Mr Lee Posted August 23, 2011 Posted August 23, 2011 Based on the below story, I believe that they just do not understand just how many visitors actually live in the Philippines on tourists visas. I wonder just how many would sign up for a one year visa if they made that available at the same cost? Just think how many less man hours they would need if they did. Visitors from the US and Canada accounted for the second biggest slice of the tourist arrivals while Asean nationals were third on the list. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JJReyes Posted August 23, 2011 Posted August 23, 2011 The United States has a visa waiver program agreement with 36 countries. Citizens from the 36 countries are permitted to enter the USA and stay up to 90 days without a visa. It's a reciprocal agreement. We have the same privilege when visiting any of the 36 countries. The Japanese come to Hawaii to spend 2 or 3 months during the winter and summer. Winters can be very cold in Japan and their summers are very humid. We also get the Canadian "snowbirds" during winter. While the visa waiver program does not include Canada, the Canadians can visit under the NAFTA (North Atlantic Free Trade Agreement) treaty. There are also cross border agreements between the United States and Canada. 21 days is too short. The Philippine government should consider offering a 90 days tourism visa. There is actually a group called, "Long Stay Philippines" who may lobby for this. The group includes chambers of commerce, hotels, travel agencies, and condominium developers. Yes, I agree with Kuya Lee. A one year stay similar to the Balikbayan program would be ideal. For other nationals, the one year stay can include a reasonable visa fee. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OldUgly&Cranky Posted August 23, 2011 Posted August 23, 2011 that would be a great idea if they offered the 1 year visa as long as they still keep the 59 day visa as well because look at guys like me that cant afford to stay longer then 1 month at a time ( Right NOW ) and to have to fork out a whole year visa wouldn't make it worth it for me to travel there but i'm sure they would still offer it !!!! but if i was staying a year it would be awesome too only have to go 1 time a year for a visa so I would apply for that if it was offered also it would add a little more $ in your pocket every 2 months coz you wouldn't have to put it a side for the renewal i mean its still not saving you anymore but at least you could pay it right away and forget about it until the year is up !!! O-U-C :unsure: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mr Lee Posted August 23, 2011 Author Posted August 23, 2011 I think it would help the economy of the Philippines if they offered other choices in visas, such as 59 days90 days180 days, and of course365 days I feel it would encourage more people to come and stay, and what is with the rule of having to leave every 18 months, would it not be better for the economy if those that left, could stay, or at worst had to do the tourist thing within the country, so maybe having to prove that they visited other place within the Philippines during their 18 months or 2 years, if they cannot just delete the whole idea in the first place, and if the idea is not just about making money from forcing people to travel. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave Hounddriver Posted August 24, 2011 Posted August 24, 2011 If only they would allow us to renew our tourist visas more than 2 months in advance I would be happy. Using the same regs they have now they merely need to say OK when I ask to do 2 or more renewals at once. That way I could ask for 5 renewals at one time, be legal for 10 months, pay the same fee, break or bend no laws, and they may actually profit from it by the people who have a change of plans and leave before their visa expires. Logical? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Markham Posted August 25, 2011 Posted August 25, 2011 This is all about money. BoI is a major revenue generator for the Philippine government and its revenue target is regularly raised. It's also worth remembering that we - Europeans, Americans, Canadians and Australasians - do enjoy an albeit limited visa waiver period. This is not something our countries extend to Filipinos. Mark Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
colin6549 Posted January 29, 2012 Posted January 29, 2012 I was planning on staying in Cebu for 2 months until i found out i can only stay for 21 days. That would have been more income for the local economy..... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Art2ro Posted January 29, 2012 Posted January 29, 2012 (edited) You can extend up to 24 months if you desire to do so after your 21 and 38 day tourist visas has been used up, you just have to pay for it every 2 months!Read about it here on another posthttp://www.philippin...__30#entry58102 Edited January 29, 2012 by Art2ro Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave Hounddriver Posted January 29, 2012 Posted January 29, 2012 I was planning on staying in Cebu for 2 months until i found out i can only stay for 21 days. That would have been more income for the local economy..... As Art said, you can stay longer. Its all about paying for the privilege. It sounds like you don't want the hassle of going to Bureau of Immigration and dealing with the bureaucracy. We have a member in Cebu who will do that for you for a reasonable fee. Total cost, with his fees, to stay for a total of 60 days would be slightly over $100 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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