tphgawn
English expat in the Philippines
Forum posts
32
About me
English
Registration: 21 August 2022
Google Play Store with foreign Google Accounts by danfinn
I have recently come across some Filipino android apps like TFD The Filipino Doctor and the Chong Hua Hospital (Cebu) patient portal that are available on Play Store but not for "foreign" accounts, apparently. It literally says "app is not available ...
Google seems to know where the account is from and also seems to lock that info to the phone. I my case Google suddenly decided, after about 18 months jn the philippines, that I was resident in philippines and everything worked from that point Read More
Amazon Availability in the Philippines? by swt90alum
I saw there are two Amazon warehouses in the Philippines, but as I understand it, Amazon does not "deliver" to the Philippines...is this true? Also, if Amazon does not deliver to the Philippines...are there any on-line delivery services that do ...
@swt90alum Amazon USA do deliver to the Philippines and the service is very good. One does have to have an Amazon us account as I do as well as my UK account. Quite a few things are free delivery to the Philippines especially if one goes over a ... Read More
Credit Cards for senior citizens by FindlayMacD
I'd like to hear ex-pat members knowledge and advice on this subject. When I lived in the UK I had several credit cards, but then, for some reason, probably because they became aware that I now lived in the Philippines, my UK bank (Santander UK) ...
@FindlayMacD Yes. Seems to be a problem as, in my case the age limit appears to be 70. One option may be, if an S&R member, to get one of their cards. The other option is to take one out in wife's name if under the age limit. This was suggested ... Read More
Uk pensions etc ? by leonardsmith75
I will be moving to Cebu shortly but not sure about telling HRMC OR DWP PENSIONS ? I've heard about many horror stories regarding this matter! , like proof of life every year , and that the postal service in the philippines is very bad , Can anyone ...
The easiest thing to do is to have a mail address in the UK and have everything from the UK bank sent there. No problem. Have a 13a permanent residence visa. I do transfers via Xoom from my UK bank to my BDO account which take anything from 1 minute ... Read More
RESTAMPING by vehicross100
Has anyone recently needed to have their 13a Visa Restamped in new passport for annual reporting ?
Not yet but my passport expires this year so next year at the earliest. Read More
Thinking About Buying an EV in the PH – Advice and Experiences? by islanddoll
Hello, everyone!I recently moved to Cebu and am loving the vibe here! As part of settling in, I’m considering purchasing an electric vehicle from bydcarsphilippines Before I make the leap, I’d love to hear from those of you who already ...
The range on a full charge is the critical factor really, coupled with charging facilities on board the vehicle. A fast charger system requires somewhat specialist supply system but if the vehicle can be plugged in to a normal domestic supply the ... Read More
S&R Credit Cards by Enzyte Bob
S&R has a credit card offering 3% on purchases.
Thank for the info. Useful background. Reason for asking is most cards in Philippines max age is 65. Read More
S&R Credit Cards by Enzyte Bob
S&R has a credit card offering 3% on purchases.
What are the elegibility requirements for this card? Read More
Bank Account by ShueArie
I've been visiting the Philippines for the last 2 or so years roughly a month 2 to 3 times a year. I stay at my Fiancée home every visit. I'm wondering if anyone knows anything about the Banking Rules there. Can I or we open a Bank Account ...
@ShueArie basically proof of identity. Presented both my passport and my wife's together with our PSA marriage certificate Read More
I am a farmer and I want to buy land by Autocrescimento
Hello, can foreigners buy hectares in the Philippines? What would the process be like? Could anyone explain this subject in brief? And are most of the lands fertile?
Basically foreighners cannot buy land or property in their own name. Only philipino nationals and those with dual nationality can own land I'm their own name with one exception, ex philipino nationals. Read More
Bank Account by ShueArie
I've been visiting the Philippines for the last 2 or so years roughly a month 2 to 3 times a year. I stay at my Fiancée home every visit. I'm wondering if anyone knows anything about the Banking Rules there. Can I or we open a Bank Account ...
I managed to open a joint account with my philipino wife without a 13a or a SRRV. At the time was in to my second or third tourist extension, preparing to get my 13a provisional. Was with BDO if any help. Read More
Foreign pension tax by Louiis88@
How is pensions from EU eurpeen retired expats living in phil taxed ?
Unfortunately in my case, from uk, I would be about £1000 worse off. So it pays to do the sums. Was supprised. Read More
Philippines cellphones at the airport by avedisiandavid
Flying to Angeles City in November, passing through Manila, does the airport in Angeles City sell Philippines cellphones?
That's very useful. Thank you Read More
Expats who married a filipina by DonRam
The expats who married a filipina. Survey and if any complaints or problems.Ages? Since it's different living in USA culture or western standards. Many don't agree with an elderly male marrying a young filipina. What are your age ...
Am from the UK. My first wife, from uk, passed away after 43 years and a long illness. My current wife, a philipino, I married just over 2 years ago. We had been talking on a daily basis for about 7 years and after covid took the plunge and came to ... Read More
13A Visa Requirements Entering the Philippines First time by Dwolf4372
Have a question regarding entering the Philippines with a 13A Visa for the first time. I acquired my Visa through a Embassy in The US. Do I need to buy a ticket that takes me out of the country or will the allow you to enter on a one way ticket.
You have not said which version of a 13a visa you have. As I understand things if you have a 13a perminany visa you are a resident and do not need an onward ticket. If a provisional visa, depending on the orders in place at the time, you may need an ... Read More
Building a House in the Philippines by PalawOne
My wife and I are thinking of perhaps building another house in the Phils. What do people think of this?This time we're thinking of building something like this house design from pinoyeplans.comIt's a very traditional looking design, on purpose, but ...
Be warned. There are plenty of cowboy builders around. Also unless you are lucky the rule of thumb with most builders is you buy the materials that they need and they then add 50% on to the bill for their labour costs. Very rarely, in my experience ... Read More
Philippines bring cash by expander28
26 days traveling solo in the Philippines, All hotel and planes paid for Credit card , already , I do not want to take a lot of cash with me. I will be paying for excursions , island hopping etc. food and local transportation, massage, ...
I use xoom straight in to my BDO account so no problems. Much more convenient, easier and also cheaper Read More
If I bring a PC on an airplane, will I still be charged customs taxes? by Arcadieus
Trying to figure a way around paying 12% through customs. Anyone have any other ideas?
The only time have been charged was when bringing a brand new boxed unit in. Not new goods, demonstratably so, seem not to be charged duty except in special specific cases. Read More
Recommendations for a bank for a joint account? by yiqipo
hi we are having problems with our joint bank account at Metrobank. Specifically, it does not give every account holder of a joint account independent access for online banking. So only one account holder in a joint account can access the account ...
I use BDO. No fees and interest payable. Also use Xoom for money transfers from my UK band to our joint account at BDO. For a £2 fee transfer anything up to about 60,000 pesos and after that appears to be free. Obviously there is a fee in the ... Read More
Brit with Chinese wife to settle somewhere safe and secure in Luzon ? by petercc028
First post and hello to all members, perhaps you could point me in the right direction to settle somewhere in a quiet area at not an exorbitant cost.I am an old Brit pensioner married to my Chinese wife of 14 years and have been living in China for ...
@petercc028One very big problem. Only philipino citizens can buy property here and neither of you are philippines citizens. This limits you to a maximum of 3 years on tourist extensions and then have to leave and maybe come back. I don't know about ... Read More
UK pension paid directly into a Philippines bank account by FindlayMacD
Hi, looking for info from UK expats who have their pension or pensions paid directly into a UK Pound Philippines bank account. It's not something I really want to do but it seems my bank, Santander UK are looking to close the accounts of expats who ...
Why not get pension paid directly in to a Philippine bank account? The government pension certaintly can and probably company pensions and private ones as well. The government pension is oaid at the prevaling exchange rate Read More
13a visa letter from my wife by steph21
hello everyone, so im starting my 13a visa and my wife need to write a letter but what theletter must say? i have know idea what she must say? dose some one who did this can help me? thanks
The example letter in a previous comment is good. There is no need to use an attorney for either the provisional or the conversion to perminant. I dud it all myself, admittedly for the 13a perminant with help from the BI office staff at Palayan. ... Read More
Visa strategies longer term questions by Larry Fisher
I keep seeing 3 yrs is the length of stay through visa renewals. But then today I saw mention of only two 6 month visas being allowed?Technically I've only been here since March as we took a trip to Thailand. But I started my retirement with my gal ...
3 years is the maximum for normal visa but if married to a philipino get a 13a provisional visa ASAP and then, as the visa is valid for a year only, apply for a 13a perminant visa before the provisional runs out Read More
13 A None Quota Immigrant Visa by Marriage (probationary) by omarwebber111
Dear All , I've finally, after 2.5 years of staying here (part of that was a year balik bayan + visa extensions throughout) started my 13 A process! From the checklist, it seems the most challenging part of applying for the 13A is the NBI clearance! ...
Applied on Friday afternoon for NBI clearance. Picked up Monday afternoon. Read More
ACR Card Voluntary by kevintttraynor
Hi all, I'm looking at apply for ACR Card to help with the possoblitity of opening Bank account or getting loan in Philippines. I'm not retired yet and still working so my visits are limited to about 30 to 35 days max before returning UK. Can I ...
Acr card I received when I applied for my first visa extension. Funnily enough have never been asked for it. Read More
ACR Card Voluntary by kevintttraynor
Hi all, I'm looking at apply for ACR Card to help with the possoblitity of opening Bank account or getting loan in Philippines. I'm not retired yet and still working so my visits are limited to about 30 to 35 days max before returning UK. Can I ...
Bank account difficult to get. Managed in my case as married to philipino. Minimum maintaining balance 10k. Use xoom, a division of PayPal, to transfer money. Costs £2 per transfer with a limit of 500,000 pesos per transaction. Did not ask for ... Read More
shipping "stuff" from usa to the philippines. by stuleer
has anyone found a cheap way to do this? What i an interested in shipping are "things" like tools, maybe some small pieces of furniture. I live in Hong Kong and spend summer time in the PHilippines where my wife and i have a house. but there are ...
The obvious thing is to buy on amazon usa and get them to ship direct to the Philippines. I am a UK national married to a philipino and that is exactly what I do. Read More
Survey for all Travelers by James Dela Cruz
Good day travelers!I just have a few questions and I need your opinion1. How often are you traveling?2. What are the problems that you encountered when finding a travel buddy/group?Thank you.
Typically travelling twice a year, usually by myself these days but that is liable to change. Recently married and have properties in UK and Philippines to look after. Read More
ACR-1 card by Tariq072283
Other than being able to open a bank account what other advantages do you get for obtaining your ACR-1 card
No. I received mine after applying for my first extension Read More
Can I extend my visa on arrival a second time? by Duc 61
I just extended the visa I got on arrival a first time. 1) Can I extend this visa a second time? (to stay here until the beginning of next year)or do I need to leave the country? 2) Where can I find information on longer lasting visa? I will highly ...
Go tobthe local BI office and they will sort you out. As an example I extended my visa about 3 weeks after arrival. The office issued me with a double extension for a month and 6 months. I have since applied for a 13a visa and while that is being ... Read More