Entry Concern

Welcome to the Forum.

You seem you be over thinking things and should relax. I gather you are coming in as a visitor?

I have been in and out of the Philippines near 30 times, always NAIA (Manila) and always a visitor visa, I have never been asked by immigration any questions at all and seems they simply push you through, same with customs and generally there is no one manning the desks anyway.

In saying that I'm sure if you were a major criminal or a recorded sex offender they will stop you and turn you away as these days they have access via computer and when they scan your passport will come up with a red flag.

Given what you say and how long ago it was forget it, come and enjoy the Philippines and hey not legal advice only my opinion.

Good luck and have a good trip.

Cheers, Steve.

@bigpearl

Steve,

Thank you for your reply and being a voice of reason. I apologize for leaving out a detail. It's most definitely a tourist visa. A fourteen day vacation and back to my job in the United States I go. Worrying has been a hobby of mine my whole life. I worry about the embarrassment my friend will face if I was denied. I never could sleep in a car/ plane and I saw a photo of the jail/ holding area at the airport. So, I worry I could be facing sixty hours of no sleep. Finally, I read of the fine imposed on a passenger being denied in the thousands of dollars. I most definitely stress over this. I did read about what you mentioned. The only thing I could find out about Interpol was the colored coded alerts a passenger may trigger. I'll try to manage this worry. Otherwise, I may have a stroke before the trip even arrives on the calendar. Best wishes, Sean.

Your welcome Sean. When you say sixty hours is that your flight time?

Cheers, Steve.

@s68181373. You have no worries, unless the FBI has a hold on your passport, and you will find that out when you go to board, the Philippines has no way to check criminal records at immigration

    @s68181373. You have no worries, unless the FBI has a hold on your passport, and you will find that out when you go to board, the Philippines has no way to check criminal records at immigration
   

    -@Okieboy

Then why do they turn away certain people when they arrive? immi has access to world data bases these days from all I have read and this with a quick search.

https://immigration.gov.ph/3300-unwante … h-in-2023/

Cheers, Steve.

@Okieboy

Thank you for the reply. It's the big question that has me stressed. What will the Immigration Officer have displayed on their screen. Is it the Interpol colored alerts? If it's everything about the passenger will mine at least be reported as expunged? I also read from online comments it depends on the mood of the Immigration Officer. I will have the biggest smile on my face and everything will be addressed as Yes Sir or Yes Maam. The biggest roll of dice I ever had in my life. I will wait and also see how my background checks come back from the Philippines showing also. Best regards, Sean

@bigpearl

Steve,

Thank you for posting this link. The tone of the article comes across as very undesirable people. If the FBI trusts me to walk into a sporting goods store and purchase a firearm. I'm wondering how I even be considered a "Menace to Society" in the Philippines? I'm hoping I won't be included in 2024' s statistic and I can spend money in the country's economy and enjoy my short time visiting.

You will be fine Sean, golly you could be struck by a car or lightening but given what you have said you won't have any problems aside from those that present themselves once you have arrived, have your wits about you here.

Where are you headed to in PH? 2 weeks is not a long time to take in the flavours and culture of the Philippines, I've been living here for 5 years and knocking PH. for 8 years prior and I'm still learning. You should enjoy but remember it isn't Kansas.

Cheers, Steve.

@bigpearl

Steve,

I hope your positive outlooks brings me good luck. I will refrain using the word "girlfriend" since this would be our first time together in-person. I'm much older in my 50s currently and my friend is in her 40s. I will be brought to a province called Nueva Ecija (4 hours north of Manila) on Luzon Island. So, at least for the hopeful first visit no island hopping will take place. After spending a few days with her parents she would like to show me "Pangasinan". I believe to end things a couple days in Manila/ Makati City/ BGC before I leave. If everything goes right with entry ideally I would like to at least visit twice per year since I have my daily grind/ job. I have seen enough of America in my life. I completely believe you about how it won't be the rural Midwest. My friend sends me video daily of her commutes and different aspects of life over there. At least I getting the slightest glimpse at the moment. I haven't been allowed to drink alcohol my entire life due to medications. It's a big positive for keeping my wits anywhere I should visit. Thank you for all the feedback you provided.

Sweet Sean, you will enjoy as it's nice there and you will enjoy your visit, golly I remember when I first met the outlaws 12 years ago, initially very nervous as I'm sure they all were but turned out fine and a fantastic family including the 5,000 relatives, we lost mum with Covid a couple of years ago sadly.

We live in La Union a bit north of San Juan on the west coast, around 4 hours drive from where you are headed. We moved back here from Australia 5 years ago and haven't looked back, great country once you get used to all the foibles (mostly bureaucracy) but the people are fantastic, much cheaper than Oz, retirement is treating me/us well.

Enjoy and go with the flow but watch your wallet and the asks for help.

Cheers, Steve.

         I was convicted of possesion of an oz of pot in 1970.  It was  a felony at the time in Pennsylvania, did no time, but on my first trip to the Philippines in 1994 it never came up.  I had no trouble to get a 21 day tourist visa on arrival, and then got an extension in Manila and stayed for 35 days total.  Been in and out 8 times since and it has never been an issue.  I had 3 dui's in the 1980's and a bad checks conviction, also made no difference.  Relax and get ready to enjoy your two weeks on Luzon.

s68181373 said . . . .The biggest roll of dice I ever had in my life. I will wait and also see how my background checks come back from the Philippines showing also. Best regards, Sean

**********************

This maybe the biggest roll of the dice you've ever had.

But meeting your friend & her family is a bigger roll of the dice.

Either snake eyes or winner winner chicken dinner.
   

 

    s68181373 said . . . .The biggest roll of dice I ever had in my life. I will wait and also see how my background checks come back from the Philippines showing also. Best regards, Sean**********************This maybe the biggest roll of the dice you've ever had.But meeting your friend & her family is a bigger roll of the dice.Either snake eyes or winner winner chicken dinner.              -@Enzyte Bob

Yes indeed Bob. So far in this thread nobody has mentioned the 'elephant in the room'

To the OP immigration will be the least of your problems. You come over as a transparent (as our American friends like to say 'regular guy' ) The 'honey I'm home' type which is to your credit. This along with (like 48% of American citizens who have never ventured abroad ) concerns me. I have said it before on this forum but , and please forgive me for stating this, you are what Jim Rockford would term the perfect 'mark'

As soon as you set foot off the plane at Ninoy Aquino trust nobody. You will be arriving in a third world country that invented the word 'scam' Keep your wits about you especially if the family have offered to meet you at the airport.

Lotus Eater said to the OP. . . .
As soon as you set foot off the plane at Ninoy Aquino trust nobody. You will be arriving in a third world country that invented the word 'scam' Keep your wits about you especially if the family have offered to meet you at the airport.

************************

Happened to me, a whole contingent of family was at the airport to meet us. They actually rented a van & driver. Of course they all wanted to eat, the consensus was KFC.

My advice to the OP (s68181373) learn the value of the Dollar in the Philippines, don't overrate it by overspending. What I mean by that, it's a poor country so don't imagine yourself as being well off or rich.

Treat your friend and her family the same as if they were any family in the states you were meeting for the first time.

For a primer, watch on you tube: No neck ED 90 day fiance.

I doubt that you will have a problem entering the Philippines.

But be aware of this: There is nothing more important than the family for a Filipina/Filipino. So if you have make a friend there, the whole family becomes a friend.

As someone from the US you are considered rich. No matter if you are rich or not. Make sure they don't see you as their ATM. Spend your time with your friend and reduce the contact with the rest of the family.

All the best

Andy (7.5 years in Boracay now)

Good call Andy and I'm now considered a tight ass Aussie because I l/we learnt to say no. After a while they don't bother asking as they know the answer. Been burnt once by the better half's sister and now when others ask we send them to her, worked well. The thing that irks me is that Ben has asked for the money back and she laughs at him, twice over the years, she tells him that your partner has plenty of money so why bother me? The family has had no hand outs for 5 or 7 years now and that's why I am a tight SOB apparently, doesn't bother me as I rarely see them, think what they like these days is simply seeing the better half every couple of weeks and are accustomed to no free money. The betters half know and understands the drill.

I will remain the tight ass foreigner, gave plenty over the years and got sick of the hands out all the time.

Cheers, Steve.

@Andy_1963

Andy,

Thank you for the advisory caution. At this time there have been no red flags. My friend is employed by the Dept. of Education. When this first all began she sent me scans of her passport, DOE ID Card, Background check confirming she has never been married, and passport. I never even asked for any of this but she offered up front since I mentioned all the online stories I read about scams. As for her family they own land and a farm for income. Her other siblings are also teachers as well and will contribute when her parents enter their elderly years.

I have been single all my life by choice. I did raise my daughter alone to adulthood as a single father. Loneliness isn't an issue for me since I can live alone for years to come. I made a friend through a christian website and it's nice to have an opportunity to see another part of the world compared to the American vacations I have taken all my life.

Thank you for commenting,

Sean

@mugteck

Thank you for the well wishes. I'm also happy to hear everything didn't prevent you from enjoying your travels back and forth over the years. I appreciate you willing to share your background it helps ease my mind even a little bit. It would suck my first international trip and I get the wrong IO who wants to stick it to me. All that money and time preparing for visit is gone in an instant. Best regards, Sean

@Lotus Eater

Thank you for the cautionary advice. I heard you loud and clear as well. I replied to Andy's comment first so I left more details about herself and her family down below. Thus far she has been more transparent than I have been. I never thought I would have to discuss my expungement with the public ever again. In the United States I'm not required to by law and I got use to or complacent with that. So, I was the one in this friendship who embarrassedly had to disclose something about their past. Fortunately, she was very understanding. Hopefully, I'm allowed to visit. It's not a lonliness thing since I can do many more years of living alone standing on my head. It's an opportunity to see another part of the world for the first time in my life. The day is coming when we all won't be able to travel due to old age. I want to take advantage of this invitation. Wherever it goes from there will go at a snail's pace.

Appreciate the advice again,

Sean

@Enzyte Bob

I appreciate you passing along this advice and the reference to the video I will certainly watch. I won't stray from you advice in any manner. The Rolex stays home in the safe deposit box and I'll wear a Casio on the flight. I'm planning on my clothing being shorts and t-shirts for the warm climate. I would like to use my credit cards primarily which I know I can for hotels and maybe some restaurants. I have hoarded travel miles and hotel points my whole life from domestic travel in the United States. The only thing I'm unsure of is how much cash either USD or PHP should a tourist carry for a 14 day visit? I know public transportation will need paid in currency but also unsure of who should be tipped and those type of things. I've been preoccupied with my stress of not knowing if I will be sent home thus far.

As for her family over the many, many months she has shared daily video. It's primarily the nuclear family of two parents and three siblings all in their 40s and later 30s. Only my friend who has never been married still lives with her parents. Parents also are self-supporting at this time with their own income from their farming operation.

Thanks again for taking the time to comment,

Sean

     The only thing I'm unsure of is how much cash either USD or PHP should a tourist carry for a 14 day visit? I know public transportation will need paid in currency but also unsure of who should be tipped and those type of things.



   

Maybe $400 just to be safe, you will probably buy the family a meal.  The good news is Jollibee will be good enough.  For any money you intend to spend in the Philippines bring $100 bills with no imperfections.  You get the best rates for PHP at local spots which are better than banks, your friends should know.  Some eating places charge a small service charge, otherwise 5% is a sufficient tip.

@mugteck

I appreciate the suggestion around $400 USD and use my credit cards as much as I'm allowed to. I believe my situation is actually reversed and the family is feeding me. The mother is preparing Adobo Chicken for me to try. I do still want to visit a Jollibee during my visit. I viewed their menu several weeks ago and any fast food type place serving burgers and spaghetti on the menu is very unique to me.

I don't want to be one of the people who bother with multiple questions to you. Anyone can feel free to chime in. What is the most used denomination of currency I should carry? I don't know if these even exist yet. Example like a 100 peso note or 1,000 peso note. I don't want to put myself in a position where someone pulls that old trick where they don't have change for how I am paying.

When I'm in larger cities. I will be walking with someone obviously. So, I may stand out a little less not being alone and all big-eyed looking lost. Is one of the security wallets necessary? I never owned one but have seen people wear those things in videos under their shirts. Maybe a silly question but I have no idea what to expect. I've visited the largest cities in America just fine even alone. But, this is an entirely different beast to my experience level.

            You will probably get 1000 peso notes, right now if you cashed a US $100 bill you would get 5 1000 peso notes plus 8 100 peso notes plus small change as the rate is a little over 58 pesos to the dollar.  Most places have no trouble receiving, giving change for 100 peso bills.  Riding public transportation will require smaller change, as riding a jeepney will cost 15 pesos each, best to have exact change.  Most restaurants or long distance buses will accept and give you change for 1000 peso bills

Hi, take some USD notes with you but there is no need to change them. Use your ATM card to take 10k cash out of one of the ATMs in the arrival hall. If you stay in Manila you can use the Grab cars. (Like Uber). It is a little more expensive than a local taxi but you will know the price in advance. When you are in a big city, you can use your credit card to pay for the meals.

If you want to travel out of a city you can use a bus from the big bus lines. For longer distances you should use a plane. (E.g. Cebu Pacific)

If you are more specific, we can tell you what to see.

Andy_1963 said. . . . If you stay in Manila you can use the Grab cars. (Like Uber). It is a little more expensive than a local taxi but you will know the price in advance.

**********************

The Grab cars are newer & cleaner and their system is honest. Taxi's are older and dirtier. The small savings using a taxi cab will be eaten up by the driver long hauling your ride.

@Enzyte Bob

The small savings using a taxi cab will be eaten up by the driver long hauling your ride.

The Philippines Tourist Authority call that the 'scenic route'

I have found Uber cheaper than cabs as they don't take the scenic route and Bob is right, cleaner and no fuss.

Many times I have stepped out of a cab when they refuse to turn the meter on, Manila.

Cheers, Steve.

I can't say anything about relations between Philippines and USA which could conceivably be different but no country in the world has access automatically to Australian criminal history data so the only way Philippines would know an Australian's criminal history is if they were flagged as a person of interest by the Australian Federal Police or Interpol and that information was in the notice (which would be about a current not historical concern) or if the Philippines under international treaty specifically requested the information (e.g. criminal intelligence). I strongly suspect the US situation is the same.

@Brojeslov

Thank you for contributing. I wanted to be proactive no matter if it costs me to perform an Interpol check. I want to find out now compared to finding out at an airport immigration. I'm also curious if it's Interpol's color coded system of notices which flags a passenger first for various issues. I'm sure they can deeper dive into history from there if someone comes off as suspicious or their story doesn't add up. I'm also curious why they put the burden of proof on the visa applicant with providing their own criminal report from their country. Obviously, this is when they're applying for a more long-term visa. Why wouldn't they have access to this information in many countries already?

@s68181373

In the age of the computer it's easy to believe government databases including internationally are networked and there is a presumption in favour of sharing information. Neither belief is true. Information continues to be siloed and access restricted, even between jurisdictions within the same country. Laws on privacy and data security restrict access to information and the ability to transmit it. Of course there are channels, including internationally, but as far as I'm aware these are limited to concerns about current risks. I'd be flabbergasted if the Philippines can automatically access criminal history on a US citizen just because one arrives at the border. There would have to be a current  concern and a request from the Philippines or a notification from rhe US. For example, if the US identified citizen Fred as a notorious paedophile frequently travelling to SE Asia, I know there is a mechanism for the US to notify SE Asian countries of Fred's criminal history and the risks he poses to children. Or if the Philippines arrested Fred for paedophilia and wanted to know if he had any history of same in the US then they definitely can ask and receive that data. But in the absence of a concern I don't believe the US would provide any criminal history data on their citizens to the Philippines at all. Its just not how government works.

@Brojeslov

Thank you again for your opinions. I have to say I am becoming a believer in what you wrote based off the recent events of the past couple days. As I said I never traveled internationally before in my life. I stumbled across this issue of mine from the articles "30+ countries Trump is now banned from". I'm not a political person and I'm not on Team A or Team B when it comes to politics. I'm trying to prevent my post shifting to political arguing amongst others. Anyway I wanted a Plan B for a country my friend and I can at least meet and spend time in. So, I sent out a few emails to consulates and immigration bureaus explaining my issue anonymously but in detail as I did here. One of the countries on the list is a very strong ally to the United States. If the US is going to share a trove of criminal background information it would definitely be this country. I received an email from the consulate for my region. It was requested for a scan of my passport so they can forward to immigration for a background check with assurances none of my personal data will be retained. I thought to myself what do I have to lose? I sent the scan image of my passport. Yesterday (2 days later) I am receiving an email informing me my background check came back clear. While wishing me a safe trip and visit to their country. I guess the difference between first world and third world. It only took a couple days compared to waiting a few weeks for the Philippines. Everywhere I researched this country was a complete deny entry for any type of felony. The gray area was if it was expunged is where I couldn't find any information. Why do I fear craziness ahead? Where PH comes back saying they found my minor "moral turpitude" offense a few decades back. Where first world and technology  advanced country says my passport is clean and welcoming to their country.

I understand you must feel vulnerable and haunted by your past indiscretion but I don't believe you have anything to be concerned about in terms of international travel. All the best