It’s time for another Expat Answer Man podcast! If you have questions about moving to the Philippines and becoming an expat, we have answers and are happy to share those answers with you. If you enjoy the show, can you leave an honest review (just click here to do so) of the show on iTunes? I would greatly appreciate the effort you put into doing that. Getting more reviews will help spread the word about the Podcast and bring in more listeners, it would really help me out!
Yep, today we have a new question and it is from Paul. Paul is a Lifetime Member of my Expat Island website and he is getting ready to make a move to the Philippines fairly soon. He found himself wondering about what types of visas would be available for him when he moves.
Getting the right visa is important and will help make your life easier when you move to the Philippines. We don’t all qualify for the same type of visa, it all depends on a number of factors about you! In today’s podcast, I spell out what the requirements are, what types of visas are available, and the benefits (and limitations) of various types of visas for living in the Philippines.
Visas for Living in the Philippines
Please Note: There has been a small change since the time that I recorded this podcast. Those entering on the Tourist Visa Waiver program are now issued a 30 day stay upon entry. In the podcast, I said they give a 21 day stay, but the 30 day stay rule has now been full implemented and that is what you should now expect.
[powerpress]
Do You Have a Question?
If you want to send a question for inclusion in a future Podcast, just use the app below, click on the button below, where it says “Start Recording”.
Questions submitted by eMail will no longer be answered, you must submit through the voice message above.
Thanks again for listening, everybody!
that was great, answered some questions I had, Thanks Bob Martin
Always happy to help, Carl! Thanks for letting me know, and thank you for listening, and for supporting my site!
Hi Bob just listened to your pod cast. Good information to know. I just got my Visa for my next trip over. The time allowed has been increased as a tourist from 21 days to 30 days. My last trip in Mar./April was for 30 days. I had to get a tourist visa for the upcoming trip as i will be staying the full allowed 59 days.
Hi Della – Yes, the initial stay has been extended to 30 days now. You did not actually have to get the visa, you can extend in the Philippines for up to 36 months. 🙂
I didn’t know that until hearing it on your pod. That is really good to know and will do it next time. Where do you go to have an extension? Do you have to go back to Manila as well for this each time?
You can go to any Bureau of Immigration office anywhere in the Philippines, Della. There is no need to go to Manila for that.
Great. That would be a real hassle.
Yes, Della, they really do make it quite easy!
Please Note Everybody: There has been a small change since the time that I recorded this podcast. Those entering on the Tourist Visa Waiver program are now issued a 30 day stay upon entry. In the podcast, I said they give a 21 day stay, but the 30 day stay rule has now been full implemented and that is what you should now expect.
Maraming Salamat Po sa podcasts Kuya Bob Martin, I just subscribed to them today and they are very informative..!
Wala’y sapayan, Lajon. Malipayon ko kon gusto ka and mga podcast.
Ok! I am conte lang in Tagalog, Waray Waray, and bisaya..! I’d better study more. LOL..!
this was very helpful information Bob Thank you. Planning on returning to Manila in November will keep this podcast in mind
Is there a fee to join expat Island
Hi Wayne – Thank you, I am glad that you found it informative! 🙂
Hi Wayne Broomfield – Yes, it is a membership site with premium content. It is $349 to join for a lifetime membership, or you can get monthly payment plans. Also, when you become a lifetime member you get all 74 of my eBooks for free! This also includes all of my future eBook publications.
Thanks for subscribing to the Podcast, Lajon Webb! If you could leave a review on iTunes it would be greatly appreciated!!!
Bob,
Good Podcast, still think that the Balikbayan Privilege is the way for me, but if someone was thinking about going the series 13(a) way, would it be better to apply states side before they move or wait till they get to the Philippines? I have heard it is better one way or the other from different people. I know if they don’t use the 13(a) with in 6 months of issue they have to start all over again.
Hi James – Glad you enjoyed it! The Balikbayan Privilege is great, I have used it in the past, before moving here to stay.
I feel that it is better to apply for the 13(a) (or g!) in your home country, if possible, especially because now you must have a police clearance from your home country, so applying there makes sense. My understanding is that now you have 12 months to use the 13(a) before it expires.
Good Job, Bob!! Hey,amusingly, that even rhymes. What you are doing is a GREAT SERVICE for people wanting to retire in sunny Philippines. I gave your link to Mr. Rupert Stocks of the UK. He is exploring to retire here and interested to know about other visa options other than the SRRV promoted by the PRA.
Once again, hats off to you, Mindanao Bob or AKA: “GOOD JOB BOB”!
Hi Randy, thank you so much for your kind words, they are highly appreciated. I am happy to know that you have enjoyed my podcasts and found them useful.
Hi Bob, I routinely use The Balikbayan Privilege and have never yet been asked for a marriage certificate!
I hope to stay in the Philippines when we retire in a year or two and intend to apply for the13(a). My question is:
If I live longer than my wife, is the13(a) still valid when I would be a widower? Also Land and house is in her name (my name is on the deeds, but as you know foreigners cannot own land), what would be my legal position?
Hi Gavin – Be prepared with the marriage certificate, because they do ask! You have been lucky so far! 🙂
Your first question, about whether your 13(a) would remain valid in the event of your wife preceding you is the topic of a future podcast that has already been recorded! The short answer is yes, it will still be valid.
The land ownership thing, though…. answer is that having your name on the deed is of no value to you. The Philippine inheritance laws will come into play should your wife die. You did not mention if you have kids or not, but if you do, they will be the first in line to inherit the land, and hopefully they would allow you to remain on the land.
Hi Bob,
Thanks for the informative reply. Yes we have kids and yes they have British/Philippine Dual Citizenship. Two more questions for you if that’s OK.
What is the minimum legal age for inheritance?
My wife travels on a British Passport, and up to now the Balikbayan Privilege have been more than adequate. What should she do if we plan on staying longer than one year?
Thanks
Gavin
Hi Gavin – What I would recommend for your wife is that she reacquire her Philippine Citizenship and become a dual citizen – British and Filipino. With that she can stay in the Philippines or in Britain as long as she wishes without need for any kind of visa.