Maximum Continuous Stay using Tourist Visas?

FortuneFavorsTheBold wrote:

carlisom78 wrote:

Sometimes it is better to ask for forgiveness rather than permission.

Yes, but forgiveness in this case can include a lengthy prison sentence waiting to be deported and banned for life, assuming that you survive the prison sentence.

I would ask what to do "in general" WITHOUT showing the passport and some BEFORE it expire . Somewhere ELSE than where yiou go normaly.   By that you get chance to ask many, perhaps finding a nice one , THEN you show your passport   
Its a long shot but a few times such can function.

***

I realize we are in a foreign country and their laws are different. But, I think someone has been watching too many Filipino Drama shows. The overly dramatic, the sky is falling approach just doesn't ring true 95% of the time.

I' ve been safely quietly tucked away in the province for quite a while.....doubt any authorities would find me either if I decided to overstay my visa............BUT, I prefer following the rules, policies and laws of the Philippines............its too bad for us foreigners who received mixed messages and incorrect info about these laws............so sometimes we have to pay penalties. Thats the good thing about forums like this...we can share our experiences and info. My 3 years is up next February, but it doesn't hurt to try to find out now what to do about leaving and returning. Does anyone here have any experience or story to tell about leaving and returning to the Philippines during this covid mess?

Hi Guys,

Before I moved here permanently, I could enter with a visa at the airport. Last year however I was obtained in the Philippines because the rules changed. The 13A visa does take time.

It is definitely worth it. However you must be married.

Cheers,

carlisom78 wrote:

I realize we are in a foreign country and their laws are different. But, I think someone has been watching too many Filipino Drama shows. The overly dramatic, the sky is falling approach just doesn't ring true 95% of the time.

carlisom78 ~

You obviously haven't been extorted by an entire police station full of corrupt cops who can do whatever they want. Nothing overly dramatic about warning others about the reality of living in a third World Country where poverty breeds crime and greed breeds corruption.

Gregorio2020 wrote:

Does anyone here have any experience or story to tell about leaving and returning to the Philippines during this covid mess?

No one with permanent visa need to leave and return       (I mean of Visa reasons)
and in covid times its best to  try to stay not traveling.
And them with SRRV havent let back in until started opening for them recently.

of course thats the other thing ..lto want you have proof of stat 1 year ....if your not married 13 a is none starter ..so how , someone tell me please ....how do you get a one year visa when already in the philippines ???????  most immigration now only give two months ..before would give six ..after covid lockdown i got three months ...next time only give two ..immigration office was open ..no customers ..i thought great ..went in asked for extension ..said come back next week as not operating ...two immigration people ...lights on just sat there .. next week i wrnt again ...again no customer ...told me come back next week ....does anywhere else in the world operate like here ????

I would think it would be in the Philippines best interest especially financially to allow provisions due to covid 4 people who need to leave but cant get back on a tourist visa. But its my understanding they did lock out SSRV visa. The very people who had invested to stay here long term. I dont forsee any help from the government.

alankno74 wrote:

of course thats the other thing ..lto want you have proof of stat 1 year ....if your not married 13 a is none starter ..so how , someone tell me please ....how do you get a one year visa when already in the philippines ???????

The perhaps possible oprions I know of when not marroed:
/SRRV "Retirememt" Have been closed but has opened recently for applications IF you are over fifty years old.

/SIRV  "Investors"   Higher minimum demand of money deposit

but deposits for both are allowed to be invested.

YES ,I BELEIVE POSSIBLE ..BUT NEED MONEY FOR BOTH ...

FortuneFavorsTheBold wrote:

carlisom78 wrote:

I realize we are in a foreign country and their laws are different. But, I think someone has been watching too many Filipino Drama shows. The overly dramatic, the sky is falling approach just doesn't ring true 95% of the time.

carlisom78 ~

You obviously haven't been extorted by an entire police station full of corrupt cops who can do whatever they want. Nothing overly dramatic about warning others about the reality of living in a third World Country where poverty breeds crime and greed breeds corruption.

I once met a Canadian who had just got out of jail here, he had knocked a Filipino guy off his motorbike and killed him. He told me he had been in jail for 11 months and had never even been to court. He told me that the police that arrested him would periodically com to the jail, supposedly to interview him but all they ever did was give him a telephone or a laptop and tell him to get someone in Canada to send him various amounts of money.

The guy was just a construction worker in Canada and he had no personal wealth or wealthy relatives so no one would send him any money. In the end when the police stopped coming there to interview him he was released without charge.

Yes its what they term as ...kain or kaon (need to eat) its a very important operative here....stay safe/be aware.
(omo)

alankno74 wrote:

YES ,I BELEIVE POSSIBLE ..BUT NEED MONEY FOR BOTH ...

Do you mean you plan to go to Philippines without money?   Or some less than they demand?

The demand for deposits at SRRV is to cover living costs and emergencies to asist Phils to not get broke foreigmers I suppouse   

been here two years on this visit , married , could get 13 a but seems a hassle just to get driving licence converted ....no plan stay here much longer ..originally return was dec 2019 ..hong kong riots at airport put paid to that flight ..been here just less than six months then ..no need exit clearance ..ok winter in uk so booked flight for march ..covid put paid to that one ..lockdown ..no flights unless sweeper flights from dumaguete ..philippine airlines ..bumped up prices ..and i beleive a £1000 to get to uk again philippine airlines only airline operating out of manila ..two years here now ..way too long for me ....

Gregorio2020 wrote:

I' ve been safely quietly tucked away in the province for quite a while.....doubt any authorities would find me either if I decided to overstay my visa............

Gregorio2020,

What I'm posting is not in response to you but general observation going through the process of ACR-1 and 13-A.

Almost all of us like to follow the rules to avoid further consequences by breaking them. In all the trials and tribulations of obtaining my ACR-1, I reached the point of giving up but if it wasn't for my stepsons taking over and dealing with BI, I would have.

On my final trip to BI, my fifth or sixth trip towards my ACR-1, my wife struck up a conversation with another couple doing the same thing.

They had numerous trips to BI requiring airfare and hotel. Their travel expenses were in the thousands.

Many Expats just give up trying to follow the laws of the BI through mere frustration.

alankno74 wrote:

been here two years on this visit , married , could get 13 a but seems a hassle just to get driving licence converted ....no plan stay here much longer ..originally return was dec 2019 ..hong kong riots at airport put paid to that flight ..been here just less than six months then ..no need exit clearance ..ok winter in uk so booked flight for march ..covid put paid to that one ..lockdown ..no flights unless sweeper flights from dumaguete ..philippine airlines ..bumped up prices ..and i beleive a £1000 to get to uk again philippine airlines only airline operating out of manila ..two years here now ..way too long for me ....

Unfortunately for me it seems there is a bit of a run on 13a visa applications at this time. I know quite a few expats here who have been married for many years and because they would tend to travel and vacation in Singapore, Hong Kong, Vietnam etc, they have always got Balikbayan visas when re-entering the Philippines. Because it is unclear if they would be allowed to re-enter the country and whether Balikbayan visas are available they have all started to go through the 13a visa process.

My 13a application process is stalled at present because I have been unable to visit NBI to get my clearance because NBI in Cagayan De Oro is currently closed because they had some Covid positive cases there. I booked an appointment there on June 3rd and I have gone there twice since then, but it is still closed. I have been told that they are due to e open again from 16th of June and I guess I'll go there then and hope for the best because ll of my other paperwork for my 13a application is complete and ready to go.

I did by the way use an attorney for both my 13a application paperwork and my visa extension application at a total cost of 5,000 pesos.

Enzyte Bob wrote:

frustration.

Yup loads of that here....but nothing compared to the the freeeeedddooom you still get here.

FindlayMacD wrote:

I did by the way use an attorney for both my 13a application paperwork and my visa extension application at a total cost of 5,000 pesos.

Paying 5,000 pesos was a good idea, I spent more than that just on "Grab" during all my visits.

Also your long range medical savings: ulcers, high blood pressure, rogaine (from pulling your hair out).

I thought P5k was quite a good price, it seems attorney's are very good at writing the kind of suitably grovelling letters that I would struggle to write myself and from what I gather grovelling is a must when dealing with immigration officials hahaha.

I know that this pandemic/lockdown has put many of our plans into disaray...but just a word of caution...It MAY/MAY NOT still apply but best to prevent problems/issues by seeking BI's approval in time.
I saw this article & I would not want any of my expat friends/buddies getting into any sort of trouble with BI.
"Quote"
WARNING !If you do not want to stay weeks or even months at the Bicutan Detention Center then you should really fully comply with the immigration law of the Philippines.
The Bureau of Immigration can be very strict in interpreting this law. Visa violations and overstay often result in prison and deportation.
"Café carré" the "resort" of the Bureau of Immigration Detention Center in Bicutan.
Bureau of Immigration Detention Center in Bicutan, Taguig, also called "Café carré"
WARNING AGAIN!
Currently the Bureau of Immigration **runs a program of citizen awareness. Any Filipino or Filipina can send a text (SMS) to BI and denounce a foreigner suspect of illegal immigration or overstay.
We recommend to fully comply with the immigration laws of the Philippines.
You won't like to see your picture in press and on TV-screens.
"Unquote"

Stay safe & Keep the faith

manwonder wrote:

I know that this pandemic/lockdown has put many of our plans into disaray...but just a word of caution...It MAY/MAY NOT still apply but best to prevent problems/issues by seeking BI's approval in time.
I saw this article & I would not want any of my expat friends/buddies getting into any sort of trouble with BI.
"Quote"
WARNING !If you do not want to stay weeks or even months at the Bicutan Detention Center then you should really fully comply with the immigration law of the Philippines.
The Bureau of Immigration can be very strict in interpreting this law. Visa violations and overstay often result in prison and deportation.
"Café carré" the "resort" of the Bureau of Immigration Detention Center in Bicutan.
Bureau of Immigration Detention Center in Bicutan, Taguig, also called "Café carré"
WARNING AGAIN!
Currently the Bureau of Immigration **runs a program of citizen awareness. Any Filipino or Filipina can send a text (SMS) to BI and denounce a foreigner suspect of illegal immigration or overstay.
We recommend to fully comply with the immigration laws of the Philippines.
You won't like to see your picture in press and on TV-screens.
"Unquote"

Stay safe & Keep the faith

Interesting but my thoughts would/could be that the Filipino government show a little compassion for expats here given the current situation with this pandemic and their current visa status and circumstances, leniency, humanitarian considerations. Nope! The problem honestly continues to be perpetuated within this country by the ignorant and not the visitors,,,,,,,, up the fines, roam the backstreets more and the problem will go away,,,,,, golly who said that?

The protocols are there no different to thinking countries and yep, there for a reason and until the ignoramuses follow the laws, there will be no tourism, golly gosh my brother just died from C-19, why? No extra bucks rolling in and many visitors here forced out to spend their bucks in another country........... Unemployment, economic disaster and all blamed on a government that implemented a known strategy that the fools didn't follow.  Perhaps I will be next. Visitors will go to plenty of other countries that adhered to the rules.

Sorry for the whinge but just what I see in my province with the locals.

Cheers, Steve.

alankno74 wrote:

of course thats the other thing ..lto want you have proof of stat 1 year ....if your not married 13 a is none starter ..so how , someone tell me please ....how do you get a one year visa when already in the philippines ???????  most immigration now only give two months ..before would give six ..after covid lockdown i got three months ...next time only give two ..immigration office was open ..no customers ..i thought great ..went in asked for extension ..said come back next week as not operating ...two immigration people ...lights on just sat there .. next week i wrnt again ...again no customer ...told me come back next week ....does anywhere else in the world operate like here ????

Did you not see the sign on landing at Nino Aquino International? ' It's more fun in the Philippines' 

Except for the married part.   

Oh yes, I completely understand............when I lived in Cebu City, it was pretty easy, but still time consuming, to process visa extensions, ecc and acr at local BI....but here in the province its quite a long trip there. If i didn't have a little help, and trusted filipino friends to help with the processing, i too might have ignored all their numerous rules which change all the time. I'm in a pretty stress-free situation here, and I'm very thankful for that............even the LTO processing, building and business permits go pretty smoothly.

FindlayMacD wrote:

I thought P5k was quite a good price, it seems attorneys are very good at writing the kind of suitably groveling letters that I would struggle to write myself, and from what I gather groveling is a must when dealing with immigration officials hahaha.

It well worth the money to get an immigration lawyer to write those groveling letters. I did not and paid the price. We had failed to insert a particular sentence very short, in her letter to the commissioner, can't recall it now, they effectively filed our application in the round filing cabinet and didn't even write us a letter to advise us of the failed application.

In the end, we got it done. Fast forward to now, we have separated 4 years ago and I gave the 13a back to them,,,that's another book. haha