in & out

Hello,

Excuse me if this has already been covered. I have a balikbayan visa and have to exit by Sept. I'm looking for recommendations for inexpensive trips. I am thinking of Bangkok or Hong Kong. I want ideas on where to go, where to book the trip and possibly where to stay and what to do. I am on a small budget and only intend to spend a couple of days in an affordable but nice hotel. Any do's and don'ts too Thanks for you help.

Mikey48

[Gene and Viol]

Originally Posted by Mikey48

Hello,

Excuse me if this has already been covered. I have a balikbayan visa and have to exit by Sept. I'm looking for recommendations for inexpensive trips. I am thinking of Bangkok or Hong Kong. I want ideas on where to go, where to book the trip and possibly where to stay and what to do. I am on a small budget and only intend to spend a couple of days in an affordable but nice hotel. Any do's and don'ts too Thanks for you help.

Mikey48

Mike,

Go to any large travel agency ( I recommend Swagman Travel) and have them get you the info and do your ticketing from Clark to avoid going to Manila. Hong Kong is close but Singapore is usually less in $$$.
Just leave on an evening flight and return after midnight so the date is the next day upon your return.

Gene

[garywigle]

Here is a even better deal. Apply for a 13a or 13g visa. Much cheaper in the long run. Remember that your Balikbayan stamp in your passport is NOT a visa. Plus you must (by law) be out of the country at least a year. I know, most folks just travel a couple days out the country and then return. It is done everyday of the week. Plus you just might need a onward ticket out of the country. It depends on the airline and what mood the ticket agent is in.

Remember - It's more fun in the Philippines!

:-D

Originally Posted by Mikey48

Hello,

Excuse me if this has already been covered. I have a balikbayan visa and have to exit by Sept. I'm looking for recommendations for inexpensive trips. I am thinking of Bangkok or Hong Kong. I want ideas on where to go, where to book the trip and possibly where to stay and what to do. I am on a small budget and only intend to spend a couple of days in an affordable but nice hotel. Any do's and don'ts too Thanks for you help.

Mikey48

Are you certain about the necessity to stay out of the Philippines for a year before returning? I thought that I could come back immediately and get another year's stamp.

.

Originally Posted by garywigle

Here is a even better deal. Apply for a 13a or 13g visa. Much cheaper in the long run. Remember that your Balikbayan stamp in your passport is NOT a visa. Plus you must (by law) be out of the country at least a year. I know, most folks just travel a couple days out the country and then return. It is done everyday of the week. Plus you just might need a onward ticket out of the country. It depends on the airline and what mood the ticket agent is in.

Remember - It's more fun in the Philippines!

:-D

Here's what I already read about balikbayan status. I will check with the Bureau of Immigration again, but it was explained to me when I came that I could exit and then return immediately for another year. The next obvious question is: how many balikbayan renewals can a person receive. Can a person get a second and then a third and indefinite stamps each year. I will find out and post the results. I couldn't find anything on the official website. Some of the expats here have lived here for years. Are all of you ACR-I card holders or are any of you balikbayans like me? I thought it was tricky for Filipinos to immigrate to America. .

Mikey48

Resident visas for the Philippines - the alternatives | My Philippine Life

[garywigle]

That is what the law says...BUT...most leave for a day or two then return for a new stamp in their passport.. No questions asked. This is the Philippines so enjoy. Still the 13a and the 13g are a much cheaper deal. Remember not only do you have to leave and return under the BB but you must have your wife with you when you return and it is best you have a copy of your wedding cert. with you. With the BB many airlines will make you buy a onward ticket also before they let you board their plane. What works for one person may not work for you. Again the 13a is much cheaper in the long run. The 13a and 13g are forever visas. Once you get it that is it. You only need to renew your ACR-I card every 5 years. Plus the annual report each year that costs a whole 310 pesos. Check it out and see what is best for you.

Originally Posted by Mikey48

Are you certain about the necessity to stay out of the Philippines for a year before returning? I thought that I could come back immediately and get another year's stamp.

.

Thanks for clearing things up, a bit. I have heard several different ideas concerning the cost of an ACR-I card. Some say as much as 30,000 pesos. I saw on the website that the total is about 6800. I am currently working on getting back home so I may forgo the protection of the ACR. If my plans don't work out I will probably get one. A man at immigration told me it costs about 15,000 when I was there last year. I have heard that several visits are required. I also read that it only takes 2 weeks. I can't seem to ever get a straight answer about most things in the RP. We were planning to take a trip anyway so that will satisfy the passport stamp issue. Singapore is supposed to be very nice and very clean which would be a thrill but I also hear it is expensive. My wife's first son lives there. Bangkok offers inexpensive shopping as does Hong Kong.

Mikey48

[Gene and Viol]

Originally Posted by Mikey48

Thanks for clearing things up, a bit. I have heard several different ideas concerning the cost of an ACR-I card. Some say as much as 30,000 pesos. I saw on the website that the total is about 6800. I am currently working on getting back home so I may forgo the protection of the ACR. If my plans don't work out I will probably get one. A man at immigration told me it costs about 15,000 when I was there last year. I have heard that several visits are required. I also read that it only takes 2 weeks. I can't seem to ever get a straight answer about most things in the RP. We were planning to take a trip anyway so that will satisfy the passport stamp issue. Singapore is supposed to be very nice and very clean which would be a thrill but I also hear it is expensive. My wife's first son lives there. Bangkok offers inexpensive shopping as does Hong Kong.

Mikey48

Straight answers? In the the Philippines??? Crazy isn't it? Especially with the government and getting things done. Seems there is never a correct answer. Most often times it will depend on who at each agency you deal with.
Here the ACR cost me about P35k originally and took just one visit in person in Manila. Had a good agent take care of everything else.
Wherever you go on your trip hope you'll have a trip report when you get back and lots of photos to post.

Gene

[garywigle]

The problem you are running into is that each BI office might read the law different. Just do as they say and you will be OK. As for the cost of the ACR-I card it is 50.00 US dollars. In Philippine pesos it will be whatever the exchange rate is that day. 30,000 pesos? I have seen that figure also but that was for the total cost of the 13a with most of that cost going to a fixer. You total cost for the 13a should be less than 10,000 pesos. Don't use a fixer!!!!!!! I think Bangkok airfares cost more than Singapore or Hong Kong. If you wish to travel then the BB just might be the best for you. Enjoy!

Originally Posted by Mikey48

Thanks for clearing things up, a bit. I have heard several different ideas concerning the cost of an ACR-I card. Some say as much as 30,000 pesos. I saw on the website that the total is about 6800. I am currently working on getting back home so I may forgo the protection of the ACR. If my plans don't work out I will probably get one. A man at immigration told me it costs about 15,000 when I was there last year. I have heard that several visits are required. I also read that it only takes 2 weeks. I can't seem to ever get a straight answer about most things in the RP. We were planning to take a trip anyway so that will satisfy the passport stamp issue. Singapore is supposed to be very nice and very clean which would be a thrill but I also hear it is expensive. My wife's first son lives there. Bangkok offers inexpensive shopping as does Hong Kong.

Mikey48

Spoke to B of I Manila today and confirmed that a revolving door exit is good. Exit stamps only interest. Also, it can repeated indefinitely each year. Also confirmed the $50 card fee. I may still take this. For now, Hong Kong looks cheaper but the hotels don't look so hot. Can't afford 5 star. Bangkok air fare is higher but hotels look better. I saw ads for air deals in Sunday papers. I want to see another country while I'm still in Asia. Been to HK but 100 years ago. Japan too. Friends who got R&R in Bangkok raved. If I'm here longer I may get to all of the close by destinations. That was always my intention.

Mikey48

Originally Posted by garywigle

The problem you are running into is that each BI office might read the law different. Just do as they say and you will be OK. As for the cost of the ACR-I card it is 50.00 US dollars. In Philippine pesos it will be whatever the exchange rate is that day. 30,000 pesos? I have seen that figure also but that was for the total cost of the 13a with most of that cost going to a fixer. You total cost for the 13a should be less than 10,000 pesos. Don't use a fixer!!!!!!! I think Bangkok airfares cost more than Singapore or Hong Kong. If you wish to travel then the BB just might be the best for you. Enjoy!