When You Decide What Visa To Use, Decide by Facts, not “What Everyone Says”.
One key issue often on foreigner expats already in the Philippines, and especially those planning to come to live in the Philippines, is the question of what residency visa to obtain, or what non-residency visa to use in order to stay here in the Philippines legally.
It’s a Complex Question
An old friend of mine, Canadian, who has lived in the Philippines for nearly 30 years and I were emailing back and forth one day about about some visa questions. I made the comment, almost as a joke, that there must be 20 different visas and options that might be used. By return mail she replied, “Actually I think the number is closer to 30”!
Wow! Thirty different visas/options? Well we have emailed back and forth several times now. We both aren’t done searching yet, but IIRC the official count is up to 28 or 29 by now … so even if we never find another option, my friend was much, much close to her guess of thirty than I was to my guess of only twenty.
Complex. Difficult decisions. Too many options. Almost makes your head explode … or as my Filipino friends are often heard to say, “Gives me a nosebleed”.
But it doesn’t have to be that complex.
It’s only time consuming and hard to understand if you WANT to make it hard to understand.
I hereby offer up my time tested, tried and true KISS principle for deciding this question, getting it out of the way, and moving on to what you really hope to do … enjoy life worry free here in the Philippines.
Just answer a Few Simple Questions, go where the answers to those questions direct you, and “Bob’s Your Uncle.”
Actually he’s our publisher here, but I’m sure he’s someone’s uncle and I’m sure he’ll be an informal uncle to you too if you ask him nice. Bob has also written several eBooks on this subject, which you can check out here.
Simple Question One:
Do you even need a visa?
Surprisingly for many of you who are so immersed in headache inducing research, the answer is absolutely not. My recommendation, shocking to some I must agree is, don’t bother getting a visa until you are sure you are going to stay.
Simple Question Two:
Are You Married, and if So, Is Your Wife a Filipino/former Filipino citizen?
If you are single, just get on a plane and come. You can live for up to three years on a “issued upon arrival” “Tourist Visa Waiver”. You get 30 days upon arrival, just by asking for it. You can even extend it for another 30 days right there at the airport.
After the first 30 or 60 days, you can extend at any Bureau of Immigration field office (in all major and many minor) cites, just by paying a fee. No police checks, complex paperwork, no proof of onward travel, etc., etc.
After the first 60 days you will receive an ACR-I card … something a lot of “scuttle butt” says you need a permanent visa for. Not so.
If you are married to a Filipina or former Filipina, just get on a plane (the both of you) and come.
For absolutely no pain, no Pesos and no hassle, she can ask the immigration office at the airport for a Balikbayan Privilege stamp. This gives you 365 days of stay in the Philippines, hassle free. You don’t even have to visit the immigration office in January or February for the Annual Reporting/head tax which permanent visa holders have to comply with. And if you leave the country at the end of the year, you also don’t have to go through the convoluted Exit Clearance Certificate (ECC) rigmarole and expense at the BI.
Couldn’t be simpler. And despite what some people will tell you, you can also ship the same quantity of household good into the Philippines on the BB Privilege Program as you can with a 13 series Permanent Residency Visa. I know you can, my wife and I did so.
Couldn’t be simpler. Couldn’t have gone any easier for us.
Oh But: Yes there is always an “oh But” isn’t there. This is where a large percentage of you start kicking into the negative thinking mode. “But” you don’t understand, I am married to a Filipina but she is in the Philippines and we can’t possibly travel together. You see she can’t get a US visa, or the time to get one is too long, or the plane fare to the US costs too much, again, etc., etc., etc. Trust me in more than 10 years of answering these sort of questions I have heard most all the “can’t” reasons (although the negative thinkers among you are so inventive I am sure I’ll here more as time goes by). Sometime I secretly wonder if the majority of my American readers are really Ameri-cans or Ameri-can’ts, because some people make a whole career, or at least a darn good hobby, out of thinking up all the reasons they “can’t”.
If your wife Is in the Philippines, and you want to fly to the Philippines and stay there with her, without flying her back to the US so that she can accompany you, there’s a very simple solution.
Instead of booking a flight to the Philippines, book a flight from your home to some place close to the Philippines, like Hong Kong. Not only is the airfare going to be the same or maybe even cheaper, but there are a LOT more flights and airlines to choose from and you won’t be saddled with the extra hassle of coming up with that “onward travel” ticket which seems to trouble a lot of people.
Then, book your wife a round trip ticket from the Philippines to Hong Kong or Macau and book yourself a seat on the same flight that she will be returning home on. Simple.
But I Still Need Onward Travel, Don’t I?
The answer, under the rules of the Balikbayan Privilege program, is no, you do not. If the airline asks for your onward travel ticket when you try to board in Hong Kong or Macau, simply explain, along with your wife, to the agent that you are availing of the Balikbayan Privilege Program and that, in my experience will be that. See also: Did I Say That? and A Few More Thoughts On Onward Travel and Throwaway Tickets.
It’s not that hard, fellows and gals, to come here and live without any permanent visa at all … unless you want to make it so.
Excellent post sir! Clear and concise answer to the question I wrestled with! I was planning to but a throwaway ticket just in case but why waste the capital?! Thank you so much! I don’t want to come from Australia just to be sent back
@ Victor
Thanks, Victor. You also want to check with the airline you are going to use to see if they offer full-fare, fully-refundable tickets, as the major US carriers do.
We have, in a way, handicapped ourselves with the obsession to always find the cheapest of everything.
Full-fare tickets cost a LOT more than discount, non-refundable tickets, but on US airlines, at least, the cost doesn’t matter … because you are going to get a refund for the ticket when you arrive in the Philippines and get checked in through immigration.
(no, you do not need an onward travel ticket for future tourist visa renewals.)
By the cheapest discount ticket you care to use from Australia to the Philippines, then buy a refundable (expensive) ticket from Manila to another location … like Hong Kong, o have with you to satisfy onward travel requirements,.
Then, when you are in the Philippines, return that ticket for a full discount.
So many people have a blind spot toward the rules of the airline game simply because they let that “cheap, cheap, cheap” voice in their head overcome the facts before them.
A valid question is, why on earth would airlines even offer such tickets? The answer is, business travelers and others who need to fly on short notice need the flexibility. And the cost to the airline in selling and then refunding a certain percentage of tickets is covered by the money they make on the travelers who do take the flight.
Flying “smart” is not always defined by the initial price of the ticket.
Dave, i’m a little worried by your statement that you don’t need a return or onward ticket if using the BB privilege. As it is only a privilege and is not guarenteed you will not have received that privilege until you arrive at the immigration gate, it can be refused. The carrier could quite rightfully refuse to let you board unless you can show onward travel arrangments.
Hi Gary,
Well I’m sorry that you’re worried. But there’s not much I can do about it. Some folks make a career out of worrying.
When it comes to “guarantees” there is no “guarantee” on anything. You are not “guaranteed” a tourist visa waiver stamp either .. it’s at the sole discretion of the Immigration Officer who can refuse entry to anyone s/he sees fit to.
The airline has the obligation to carry you on BB status according to their own rules. I’ve referenced this article before … I suggest you read it, it’s eight years worth of coming and going on BB and/or tourist stamps. The summary of my experience is “Consistently Inconsistent”.
http://philfaqs.com/did-i-say-that/
Will my next experience be the same as the last time? No way of knowing, just have to go, when the time comes, and see. But I’m not worried. If you’re worried, then buy a full-fare, refundable ticket to another country before you try to board, then refund it when you get here to the Philippines. Cost is zero. Level of worry? Zero also.
Be well ..
thank you for responding. i am married to a filipina and we have a daughter. essentially when i present myself to philippine immigration with my wife and child,she asks the immigration officer for the BB privilege. thats it? i present my passport,etc etc?
that sounds brilliant!?!?
Victor!
It doesn`t only sounds brilliant, but it IS brilliant! I think you travel mostly with the family!? That`s why your wife is like a super easy immigration office of Philippines for you! Only thing you have to remember is to travel with her at the same flight to the Philippines and ask the BB stamp into your passport at the passport control! That`s all! If you have to get back to Australia or anywhere abroad by yourself within this 1 year period you loose that BB stamp and coming back ALONE you are given only this 30 days tourist visa which you have to continue after this one month with the normal rates to the immigration offices in the Philippines. That`s why it is better that you meet your wife abroad as for example Hong Kong, Macau or whatever close to Philippines! You can get a flight there for your wife and yourself in the same flight and again this BB stamp for 1 year at the passport control in the Philippines. So easy! Only bad thing is that you have to carry to the plane a lot of new shoes and bags which your wife did bought while waiting you in Hong Kong! 😉
well then,singapore here i come! 😀
thank you for your time and patience.
Dave,
I enjoy your informative posts, I almost always learns something I didnt know. For me, when the time comes, the Balikbayan Stamp seems to make the most sense, especially since you said we can still send our things there by container, I didnt know that part. If I forgo the 13 series visa, is there a way I can stay there with my wife, and be able to come and go as we choose, and not have to get permission from the Philippine govt. (ECC) each time we decide to travel someplace outside the Philippines.
Can I still be able to a 13 series visa at any point while living there, other than on my first entrance to the Philippines with my wife.
@ Bill S
Hi Bill, thanks for writing. Short answer? Yes and Yes.
No ECC is required for BB Privilege foreigners. I think I said that, anyway, it’s not required. (and you don’t need your spouse with you to LEAVE, only to ENTER.
To ship your duty free allocation of house hold goods, you fill out a simple inventory form (the exact same for you use for any duty-free shipmen, and your spouse fills out a little less than postcard size form that says “I hereby claim my rights of shipment under the Balik Bayan Privilege Program.” Simple as that. (If you use a shipping company who actually knows the Philippines rules, they will already know this. If they don’t? Find another company. There are a LOT of companies who will offer to ship containers of goods here but they do not have a clue and your good will wind up sitting on the docks, incurring charges, while you, yourself battle with Philippine Customs. Cheap is not everything when it comes to shipping personal property to the Philippines.
Yes, you can avail of a 13 Series permanent visa in the future at any time you want to in the future.. there are advantages in getting the 13 series visa while still in the USA,. and there are also significant advantages in getting the 13 series visa here in Manila. It’s a question of paying your money and deciding for yourself.
I want to be on record as NOT being “anti-permanent visa”, but I also hate to see the hurdles so many people put in the way for themselves in agonizing over it. It’s just one of several ways to stay here … and every one of them has advantages and disadvantages.
My point maybe is that there is a kind of “sub culture” among many expat where those who DID chose the 13-series route are fixated on the idea that the 13-series route is the only viable route. That’s wrong.
As we say about many things here, “S’up to you”.
Bob, I will be leaving the USA forever within 2 years, maybe one year. We already have land on which to build. What kind of Visa should I seek?
Personally I recommend a 13a resident visa, but that is my personal choice.
Bob;
I’ll second that, what if you’re sick or hurt and can’t fly when you need to?
Note to the “Popularity contest” aspect.of “which visa” … I state several times and places that someone who enters on a BB stamp may well want to convert to a 13 – series visa down the road. I just hate to see so many people seemingly struggling with “”yet another obstacle” before they even move here for the first time and get the true experience.
After all, as we know, a significant number of folks who move here don’t even make it to the end of their first year … what use was it for them to go through the 13-series “hoops” before they found out if they could actually stomach it here?
And Paul, the answer to your question I simple and painless. if one is here on a BB Stamp which is expiring and finds him/herself unable to leave, a simple trip to the nearest BI office and you can change the BB Stamp to a Tourist Visa (for a fee of course) and have up to 36 more months (2 months or six months at a time) to “deliberate” before deciding.
Definitely 13a, and if you get it approved by a Philippine embassy prior to coming to the Philippines it is much faster and cheaper. Got my 13a in less than 2 weeks and it cost maybe $200 USD all said and done.
My only “quibble” if you will, Reese is, as soon as you say Philippine Visa and “Definitely” in the same sentence, you are skating on very thin ice. A friend recently got his 13(a) in the US. By the time he got through with the medical requirements his cost was in the range of thousands of dollars versus the hundreds of dollars range. Consistently Inconsistent.
Also, at least half the people I’ve dealt with over the past 10 years moving to the Philippines are NOT married to a Filipina/former Filipina and thus are not able to get a 13 -series visa.
A few, sadly, listened to bum advice and got themselves married, mainly to get a “cheap” 13(a). Sadly, this has turned out for some to be the most costly visa possible.
Again, consistently inconsistent. there is NO “one size fits all” solution.
Be well
Thank you so much! I suffer from lack of information. That’s a big help. I live in NJ so I guess I need to go to NY. My wife already has her dual citizenship. My daughter is going for hers. Maybe I’ll go with her as long as I can get it this far in advance without expiring. I still have a house to sell.
There is a time limit after you get the visa. As I recall, I believe you must go to the Philippines within 6 months after the visa is issued, but that might not be the exact time. It is no more than 6 months, though.
First of all, great article. Thanks for posting it Bob. You’re always right on cue! I live in Wisconsin. I’m thinking I might have to fly to NY, as well.
The Philippine embassies in the USA do road trips to neighboring states about once a month. If you don’t live near one, you can call the nearest one and find out if they will be coming to your neighborhood any time soon. I used the San Francisco embassy when they were on roadtrips to Seattle. Very convenient. (Philippine Embassy personnel actually answer phones)
Did anyone ship all of their furniture? Or should I be looking to buy all new. Thanks for the Visa info, looks Like I need to wait.
Thanks Rease, but does anyone actually come to Wisconsin that’s not from here? lol
Az Ma Taz – You are not eligible for either a 13a visa or a Balikbayan Visa, because you must have a Philippine spouse to get either. You have basically two choices to live in the Philippines… either a tourist visa or an SRRV. Both of these are detailed in the book package you purchased. For a tourist visa, you don’t need to go to NY, you can just get that in Manila when you get off the plane.
We shipped basically everything we own when we moved here in 2000, Philip Nell
When Mita and I moved in 2006, we shipped roughly half of everything we owned. If I had to do it all over again, I’d ship everything. I doubt I’d still own everything I shipped, but there are many things you just can’t find over here, or which cost way, way more than what they cost in the US … and you just never know.
Thanks Bob! Now that you mention it I did remember reading that in your book. I was actually going to pull it out tonight and read it over again. I’ll go with the Tourist Visa and keep extending.
Az Ma Taz – You really have no need for any services from the Embassy or Consulate. Just get on the plane and avail of a tourist visa waiver when you arrive in Manila. Since you are single, that is about the best you can do.
Thanks Bob, I got prices at $13,000 per container and I would need a minimum of 2. Is there a cheaper source? that price is with them helping.
I had two containers shipped here for $10,000 total. But, that was 14 years ago.
Just curious, were those 20′ or 40’the containers? Is there an advantage to using one over the other?
Thanks just interested for planning reasons.
Hi LeRoy – I had one 20′ and one 40′. The only advantages of one size over another is that you just use whatever size is needed to hold your items. It took 60′ worth of space to pack up all my stuff, so that is what was used, no other reason.
Cool. Thanks Bob. And single is what I plan on staying for a while! lol Also, I think this is a perfect opportunity to remind people of the books you sell on your website. I found them to be of GREAT help! Looking forward to meeting you in person.
Do you remember the name of the company? and were they reliable?
United Van Lines – one of the biggest moving companies in the USA
I will start working on my 13a visa later on this year. Next year is coming up quick for us.
Thanks, Az Ma Taz. I have an entire collection of books about how to move to the Philippines. Basically, the books answer nearly every conceivable question one could come up on how to move here. They can be found at: http://expatisland.com/how-to-move-to-the-philippines-book-series/
Thanks Bob, I am very familiar with them. I didn’t know they did this. Any taxes etc?
Of course there are taxes involved in any transaction in the US. It was all included in the price, though. I am sure that they are more costly after this many years. I want to make it clear that I am not endorsing them or even recommending them, only saying that is who I used.
Bob, what I found was this. Had I NOT purchased your books I would have made more mistakes that would have affected me financially. The books are so reasonably priced it was the smartest thing I did before boarding the plane. I can’t thank you enough!
Thanks to you, Az Ma Taz, I appreciate your endorsement very much!
Your welcome. I call it like I see it.
Interesting and informative article, Dave. For most people the BB seems the way to go, a slam dunk to me. The only problem I see with it is that it is too easy so a lot of people would not be able to piss and moan about all their visa hassles.
Hi John,
Yeah. IMO on;y. of course, there is a strong sub-culture of folks who operate under the schema of, “It wa shard for me, damnit, so it should be hard for you too.”
Kind of like an initiation ceremony to a club you really don’t want to belong to.
When you show them something simple they want to make it hard just because “easy” doesn’t “feel tight”.
Yep like some frat or club hazing LOL
Yeah. Like in the USAF maintenance organizations A FNG (for those who have to ask, never mind, you won’t get it) would be sure to count on being sent out for as Bucket of Prop Wash or 50 Yards of Flight Line on his first day at work. Kind of a rite of passage.
Bob Martins information has always had a very high degree of accuracy. Bobs info was insturmental in planning my very first visit to Mindanao and Iligan City.
Thanks for your endorsement, Bob, and your continued support over the years.
You are most welcome Bob, not only is all of your info and books good for those with a desire to move there, so much of your info also applies to those like me that at first just want to come and visit or go on a vacation. Should the time ever happen that I really do want to move there, I think one of the SRRV options would work best for me. At the moment though I have no immediate plans on retiring yet. One thing I am certain of, Even though I live in a modest house and live a modest lifestyle, I could never afford to live here on Social Security alone. I don’t even think I could pay all my taxes on what Social Security would pay me each month. I think I could live quite decently there on my Social Security alone. As always, there are a lot of compromises which your websites and articles etc. always point out and those compromises are things I also consider. In the mean time though I will continue having the best vacations I have ever had there. Plans for visit number 8 are now in the making.
Bob N. You bring up a great point. The info is very helpful regardless if you plan on moving there or not. He not only points out the things you need to consider, but when I first heard about a throw away ticket – I was wondering, “Self, did Bob drink too much Saki? Why on Earth would I buy a ticket and toss it out’? Well…….after purchasing and reading his books. I now know why! lol Again, more money saved! 🙂
If you are thinking of moving to the Philippines, you MUST read Bob’s books!!!!! Full of great information and right to the point.
To be honest I do not know how he does it,,
It’s the best bargain out there,
Fred
Thanks for your vote of confidence, Fred.
Bob NY USA , that’s a nice plan to stay in P. I. like Iligan or some safe places in Mindanao, it’s much more better than staying in big cities like Manila or Cebu . I’m a Fil-Am & a retiree with SS pensions. Good luck & enjoy life thru easy living. I will be there too next year!
Dave, I come under the #2 question–single. How I get another 30 days at airport when I arrive? I normally arrive late at night from Tokyo on Delta.
Thanks, Richard
Richard,
The answer to your question is, “it Depends”. There is an office right there in the NAIA Immigration area where you can ask for and pay for an extension. Will they be open upon your arrival? The answer is, as with almost all things Philippines, yes, No or Maybe. If not you can extend the initial 30 day stamp at any BI office, nation-wide or pay a travel agent to take your passport to a BI office and have it extend for you.
Dave!
Thanks for sharing this Balikbayan option! We do it with my wife when arriving in the Philippines! Also our married friends AND also my wife`s Canadian spouse NOT married! Peter has used this BB visa now 7 times without any problems to enter and stay in the country and their lovely home there! As I said they are NOT married (yet?! lol!) but “been together” as spouses for how many years already, so they just had to prove that thing with the documents from Canada. That is enough for the immigration in the Philippines!
In many cases it`s much more simple and also cheaper to go FOR EXAMPLE Hong Kong or Macau or Malaysia or…. together with your wife, or meet there and come back together as you said! I did find that many Ameri CAN`Ts ( very smart!) just advise here in internet much too difficult if not even once just come to the country like this simple way!! Also it is NOT required to stay away abroad at least 1 year before coming back again or so as some expat claims in his side as only reading the side of the immigration. It says only WHO ( a filipino/-na) IS a balikbayan with whom you CAN come into the Phils!
Also you can send balikbayan boxes without any worry or people around you abroad can send you who are balikbayans.
Again, thanks for a simple advice which really works with our experiences for a long time!
Sorry! Should be of course “…my wife`s RELATIVES Canadian spouse! 🙂
Hi David,
“Then, book your wife a round trip ticket from the Philippines to Hong Kong or Macau and book yourself a seat on the same flight that she will be returning on home. Simple.”
Nice!
I’ve been to Hong Kong (still British-ruled in late Eighties) when I was in the US Navy and I guess with your suggestion here this is a nice place for some kind of a “honeymoon” for the couple, or the husband and wife you’re talking about above. I haven’t been to Macau (once a Portuguese colony, right?) with gambling casinos abound from what I’ve heard, isn’t this another cool “honeymoon” site for the couple for maybe a couple of days or for a Weekend? As I wonder too, if Macau has what Las Vegas, those “get quickie marriages”, oh that’s an aside thought!
And Chinese food there!
Anyhow, you’ve written a pretty informative article for people planning/visiting the Philippines as a tourist for a couple weeks, or if that person/tourist decided to stay maybe forever, or only for a couple of years as a permanent resident, who knows, you can make it or take it one day at a time. And while there though, to really find out if this country Philippines is truly what Filipino slogan had at the Travel Department had lately been claiming, “It’s More Fun in the Philippines!”
Jesus must be smiling! Thumbs up!
Awesome article! Thank you! 🙂
Aklan Heat
Thanks for commenting.
A couple points.
There are many reports of guys who travelled without their wives and were given the BB Privilege Stamp anyway. I would NOT do it, but it certainly does happen. Also, there is no requirement at all that the marriage between the Balik Bayan and her/his spouse be NSO recorded. A marriage certificate or other proof that the couple is married is all that’s required. No need for an NSO certificate so far as I know.
Second, you bring up a very important point about trips to other counties to satisfy the BB requirements. My wife and I travel every year and LOVE it. We’re already signed up for a trip to Bali, Indonesia in September when my current stamp runs out. It’s kind of an annual “Anniversary” celebration and/or min-Honeymoon.
I am always shocked y the number of guys who consider a trip with their wives a horrible, burdensome chore. Seems strange to me. That’s one reason I wrote http://liveinthephilippines.com/places-to-go-near-the-philippines/ here a while back.
There are many places close to the Philippines (the majority of which a Filipina needs no visa to enter) where couples can meet up or travel together for a little “get away”.
To me it goes under the heading of “keeping romance alive”.
First…A great and precise post – thank you.You keep things simple!
We do the same, use BB visa and once a year we go to some where near Philippines, as a “honeymoon”, or we go to Denmark, where we have some property to take care of. Nice to get out at least once a year. Not all things is difficult here,
@ Axel
Yes, thanks for the kind words. As my Canadian friend and I found there are close to 30 different “flavors” of visas … but unless one has special circumstances or needs, it’s just as well to apply the “KISS” principle and then spend your time enjoying life.
RE: Macau, see http://philfaqs.com/why-i-left-the-philippines/ I find it a delightful weekend place, although the big Las Vegas-owned casinos are now very dominant. I’m not sure if they have any “quickie” wedding chapels like ‘Vegas, but two foreigners can marry there in way less time than the goat-rope that a Philippine marriage always turns out to be. Hong Kong also allows foreigner to foreigner weddings, minus the mandatory two week wait in the Philippines.
Good article Dave.
I always use the BB visa at the moment as I tend to spend two weeks at a time in the PI and only two r three times a year.
This time I am on an extended stay and I have a query about my driving license. I know that my UK license is valid for 90 days in PI but what happens if I stay longer? Can I apply for a PI driving license whilst on a BB visa?
By the way, I’m learning a lot more about life in PI whilst on an extended stay. You think you know everything when visiting for short periods but I’ve learnt so much more. This website helps of course.
Cheers
AJ UK
AJ UK,
Yes you certainly can get a Philippine Drivers License while on a BB Stamp (or a tourist visa stamp for that matter). You fill up a simple one page form. make copies of your UK license (both side), make copies of your passport “face page” and the page with your BB stamp, and proceed to “Window 1” at the LTO. Takes an hour or two or three, depending on the LTO workload, costs P600 or P700 or so, and is good for three years. (and no, you do not have to give up your UK license).
Only certain LTO locations will do “foreigner conversions”. best bet is go to your closest location and ask .. if they don’t do it, they will “tell you where to go” 😉
See also: http://philfaqs.com/a-visit-to-the-lto-for-my-us-readers/
I strongly recommend all foreigners get a Philippine Drivers License, regardless of whether they plan to drive or not. It’s a cheap, easy to obtain Philippine government issued photo ID … something which foreigners cant get easily from other sources. Example: You want to order something like phone or internet service. What are you going to use as proof of identity _and address_? You UK National Health card or some such? Think of how well Philippine issued ID’s would be received back in your home country … the Philippine Driver’s License opens many doors, something I have learned over the years.
Also, thanks for pointing out what many folks don’t grasp so easily. Visiting the Philippines for vacation/honey moon type stays in hotels and eating out in restaurants three times a day is NOT really living in the Philippines. It’s “Vacationing” in the Philippines, which is a great thing, but totally different.
You have to live “normally?” for a few months .. buying and cooking food, dealing with landlords, plumbers, basura men, barangay captains and so forth … before you really know what life is truly like here.
Many thanks for that Dave.
I did visit the LTO website but it didn’t explain whether a foreigner could get a drivers license. It did say about converting a foreign license though so I suppose this is a general statement and not for Filipinos who have been abroad for years.
I shall be on the case tomorrow as the wife is at the DFA today applying for our daughters passport. It took three months to get a birth certificate purely because the person who dealt with my wife didn’t look at my UK passport copy properly. Apparently if the baby has a foreign parent they rush through the birth certificate due to the possible need for a passport.
All part of the learning curve LOVL
Foreign license conversion is the action you want … doesn’t matter if the phrasing doesn’t necessarily seem right .. that’s what you want from the LTO.
You won’t find nitty-gritty details on the web site. Not knowing where you are in the Philippines, I can’t help with a suggestion of where to go, as there are literally hundreds of LTO branch offices, and some do conversions and some don’t. I gave you the requirements, just copies of your license and some pages from your passport … any office near your location can either do the job or will tell you where you can get the Philippine license. (hint, there are LTO license renewal offices in many, many malls. They will not do “conversions”, but they will tell you where and when you can get the job done. Just ask the security guard at the door .. they always know, and there’s no need to wait in line.
Thanks for that.
I’m in Davao and already checked the location of the LTO. I will take my brother-in-law as he knows it well.
On some past visits to the Philippines, I obtained and “International Drivers License” from the American Automobile Association (AAA) in the US before I went. It is valid along with your original driver’s license and a passport/Visa for 1 year. In 1972 I did get a Philippine driver’s license at an LTO, when my international license ran out. It took about 30 minutes, in Olongapo then. When I was going back to the US in 1973, my US license was expired, so I went to The Philippine Motor Club in Manila, and got an International license based on my Philippine driver’s license and used it when renting a car at the airport when I landed, back in the US.
1. There is no such thing as an International Driver’s License. According to the US AAA itself what you received was an International Driver Permit. These are valid (with home country license, in the Philippines but never necessary so long as your home country license is valid, and in English.
2. As clearly stated on the IDP itself, it is ONLY valid when your home country license is valid. 90 days after you last arrival in the Philippines your home country license is no longer valid for driving in the Philippines … thus your IDP is also no longer valid for driving in the Philippines. It’s basically a useless piece of paper.
3. Getting a Philippine LTO license is quick and (relatively) painless and it is good for driving in the Philippines for three full years from date of issue .. no US license or IDP required.
4. The IDP, again by US AAA rules if NEVER valid within the country of issue, so again for a US citizen, again it’s basically a useless piece of paper.
5. As did happen to you, a US car rental agency will rent cars based on a valid Philippine license, just as a Philippine car rental agency will rent based on a valid US license.
Happy motoring
I’ve just got myself a Philippine driving license!
It was a bit of an ordeal and a very long wait but well worth it in the end I believe.
I arrived at the LTO in Davao with my trusty sidekick, my brother-in-law. We got there at 7.30 to beat the queue. Well, we queued at least but may locals just went to the front. It’s their way I suppose but even my BIL was getting annoyed with them.
Anyway, we got inside at 8am and were instructed to sit down in front of window 1. They operate a shuffle sideways queueing system and at least this was observed by all. At this point everyone was given an application form to fill in. I had been clever, or so I thought, and printed one from the internet and filled it out the night before. WRONG! the forms they give you have a unique number on the top right and it’s that number that they use for their reference. It would have useful to have remembered a ball pen at this point of course.
Upon his return, the BIL had a guard with him who showed us to an office which deals initially with the conversions. So I entered and spoke in my best humble, polite voice to the official who checked my documents, made me refill the application and then asked where my medical certificate was. Erm, I didn’t know I needed one. No problem as there was a medical shack outside the gates to the LTO. So I had a medical which consisted of me paying 100PHP and the guy asking me a few questions, a quick eye test, then him signing the certificate. Total BS really but it was needed.
Back to the side office next where everything was checked again and countersigned. We were then directed back to section 1 where the guard who had helped me previously sat me down at the front of the queue. This is good I thought, won’t be here long. Oh now wrong I was!
I waited for my name to be called to window 2, photograph, for about an hour. All was ok and I went to sit near window 3 which is the cashier. I waited about another hour and heard my name called so I got to window three only to find out that it was window 2 calling me again. There was no explanation as to why and I was just told to sign the digital pad and have my photo taken again.
So, back at window 3 again, I waited and waited and waited for approximately two and a half hours. Oh how the time passes slowly when your iPhone is running out of battery and you cannot play Spider Solitaire. Finally I was called and I pushed my way through a group of very irate locals (see, it wasn’t just me!).
I then sat down again by window 4 and prepared for another long wait when to my surprise I was called within five minutes.
So, I now have the license and all is fine in the world.
Thanks Dave for you list of documents as it helped no end.
Cheers
AJ UK
AJ
Same experiences! May I ask, how much all in all you paid for the licence?
Hi Leo
I paid 617.63php I think. It was exactly as stated on the LTO website for a foreign conversion non-professional license –
http://www.lto.gov.ph/index.php/services/drivers-licensing/115-summary-of-drivers-license-and-permits-fees-and-charges
Cheers
AJ UK
Hi AJ!
I did had my licence at Talisay office and seemed just after that I was fooled by this officer there…. But no problem! It was so funny to be there with my brother in law who didn`t know anything about the driving licence either! So, first the officer said I have to go to urine test and then 2 photos TWICE and to the doctor`s “exam”! Only 400pesos! But that`s not all! When I was called in to a doctor`s room, there was an old lady who did ask only one thing! “May I borrow your pall pen?” SORRY!?? “May I borrow your pall pen, because mine one is not writing?” Yes, sure here you are….as she noticed I had it hanging from my shirts chest pocket ! Then she started to fill all the details healthy yes, yes ,yes…..I was going to say “I have diabetes, high blood…….” but stop it as she only filled yes, yes, yes…. Ok! Now you get back downstairs etc. already did paid this 400p there and then waited downstairs as the officer called me and said “Here`s your driving licence, 3200peso, please!??? WHAT? UNSA? heheh
So, all in all he did fooled me 3000peso! But no worry! I was “cured” about 30 seconds there upstairs from all my sickness I had!! 🙂 A miracle!! (Well, afterwards I realized my licence here in my home country is until March 2026 but this filipino licence only until the same date March 2016…. Next time I`ll get another office or then just have here my International driving licence. Had so many laughs with my relatives for my “souvenir Filipino driving licence” that it sure was worth for it! Laugh gives you more years to your life!! 🙂
This has turned into a very informative conversation. Thanks Dave! I was considering the international permit for trips back to the US, if I choose to let my stateside license expire. Now I’m seeing that may not be necessary with the Philippine license.
I do have a question about the 13 series visa. How does one go about getting the necessary background check?
Thanks again for a really good topic.
Take care,
Pete
Hi Pete
Thanks for dropping by.
Indeed I always say that people who don’t read/participate in the comments miss at _least_ half (sometimes. a lot more) from reading any blog.
Last question first. You get a background check from the FBI by starting here:
http://www.fbi.gov/about-us/cjis/criminal-history-summary-checks
Indeed one of the reasons I have not, as yet, bothered with a permanent visa. I’m just too old and ornery. I worked for many years under a very high level security clearance and I have had enough years of every Tom. Dick and Harry crawling up my bunghole. (Please copy, NSA, I know you are reading)
Now regarding the IDP. The _ONLY_ reason I could ever see getting one is for travel to a non-English speaking country … it’s essentially nothing more than a 10-way translation of you home country Driver’s License … plus proof that the AAA or the PhAA or whomever have made their extra profit off of what you have already paid for.
Your Philippine license is good in the US just as your US license is good in the Philippines.
Do bear in mind that there are really 51 (counting the District of Columbia) driver license laws in the USA. Some states are very restrictive on people who take up residence in their states, (got to get a state-issued license, register your car, etc. withing so many days,etc,after taking up residency) but for international visitors the international rules should always apply.
Thanks for that link Dave. I know what you mean about all the previous background checks. My employers always did the legwork before. I (or my kin) just had to put up with their snooping.
But now you’ve raised another point that may have me getting an IDP in the future. I had one in Europe for driving in non NATO countries. We still have many friends, and a few relatives there. We may take advantage of our retirement status to visit again.
Yup, folks should read the comments!
Take care,
Pete
Pete, I stand corrected on that reason for the IDP. Indeed it does make sense to have one when travelling to other treaty countries which are not English-speaking. I bet it’s cheaper to get one from the Philippine Auto Club than those “not so economical” folks at the US AAA.
On the DL issue. I just got my Foreign Conversion and other than spending a lot of time sitting around waiting…it was pretty easy to get.
As Dave said, its another form of Important Local ID that opens more doors. In Meycauayan for example the exchange rate from Dollars to Peso is always much better at the Villarica Pawn Shop. problem is if you dont have LOCAL ID you aint invited to get that rate and will be told “Sorry Sir, Local residents only” then ya slog over to Hypermart or SM for the lower rate. Cedulas are accepted “sometimes” or barangay tax stamps, but the DL works best in my experience. This also worked when we went to Carmoan and Legaspi as well, so its country wide I would guess.
Also was able to get a substantial discount for a hotel by having the Local DL several times. YMMV since I normally only use local mom and pop hotels when we travel in country.
Now that I have that Philippines DL in my pocket, next up is getting that BDO Bank Account in my name which REQUIRES proof of local address and as the family jokes all the time, since I visit so often….my OFW card as well! LOL!
Thanks, Joe.
I hadn’t even looked at the discount aspect, but you could save a LOT that way over the course of a year of living here.
What I have done, many times, is use senior citizen lines at the bank, supermarkets, etc.
You won’t get the senior citizen discount .. or you shouldn’t … see:
http://philfaqs.com/wheres-my-senior-discount-dammit/
But there’s nothing wrong with using it for proof of age.
A lot of folks, having lived in the US all their lives, never think of the concept that a business in the Philippines might not understand an “Oregon Drivers License” or an “Illinois Voter Registration Card” or whatever else the are used to pulling out of their wallet when asked for ID. It’s “so much easier” having a real local ID.
I think the BB visa may be the most hassle free. However some drawbacks; can’t get a senior citizens card I am told….that;s 20% discount. Can’t get an ACR-1 card unless you have the 13a or 13g and you need that to do any banking. Now I am not an expert and don’t know either of these to be fact. Just what I have been told. BTW, great article thanks.
Dennis Glass
A foreigner cannot legally get a Senior Citizen Discount card with any type of visa. The law allows only “resident citizens” to legally hold a Senior Citizen card. As a 13a or g holder you are a resident, but you certainly are not a citizen of the Philippines. Some places will give you one, but you can be deported for having it.
@ Dennis
The Balik Bayan Privilege Program is without a doubt the most hassle free (for those who can avail of it .. certainly not everyone can) and for those whom it suits … it certainly does not suit everyone. There is no :One Size Fits All” solution.
But I wrote this article because there is so, so much misinformation circulating about the BB Stamp that I wanted to correct some of it.
1. Anyone legally in the country can get an ACR-I car direct from the BI just by asking and paying the $50 USD (or Peso equivalent) fee.
2. I have both a Peso and a USD bank account with no ACR-I card.
3. A more interesting comment you made is something which won’t make many reading this very happy. It is ILLEGAL for any foreigner to use or even possess a Senior Citizen Discount Card. Even a Filipino/former Filipino may not use this card unless s/he actually resides in the Philippines. Many foreigners have these cards issued under the previous laws, but the current Senior Citizen law forbids possession or use except for Philippine citizens who are also Philippine residents. Penalties include a fine, jail time and mandatory deportation. This is a whole separate subject … The rules for the Senior Citizen Card have changed a LOT in the past 10 years, so be careful of acting on that which “you have heard”.
Reference: http://philfaqs.com/wheres-my-senior-discount-dammit/
Hi Dave – I am not disputing what you have been saying about the Senior Citizen Discount card, but it seems to me that there are certain officials who will issue it to you even if you are not a Filipino citizen, nor a permanent resident of the country. I was in Alexandria, Virginia, over the weekend and had a conversation with a Filipino naturalized U.S. citizen while having lunch at Manila Oriental. The guy is NOT a dual. He owns a business in Virginia, thus, he lives in Virginia full time. He visits the Philippines regularly, and while there in February of this year, he applied for and received a senior citizen discount card straight up. No grease money involved. This is not hearsay – he showed me the card.
I get what you are saying. As an example, my brother inlaw is a US citizen, (Not dual) but is a filipino by birth.
he is 67 and was also issued a Senior card recently. he uses it and in all likelyhood will never be challenged since he speaks tagalo and looks filipino. he NOWS the law but is willing to risk it.
I can tell you from DIRECT OBSERVATION, that if you are not filipino looking and somehow manage to get a card and use it…you may just get away with it, possobly forever, but I did see one “white looking” gent that was tangled up in the whole mess of trying to use the card, and the clerk at Watsons asked for his citizenship docs, he argued with her that it did not matter if he was a citizen and the cops were called and last I saw he was being asked to get in their car. Not sure what the outcome was, but why risk it for a stupid illegal discount card?
As with may things in the philippines you can take your chances and in many cases be just fine, but if you do its on you to accept the repercussions. Dave and Bob are just trying to tell everyone what the LAW says with regard to Senior discounts, ignore it at your peril…or not. But dont say you did not know. If someone has it out for you, they can and will make sure you get nabbed.
Spelling does not count whe using a small phone! LOL!!!!
That’s my excuse. ha ha ha.
I am in no way dismissing what Bob and Dave have been saying about the law, nor am I encouraging anyone to break the law to see how far one can get away with it. I am merely saying that from what I have seen with my own eyes, there are Filipino officials who may be issuing the discount card casually and without going through the proper checks required for issuing one. Laziness, cavalier attitude? Who knows. I can’t get into any more specifics other than to say that the office that issued it is, in fact, located near Marilao, Bulacan, Dave’s backyard. LOL
Nothing new, John. Laws in the Philippines are often broken by government officials.
@John
Thanks for sharing. You wrote:
Exactly. Happens all the time.
That’s why I researched and published the article originally … as a word of warning to folks who want to risk their freedom and the residency status on the “worthy”? goal of saving 20% on a bucket of chicken.
Just because an local official “did something” does not make it legal. And if you are found yourself breaking the law, the defense tat someone else broke the law on your behalf is a pretty weak defense indeed.
My view is, consider the benefits versus the possible consequences, and everyone should be able to take whatever risks they feel comfortable with.
Knowing I’m not entitled to the Philippine seniors discount, I don’t ask for it, nor have I ever tried to obtain a Philippine Seniors ID card. If you think about it, you realize that you really don’t need it. Even if short cash, the tricycle driver likely needs that one peso more than we do.
I however won’t refuse a freebie if offered for whatever reason the vendor might choose, which happens more often than not. Nothing illegal about paying for your kilo of garlic in full and if the tindera chooses to toss in an unsolicited extra couple of bulbs with a smile there’s no law to prohibit.
Similarly, if the dentist, doctor, or hospital knowing full your *lack* of Philippine citizenship chooses to give you an unsolicited discount when the bill is unexpectedly huge, that’s their right, and we may occasionally be unexpectedly and pleasantly surprised.
There’s paperwork to get each and every official “senior discount”, otherwise the vendor can’t claim back that tax credit. You’ll notice the next time you spend an extra 10 minutes behind an elderly Pinoy arranging a few pesos off at Jollibee. If you don’t ask for it and don’t submit such legal (false) documentation, there should be no problem whatsoever for the same reason it’s not illegal for you to fix someone’s computer for free.
In short, one’s relationship in the community is in aggregate worth *way* more than a Seniors discount card, totally legal, and a whole lot easier enjoy.
Couldn’t have said it better myself. Thanks.
2015 Annual ACR reporting requirement
a/ Can anyone advise whether anything has changed since the new 2014 form?
If the same, do we just submit a duely updated, notorized etc duplicate of the one form last year (2014)? Did anyone encounter any new difficulties or wrinkles this year?
b/ Second question: the BI website how has an “Annual Report Online Filing System”. Has anyone used this? Does it replace submitting a new notorized 2015 copy of the 2014 form? Any possible ‘gotchas’ to beware of?
Any other current 2015 info to share? Please do.
–ed