Naga BOI-update

[Onemore52]

As I previously mentioned in another post that I was going to Naga to get my 3 month extension, here is what I experienced:-

I walked in with my partner (female) at 11 a.m and asked what I had to do to achieve the extension.

The lady supervisor allocated 2 other people to me, gave me the forms to fill out and assisted me me with the process.

Half way through the process the supervisor suggested that while I was there I might as well fill out the forms for the ACR card, no problems as well with the 1 off the staff assisting me with that, while the other person took my hand prints, thumb prints and photos.

We left at midday, all done and dusted.

The only thing I stuffed up was in my old age, is that I forgot that I read on some place in this forum where the extensions is not a multi entry entitlement. So my question this morning is, what do I get next time to enable freedom of travel.?

  Cheers 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[robert k]

2 hours ago, Onemore52 said:

As I previously mentioned in another post that I was going to Naga to get my 3 month extension, here is what I experienced:-

I walked in with my partner (female) at 11 a.m and asked what I had to do to achieve the extension.

The lady supervisor allocated 2 other people to me, gave me the forms to fill out and assisted me me with the process.

Half way through the process the supervisor suggested that while I was there I might as well fill out the forms for the ACR card, no problems as well with the 1 off the staff assisting me with that, while the other person took my hand prints, thumb prints and photos.

We left at midday, all done and dusted.

The only thing I stuffed up was in my old age, is that I forgot that I read on some place in this forum where the extensions is not a multi entry entitlement. So my question this morning is, what do I get next time to enable freedom of travel.?

  Cheers 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ouch! I think the answer is you don't. You can apply (at a Philippine embassy) before coming to the Philippines for multiple entry visa of various lengths but I have never heard of anyone getting them or extending them while actually IN the Philippines. You can extend a tourist visa for 1 month at a time and possibly save some cash rather than 2 if you know you will be leaving. If you know you will be leaving (less than 30 days after arrival) every month you don't need a visa at all as you would be covered by the visa waiver. At least I hope AUS is covered for 30 days visa waiver.

Edited April 19, 2016 by robert k

[manofthecoldland]

Under 'Laws and Regulations for Foreigner' forum topic, Check 'Question about 59 day visa' forum thread for an in-depth discussion and info. I don't know what your exact situation is and if you intend to enter and leave the country very frequently to tour other Asian locales or intend to stay her continuously.

Normally its a visa-free 30 days, then a  29 day extension, and then 1,2 or 6 month visa extensions of your choice.... I believe. I usually go the 2mo. route 

[Dave Hounddriver]

3 hours ago, Onemore52 said:

mentioned in another post that I was going to Naga to get my 3 month extension

I can't even figure out what t 3 month extension is.  You are the first person to ever speak of one.

I have heard of 30 day visa waivers when you first arrive.

I have heard of 29 day extensions for those staying longer than 30 days

I have heard of 1 month, 2 month, and 6 month extensions for those staying longer than 59 days.

But what is a 3 month extension?

[Onemore52]

When I initially filled out the form I asked for a 6 month extension, after my 59 day visa.

They come back with reply "no 6 month, you can have 1, 2 or 3 months"

I originally was to leave on the 29th April after 59 days, now I am leaving on the 30th July.

 

[Dave Hounddriver]

8 minutes ago, Onemore52 said:

They come back with reply "no 6 month, you can have 1, 2 or 3 months"

This is really interesting.  I love finding out new things.  I wonder if it was a one off thing where they made a mistake, or if its a new policy that I have not heard of, OR were you late getting your renewal?  If you get the first renewal 2 weeks late then you pay a fee BUT you can get that month plus 2 more at the same time so that would be 3 months.  Alternatively, they may now be relaxing the rule that required us to renew maximum 2 weeks before the current visa expires.

Just curious.  Thanks for the info.

EDIT:  I did find a reference on another blog site to:  "Philippines Embassies abroad are also issuing 3 months Tourist Visa, 1 entry: EUR 39.00"

Since that is a blog it may not be current or accurate but its the only reference to a 3 month visa I can find. I wonder how I can get one of those 3 month ones.  I will have to ask next time I am in BI.  

Edited April 19, 2016 by Dave Hounddriver

[robert k]

11 minutes ago, Dave Hounddriver said:

This is really interesting.  I love finding out new things.  I wonder if it was a one off thing where they made a mistake, or if its a new policy that I have not heard of, OR were you late getting your renewal?  If you get the first renewal 2 weeks late then you pay a fee BUT you can get that month plus 2 more at the same time so that would be 3 months.  Alternatively, they may now be relaxing the rule that required us to renew maximum 2 weeks before the current visa expires.

Just curious.  Thanks for the info.

EDIT:  I did find a reference on another blog site to:  "Philippines Embassies abroad are also issuing 3 months Tourist Visa, 1 entry: EUR 39.00"

Since that is a blog it may not be current or accurate but its the only reference to a 3 month visa I can find. I wonder how I can get one of those 3 month ones.  I will have to ask next time I am in BI.  

Me too! It sure as heck would be convenient. You never know exactly when you will have to leave the country to transact some business and it would suck to have to leave with 4 months left on a 6 month tourist visa. 3 months would seem to be a happy medium.

[Onemore52]

10 minutes ago, robert k said:

Me too! It sure as heck would be convenient. You never know exactly when you will have to leave the country to transact some business and it would suck to have to leave with 4 months left on a 6 month tourist visa. 3 months would seem to be a happy medium.

This suits me fine as well, I can now plan ahead to leave on the 30th July for some travel and then come back and apply for another 3 months.

But as Robert K mentioned if I have to leave half way through the 3 months then I do my dough.

I neglected to mention that it cost me 6972 php, breakdown:-

Alien Certification : 1000

visa sticker fee: 100

Head Tax : 250 ( although I didn't get one, and really didn't want one from the bloke serving me)

monthly extension application fee : 600

monthly extension fee: 1500

Emigration clearance cert.: 700

certification fee:500

ACR I-Card fee : 2262.5

Legal research fee : 60

So there ya go.

 

 

[Dave Hounddriver]

47 minutes ago, Onemore52 said:

When I initially filled out the form I asked for a 6 month extension, after my 59 day visa.

They come back with reply "no 6 month, you can have 1, 2 or 3 months"

I originally was to leave on the 29th April after 59 days, now I am leaving on the 30th July.

 

3 minutes ago, Onemore52 said:

I neglected to mention that it cost me 6972 php

 

3 minutes ago, Onemore52 said:

monthly extension fee: 1500

The price you paid seems incredibly good.  When I get a two month extension, including ACR card, I have to pay somewhere around 8,000 pesos.

So questions:  Is your cost for ACR card included in that total or did you not get a tourist ACR card?  Second, that monthly extension fee 1500, is that total for the 3 months or 1500 per month.  (It would seem to be total for 3 months but I want to check).  And third, did they mention to you if this could be repeated for a further 3 months when this one expires?

[Onemore52]

12 minutes ago, Dave Hounddriver said:

 

 

The price you paid seems incredibly good.  When I get a two month extension, including ACR card, I have to pay somewhere around 8,000 pesos.

So questions:  Is your cost for ACR card included in that total or did you not get a tourist ACR card?  Second, that monthly extension fee 1500, is that total for the 3 months or 1500 per month.  (It would seem to be total for 3 months but I want to check).  And third, did they mention to you if this could be repeated for a further 3 months when this one expires?

Total is now 8972, I just found another receipt:-

express lane fee I card processing :500

express lane fee: 1000

express lane fee certification : 500

Cost of ACR card included, all fees total for 3 months. They did say for me to come back at the end of July and apply for another 3 months, I reckon they get more money out of me that way!