Gathering info to make my move to the Philippines

             Welcome Jeff.  You should be able to get plenty of help on here, folks living on Cebu.

Hi,

If you don't have immediate relationship plans you might want to see other retirement places in South East Asia too. For example Vietnam, Indonesia, Thailand and Malaysia.

There is no hurry with the SRRV. You can visit the Phils 30 days visa free and extend for another 29 days. Then you can extend it further or visit a neighbouring country and come back after a few days or weeks.

The SRRV requires you to put money onto a bank account or make an investment. I would  not do that on day one.

When you find a wife here you can apply for a permanent resident visa which is much cheaper than the 13a visa and does not require to make an investment/bank deposit.

All the best

Andy (6.5 years in Boracay)

@PNWJeff

Welcome to the forum Jeff. It sounds like you have a very good plan in place.

@Andy_1963 Thanks Andy, i've thoroughly thought this out, and this is my plan.

I really do appreciate your feedback.

@Moon Dog Thanks MD. Once I found out about the Expanded Courtesy SRRV, and all of the benefits that come with it, I was sold.

Andy_1963 said . . .The SRRV requires you to put money onto a bank account or make an investment. I would not do that on day one.

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As noted in previous post (somewhere) SRRV related changes could happen once you are aboard, recovering your money could be a problem, even bigger problem upon your demise for your heirs.

Depending on your life span other scenarios could be more cost effective and the initial outlay for the SRRV could be used for more beneficial benefits for yourself.

Welcome to the forum PNWJeff, enjoy.

Yes the expanded courtesy is a fantastic option if you qualify, good choice.

Good luck.

Cheers, Steve.

@mugteck Thanks mugteck!

@PNWJeff I'm in the Expanded Courtesy SRRV process myself. It is a good idea to do as much as possible in the US and contact a PRA agent to assist and it doesn't cost extra.

My local PNB bank took a two months and 3 attempts to finally establish the $1,500 PRA account. I live in the province and I was only the 2nd person to apply at that branch. Make sure the bank knows exactly what to do. You should have a signed letter from a PRA agent authorizing you to open an account and instructing the bank how to do so. My PRA agent sent me the letter via LBC.

All documents have to be printed on A4 paper. Everything needs to be signed with a signature as it appears in your passport and if any document has your name shown differently like a middle initial on a document and full middle name on another document you will need a notarized affidavit of the same name.

Welcome, Jeff. You must be from the Pacific Northwest, as am I. It sounds like you are planning well in advance - a good idea when it comes to the Philippines. I started out in Cebu also, and have enjoyed many different islands within the Visayas. Highly recommended! Feel free to post any questions you have in the main forum.

Cheers,

John

Hello everyone and welcome on board, Jeff !

Please note that I have created this new thread from your post and the feedback you've been given on the Philippines forum so that you may better discuss with members.

All the best

Bhavna

@Bhavna Thanks Bhavna!