大咖福利影院

Michael Donth wrote:

Thanks for the information. How much per month do you figure
it takes to live comfortably in US dollars

Mike

That really depends on what kind of life you want to lead and whether you intend on getting a partner. If you have never visited the Philippines then you really should go there for a month or two, stay at a guesthouse by yourself, and acclimate yourself with the local cost-of-living. That will vary depending on the region. Consider what you would need as a single person first. If you do intend on getting into a relationship be prepared to have to support not only your significant other but in all likelihood his/her family as well.

mtcretired wrote:

Hi MIchael,

I have lived in Cebu (Lapu-Lapu City, Mactan Island, also home to Cebu International Airport) since Aug 2013 and love it here. I am married to a Filipina with three beautiful daughters and love it here. On entry you can get a two month visa fro no fee, after that you can renew for two months at a time for a little more than $100. If you marry a Filipina the to of you can leave the Philippines for at least 24 hours and re-enter showing your marriage license and they will give you a free one year "balikbayan visa," which like the US "green card" is renewable annually. It is recommended that you wait a few months after you get married, we waited almost six, it shows stability. There are a lot of pitfalls I can help you avoid if you would like to email me we can get into some of the details. godsmercyisawesome@rocketmail.com

Be blessed, you will love it here.

On entry you can get a two month visa fro no fee,聽 聽-when did they start giving聽 2month visa on entry for free?

tommieboy999 wrote:

I live with my gf very comfortably on 850 dollars a month. but she cooks every day and I don't smoke or drink or go to clubs or pubs..

Does $850.00 include your rent ?

Michael Donth wrote:

I am coming to the Philippines in March for the first time. I would like to stay in either Davao, Cebu City or Dumaguete. I am single and retired. My dream is to live there forever. How long can I stay before I have to leave the country and if I was to marry would I still have to leave?
Thank you

Hi Micheal,
I am sure this topic has been covered many times so I will not give a very detailed response.  The first tourist visa is now 30 days.  Next you will need to get 59 day extensions and the ACR-I card, or if you are staying more than 6 months, then you can go to Manila (only) to the 6 month Long Stay Visitor Visa Extension (LSVVE). 

Tourist Visa - The total stay without BI special approval is 16 months.  Your ACR-I Card as a tourist will only be good for one year.   Stays from 16-36 months will require additional approval from BI Commissioner (Memoran芒聙聯dum Order No. RADJR-2013-007.

Marriage Visa - 13a Permanent Visa is a two step process. Probationary status for approximately one year. Conversion, or amendment of the visa is the final step after a year.  Your ACR, Alien Certificate Registration Card,  will now be renewed every five years instead of annually.  You will not have to leave the country once a year and come back.  You will only need to make an annual report as a foreigner which costs less than P350.  Stays based on marriage or 13A visa are also based, in part, on your US Passport expiration date.

I have been living here in the PI since Aug 2013.  There are many fellow Expats here also and the ones that have travelled to Mindanao were counseled by the US Embassy.  One expat recently showed me the waiver he had to sign when he insisted he would go to Davao anyway.  This means all travel there still comes under the latest travel warning ( ), which in part, states:

"The Embassy has imposed a strict restriction on all but the most essential travel to Mindanao, and Embassy employees must receive special authorization from Embassy security officials to travel to any location in Mindanao and the Sulu archipelago, including urban centers."

Of course, there will be some that will tell you all is ok and it is very safe.  I have not been there so my personal opinion on it being safe does not matter.  I am just informing you of the US Govm't position and once you sign the waiver, you will be on your own if any issues were to happen (that includes local police matters as well).

I have been to both Cebu and the Negros (Dumeguette)
-  Cebu is ok and may be like a small Manila with heavy traffic and more scammers.
-  Dumeguette is less crowded, very hot and there may be less speaking English in public areas as you drive away from the city proper. 

After all of my travels here, I decided to settle in Tagaytay where it is much cooler, fresher air, less traffic and good access to Manila when I need to go.  YMMV芒聙娄 best to you

greenetravel wrote:

The first tourist visa is now 30 days.    there isnt tourist visa for 30 days   ,there have also been changes  to the length of time you can stay without having to leave

@ Greentravel - Not sure why you would say "there isn't a tourist visa for 30 days" ??  All one has to do is go to:      There you will see:

"There are two (2) classifications of Temporary Visitor芒聙聶s Visa by mode of admission:

Non-visa Required Nationals

Foreign nationals under E.O. 408, as amended, admissible for thirty (30) days initial stay
Temporary visitor芒聙聶s visa admissible for fifty nine (59) days
Visa Upon Arrival under Memorandum Circular No. MCL-08-003
Visa Upon Arrival VA thirty (30) days

Group Tour (Memorandum Order No. AFFJr. 05-012)
Pro-Investment Visa (Memorandum Circular No. MCL-07-004)"

I could be wrong but I think most single Expats come here and are issued a visa under the "Visa Upon Arrival VA thirty (30) days" and later continue with 59 extensions.   I am not aware of any Expat that arrived here and the BI did not place a visa stamp in their passport upon arrival芒聙娄..

Michael Donth wrote:

Thank you
Also are there areas you would recommend over others. I would kind of like to be were there
are some foreigners. Being 65 I am not as adventurists as I once was. Just looking for a simple
peaceful live

Mike

Dont concern yourself about being near other foreigners. I see many foreigners in my local malls etc, 99% of them won't even make eye contact with me much less say hello.

I married a Filipino with 3 kids, I support them, the聽 rest of the tribe no better than to ask me for anything.

We bought a big house and nice piggery on 2 acres near San Jose, Batangas for 5,000,000 P cash. The weather here is amazing and we are surrounded by jungle and Mango trees. What else could you ask for lol. We survive comfortably on US 800 monthly. Sat TV, Wi max Broadband. We own an FB van and bought a new bike and sidecar for getting around. There is not much left at the end of the month but we have all the things we need. We are doing fattener pigs (35) but the numbers tell me there is not much profit to be made. You will soon find out that there is many people here that will help you spend ur money. Just tell them NO. they will get the message.
Like the others have said, try it here first. Don't rush into marriage. If you like the place and want to stay, I would highly recommend you just get the SSRV visa. You are free to come and go. I got the 13a marriage visa and it was a hassle from go to woe.