Live in the Philippines

Live in the Philippines helps expats with visas, moving and other services regarding the Philippines.

Need Help? Please let me know what you need!

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One of the pleasures of operating a site like this is that I get to have a lot of communication with people who read the site.  I get to meet many new people both through e-mail and also in person when they are visiting here.  On an average day, I can get dozens or even hundreds of e-mails from readers of this site.  When I can help, I am happy to do so.  Often times, though, I am sort of at a loss for what I can do to help the person who is asking me to assist them.

Almost every day, I get at least a couple of e-mails that say something similar to this:

Hi Bob, I am coming to the Philippines in May to meet my girlfriend and to check out the place.  Can you give me any tips for my trip?

Well, gee… I could honestly write 10,000 pages on that question.  But, what is the person really asking me for?

Does he want to know how to shop for the best flight?  Is he asking what kinds of medications or shots he might need for the trip?  Is he asking what kind of gifts he should bring for his girlfriend’s family?  Maybe he wants to know what hotel is the best?  The truth is, there is no way to know what he specifically wants!

Sometimes I struggle, trying to figure out what I should say to such a person in response.  Other times, I choose to reply to him with a very general note telling him that if he has specific questions I would be happy to answer.  But, the truth is, if he would just write me the first time with a list of questions on his mind, I could get an answer out to him in the minimum time, and save a lot of grief.  I often feel like when I write back and ask “what information are you looking for?” the people often feel offended, or that I am not answering them, but the truth is, I don’t know what information they are asking of me.

Really, the best answer I could offer for such a general question is to “read LiP”.  I mean this website has nearly 3,000 articles all about life in the Philippines, and almost any question that might be on the traveler’s mind is probably already answered on this site.  But, I feel pretty certain that if I sent an answer that just said “read LiP” the writer would likely feel offended by that, even though it is probably the best answer that could be given.

So, my request to you is that if you want to write and ask for my help or advice on some topic, please let me know what it is that you are seeking advice on, I mean, what is your topic of interest?  Looking for a hotel, say so!  Looking to find out what beaches are recommended, just let me know.  If you just write and say, I want information about visiting the Philippines… well, that’s way to general for me to answer.  I hope you understand.

Whatever your questions, if you are traveling to the Philippines, I hope you enjoy your trip, and I am happy to answer a few questions to make your journey more enjoyable.  Just use the contact form to get in touch with me.

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Bob, I will be there soon. Hopefully, we cal bump fists and sit down for some grub and share a toast to my nuptials, which brings me to my questions. I have to fly into Cebu to go to the U.S. Embassy to apply for permission to marry a Fil citizen. So what can I expect at the embassy in regards to wait time? How long is the wait in regards to an “OK” to our permit? If I fly into Cebu @ noon time, should I just wait for the next day to go to the embassy, or can I go there straight from the airport? Please feel free to volunteer up any info on this as I’m sure there’s a question I missed.

    Also, I’m wanting to go to school there (Immanuel Bible College or perhaps a bible college there in Davao, but I don’t know the name). So I will be visiting the Immigration Office in Davao shortly after the wedding. Any tips there? I recently read about an ACR card. I believe I can fall under section 13 (married to Fil national) for the card. Any thoughts on that one as well?

    Waiting for the hit back!
    Charlie

    • Hi Charlie – Well… firstly, there is no US Embassy in Cebu, the only US Embassy in the Philippines is in Manila. In Cebu there is a Consulate, and they can handle your paperwork for a marriage. However, it has been over 20 years since I have been there, and I honestly have no idea how long it would take, or even what days they are open (the Cebu Consulate has always operated on a rather irregular schedule). Sorry I can’t help on that one.

      Your questions are somewhat what I had talked about in the article… very general. Any thoughts on an ACR card? Well, I have thousands of thoughts on ACR cards. Do you have a specific question?

      Good luck, and I will gladly answer your questions if you let me know what they are.

      • Bob

        LIP has been very helpful in answering alot of my qustions. It’s greatly appreciated, thanks so much. By the way have gotten any of those heavy rains and flooding thats been going on there? Its sad that over 40 have lost there lives. Keep doing what you been doing its a big help.

        • Hi Randy – No flooding problems in Davao, that’s up north where that is happening (Visayas and Northern Mindanao). All is good here, thankfully. Thanks for your comment!

      • Thanks so much for your help, Bob! I will keep in contact with you. I’m really hoping to meet with you when in Davao! I’ll drop you a line.

        Cheers,
        Charlie

    • Charlie – yes, if your married to a Filipina you can apply for a 13a immigrant visa. Be warned however that this requires a lot of paperwork (and if your coming here to get married, you need the marriage contract from the NSO, and that can take months to come through) Everything also needs to be filed in Manila, otherwise you have to pay an agent/fixer who charge 1000usd plus for the pleasure, so plan to be on tourist visa extensions for a while

      The ACR card is complusary for anyone who has been in Philippines more than 6 months (i think???), regardless of visa type.

      Once you get your 13a visa approved it will be probational for one year, and you have to go through the same process the next year. Once approved the second time it becomes a life time visa (as long as your married). Note the visa is petitioned for by your wife.

      There was actually a very good post on this site about the 13a visa, but I can’t find it, and i can’t find a search function… Bob – is it possible to add one, or am i just looking in the wrong place!!

      • Hi Steven – You can apply for a 13 series resident visa in other places than Manila without paying a fixer. Here in Davao I know for sure you can apply.

        Search function? It is available on every page of this site. It is near the top of the sidebar, and says “Search” – just input what you are searching for there, and click “Search”.

        • haha, thanks Bob, yes, just found it… was last in amongst the other links.

          What i mean by the 13a is that it needs to be processed through Manila, so even if you apply for it down in Davao a trip to Manila is still required for the interview side of it. I believe all the BI satellite offices can process the visa, but it takes longer and they charge more.

          I assume thats what the OP was after info wise (agree with you – vague questions are soooo hard to answer!) – maybe you can post a link to the article you have on 13a’s – it is by far and away the best and most useful article i’ve read on the subject…

    • good post bob

      and like u i have had a lo off ppl just like that come to me and ask me if i can help them and what thay need to do to get marred to a filipina and most for get that thay need letters phone cards and photos and think like this so the Embassy will know there is not funny things going on and it would be better for Charlie to stop in manila to get all this paper work over and dun with be for he go on down south mate or he will be runing up there all the time if he dont i dont know what vica he is after but may be i may or may not help him out as i have now there and did it two times over so if he wonts help he can talk to me every day on yahoo chat on [email protected] ok and may be i can tell him all he needs to do and i say all the best to him as sadly for us it did not work out and my love did end up with out her australian vica but god shuts one door mate and he opens a new one for us………….peter martin tassie…..

      • Hi peterjoy – sorry to hear that the situation did not work out so well for the visa. I am sure that all will work out for you, though! Take care.

      • Thanks so much for the assist, Peterjoy! I’ll be in contact with you.

        An attorney was recommended to me whose there in Davao and I have already been in contact with her.

        Talk to you soon!

        Cheers,
        Charlie

  2. It’s awesome that you help out and/or answer folks’ questions. I got a chuckle out of the article. Anyone who has ever worked in a support or maintenance role knows this all too well.
    “I have a problem, can you fix it?”
    “What is the nature of the problem?”
    “Why are you answering a question with a question?”

    • Hi Gary – I never thought about the help desk angle, but you are certainly right on that! I find it quite difficult to answer a person who basically has not asked a question, just a general inquiry. It is nearly impossible to answer that kind of thing! 😆

      Good morning, Gary! Nice to hear from you. I hope all is well down south!

      • Hi Bob, and Gary … that sounds a lot like some of my experiences, Gary, it really caught me eye … back to Bob’s main point … I could have written that article myself … I’ve often planned to write one just like that for my philfaqs.com blog.

        I love to get questions, I really do. I’m a ‘smaller operation’ than Bob, so I get fewer mails, but still it’s a rare day I don’t get an email or two, a phone call or even a text message. I’m actually a little disappointed when I don’t see anything on a given morning.

        But the other side of that coin is, it’s so darn frustrating to get those “give me some tips” questions. Folks, we love you but what do you think we have been writing for for years now? Please, please, please read first. And if I refer you to an article or another web site in answer to a question, I’m not being dismissive, I’m trying to send you where I learned what I learned in the first place. Sometimes ya just have to read the homework assignments 😉

        • Hi Dave – Boy, you sure are right in what you say. Sometimes it can be frustrating when somebody writes and asks me a question that I have already written dozens of articles about. It is apparent that the person does not read my site, so why should I take my valuable time to rehash information that I have written extensively about. Of course, I usually hold in the frustration and answer as best I can, but that can be difficult to do at times, though.

          • Hey Bob – I remember one time, I wanted to asked about the top restaurants in Davao. But I know you’ve written an article about that. I used the search thing but produced number of results. You know what I did, I just googled best restaurants in Davao live in the Philippines and voila! got it! 🙂

            So can I ask something about about.. uhm… nevermind 😉

  3. Hi Bob – THANKS for your help!

    Yes, sometimes one has to play dentist pulling teeth to get to the root of a question. But answering it and solving the problem provides a good feeling of self-reward.
    😉

  4. Bob;
    If you wrote a book on the most frequently asked question about the Philippines, gave it away for free, someone would e-mail and ask what page the answer he wanted was on.

    • Hi Paul, you always make me laugh, you have such a good take on life. Thanks for you funny side. I always laugh at your articles, sometime i need to take you out for lunch & hear your take on life, when i finally get to the islands. Thanks Scott

      • Scott;
        For the life of me I just don’t understand why people think I’m joking all the time. No one takes me seriously anymore, as if they ever did. Ah who am I trying to kid, it just my way. The lunch sounds great, can I have a beer also? Please!
        My take on life is simple: Live it and enjoy it.

        • Hi Paul,
          I will buy you as many beers as Mr Thompson can consume in 1 sitting short of a keg. Just kidding see its spreading Thompson Typoid, or T.T for short Life is too short not to be happy & have fun. Thanks for you being you.

  5. Charlie…

    The consulate is open 9-11 am and is located at the Waterfront Hotel.

    One needs a “legal capacity to marry”…… http://manila.usembassy.gov/wwwha009.html#Certificate

    This is simple and straight forward….passport….divorce decree if married before…..death cert if widowed. Bring your fiancée, even though they told me she wasn’t needed. After an hour or so you will be issued a certificate which you need to take to the local registrar where you live. After ten days you will be allowed to marry. Set up a date and time with the local judge if having a civil wedding. The fiancée will have to show papers to the registrar also…make sure you have them all in order before going. The US embassy site is clear on what you and her both need.

    I know this is short, but it went well for me…and hope all goes well for you.

    The 13a is another matter, and I would concentrate on the other first.

    Others will have more to offer. Good luck to you and yours.

    Greg

    • Hi Greg,

      Thanks so much for the info! An attorney was recommended to me that is in Davao and I have been in contact with her already. I will be visiting her soon after I arrive, probably before the wedding just to get all my ducks in a row.

      I will stay in contact with LiP as this has turned out to be a great source of info… and no BS!

      Thanks to Bob! I hope to meet with you when in Davao!

      Cheers,
      Charlie

    • Hi Hamia – I have never heard of “Smal” Island… is it possible that you are talking about “Samal Island” in the Gulf of Davao? If so, yes, you are free to go there. It is an open island, no restrictions. You can easily get there from Davao City via a Bangka boat, or via a RoRo Ferry. Enjoy your time on Samal, it’s a beautiful place.

  8. Bob I have a question about living in the Philippines. Just not sure what to ask so if you can any insight would be appreciated. (-: Ron

  9. That book idea sounds like it could be a winner Bob. ” 1001 Questions about Living In The Philippines ( or just visiting ) Answered .

    Real Questions

    Real Answers

    No Waiting

  11. Hi Bob, any thoughts of starting a “Dear Abby-Philippines”? HaHa just kidding Bob. Have a nice day. Just arrived in Savannah GA after a nine hour drive. The ice is really terrible in NC and part of SC. Running south for a few days to get warm!

    • Mars Z

      Florida is the only state that didn’t get snow, but it sure is cold. Tempatures in the high 20’s low thirties Brrrrr. Farmers really worried about there crops.

  12. If you are a tourist you must get a ACR-I card after your first 59 days. When you ask to extend for 2 more months they will also tell you that you need to apply for the card the same day. Total cost for everything is about 7,500 pesos. The card costs 50 US Dollars so the rate of exchange will change daily. The card is made in Manila so you have to come back in 7 to 10 days to pick it up. Just sign for it, no extra cost.

    The 13a visa can be done in Davao. No need to fly to Manila. The folks working in the Davao BI office work hard and are very nice. I enjoy my trips there.

    73,
    Gary

  13. When someone asks me about Davao I send them to you Bob. You are the hands down go to man for expats wanting to know about Davao. Plus you have so many services a person can use. Thanks for the help you gave me when I was still in Michigan. Everything has turned out well for me.

    73,
    Gary

  16. Hi, Bob.
    I know what you mean. We “German” truck driver hat the same problem on our web page. Doesn’t matter that we created some pages where people with questions could get a “step-by-step” list to apply for VISA or “How-to-get a-job” list, they still were asking:”.. how could I get?

    Nice advises to use the search field or “please print the list on LINK:HTTP//xxx and follow step by step didn’t really work for some people out there in the web.

    In the end it drove me crazy. 60 hours work per week on the road. Looking after Audrey with the breast cancer OP. Looking after the homebuilder for our new house in Canada…. I quit the Internet…..
    Also that we wrote what are the companies in Canada they shut NOT apply for a job – we hat a little “black list” – because we got our experience with some of them – you could bat that some guys were complaining ” …didn’t got payed for 2 month… you s*** a******.
    Asking back if he read the headline “Companies NOT to apply…..” didn’t helped much.

    So, Bob. I think you must go on and on and on to answer all questions or make a list with all the answers to aaaall the questions out there….. 🙂

    Have fun with that!
    Holger
    *BTW: My truck got towed in the shop again. And yes I know. It was there already for 15 days. But yesterday after my load was canceled, I called the office if they could start the truck for me for an hour, because it is minus 29 Celsius here in Edmonton. Truck won’t start, because the APU (as I told the shop weeks ago…) did not work to charge the batteries and to warm the engine if it’s frigen cold in Canada. But hey. It is like on your website. You tell the mechanics in the shop. You write it down. They give you a question back:”Did you tell us that to fix it?….” Grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr

  17. Hi Bob, Thanks for always answering my questions. I do not think many people say this to you. You have gave me great insight into too many things to list. Also thanks to all your writers that respond with all the answers they provide. Nothing like knowing the real hoops you need to jump though from people that know. I want to be part of your site when i relocate to Palawan as a guest writer if you will have me. Once i get established in Palawan i would like to mirror what you have done with helping good kids with there lunches at school. I think there is great need in the outskirts of the Philippines. Thanks again for your wonderful work you make it easier for people like me who want to relocate to the islands. Thanks Scott

  18. Bob,
    I don’t know if you were inviting questions with this article, but I do have a specific question if you don’t mind. Do you personally know any building contractors you can trust in Davao for building a house on a lot? Thanks

    • Hi Steve – Sorry, I really don’t have a recommendation for a builder. I rent my home, and have never built anything here, so it is not something I have a recommendation on. Sorry about that.

  19. I don’t know where you find the time, Bob – answering all those emails and maintaining your sites. Never felt the need to use the contact form myself, as I’ve always find the exact info I was looking for in the searches.

    First time I’ve visited the site for a few months actually. When I’m back in the UK I try not to miss the Philippines too much, so steer clear of sites which remind me of what I’m missing . Now I’m planning a trip back to Davao in a few months I’ve got the bug again 🙂

    Surprised I’ve never seen you around Davao, Bob. I’ll be sure to say hi if i do.

  20. Hi Bob, I’m an italian student. I wish you could help me with this question. If you do, I’ll be more than thankful.

    Does the Government of Philippines give any scholarship to foreigners that want to learn filipino?
    I’ll try to be more precise:
    How can I learn filipino and recive a certification usable on my curriculum vitae?

    I mean, I’m starting university. I’ve decided to choose the Faculty of Languages to learn some useful languages. So far so good.
    But I want to learn filipino too. And filipino is not that kind of language learnable via university – as you probably know. So, if I want to learn it, I have to find a different way.
    I don’t care if there is a way to learn it while graduating or i have to wait until i graduate, it’s the same.

    I know i should ask the embassy, I’ll do it sooner or later.
    I’ll be totally grateful if you’ll answer me.

  21. I see – i’ll ask the embassy then. Thanks for your answer anyway, you’re one of the most reliable sources i know.
    Take care!

  22. Bob
    Morning Bob it’s 6:58 in the morning here in Jacksonville Fl and 24 degrees I’m freezing.
    So to warm up I go home to the Philippines on LIP. 🙂 ( There’s a stroke job for your EGO Bob)!
    Love the post I’ve been a reading LIP for about a year now and even dove into the archives to get answers. It is a treaser trove of knowledge, light humour stories and reality checks. Maybe you should put a help button on you sight with a key word so people can get to these articles quickly. Just a thought I forgot most people don’t do homework anymore they just want to be told the answer. And if it not the one they want to hear they keep serching until they find it.
    You are a patient man you answer all those question over and over again don’t matter in how many forms they put the same question. Me I would probably like to reach out and kick star their brains with a pop on the head and say read article so and so. But that’s me and not you Thank God.
    You know I’ve been searching for a post on what you will need to have to get set up in the Philippines. I don’t mean visa’s, renting vs. buying, bank accounts, jobs and alike.
    I mean little stuff. Most people proplbly don’t know that rentals don’t come with appliances.
    Most city water is not good to drink so you may need to buy water. Appliance run on 220 not 110 and if you bring 110 electronics you need a converter so is it better to buy them new there instead of shipping old stuff and paying import taxes? You know the everyday little things you need to live with.
    Oh it’s now 30 degrees outside guess I’ll put on some shorts and get a some sun. 🙂

    • Hi Bruce – Thank you very much, and I am very happy to know that you have found LiP to be a valuable source of information, and entertainment too.

      Regarding the “stuff to set up” – I have actually written about most of the things you are talking about, but I will think it over and see if I can tie it all together into a single post soon. Thanks for the tip.

      • Bob;
        Thanks I would appreciate the post. I scowerd over your notes and found bits and pieces. But I guess I could never put them together. Guess that’s why I was a B student and not an A+. Or was it because I was into to sports and chasing girls? 😮