ASEAN is the Association of SE Asian Nations. It includes the Philippines. Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam. ASEAN is sort of like NATO and ANZUS, a treaty organization that bonds the countries involved in many ways. NATO and ANZUS are more military related treaties, wheras ASEAN includes economic ties, cultural ties and other relations between the group of SE Asian Nations. It is a pretty active organization too.
The other day, I was reading some Philippine News online, and came across an article that indicated that ASEAN is considering the possibility of issuing a joint visa, which would cover travel to any of the ASEAN member countries. At first, I was thinking that this is really a convenience for travelers, and a good thing for foreigners who live in the Philippines, or other countries in the region, who don’t have residence visas.
You see, the vast majority of foreigners living here in the Philippines do not have a visa which legally allows them to stay here on a permanent basis. Most people that I know who are expats here stay here on a tourist visa. You see, when you enter the Philippines on a tourist visa, you can stay for 30 days. However, you can also continue to renew that visa for a period up to 2 years, which means that you can basically live here for 2 years without having to leave the country. Most people will make what they call a “visa trip” out of the country. In other words, they will go home to visit family, or many will just take a short hop to Thailand, Vietnam, etc. for a few days holiday, then return to the Philippines. When they re-enter the Philippines, the clock has been re-set and they can again stay for up to 2 years before needing to leave the country again. In my case, I have a resident visa here, so I do not need to make visa trips, because I can live here permanently without ever needing to leave.
Now, going back to this new ASEAN joint visa which is being considered, there would be a single visa that would cover all of the countries in the ASEAN organization. So, instead of getting a visa for the Philippines, then a new visa when you go to Thailand or Brunei, you would just get one visa and be able to visit all ASEAN countries. Sounds great. One thing, though, was not mentioned in the article. It would seem to me that you could no longer take a visa trip to Thailand or any other ASEAN country, because the visa would not “re-set” – instead, you would still be covered by the same visa all along! Now, as I say, this area is not covered in the news article that I read, but it would only seem logical to me. Since you are not issued a new visa when traveling from country to country in ASEAN, it would seem that you would have to go to a non-ASEAN country to re-set your visa. I would say that Thailand is probably the most popular place where ex-pats go for their visa trips.
What do you think? Wouldn’t this new visa actually end up making life more difficult for these “unofficial expats” instead of easier? Certainly, it will ease regulations and red-tape for a normal tourist, but not for somebody living here.
What is your opinion?
Hi John Miele- I agree that the RP government is more interested and focused on getting real tourists. This site, though, is more focused on people living here! 😆 So, we might look at it a little different! 😉
Might know they would do something like this before I even make my first trip! When is this suppose to go into effect? I'm still learning Bob. Lots of things to consider before takeing a trip around the world. I just finished reading some information about getting an extended visa from the Philippine consulate in Chicago. I have to go through that office because they cover my state area (Arkansas) One thing I don't like is haveing to send them my orriginal passport. They do offer to send it back with a prepaid envelope. I always have trouble with things in the mail and credit cards, lol Of course you can get new ones but if anyone has done that before they know allthe things to look forward to if it happens again. OH JOY! lol Hey you must be a night worker like me because this artcle just came out and I know the time differances. Thanks as always Bob for all your information .
Morning Bob,
It frustrates me that the authorities make it difficult for foreigners that want to live in the Philippines because it could be so beneficial to the economy if they were in fact encouraged. Cutting through all the BS, Bob, what do you think is the reason for this?
I think it sounds like a great idea, and would make travel amongst these countries much easier, and promote tourism for all the member states generally. The Philippines, for all their talk of wanting tourism, do a very poor job of it by comparison with Thailand apparently, though I speak only on hearsay, not having travelled to Thailand myself. I therefore think that the Philippines could benefit somewhat from this on the basis of inquisitive tourists who might "pop over" to experience the RP if it were easy and uncomplicated to do so and covered by their existing visa, but might not if they needed an additional one.
As far as those who live in the Philippines on a near permanent basis are concerned, surely it would be much more sensible to get a resident visa. Again, I don't know how difficult this is, but it had never occured to me not to get a "proper" visa when we eventually move permanently to the Philippines. However, I guess that for those who can't or won't do this, it will still be easy enough to take a short flight to Hong Kong or some other non-member state.
I'd be interested to know if anyone is attaching any conspiracy theories to this though?
Hi Tim- Nothing has been decided, these are just preliminary talks that they are having now.
Don't be worried about sending your passport for an extended visa. I've done it myself and never had a problem. Use a reliable courier for the deliver, somebody like FedEx, and everything should go fine.
No, I'm not a night owl, although I used to be. I generally write all of my articles ahead, and then I have them automatically post up at a predetermined time every day.
Hi AussieLee- I think that this is being done to make it more convenient to travel between ASEAN countries. For a tourist, it is certainly more convenient, but for an expat who wants to live here, it adds a layer of hassle. 😆
Hi Jim Hannah- For many, they don't qualify for a resident visa. Only those who are married to a Philippine Citizen, or former Philippine Citizen are eligible for a resident visa, so that makes it complicated for others. Yes, there are still plenty of places where people can make a visa trip, but this limits those places to some extent.
Not sure what kind of conspiracy theories would apply here??? What do you have in mind, there, Jim?
Hi Bob,A friend of mine who lives in Thailand mentioned sometime ago that the Thai authorities were considering closing visa runs to Laos,Malaysia etc.The persons concerned would have to travel outside S.E.Asia ie Europe etc to then qualify for re-entry.The reason given was to make it difficult for fugitives of overseas law which they appear to have a big problem with.Whether this is related to the ASEAN issue,i don't know.I presume this would apply to spouse visa as well.It looks like they are considering following Europe to some extent,where by any European citizen can travel to all member countries without restrictions,even without a passport as long as they have valid ID.However my friend tells me some genuine guys have difficulty obtaining permanent visa's, like one 60 yr old guy who had a minor criminal record for theft 45 yrs ago,clean slate since, was refused permanent visa,regards Chas.
Hi Bob as an expat here in RP and here on a balakbiyan visa I think it could be a good thing maybe in the long term
Hi Bob,
Interesting 'catch', I didn't see that news item … guess I was spending too much time reading the news about Joc Joc and also the "Euro generals" … life here is a sometimes a soap opera with real officials as the players 😉
Sounds as if ASEAN is planning to implement their version of the ‘Schengen visa' … which allows people who don't hail from a 'visa waiver' country to vist any and all of the European Union nations.
Overall the thought is excellent. We have to remember that the real reason for a lot of traveler's visits to Asian countries is business … and it will certainly facilitate that.. Will be interesting to watch.
For those worried about sending their passports and other documents via the mail in the US … let me pose a question. How did you get your passport in the first place? You sent the application and support documents via US mail and received the passport via US mail … and God bless the US postal system, living without it can be a pain.
You can use an express carrier but there is no need to spend that sort of money. Go to the post office and get two USPS Priority mail envelopes. Free.
Address one to yourself, address the second one to the Philippine Consulate. Go to the counter and get postage placed on both envelopes and fold the one addressed to you and put it inside the one going to the consulate along with the passport, application form, fees, etc.
Hand it to the clerk and you're done. You'll get a receipt with tracking number for each envelope.
Tracking, online both ways and in a short time the envelope addressed to you will be back with your stamped passport. Only costs about $4 USD or something like that each way and the mail is tracked though every distribution point exactly as FedEx or those guys will do for $40 bucks. Always worked for me.
Hi chasdv- When you say that it might aply to "spouse visas" can you explain what you mean, because I am sort of confused by that. In my case, I guess my visa could be considered a "spouse visa" since I was eligible due to being the spouse of a former Philippine citizen. However, my visa does not require me to ever leave the country, so I am confused as to how this might apply to me?
Too bad about that 60 year old guy…. doesn't seem right.
Hi andyp- For a tourist, I can see the good side. I don't see anything good for a guy living hereon a tourist visa, though. Maybe I missed something?
Hi Bob,
I agree with Jim Hannah that it would help promote tourism within the region. This could create more jobs in tourism for Filipinos which wouldn't be bad. However I can see where it might limit some of the choices that expats can go to to reset their visas for those who don't have resident visas or are not landed immigrants. But there is still Hong Kong, Taiwan, China, Guam, South Korea, Japan and Fiji to chose from that aren't too far away.
Hi Dave- Yes, the soap opera has been quite busy lately! I have been especially interested in the Euro Generals fiasco. I've been wanting to write about that topic, but everything I want to write involves areas that I'd be better to avoid. If you know what I mean….
I totally agree about sending your passport through the USPS, I only recommend a courier like FedEx to those who are quite nervous about the prospects. US Mail is very reliable.
Hi Randall Jessup- I see that tourism could have a positive impact. However, for the Philippines I would only imagine a negligible increase, because virtually anybody can enter the Philippines for 21 days already even without any pre-arranged visa. It will be interesting to watch, though.
Since I stay here on a tourist visa I am interested in this development. It doesn't really effect my travel to "Reset the timeframe" because I go back to the US every year for work. I'm more interested in how much this will add to the cost of getting a visa
Hi Bob,My slip,i should have typed Balakbiyan visa not spouse visa,its been a long day,regards Chas.
Bob: for resident foreigners, it might make living on a tourist visa more difficult. The benefits to tourism are more tangible, particularly from China and other countries where visa might be required for each nation. In this respect, Thailand and Vietnam, historical adversaries of China, might lure other tourists more easily. Out of the countries you mentioned, only Myanmar requires a tourism visa that must be applied for in advance for Americans (vietnam can be on arrival now).
Additionally, I think that the RP gov't is more concerned with luring short term visitors than long term residents. The hassle for a few tens of thousands of residents is inconsequential in the long run (to the gov't).
Also, to address the comment above, resident visas in most countries, everywhere, are normally difficult to get without time and money. The RP is not alone in this regard (look at how tough US visas are for Filipinos!)
Hi BrSpiritus- I kind of doubt that it would add much cost, but that's something that will remain to be seen!
Hi chasdv- No problem, I understand…
Hello all:
Off the subject , but I wanted to let everyone know that I have new toys now from Bob's store. UHHHHHHH,,,if you download the Visaya flash cards make sure you have'nt recently deleted part of your java with the catch all delete button in windows explorer. How do you make that embarassed smiley face,lol
Hi Tim- No need to be embarrassed, Tim! I'm just glad that you were able to get the Java working so that the Bisaya flashcards worked out for you! Thank you for your purchase from the LiP Store!
Hi All,
This new proposed visa is definately not introduced to make life difficult for foreigners living here or in other ASEAN countries. To be honest, long-term tourists are not even on the radar screen of tourism planners. Yes, there is the 'Retiree Visa', but that program does not even fall under the tourism office anymore.
The whole goal of this proposed visa seems to be to make it easy for ASEAN members to travel within ASEAN and spend their dollars in the region. Promote 'greater understanding and a spirit of cooperation'. It's the ASEAN mantra after all. The secondary goal is to boost tourism arrivals, which allows for greater budgets for tourism departments vis-a-vis other departments and agencies. Tourism is 'in fashion' when it comes to economic development these days.
Now, as Bob says, the effect could be problematic for foreigners who live here as long term tourists. As others have pointed out, it will mean switching to other places like HK or Macau, or NE Asia when going on a visa run. This may take some getting used to, but it's not the end of the world. Moreover, we don't know the details of the visa as of yet — it could get watered down significantly, it might not ever get approved by ASEAN, etc. I guess we need to just wait and see what unfolds.
Hi Martin- I fully agree. All we can do is wait and see as of now. Options will remain open too, regardless of the outcome.
Bob,
I am not sure how this would affect the visa, but one thought I have.
When I have traveled to Europe or even here in the past to the Philippines, I did not have a visa. Once you arrive in your destination Country, you get an entry stamp and when you leave you get an exit stamp in your passport. What I understand when you go to renew your visa here, they look for that entry stamp or extention stamp. With or without a paper visa, it is just the stamps in your passport.
Hi bob,
nice article, there's another article about foreign investor, the president already signed the executive order.
"President Arroyo on Monday signed an executive order that will allow foreign investors employing at least 10 Filipino workers to stay in the Philippines indefinitely.
Executive Order 758 provides the guidelines for the issuance of the special visa for employment generation. The guidelines state that aside from investing in a particular business, the visa applicant must also have a genuine intention to remain in the country and he or she must not be a risk to national security."
looks like there's another way of staying permanently in the philippines.
Hi Bruce- None of the visas are on a piece of paper… the stamp in your passport is your visa. When you enter with no visa at all, you are issued a 21 day Visa Waiver, and what is basically a 21 day visa is stamped into your passport.
Hi dans- Whoa! You're getting too fast for me, Dans. Tomorrow, my article is about the subject of your comment! 😆
You guys are getting faster than I am! I have to spruce up a bit!
Bob,
Before I moved here, I went to the Philippine Consulate in Miami and got a 1 year visa that had to be renewed every 59 days.
But the main point is, if your from one of the ASEAN countries, or from somewhere else, would you not still get an Entry and Exit Stamp. And with that stamp reset your stay here?
Hi Bruce- The ASEAN joint visa is only something under consideration right now, nothing specific has been decided yet, so I can't really answer the question, since the answer doesn't exist yet. I'll be keeping an eye out, though, on the issue.
hi bob,
just a quick thought about Ausilees' comment (post #2) i think, the government is not doing it on purpose but rather trying to balance the flow of the foreign people who wants to live in the philippines. I know a lot of people tend to think that it will benefit the philippine economy if the government will relax the rules for foreigner, however, that is not always the case, let's take the korean as an example, since last year there's a huge inflow of koreans in the country, and the korean start their own business while having a tourist visa only, they established korean stores, korean hotels, korean tourist agency and god knows what else, it is good for the philippine economy right?? well, i have a mixed opinion on that part, the problem is, they also hire korean nationals too and not pinoys, in other words, the koreans actually bringing the filipino businesses down. Although, the government collect taxes from the korean company but the company does not provide jobs for local people.
Hi dans- The law is that if you are on a tourist visa, you can't start a business here. I know that some do, no doubt. But, just enforce the laws, and that will be taken care of, IMHO.
hi bob, i know that the government just need to enforce the law, the problem really is, there are tourist who have a dummy owner in the philippines, since it is easy for the koreans to come in as a tourist, they could make a business in the philippine under someone Else's name, and that is what happening right now in the philippines, the koreans is abusing the tourist visa.
Hi dans- Unfortunately, there are people from lots of countries who are breaking the laws of the Philippines. I don't like it either, but it is not just Koreans.
hi bob- don't get me wrong, i am not singling-out the koreans, it so happened that for the past 3~5 years, it seems that the korean is into this practice, i just use the koreans as an example because of their huge number and the huge business they owned (illegally??) which brings a lot of local businesses down. this is just an example of a very relaxed tourist visa and how the tourist can abuse it.
Hi dans- The laws are already in place for tourist visas, though. If the Philippine Govt would only enforce the laws that are already there, walay problema….
Hi, Bob, from Spain! Hope this finds you and your family well. Indeed, it may sound rather alarming that the ASEAN nations have plans of just doing the
one-stop visa rule. When I left for Europe 28 years ago, I breezed into Spain
without much ado since that particular time in the eighties, Spain and the Philippines had a reciprocal rule between two counries. However, things
changed when they joined the EU. Before long, the friendly reciprocity dis-
appeared like clockwork. The non-Europeans in those didn't even know that
their countries of origin were already required to have a visa before coming
to Europe. Spain joined in 1986 and prior to that, I already planned to apply
for EU citizenship long before the exodus of many northern Europeans, as
well as, non-Europeans from the US, Australia, New Zealand, ASEAN, Africa,
the Middle East. To benefit fully from being an EU national, I didn't waste time
applying for Spanish nationality, which I acquired in just two years. Then, the Filipinos still had a tad of privilege because of historical and cultural ties. But
that would change drastically and instead of the usual two years, non-EU nationals would now have to apply—and wait—10-15 years to be able to acquire EU nationality. Anyway, to cut the story short, all my papers and documents were collated and collected by and submitted to a Spanish Gestor who would then
handle the necessary needs and other requirements. To my dismay, no one told me until I took my oath that I had to give up—repeat–I renounce my Philippine citizenship! It was something I never thought would actually happen. Anyway, as years passed by, I kept writing to newspapers, etc to give all Filipinos living abroad who were forced to renounce Filipino nationality to give us back our Filipino nationality.It was in Gloria's time that she changed the rule. So, in 2005, my English husband and I flew to Madrid for a week to process all papers and
become dual citizen. Thankfully, it took only a few hours and they quickly conducted the oath of citizenship. So, what am I trying to say to those non-Filipinos living in the country? Well, why not apply for Filipino citizenship and have
the best of both worlds? ASEAN region will be the new EU in the next 25 years. That area will be theplace to be, the ideal place to live, work, die. I would recommend to all expatriates to apply for Philippine citizenship. I don't know how
long it takes to get it, but if you want the best of both worlds, then I would recommend that you all apply for citizenship. There's no harm in not trying. After
all, you w ill NOT be required to give up your US or EU citizenship, right? So, go
for it, guys. Good luck and remember, you do not lose anything by inquiring, then
applying. Till then, que tenga buena suerte. Take care and chat later. Cheers!
Hi Bob, I need help I have a question if you don't mind about buying a land here in Philippines. I am a Filipino married to an American and we are planning to buy a small piece of land in Bohol. I talked to the owner but there are some questions I still don't know the answers.
I talked to the onwer of the land and he said that it doesn't have a title yet but if we buy it then we will be the one to go get a title for it. I am confuse because how can a person sells a land without a title? Is it possible or legal? And the land is in the beach and there is a bunch of work to do. Sea wall is the first step to build but do we need to contact the government in Bohol if they will allow us to built sea wall or no need? It is possible that after we buy the land we will also pay taxes every year? What are the possible hidden payments that may occur in the future that we didn't know? How can we tell for sure that he is the legal owner of the land? What are the things he has to have to prove that he own the land legally?
Thank you so much,
Janet
@janet..
rule of thumb when buying property.. no title don't buy it. always make sure the owner must have a clean title or any form of documents.
Hi hill roberts- Actually, as a foreigner getting Philippine citizenship, you are still required to renounce your current citizenship. I checked into this last year, and found it to be the case. There are also other drawbacks to gaining Philippine citizenship. For a Filipino, they can get citizenship in another country, and even if they renounce, they can re-acquire their Philippine Citizenship under Philippine law. Not so for a foreigner, though. Thanks for the suggestion, though.
Hi Janet- I wouldn't walk away from that deal, I'd run. Buying a piece of untitled land is a huge can of worms. Avoid it like the plague!
Hi dans- Perfect advice!
Hi Bob
Don't have much to say about the visa but your advice to Janet is right on!
Hi Dan Mihaliak- Thanks, Dan. That's really the golden rule in buying property in the Philippines! 😆
Bob, How long does it take to get a spouse visa in the RP? And what is required.
Thanks BK
Hi brian- I need to clarify what you are asking me. Are you asking about getting a resident visa to live in the Philippines as the spouse of a Philippine Citizen?
If that is what you are asking, I highly recommend you get that visa while still in the USA. It's much easier and quicker to do it there.
I have been told it can take up to 2 years to get the spousal resident visa to live here, if you apply in the Philippines. It can be done in only a few days if you do it in the USA.
This is in response to Dave's comment
"Sounds as if ASEAN is planning to implement their version of the ‘Schengen visa’ … which allows people who don’t hail from a ‘visa waiver’ country to vist any and all of the European Union nations".
The Schengen visa does not cover all European Union nations Ie Great Britain has a separate visa requirement.
I like that , its like a mini version of the UE
Hi reden- Yeah, I guess it is!
When i last left the philippines i was about 10 hours over my visa the imagration man said no need to pay fine just go but i didnt get my passport stamped will this hamper me going back or will it all be ok and i worry about nothing
Hi graham- Interesting, I didn't know that the Philippine officials would do that!
thankyou for your message bob do you think it will be fine or should i contact the embassey to find out
Hi graham- Personally, I don't think you will have any problems on your return.
thankyou i going to see wife jan 24 and i was so worried that i be refused entry my mind is now at rest thankyou again
had fiance from england and want to live here in philippines for good, had already search some requirements and procedure here in website.., my problem is that want to confirm if he really required to depisot in the philippine bank amount of 2million or more than that.. is that true?… its a huge amount specially now adays that england is suffering from global crisis… hope to hear from you soon.. thank you and God bless
Hello,
I have curious question. If your engaged you must plan to be married. That said why cant the British fiance in question arrive and stay on tourist visa and stay that way until you are married and then acquire a 13a visa as would cost no where near 2 million. I think though your reffering to the SRRV visa and if so the investment requirements I believe depend on age.
Justin
yes he will marry me here in philippines, but he told me that its one of the requirements that you have to deposit that said amount, he is already 51 years old.. thank you for your concern..
Hello Bob,
Maybe the British guy is talking about the SRRV thing as from what I read it is expensive but must say Ive never known anyone who availed one. I honestly cant see where its a very enticing incentive for most people but guess their may be some people who could benifit in some way or another by availing it.
I'm often confuse as seems to be many people on the various lists who stay in Philippines on the tourist visas and pay the fees despite qualifying for other more cost efficient visas.
Justin
Bob,
Thats what I was thinking also.
Justin