:

What are the rights of an alien (and his successor-in-interest) who acquired real properties in the country as against his former Filipina girlfriend in whose sole name the properties were registered under the Torrens system?

From the above trial transcript, which appears a complex read, I have gleaned the following:

Wilhelm Jambrich, an Austrian, met and lived with Antonietta Opalla-Descallar, a Filipina.

On buying a property, a Deed of Absolute Sale was issued in their favour, with both names on the document.

However, when the Deed of Absolute Sale was presented for registration before the Register of Deeds, registration was refused on the ground that Jambrich was an alien and could not acquire alienable lands of the public domain.
Consequently, Jambrich’s name was erased from the document.

Four years later the couple split up.

It gets complicated here….  However…

The court case proved that Jambrich was the source of funds used to purchase the three parcels of land, and to construct the house thereon.

The court also found that Jambrich has all authority to transfer all his rights, interests and participation over the subject properties to petitioner Camilo F. Borromeo, by virtue of the Deed of Assignment he executed on July 11, 1991. (The petitioner being a Philippine Citizen)

Neither the Supreme Court or the Appellate Court disagreed with the factual findings of the Trial Court. They differed only in their conclusions of law.

The law brought into effect was:

Aliens are prohibited from acquiring private land. This is embodied in Section 7, Article XII of the 1987 Constitution, which is basically a reproduction of Section 5, Article XIII of the 1935 Constitution, and Section 14, Article XIV of the 1973 Constitution. The capacity to acquire private land is dependent on the capacity “to acquire or hold lands of the public domain.” Private land may be transferred only to individuals or entities “qualified to acquire or hold lands of the public domain.” Only Filipino citizens or corporations at least 60% of the capital of which is owned by Filipinos are qualified to acquire or hold lands of the public domain. Thus, as the rule now stands, the fundamental law explicitly prohibits non-Filipinos from acquiring or holding title to private lands, except only by way of legal succession or if the acquisition was made by a former natural-born citizen

Jambrich had transferred his property to a Philippine Citizen in 1991.

This case determined that the transfer of land from the original seller to Jambrich, who is an Austrian, would have been declared invalid if challenged, had not Jambrich conveyed the properties to Camilo F. Borromeo who is a Filipino citizen.

If Jambrich had NOT transferred his property to a Filipino, then the court would have ruled that the sale to him was invalid.

The courts final statement was:

The objective of the constitutional provision to keep our lands in Filipino hands has been achieved.

And this appears to be the bottom line, no matter what…

to keep Philippine lands in Filipino hands.

So: Yes;

A foreigner can buy land, but that transaction can be declared invalid by the Supreme Court.
To avoid that, the foreigner must transfer the land to a Philippine citizen.

Moving Household Furniture to the Philippines

Tax and Duty Free shipping into the Philippines

Filipinos shipping goods to the Philippines

Section 105 of the Tariff and Customs Code of the Philippines as amended by Executive Order No. 206 provides duty and tax free privileges to the following individuals, the extent of which depends on their particular status:

Returning Resident
Balikbayans
Overseas Filipino Worker (OFW)
Former Filipino

The rules for Balikbayans/Returning Resident are shown as:

Personal effects and household goods used by him abroad for at least six (6) months and the dutiable value of which is not more than Ten Thousand Pesos (10,000) are exempt from duties and taxes. Any amount in excess of P10,000 is subject to 50% duty to the first P10,000 exemption across the board as provided for under Section 105 (F) of the TCCP.

Read more at: http://customs.gov.ph/privileges

Returning Filipinos, known as Balikbayan, (those who have stayed abroad for more than a year), may in addition bring in duty-free used electric or electronic appliances, one of each kind.

Read more at: www.philippineconsulate.com.au

Foreigners shipping goods to the Philippines

Some foreigners moving to the Philippines with their Household Goods are entitled to full exemption of tax and duties, but only IF they have a Visas that allows this, such as:

Permanent Residence Visa 13 series
Working Visa (9G)
Treaty Traders Visa (9D/47E2)
Special Non-immigrant Visa (47A2)
B.O.I. Visa (E.O 226)
Philippine Retirement Authority (PRA) Visa

Those without the Tax and Duty exemption are subject to varying rates of duty plus 12% tax in appropriate cases.

The rate of import duty varies depending on the commodity imported, ranging from 3 to 50%. The schedule of rates is listed under Section 104, Tariff and Customs Code of the Philippines (TCCP)

Extension of Authorized Stay of Temporary Visitors

Extension of Authorized Stay of Temporary Visitors to the Philippines

Tourist Visa holder can stay in the Philippines for either 24 or 36 months without leaving the country according to Immigration Memorandum Circular No. SBM 2013-003 issued on 23 December 2013.

Foreigners admitted under Section 9 (a) of the Philippine Immigration Act (PIA) of 1940, as amended, or Executive Order No. 408, as amended, may extend their authorized stay every two (2) months for a total stay of not more than:
a) Twenty-four (24) months for visa-required nationals; and
b) Thirty-six (36) months for non-visa required nationals.
The said periods shall be counted from the date of applicant’s latest recorded arrival.

A Long Stay Visitor Visa Extension is now available where the total duration of extension shall be not more than six (6) months from the time of expiration of authorized stay.

Offices of the Philippines Bureau of Immigration that are authorised to do Extension of Authorized Stay of Temporary Visitors

Sourced from www.immigration.gov.ph at May 2015.

  • Intramuros, Manila Main Office
  • Makati, Manila Immigration Extension Office
  • Angeles Immigration Field Office
  • Aparri Immigration Field Office
  • Bacolod Immigration Field Office
  • Baguio Immigration District Office
  • Balanga Immigration Field Office
  • Batangas Immigration Field Office
  • Bislig Immigration Field Office
  • Boac Immigration Field Office
  • Bongao Immigration Field Office
  • Boracay Immigration Field Office
  • Butuan Immigration District Office
  • Calapan Immigration District Office
  • Calbayog Immigration Field Office
  • Cagayan de Oro Immigration District Office
  • Cauayan Immigration Field Office
  • Cebu Immigration District Office
  • Cebu Gaisano  Immigration Satellite Office
  • Cotabato Immigration District Office
  • Dagupan Immigration Field Office
  • Davao Immigration District Office
  • Dumaguete Immigration District Office
  • General Santos Immigration Field Office
  • Glan Immigration Field Office
  • Iligan Immigration Field Office
  • Iloilo Immigration District Office
  • Jolo Immigration Field Office
  • Kalibo Immigration Field Office
  • Laoag Field Immigration Office
  • Legaspi Immigration District Office
  • Lucena Immigration Field Office
  • Naga Immigration Field Office
  • Olongapo Immigration Field Office
  • Ozamis Immigration Field Office
  • Puerto Princesa Immigration Field Office
  • San Fernando Immigration District Office
  • SM North Immigration Satellite Office
  • Sta. Rosa Immigration Field Office
  • Surigao Immigration Field Office
  • Tacloban Immigration District Office
  • Tagbilaran Immigration Field Office
  • Taytay Immigration Field Office
  • Tuguegarao Immigration District Office
  • Zamboanga Immigration Field Office

Updated as of 22 May 2014

Information from Bureau of Immigration FAQ’s

I am a foreign national under a Temporary Visitor’s Visa, I can stay legally in the Philippines for thirty (30) days however I want to extend my stay, how do I go about this?

Foreign nationals who are admitted with an initial stay of thirty (30) days may apply for a visa waiver first, granting an additional stay of twenty nine (29) in the Philippines. Thereafter, you may apply for one (1) month, two (2) months or six (6) months extensions at least one week prior to the expiration of your valid stay.

How long can I extend my in the Philippines?

Under Immigration Memorandum Circular No. SBM-2013-003, non-visa required national may extend their stay up to thirty six (36) months while visa required national may extend their stay up to twenty four (24) months.
Note: The said periods shall be counted from the date of the applicant’s latest recorded arrival.

http://immigration.gov.ph/faqs/extensionofstay

Philippines Visitor Visa Extension Cost

How Much is a Visa to enter the Philippines as a Tourist

Visitors from most countries are allowed to enter the Philippines Visa Free for 30 days, but if staying longer, then they must get an extension from the Bureau of Immigration.

The cost for this is 3,030 pesos, as shown at www.immigration.gov.ph/…/visa-waiver. Last checked November 2019.

These figures are for Non-Visa Required Nationals.

Fees for the subsequent Visa Extensions are quoted as:

4,400 pesos One Month
4,900 pesos Two Months

A Tourist ACR I-Card is also required after the first 59 days stay, and this has a cost of US$50 + 500 pesos., and is valid for one year.

www.immigration.gov.ph/…/extension-of-authorized-stay-beyond-59-days

Those Visitors wishing to extend for 6 months can do so, at some BoI offices, for the current quoted price of 11,500 pesos.

http://www.immigration.gov.ph//long-stay-visitor-visa-extension-lsvve

One or Two Month Visa Extension Costs

Philippines Visa Charge after 59 days

Taking Currency In or Out of the Philippines 2015

How much money can you carry going into or out of the Philippines in 2015

Philippine Pesos:

A maximum of PhP10,000 is allowed to be taken out of or brought into the Philippines. Any figure above that amount must be authorised in advance by the Central Bank of theh Philippines (Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas)

March 2015 Section 14 of Rules on Foreign Exchange at the PDF at www.bsp.gov.ph

14. Can a person bring in or take out of the country any amount of Philippine currency?
A person may, without prior BSP approval, import or export, or bring in or take out of the country, or electronically transfer, legal tender Philippine notes and coins, checks, money orders or other bills of exchange drawn in pesos against banks operating in the Philippines in amounts not exceeding P10,000.00. Prior authorization from the BSP, through the International Operations Department (IOD), is required for the export and import of Philippine currency exceeding P10,000

Foreign Currency

An amount not exceeding US$10,000 can be taken into the Philippines without any conditions, but any amount OVER that figure must be stated on the Declaration Form normally given on the airplane for visitors by air.
There is no restriction on the money itself, and this declaration is similar to most other countries who have a similar reporting requirement. Failure to report may result in forfeiture, as again applies in many other countries.

March 2015 Section 15 of Rules on Foreign Exchange at the PDF at www.bsp.gov.ph

15. Is there any restriction or limit in the amount of foreign currency that a person may bring in or take out of the Philippines?
There is no restriction or limit on the amount of foreign currency that a person may bring in or take out of the Philippines. However, any person bringing in or taking out of the Philippines foreign currency, as well as other FX-denominated bearer monetary instruments, (whereby title thereto passes to another by endorsement, assignment or delivery), in excess of US$10,000.00 or its equivalent in other foreign currency must declare such fact in writing and furnish information on the source and purpose of the transport of such currency or monetary instruments using the prescribed Foreign Currency and Other FX-Denominated Bearer Monetary Instruments Declaration Form. The form is available at the Bureau of Customs desk in the arrival/departure areas of all international airports and seaports.
Failure to do so shall subject the violator to sanctions, including confiscation of the foreign
currency or monetary instruments involved.

Customs Declaration Form

http://customs.gov.ph/customs-declaration-form

php1000-from-2010

Can I travel to the Philippines on a one-way ticket?

Entering the Philippines with a One Way Ticket

Most airlines won’t let a Non Resident of the destination country on the plane, unless you can show proof of your onward travel plans.

This means that a foreigner CANNOT entering the Philippines with a One Way Ticket. You need a ticket OUT of the country aswell.

However, this does NOT mean that you need a RETURN ticket…  A ticket anywhere out of the destination country will suffice.

On my last trip from Sydney to Manila, I bought a cheap flight from Manila to Japan, and wasted that one instead, But it was a lot cheaper than wasting a Manila to Sydney Return flight 😉  I think it cost about $25.
Other local destinations are good. I just looked looked for the cheapest promo on Cebu Pacific at the time.
The airline at Sydney accepted that as the requirement that they have, to cover our onward travel plans.

Why do the airlines insist on needing a return ticket ?

IF the destination country refuses you entry for ANY reason, they may be liable for transporting you out of the country again. Having an onward ticket should get them out of that liability.

We seem to have TWO choices if we are travelling, but are unsure of return dates:

Buy a cheap ticket and maybe waste it, or pay $100’s in date changes.

Buy an Expensive ticket, and get free date changes, or evena full refund.

How am I so sure of this?

I did try to fly without a return once, but the airport at Darwin made me buy a return ticket or they would not let me fly.  That ended up as a waste of about $250, as I never used the ticket, and getting it refunded was not possible
However, I have NEVER been asked to show my return ticket at Philippines Immigration.

Foreigner Buying Land and Property in the Philippines

Can a Foreigner Buy a House in the Philippines ?

Under the Philippines Constitution a non-Filipino is NOT able to buy land in the Philippines.

A Foreigner is however able to buy property, under certain conditions.

Only Filipino citizens or corporations with at least 60% Filipino equity can acquire land in the Philippines.

No condominium unit therein shall be conveyed or transferred to persons other than Filipino citizens, or corporations at least sixty percent of the capital stock of which belong to Filipino citizens, except in cases of hereditary succession.

A Foreigner can buy a house but NOT the land on which it is built. The Foreigner can however lease the land from the owner for a reasonable period of time, normally a 50 year lease with a 25 year extension.

The Republic Act 4726 is also known as the Condominium Act of the Philippines,

Sources:

RA 4726 PDF at http://hlurb.gov.ph
The Condominium Act at www.lawphil.net

Netherlands Embassy and Consulate in The Philippines

Netherlands Embassy and Consulate in The Philippines

Netherlands Embassy in Manila

26th Floor BDO Equitable Tower
8751 Paseo de Roxas
Makati City
Metro Manila
Philippines

Tel: 02 786 6666
Mob:
Web: http://philippines.nlembassy.org

Netherlands Consulate in Cebu

The Netherlands Consulate in Cebu CLOSED in June 2014, due to the Consul having retired, and no replacement yet appointed.

The visa desk at the Cebu Consulate Cebu was closed in November 11, 2013.

They have previously been listed as being located at the following addresses:

Metaphil Compound, Tipolo, Mandaue City, Cebu
and
G/F Eduardo Aboitiz Development Study Center, 35 Lopez Jaena Street, Cebu City

Visa Applications for the Netherlands

Visa Applications for the Netherlands should be lodged at:

VFS Visa Application Centre – www.vfsglobal.com/netherlands/philippines

Foreigner Marrying in the Philippines

Getting married in the Philippines

The Philippine Government requires all foreigners to provide a “Legal Capacity to Contract Marriage” from his/her embassy before filing for a marriage license.

This is normally called:

Certificate of No Impediment (CNI) or Certificate of Legal Capacity, and is obtained at interview from the Foreigners Embassy.

Sources:

Australia: http://www.philippines.embassy.gov.au/mnla/marriage.html

US: http://manila.usembassy.gov/marriage.html

UK: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/marriage-in-the-philippines

Belgium: http://www.diplomatie.be/Manila/default.asp?ACT=5&content=11&id=28&mnu=28

Live Like a King in The Philippines

Is it possible to live like a King in the Philippines?

What does “Live Like a King” mean” ?.  I ask that question after reading an Englishman saying the phrase “To Live Like a King” does not mean “To Live Like a King”.  Now that is the worst English confusion example I have ever heard.

It appears that “To Live Like a King” means to live in the comfort that you want, with all the luxuries that you want.

Examples from various forums and web sites:

  • For 1200 US a month you can live like a king.
  • With your $2,400 monthly income you will live like a king
  • You can live like a king on $5,000 per month in the Philippines
  • How to Live Like a King in the Philippines on $500 a Month

So, where do we begin, to work out what it would cost to live a really comfortable, safe life in the Philippines, almost like a King?

Accommodation:

I first looked for a 3 bedroom condominium  for rent in Fort Bonifacio, Manila.  A nice safe area, and came up with this:

  • FOR RENT One Mckinley Place Condo, The Fort Fully-furnished 190 sq. m. 3 Bedrooms 3 T & B 2 Parking slots available. Monthly Rental : php 170,000 per month

So: 170,000 pesos at 44 pesos to the US dollar = $3,863 per month (at April 2015)

From that list of 4 examples, 3 of them appear totally wrong, leaving just “You can live like a king on $5,000 per month in the Philippines” as a possible, but with 77% of that figure taken with a 3 bedroom decent apartment in a safe area.  Not in a Kings mansion!

Food:

T Bone Steaks, US or Australian quality and size, are about 5 times the price of local meat.  Going by my budget grocery costs of about 16,000 pesos per week for food for 2, I would prefer to spend nearer 50,000 per month to feel “comfortable” by my standards.  So that’s near enough $1,150 per month

Maids, Servants and Drivers:

Not too bad a price at about 5,000 peso per month each. (US$120)

What have we reached so far?

$3,863 Accommodation
$1,150 Food
$ 240 Maids etc (2 people)

$5,243 per month

Cars, Travel, Holidays, Eating Out, etc have not yet been added. Nor have Education costs or Medical Bills etc.

Conclusion:

I would have to say that I feel I would need more like US$10,000 (A$13,000) per month (440,000 pesos) to live like a king in the Philippines.
That way I would have some spare to go out to restaurants, nightclubs and other entertainment events.
IE: I could live in the comfort that I would like with most of the luxuries that I would be comfortable with.

In reality that is 5 times what I get by on here, on my budget, and that is NOT in an expensive safe area of Manila like BGC or The Fort.

Dictionary Meanings:

reference.com – Enjoy a lavish style of living, as in He spared no expense, preferring to live like a king
www.oxforddictionaries.com – Live in great comfort and luxury.
thefreedictionary.com – He lived like a king, drinking champagne and driving a Porsche.
macmillandictionary.com – to live in a very comfortable way, with much more money than you need

Fruit Picking Jobs for Filipinos in Australia

Fruit Picking Jobs in Australia need a Working Visa.

A website called topjobsportal is currently advertising fruit picking jobs for Filipinos in Australia.

Some people have asked if it is a scam, many Filipinos in the Philippines are wanting to apply for this work.

BUT… it is not that straightforward,  You NEED an Australian Working Visa first.

If you already have a working Visa, then yes, that type of work is available.

This type of fruit picking work is commonly available, and applied for by for by visitors to Australia on a Working Holiday visa.

The Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA) has previously cautioned overseas Filipino workers (OFW) and Filipino tourists against a new online scam offering bogus fruit-picking jobs in Australia.

Although this relates to a different company, and was in May 2014, the similarities may be close.

Australian Immigration – Working Holiday Visas

Filipinos are NOT normally eligible for the Australian Working Holiday Visa

Working Holiday visa (subclass 417)

The Working Holiday visa (subclass 417) is a temporary visa for young people who want to holiday and work in Australia for up to a year.

This Visa allows you to:

stay in Australia for up to 12 months
work in Australia for up to six months with each employer

Eligibility Includes:

are at least 18 but not yet 31 years of age
have a passport from an eligible country. (This does NOT include the Philippines)

Eligible countries (at 21 June 2022) are:

Belgium
Canada
Republic of Cyprus
Denmark
Estonia
Finland
France
Germany
Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of the People’s Republic of China (including British National Overseas passport holders)
Republic of Ireland
Italy
Japan
Republic of Korea
Malta
Netherlands
Norway
Sweden
Taiwan (other than an official or diplomatic passport)
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland

The Work and Holiday (Temporary) visa (subclass 462)

The Work and Holiday (Temporary) visa (subclass 462) is for young people who want to holiday and work in Australia for up to a year.

Eligibility (at 21 June 2022) includes:

are at least 18 but not yet 31 years of age.
have a passport from:

Argentina
Austria
Chile
China, People’s Republic of
Czech Republic
Ecuador
Greece
Hungary
Indonesia
Israel
Luxembourg
Malaysia
Peru
Poland
Portugal
San Marino
Singapore
Slovak Republic
Slovenia
Spain
Switzerland
Thailand
Turkey
Uruguay
United States of America
Vietnam

Australian Fruit Picking Jobs for Pinoys