New BI requirements for visitor visas.

Member since 27 January 2018

bigpearlViP05 August 2024 06:36:17

4053

Went to renew my visitor visa this morning and halfway through filling out the form the security guard asked me to gather my paperwork and follow him please. A short distance was a lunch room with a rather official looking man who introduced himself as the new manager, he looked over my papers and passport, I asked him if I was in trouble, cordially he said we will see and then a barrage of questions were fired at me, am I working here/are you married/who do you live with/how do you support yourself/how many children do I have/ do they live here/ have I ever worked here/ and so on.

Retired and self funded I told him for over 5 years and loving the country and people,,,,,,,, what about the food he asked me, Most I eat sir but not balut, he laughed, asked me if I have a 2 x 2 pic for the new application form, told him no and I wasn't aware the requirements have changed, he initialed where the photo goes and said next time please.

The meeting was constantly interrupted by his minions requiring signatures, didn't seem to bother him. He thanked me for my time and off I went and handed my paperwork in.

I was waiting close to the lunch room and another foreigner was dragged into an interview and the same questions and sure rude of me to listen but he said he was a journalist working contract here,,,,,,,, the boss said to him but you are on a visitor visa,,,,,,,, I was called up to the payment window so never heard the outcome.

Anyway it seems you need a 2 x 2 pic to stick on your application every time for a visitor visa extension.

Cheers, Steve.

Larry Fisher Serial expat

Member since 02 October 2022

Larry FisherSerial expat05 August 2024 14:07:54

637

@bigpearl sad. We've all heard the Philippines government say that bringing in that tourism dollar (or euro) is so important for the country. And we're hearing they want to improve upon retirement options for expats, like Thailand is currently phasing in.

Your experience today does not make it easier or more attractive.

I really need to get my things together for 13a I think.

bigpearl ViP

Member since 27 January 2018

bigpearlViP05 August 2024 21:55:18

4053

I don't have that luxury Larry as not married but my chat with him was fruitful, I asked him how long I can stay on a visitor visa, 36 months he said. Told him I'd heard rumors that was going to be changed, he said not that he was aware of and very much doubted it ever would as they want visitors living here on all systems of visas for income to the economy, a few other things we chatted about and he was more than helpful.

Seems I panicked about nothing.

6 pics cost me 80 pesos and will last me a year of extensions.

Cheers, Steve.

pnwcyclist Philippines Expert

Member since 27 June 2017

pnwcyclistPhilippines Expert07 August 2024 00:10:27

1482

The pic was a requirement before.. the first few years I was in the Philippines. Used to get 8 or 10 made at a time, lol. I think they did away with around 2017 or so.

bigpearl ViP

Member since 27 January 2018

bigpearlViP07 August 2024 00:23:31

4053

Well it's back on pnw, pics required now, what else is new here.

Off topic but over 5 years ago we purchased a new Mio scooter, no plates as per normal here, a year ago Ben sold that and got a new Suzuki Raider, the other day he gets a msg from the company we purchased the Mio from saying "sir your plates have arrived, can you pick them up please".

Over 5 years to get a number plate?

Cheers, Steve.

pnwcyclist Philippines Expert

Member since 27 June 2017

pnwcyclistPhilippines Expert07 August 2024 14:26:49

1482

It might warrant a new topic, Steve, because it's a very odd thing with these motorbike registrations.

We also bought a new Mio a couple of years ago in Dumaguete, and it took about a year for her to get the plate. Same with another bike. (Honda XRM) that we purchased in the province of Cebu. However at the end of last year, I bought a new ADV 160 in Dumaguete, and the plate has already come in and is on the bike. 8 months max.

So I suspect it's a combination of where the bike was purchased, and perhaps even the company handling the purchase paperwork. Some may be more organized than others.