Can I fly to Davao from the US with a one way ticket?

[AmericanNomad 16]

How can I travel to Davao from the US with a one way ticket, and do I need a visa prior to flying there?

 

Also, how long can I stay before needing to leave the Philippines? Ideally I would like to stay out there for 6-8 months, and I would like an idea how much money it will run me for visa renewal fees, etc.

[Hank_ 9,174]

13 minutes ago, AmericanNomad said:

How can I travel to Davao from the US with a one way ticket, and do I need a visa prior to flying there?

 

Also, how long can I stay before needing to leave the Philippines? Ideally I would like to stay out there for 6-8 months, and I would like an idea how much money it will run me for visa renewal fees, etc.

What you will want is a "throw away ticket" to HK or SG  .. someplace cheap as an onward destination.   You can get these through Cebu Air or PAL (there is another airline but I can't think of it at the moment).   You will need this throw away ticket to even board the airplane in the States as they won't let you on with a one-way ticket unless you have a visa (which you don't need) or onward travel (the throw away ticket).

 

Once entering the Philippines you will have an automatic tourist visa good for 30 days.  After that you can extend the tour visa  at the Bureau of Immigration.   A 60 day extension use to cost about P3000, I never did a 6 month extension so not sure of the cost (I have others ways of staying for extended times now).   At some point you may want to get an ACR card.    I know of guys that have stayed in the Philippines for years doing this.

 

You won't be able to do much right now as the Philippines is locked down.

Edited March 19, 2020 by Hank_

[Just Paul 4,595]

Getting a 9(a) tourist visa before you leave is the best way to go.   You can get a 12 month multiple entry visa here in the US at the Philippine Consulate.   It costs $90 and eliminates the hassles of doing 2 or 3 visa renewals.

[AmericanNomad 16]

11 minutes ago, Hank_ said:

What you will want is a "throw away ticket" to HK or SG  .. someplace cheap as an onward destination.   You can get these through Cebu Air or PAL (there is another airline but I can't think of it at the moment).   You will need this throw away ticket to even board the airplane in the States as they won't let you on with a one-way ticket unless you have a visa (which you don't need) or onward travel (the throw away ticket).

 

Once entering the Philippines you will have an automatic tourist visa good for 30 days.  After that you can extend the tour visa  at the Bureau of Immigration.   A 60 day extension use to cost about P3000, I never did a 6 month extension so not sure of the cost (I have others ways of staying for extended times now).   At some point you may want to get an ACR card.    I know of guys that have stayed in the Philippines for years doing this.

 

You won't be able to do much right now as the Philippines is locked down.

 

Thanks Hank, very helpful. Were you thinking of AirAsia for the other airline?

 

I'm planning to wait until the COVID-19 virus settles, then I'll be flying there. I'll look into getting the ACR card once I'm there. I'll just plan to budget $500-$600 for visa fees, hopefully that is a safe amount to set aside.

 

Also, what is the best time to search for cheap flights to the Philippines? Also, when I book the throw away ticket, should I make sure the departure date is within 30 days of my initial stay in the Philippines?

[Hank_ 9,174]

1 minute ago, AmericanNomad said:

 

Thanks Hank, very helpful. Were you thinking of AirAsia for the other airline?

 

I'm planning to wait until the COVID-19 virus settles, then I'll be flying there. I'll look into getting the ACR card once I'm there. I'll just plan to budget $500-$600 for visa fees, hopefully that is a safe amount to set aside.

 

Also, what is the best time to search for cheap flights to the Philippines? Also, when I book the throw away ticket, should I make sure the departure date is within 30 days of my initial stay in the Philippines?

Won't cost anywhere near that, but good to have a flush budget    

 

Yes  make sure the onward ticket is within the 30 days,  it can be the day after you arrive .. won't matter.  

Edited March 19, 2020 by Hank_

[geowrian 22,337]

1 minute ago, Paul & Mary said:

Getting a 9(a) tourist visa before you leave is the best way to go.   You can get a 12 month multiple entry visa here in the US at the Philippine Consulate.   It costs $90 and eliminates the hassles of doing 2 or 3 visa renewals.

I think they stopped issuing visas earlier today:

"We are stopping the issuance of visas from all posts abroad and here," Philippines Foreign Secretary Teodoro Locsin Jr. said in a tweet posted on Thursday. "This goes one imperative step forward: a total ban on incoming foreign visitors of all nationalities no exceptions."

[AmericanNomad 16]

9 minutes ago, Paul & Mary said:

Getting a 9(a) tourist visa before you leave is the best way to go.   You can get a 12 month multiple entry visa here in the US at the Philippine Consulate.   It costs $90 and eliminates the hassles of doing 2 or 3 visa renewals.

Nice, I'll look into this after COVID-19 settles. Do you know if they ask for any proof of anything? Like proof of income, etc.

 

@Hank_ Do you know when is the best time to search for cheap flights to the Philippines?

Edited March 19, 2020 by AmericanNomad

[Hank_ 9,174]

10 minutes ago, AmericanNomad said:

Nice, I'll look into this after COVID-19 settles. Do you know if they ask for any proof of anything? Like proof of income, etc.

 

@Hank_ Do you know when is the best time to search for cheap flights to the Philippines?

Prices vary all the time, just have to keep watch ...

 

Here is a link to the visa info at the Philippine consulate  ...  they hide this stuff pretty good.   

 

 https://philippineembassy-usa.org/visa/

 

9(A) Temporary Visitor's Visa (Pleasure & Business)

REQUIREMENTS:

1. Actual passport of applicant (valid at least 6 months from return date) and one (1) photocopy of the data page
2. Duly-accomplished Non-Immigrant Visa application form, typed or printed legibly in black or blue ink, and notarized if sent by mail
3. Travel Itinerary (applicant must be a holder of a roundtrip/onward flight ticket out of the Philippines)
4. One (1) colored photo, 2” x 2”, taken within six months before the date of application, showing a clear front view of applicant’s face, with a white background. No sleeveless attire. Blurred or low quality photos are not accepted.
5. Proof of Financial Capacity (photocopy of latest bank statement and an employment certificate from the employer indicating position and salary, or affidavit of support), for Tourist Visa (for pleasure only).
6. Letter from employer or sponsor of the trip, indicating its specific purpose or nature and length of stay (inclusive dates) in the Philippines, for Tourist Visa (for business only).
7. For minor visa applicants (below 18) copy of birth certificate is required.  If travelling on their own, affidavit of support and guarantee from either parent, as well as photocopy of parent’s bank statement shall also be required. For those 15 years old and below, a duly notarized Affidavit of Waiver for Exclusion Ground shall be submitted along with other requirrements.
8. Self-addressed return envelope, with appropriate stamps for express or priority mail with tracking numbers via US Postal Service, or with pre-paid mailing envelope from private courier of choice (except FedEx), if Passport with Visa is to be mailed back.
9. Visa fee, according to fee schedule below (non-refundable), payable in cash or money order made payable to “Embassy of the Philippines” (or “Philippine Consulate General”, if application is made at one of the Philippine Consulates General in the U.S.). Personal checks and credit cards are not accepted.

 

 

For nationals of countries with visa agreement with the Philippines:

1. Single entry valid for three (3) months US$ 30.00
2. Multiple entry valid for six (6) months US$ 60.00
3. Multiple-entry valid for twelve (12) months US$ 90.00

Edited March 19, 2020 by Hank_

[Just Paul 4,595]

10 minutes ago, AmericanNomad said:

Nice, I'll look into this after COVID-19 settles. Do you know if they ask for any proof of anything? Like proof of income, etc.

Looks like they changed it a bit since I did one.  After 59 days then you have to go to BI and get the ACR-I and extended visa.   Just do the visa on arrival and if you enter at MNL or CEB you can do the initial extension to 59 days at the airport.   I've never done it at Davao but I'm sure you can do it there.

 

For flights to the Philippines the usual sweet spot is 28 to 14 sometimes to 7 days.   For throw away tickets before 7 days works the best.  Use google flights and look at the averages.

 

[AmericanNomad 16]

Thanks guys. Does the Philippines still allow US citizens to enter their country without a visa, or are they requiring the 9(a) tourist visa upon entry now? Just curious.

Edited March 19, 2020 by AmericanNomad

[Just Paul 4,595]

4 minutes ago, AmericanNomad said:

Thanks guys. Does the Philippines still allow US citizens to enter their country without a visa, or are they requiring the 9(a) tourist visa upon entry now? Just curious.

No visa needed.   It is visa on arrival for USC

[Cyberfx1024 7,980]

5 hours ago, AmericanNomad said:

Thanks guys. Does the Philippines still allow US citizens to enter their country without a visa, or are they requiring the 9(a) tourist visa upon entry now? Just curious

You don't need a visa before arrival but you will only receive a 30 day visa upon arrival unless you are married to a Filipino. 

 

 

Where in Davao are you looking to stay in, and how are you trying to live? Once I know that I can tell you if your budget is feasible or not

[Milmauka 80]

Good information for the future guys, thanks.  

 

In Davao, I stay at Avida Towers, modern, affordable and conveniently located.  Lots of rentals available, studio, 1 Br, and 2 Br.  Or Abreeza Towers, right next to Abreeza mall.  Search on-line, lots available.

[Cyberfx1024 7,980]

4 hours ago, Milmauka said:

Good information for the future guys, thanks.  

 

In Davao, I stay at Avida Towers, modern, affordable and conveniently located.  Lots of rentals available, studio, 1 Br, and 2 Br.  Or Abreeza Towers, right next to Abreeza mall.  Search on-line, lots available.

It sounds like he is on a budget so that might be to much. Preferably I try to get out to Panabo or Tagum City as soon as possible

Edited March 21, 2020 by Cyberfx1024

[Milmauka 80]

@Cyberfx1024  Never been out there, what is out there, your girl?  And where do you stay when out there?