If you live in the Philippines (or any country, really) when you need to conduct some kind of transaction with the U.S. Government, that generally means that you will schedule a trip to Manila and visit the U.S. Embassy. Virtually any kind of issue that you need to deal with the Government about can be handled by the Embassy for you. In addition to the Embassy in Manila, there is a U.S. Consulate in Cebu. However, the Consulate in Cebu is only a part time venture, and the number of business items they can handle for you is very limited. So, for the most part, you will need to deal with the Embassy rather than the Consulate.
Imagine, though, if you live outside Manila! Visiting the Embassy to take care of your business can be a big expense, and also a hassle. As an example, last year all of my kids needed new passports, theirs had expired. In order to apply for a new passport, if you are overseas, both the father and mother of a minor must be present during the application (it prevents things like parental kidnappings and such). So, for our 3 boys to get new passports, it would mean that 5 of us would need to go to Manila for at least 2 days. Really, our girl (who is not American, she’s adopted) would probably come along with us too, so that would mean 6 people traveling. It’s also likely that we would stay 3 days (2 nights) to do a few other things while we were there. Figure airfare of P5,000 each, that makes P30,000. We would probably need 2 hotel rooms for 2 nights, figure P3,000 per night (that’s not a high end place, Manila is more expensive), you are talking P12,000. Meals in Manila aren’t inexpensive either. Six people to feed, that makes 18 meals per day (3 meals each), figure P20,000 for meals. With kids, you’re going to have snacks and such too, but we won’t even count that. Just for the very basics I’ve listed, the trip would cost a minimum of P62,000, that’s about $1,400 and that doesn’t even pay for the passports! You’ve also got taxis, inevitable shopping and other expenses, I’d bet the trip would put you back P80,000 at the very minimum.
We were all ready to schedule the trip and pay the big bucks until we found out some good news. The US Embassy sends a team of people to Davao twice per year to extend it’s services to US Citizens who live in the Davao area! In addition, they travel to other Cities around the Philippines regularly as well! I know they go to Cagayan de Oro and Zamboanga in Mindanao, and places around the Visayas and Luzon as well. Last year, we went to the US “Virtual Embassy” (as they call it) when they visited Davao, took care of all of our business with them while they were in town, and we saved at least P80,000 in the process!
If you are in Davao, the Embassy personnel generally visit around April and October, and they usually set up shop at the Marco Polo Hotel. If you are in another part of the Philippines, check the schedule of visits to your area by contacting the Embassy in Manila. Their phone number is: (02) 528-6300 Extension 2555.
I had heard about the "Virtual Embassy" but never looked into it. Sounds like a good idea though. Imagine that, the US Government doing something convenient for us!
Hi Louis – I hadn't thought of that angle. You know the old joke about somebody saying "I'm from the government and I'm here to help you." Well, in this case it really is true! I used the virtual embassy that one time, and I know others who have used it. I've always heard good things about their service.
Yes, an excellent tip, Bob. It's all too easy for us to get bent out of shape at the hassles of dealing wiht government agencies but the US Embassy indeed does provide some great service with the outreach efforts.
Another resource many folks don't check out is the various RAO's retired Affairs (or Activities) Offices here in the Philippines. Officially the RAO's are volunteer organizations set up to help retired US servicemen and women. And for certain services (like the excellent (and cheap) US mail services) one does have to be a retiree. But the two major RAO's, Subic: http://www.raosubic.com/
and Clark: http://www2.mozcom.com/~rao_cabr/
offer a lot of information on their web sites and are always happy to chat with expats, even those who aren't US Military retirees. They both have satellite offices throughout the Philippines, so add them to your list of resources.
Hi Dave – Good tips on the RAO offices. I never served in the military, so I tend to forget that those are available.
Also, Chief Jim Boyd, the director of the Clark RAO is, so far as I know, the only IRS certifying officer in the Philippines for US ITNs … individual taxpayer id numbers. Those with non-US spouses overseas who want to file joint returns with the non-citizen spouses (who don't have a SSAN) need an ITN for the spouse. Jim will help you get it … nothing to do with retiree or veteran staus, it's a service he performs for any US citizen. A fine fellow in my book.
Bob, I have tried now for three days to access your Mindanao site. It is not responding to my effforts to enter. I use an IMac at home so I tried on a PC with the same results. Thought you might be interested. Ron
Dave,
Also, if one can't get an ITN, you can just file as single and amend your tax return the following year to married, once the wife gets a SS number. That’s what I did. It might be hard getting an ITN if one lives in Mindanao and short of time.
Hi Dave – I've never met Jim, although I've heard about him. Everything I've ever heard about the man is good!
Hi Ron – I am sorry that you've been having problems. Recently, at times the site has been very slow. In the past 6 months or so, the site has gotten so many visitors that it is getting bogged down. Believe it or not, I am not transferring as much data in one day as I did in one year just a few years ago! I have already made the decision that I am going to step up to a dedicated server soon. I expect that to happen in the next week or so. At times the site is still performing well, but at certain times of the day it really gets bogged down. I really apologize for the problem you are experiencing. I upgraded to a better server about a year ago, and thought that would be good for several years, but the site growth has been exponential!
Hi Kevin – Good tip!
Hi Bob,
Just saw a video from youtube (http://youtube.com/watch?v=rq-ZrDBJaeU) of Amb. Kristie Kenney doing the papaya dance on a morning show. 🙂 She is a very active and visible US ambassador, and I think the Americans have a great ambassador there in the Philippines.
Hi Dex U. – I agree that Ambassador Kenney is a good representative for the USA here. She is very active, and always giving a good impression! Plus, I've been told by several Embassy Employees that she reads some of my blogs regularly, so I can't complain too much! 🙂