Confused and Dazed

[markpa]

4 minutes ago, Sander Martin said:

Noone can really tell you Mark on what's its like for you. There's good and bad here like everywhere else in the world. Some people really like her and some don't. Best way is to come and see for yourself. Even tho i mostly like the country and the people, i personally found out quick that I wouldn't be able to live here long term. I'm anxiously waiting for her and our sons visas to be ready to leave for Europe.

Btw can you leave the cruises midway?

Martin on the Worldwide cruises you can but to do that like I am trying to do you must you must first find  out is their a Suite available for your voyage. Next realize that the non Japanese ones are world tour sailings. not direct sailings. you pay for the whole sailing not part of it. Next the letter the home off ice of the lines, who instruct the captain of the ship that while in the port of Manila, he must provide  a launch to the docking area for passengers only. After they are not respionable for you at all. 

[Sander Martin]

Tourist visa is easy way to start Mark.

You get a month when you arrive. Then you walk into Immigration office and extend it for another month. Before your extentsion runs out you go back to Immigratsion office and extend it for 2 months. You have to get an ACR card on your second extension (just a reason for them to get more of your money really). You keep going back and extending. Some Immigratsions offices will allow you to extend 6 months at a time (first extension can still be only 1 month tho). You keep going back till you have your retirement visa sorted. The only thing they want and care is the money for a visa extension. Comes to about 50usd a month on avarage or so. Thats what alot of guys that aren't married to a Filipina do.

[earthdome]

Regarding obtaining an SRRV there is no need to get a lawyer or fixer. Contact the Philippine Retirement Authority (PRA). They have staff case workers who will guide you through the process. I lived next to a guy who was able to get his SRRV in only 3-4 months with only the help of a PRA case worker.

[markpa]

54 minutes ago, earthdome said:

Regarding obtaining an SRRV there is no need to get a lawyer or fixer. Contact the Philippine Retirement Authority (PRA). They have staff case workers who will guide you through the process. I lived next to a guy who was able to get his SRRV in only 3-4 months with only the help of a PRA case worker.

Now at make's me happy and i'll save a lot of cash boot, long as they speak English, this will be a lot easier, you and thanks.Mark

[Sander Martin]

20 minutes ago, markpa said:

Now at make's me happy and i'll save a lot of cash boot, long as they speak English, this will be a lot easier, you and thanks.Mark

English is the one of the few things here you dont have to worry about. Most people speak and understand atleast a good basic english. All the government officials i have dealt with have spoken good to excellent english.

Thats why theres so meny American expats here ??.

Edited May 16, 2016 by Sander Martin

[markpa]

On ‎5‎/‎13‎/‎2016 at 5:39 AM, Nephi said:

The visa issue takes care of itself. You arrive on a regular tourist visa that can be renewed every three months I think it is now. But as soon as you pay for and apply for the SSRV, no further visa payments or renewals are needed. So it's pretty simple.

Where you're gona make this your home kinda sight unseen, I'd suggest Subic Bay as a place to settle in. Subic is far and away the most like being Stateside but with all the benefits of living here in the islands. Complete with shopping malls, endless restaurants, and water sports; it's the place to be.

US Social Security can be direct deposited to one of several approved banks here. For that or other needs you can visit the US Embassy site in Manila. The page for Social Security is Here.

Anyway, you're in for the adventure of a lifetime and makes me remember my move here years ago.

 

 

Regards

Nephi

  Well Nephi I want to call Cebu my new home. I should be able to get that list of banks while i'm still here in the USA. Hoping maybe there,s a approved bank in Cebu. Have to check that out.  Beside;s I still got to deposit $10,000 for my SRRV. Hey What is the ARC card?? Drew a blank on that one. Thanks.Mark

[Nephi]

10 minutes ago, markpa said:

  Well Nephi I want to call Cebu my new home. I should be able to get that list of banks while i'm still here in the USA. Hoping maybe there,s a approved bank in Cebu. Have to check that out.  Beside;s I still got to deposit $10,000 for my SRRV. Hey What is the ARC card?? Drew a blank on that one. Thanks.Mark

For a list of the approved banks here it's best to email the embassy rather than try to get the info from Social Security there. They don't always have complete information where the embassy deals with this on a daily basis. You can call or send an email to them here at the US Embassy Manila-Federal Benefits. There are or will be approved banks in Cebu-no problem. China Bank, BPI, and Metrobank are just a few of them.

It's the ACR card and is issued to you by Philippine Immigration when you get your new visa. It's plastic and the size of a credit card. It's really usable for very few things and is just a way for the govt here to make money.

 

Regards

Nephi

[markpa]

1 hour ago, Nephi said:

For a list of the approved banks here it's best to email the embassy rather than try to get the info from Social Security there. They don't always have complete information where the embassy deals with this on a daily basis. You can call or send an email to them here at the US Embassy Manila-Federal Benefits. There are or will be approved banks in Cebu-no problem. China Bank, BPI, and Metrobank are just a few of them.

It's the ACR card and is issued to you by Philippine Immigration when you get your new visa. It's plastic and the size of a credit card. It's really usable for very few things and is just a way for the govt here to make money.

 

Regards

Nephi

  Ok, i'm going to e-mail the Embassy then. Its good to hear there are banks that do the deposits too. So really the ARC is just a government issued  I.D. card. I'm ok with that. I guess like your passport you should have it on you when out and about. Now I got to look up what is needed to open a bank account as a expat. That might be fun. Thanks.Mark

[Nephi]

4 hours ago, markpa said:

  Ok, i'm going to e-mail the Embassy then. Its good to hear there are banks that do the deposits too. So really the ARC is just a government issued  I.D. card. I'm ok with that. I guess like your passport you should have it on you when out and about. Now I got to look up what is needed to open a bank account as a expat. That might be fun. Thanks.Mark

The only things needed to open a bank account at any bank is your passport and the ACR card. That's it. For Social Security or SSDI direct deposits here you will need to open a US dollar account specifically for that purpose. I use Metrobank and the initial deposit was just $100.00. With a social security/SSDI acount, they can not issue an ATM card. You can not get a balance over the phone and no internet banking on that account. Also, you and ONLY you can access the account for withdraws or transfers. Even if married--still, only you can use the account. This is US law designed to protect us from ourselves being generous to women etc and so that we are not worth more dead than alive. US embassy can online and phone help you set up direct deposits once your bank account is open. For me, we also have a peso account that I use to transfer funds into so that my wife and kids have access to money when needed. That account requires a P2,000 minimum balance to avoid a service charge. There is no need to carry a passport with you when going out. Some people carry a photo copy of their ID page and latest entry stamp. I do not and am not even sure where my passport is put away. Been here so many years that I don't need the thing anyway; I'm not going anywhere. Hahaha...

 

Nephi

Edited May 19, 2016 by Nephi

[mogo51]

Mark,

There are some very experienced and long term residents giving you a message here, i am not sure you realise it?

You seem to be going full bore on everything and not focusing at all IMO.

The advice about going to the Philippines for at least 6 but preferably 12 months, is the best advice you have probably been given in a long time.

What you do financially in the states is your business, but a word of warning, keep it to yourself or you may regret it in Philippines.

My father once advised me listen a lot and say a little. Regrettably, I did not take his advice during my youth but it is sound advice.