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.

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