Visa requirements for entering the Philippines

So, you want to move or visit the Philippines, what is the requirements.

If you are a UK or US citizen, you are entitled to a 30 day free visa stay, however, you must have a outward bound ticket to prove you intention to leave., it does not matter when you exit ticket states you are going to leave, after 30 days you will have to pay for another 30 day extension, this will cost approximately 3250 Php. On your next extension you have to pay 500 Php for your ACR-I card, now at this point it is up to you if you extend you visa for 1 month, or up to 6 months.

If you decide to extend for 6 months, you will save around 5500 Php a very big saving. You can stay in the Philippines legally for up to 3 years on a tourist visa before you have to leave the Country, you can then re-enter the Philippines, however, you have to start all over again, when you return, but the good news is, your first 30 days is free again.

If you decide to marry a Filipino, you will only have to extend you visa every 12 months. The requirement to marry here if you have been divorced, is your original divorce certificate. Although it is argued that you do not need a police report I would recommend that you obtain one to show that you are of good character.

I hope this brief over view has helped, however if I have not mentioned something, or you have more relevant information, please drop me a message, so that I can keep this page up to date.

Panicuason Hot Spring: Naga’s Hidden Paradise

Panicuason Hot Springs is about 40 minutes away from Naga’s center.  The road going there was uphill and we passed by small towns and some resorts along the way.   The route actually reminded me of the road going to Mt. Arayat.  It was not far from Naga City and the air is fresh and the surrounding areas are clean.

Panicuason Hot Springs is one of the newest places frequented by tourists in Naga.  It is located in Mt. Isarog National Park in Barangay Panicuason.  It was early noon by the time we got there.   There are habal-habal (motorcycles) going to the resort for only P20 per head but we opted to walk and enjoy the sight.  According to the one of the drivers, the walk was around 1.3kms and is composed of uphill and very steep downhill paths.

The long walk was worth it though.  The cool air will keep you refreshed and the chorus of the birds and the stream is just really nice.  The hot spring resort was undoubtedly beautiful! A paradise tucked away in the middle of trees, wild ferns, with a stream of fresh water in the center.  The room was also nice and very modern, there were no TV, no internet, no phone signal (!), so all you get is nature in every sense of the word and it was okay.   The air is cool enough that air-conditioning is not really necessary.  The place was so quiet that all you hear is the drizzle of the stream, the chirping of birds, the flow of the water from the stream, and the whistle of the cold breeze.  This is the perfect place if you just want to detach yourself from everything.   Another good thing in Panicuason Hot Spring is the food.  It was the best tinolang manok that I had for a long time.  The adobo wasn’t so bad either.   Once we were settled, we decided to take a dip in the stream’s freezing cold water first.  According to some local kids, the water was from the variety of falls located on the upper part of the mountain.  The water was so cold my feet felt numbed with just a few minutes in it.  After that, we moved to the hot springs which were ideally divided according to different temperatures ranging from 29oC to 37oC.  It was super relaxing to the nth degree, so relaxing that it actually made me forget about the frustration I dealt in this place.   Frustration? Well yes, there were some.  Normally I wouldn’t even mention the bad stuff because I want to dwell on the good things instead of the bad.  But for the sake of the people who might be going here and who happen to read this, please anticipate the following: If you’re staying overnight, the entrance fee to the resort in exclusive from  the room rates.  The cafeteria that serves food is open until 6PM only even if they have overnight guests, so order early or buy extra food.

If you visit the Hot Springs, mention a Brit in the Philippines.

Panicuason Hot Springs Resort Naga City Camarines Sur Philippines 1 of 3

Panicuason Hot Springs Resort Naga City Camarines Sur Philippines 2 of 3

Panicuason Hot Springs Resort Naga City Camarines Sur Philippines 3 of 3

Vera Falls: The Enchanted Paradise

Vera Falls: The Enchanted Paradise

 

We reached the Municipality of Malinao in between the City of Tabaco and Tiwi in Albay at around eleven in the morning. We went there because firstly I want to see the Mayon Volcano and sencondly I thought it was the way to Vera Falls. Half-truth though, Vera Falls is located in Municipality of Malinao but the easier route going there from Tabaco is from Brgy. Quinastillohan, Sabloyon Road in Tabaco Albay. Sabloyon Road is the highway from Polangui to Tabaco. Then from the intersection, take a habal-habal down to Vera Falls (If you don’t have a private car). Most people that we've asked in Tabaco said that Vera Falls is in Malinao and you have to take a 20 minutes jeep and a habal-habal or tricycle. 

Vera Falls is located at the foot of Mt. Malinao or Malinao Volcano a baby brother of the majestic Mayon Volcano. Mt. Malinao has no history of eruption. There was a time that Bicol Region benefited from the energy from the mountain through the Tiwi Geothermal Plant. The plant was decommissioned due to a decreased in the steam supply. 

Surrounded by large and small rocks Vera Falls is as unique as every human being that has visited the falls. Obviously there are minimal activities in the vicinity of the falls ,however,most visit the falls to be at one with nature and I certainly did. There are cubicles/comfort rooms, a sari-sari store that sells goods, that are priced at a few peso's more than your local store, cottages for family and a barbecue area for the would be chefs among you.The caretaker will accept a donation for any amount your heart wants to give, I suggest a donation of Php30.00 - Php50.00 per head is enough.

 

#ABritInThePhilippines goes to Caramoan

This is a perfect place to spend your summer in the Philippines. Watch this...

Opening a Bank Account

I have been in the Philippines now for over twelve months and have looked at many banks for the purpose of finding a bank with the least amount of conditions for a foreigner to open a bank account here in the Philippines . The three main banks here are, BDO, Metro Bank and BPI. After looking into to all the criteria that these banks insist on a foreigner to provide in order to open a bank account, I came to the convulsion that BDO is the better option for us to open a bank account.

What do I need to provide?
To open a savings account with BDO, where you will be given a debit card and access to there online banking, you need to provide the following.

1. your passport
2. your ARC-I card  which is your alien registration card, you have to be in the Philippines for Three months to get this card.
3. your address
4. your contact number
   

I did not just choose BDO for the ease of opening an account, but also because they have branches all over the Philippines and because they are owned by SM Malls, you are never too far away from an ATM.
 

How to convert a foreign license to a Philippine license?

REQUIREMENTS:

•     Original and one photocopy of valid foreign license. If the foreign driver’s license is not in English, the applicant should submit an official English translation from the local embassy of the issuing country.

•     Original copy of valid passport showing the latest date of arrival in the Philippines of the foreign applicant.

•     Original and machine copy of valid visa or alien certificate of registration (ACR) if the foreign applicant temporarily resides in the Philippines.

•     Original copy of medical certificate with official receipt issued by an LTO accredited or government Physician.

•     Negative drug test result issued by DOH accredited drug testing center or government hospitals

•     Duly accomplished application for driver’s license (ADL). [Download this form here]

•     Taxpayer’s Identification Number (TIN), if employed, (In compliance to Executive Order 98 & MC ACL-2009-1251)

•     New regulations have just came into force, before you qualify to convert your license, you must have been in the Philippines for at least a month and be able to prove that you are staying in the Country for no less than twelve months.

Note: If Foreign License is expired, applicant shall undergo written and practical examinations.



PROCEDURES:

•     Go to the customer service counter to get your checklist of requirements and secure a driver’s license application form. [This form is available for download here. You can accomplish this form prior to transacting your business at the LTO.] Get a queue number.

    When your number is called, go to the evaluator counter and submit all the required documents and have it checked for completeness and authenticity.
    When your name is called, go to where your photo and signature will be taken.

•     Go to the cashier to pay the application fee.

•     Go to the examination room for the lecture and written exam.

•     After passing the written exam, wait for your name to be called for the practical exam.

•     After passing the practical exam, go to the Cashier when your name is called for payment of necessary fees and obtain an official receipt (OR).

•     Go to the releasing counter, wait for your name to be called and present the OR and claim the card type license.

VENUE:

Any licensing center / District office with driver’s license transactions
FEES AND CHARGES:

Valid Foreign License

(No Examination)

Expired Foreign License

Application Fee: P100.00