We have our move date back to the Phils!

[Stevephoto 230]

Aloha again!

 

We finally have a move date! We will be boots on the ground in the Philippines towards the end of August! We are applying for health coverage beyond Philhealth but there will be a gap in coverage of about 45 days. Does anyone know of inexpensive short term health care I looked at Allianz and it was very expensive.

 

Here is our update for those following: we were able to purchase one-way tickets from Philippine Airlines (which I believe is all that is needed with a 13A Visa)—if anyone knows something different then please tell us!)

 

I read a horror story on a different forum about someone getting his ACR card from a 13A obtained in the US. Can someone who has gone through the process let me know what the steps are? My impression was that I just needed to go to the Bureau of Immigration with my passport/visa, application and paid fees. Is there more?

 

Salamat!

[RO_AH 1,659]

Only thing that I can help you with is, make sure that you register on the etravel website. If not you will need to do it at the airport from your cell phone before going through customs (don't ask me how I know this). You can register yourself then add Joan. You do not need separate logins.

 

https://etravel.gov.ph/authentication

[Stevephoto 230]

4 hours ago, RO_AH said:

Only thing that I can help you with is, make sure that you register on the etravel website. If not you will need to do it at the airport from your cell phone before going through customs (don't ask me how I know this). You can register yourself then add Joan. You do not need separate logins.

 

https://etravel.gov.ph/authentication

Thanks for the reminder! I remember having to do that last time...I wonder if we need to register Dune (our cat) on etravel!!! 🤣 OH speaking of bringing in pets, we just learned that there is a P50,000 entry fee for the cat! YIKES!

[J.M. 242]

1 hour ago, Stevephoto said:

we just learned that there is a P50,000 entry fee for the cat! YIKES!

Can you provide a source for that information?  I have never heard of any fees (other than 100-250php documents).  is this something new?

[RO_AH 1,659]

5 hours ago, Stevephoto said:

Thanks for the reminder! I remember having to do that last time.

In that case you just log into your account and add this trip.

[Stevephoto 230]

15 hours ago, J.M. said:

Can you provide a source for that information?  I have never heard of any fees (other than 100-250php documents).  is this something new?

THANK YOU! That's what I thought! I truly hope that I misinterpreted the statement and that the total cost listed includes the vet visit including shots and airline fees (and the carrier) and not an entrance fee. I would be very happy if someone could tell me I am wrong. Here is the quote and source:

 

Once you have registered with the BAI, a Sanitary and Phytosanitary Import Clearance (SPSIC) can be obtained from the BAI National Veterinary Quarantine Services Division (NVQSD) prior to importation. Do this by logging in on the BAI website using your registered email address and password to get to the 3-page SPS Clearance Application (import permit). Print this and present it at the Philippine quarantine station in the airport. Approval usually takes 1-2 days, while the validity of the SPS permit is two months.   The total estimated fees/ cost to bring your pet to the Philippines is approx php50,000/USD 900.

 

https://www.expat.com/en/guide/asia/philippines/12881-traveling-to-the-philippines-with-your-pet.html#:~:text=Approval usually takes 1-2 days%2C while the validity,pet to the Philippines is approx php50%2C000%2FUSD 900.

 

[Stevephoto 230]

11 minutes ago, Stevephoto said:

THANK YOU! That's what I thought! I truly hope that I misinterpreted the statement and that the total cost listed includes the vet visit including shots and airline fees (and the carrier) and not an entrance fee. I would be very happy if someone could tell me I am wrong. Here is the quote and source:

 

Once you have registered with the BAI, a Sanitary and Phytosanitary Import Clearance (SPSIC) can be obtained from the BAI National Veterinary Quarantine Services Division (NVQSD) prior to importation. Do this by logging in on the BAI website using your registered email address and password to get to the 3-page SPS Clearance Application (import permit). Print this and present it at the Philippine quarantine station in the airport. Approval usually takes 1-2 days, while the validity of the SPS permit is two months.   The total estimated fees/ cost to bring your pet to the Philippines is approx php50,000/USD 900.

 

https://www.expat.com/en/guide/asia/philippines/12881-traveling-to-the-philippines-with-your-pet.html#:~:text=Approval usually takes 1-2 days%2C while the validity,pet to the Philippines is approx php50%2C000%2FUSD 900.

 

For what it is worth, this is the only place I have seen any notice of entrance fees. I freaked out because the "total" fees were mentioned while discussing picking up your cat at the airport. Again, I would be VERY happy to be wrong! Salamat!

[J.M. 242]

Latest fee chart I could find (2023):

 

memorandum-circular-no-22-consolidated-schedule-of-fees-and-charges-for-the-services-rendered-by-the-nvqsd-2023.pdf (bai.gov.ph)

 

Import permit for cats = 100php

Quarantine Inspection Fee = 250php

 

It is nearly impossible to find this kind of information.  I brought 2 dogs here from the Philippines.  There was more paperwork for them than for my fiancée! 

[Stevephoto 230]

1 hour ago, J.M. said:

Latest fee chart I could find (2023):

 

memorandum-circular-no-22-consolidated-schedule-of-fees-and-charges-for-the-services-rendered-by-the-nvqsd-2023.pdf (bai.gov.ph)

 

Import permit for cats = 100php

Quarantine Inspection Fee = 250php

 

It is nearly impossible to find this kind of information.  I brought 2 dogs here from the Philippines.  There was more paperwork for them than for my fiancée! 

THANK YOU!!! That makes much more sense! I have rarely been as happy to be wrong a s I am now! I guess that was a poorly worded post on the other forum. Yes, it would be about $900.00 when you add the carrier, vet fees, airlines etc. WHEW!

 

Yes you are right. That information is nearly impossible to find! Thank you for searching for us.

Edited July 24 by Stevephoto
Typo

[J.M. 242]

Some of the misinformation comes from Pet Relocators.  They like to scare you into using their services.  I know what you quoted was from an Expat forum, but I bet they got it from a Pet Relocator.  You are probably correct- they threw in the cost of the flight.

[Stevephoto 230]

3 hours ago, J.M. said:

Some of the misinformation comes from Pet Relocators.  They like to scare you into using their services.  I know what you quoted was from an Expat forum, but I bet they got it from a Pet Relocator.  You are probably correct- they threw in the cost of the flight.

Yes, there is So much misinformation. To be honest, I was in a state of panic even before I read that. I read that Dune needed his rabbies 30 days out from flying and we had just booked the flight (it is 14 days--at least for Hawai'i--vet confirmed!) and also that he needed a pet passport--also takes 30 days (No pet passport needed--again at least in Hawai'i--the vet fills out what is needed beyond our permit application (also vet confirmed!). THEN I read about the 50K! That may be why I missed the "total" part of the sentence! But thank you for the clarification.

 

Speaking of questionable online information, can any of you comment on whether I need a cheap outgoing plane ticket when entering the Phils with a 13A Visa?

 

Thank you all. This has been such a great resource for so many years.

[Stevephoto 230]

UPDATE: I emailed the Bureau of Immigration and got a response in about 2 hours! This was the reply:

Dear Sir/Ma’am,        

Good day

Please be advised that foreign nationals with valid and existing visas at the time of entry into the Philippines, may be allowed entry. Immigrant and Non-Immigrant visa holders issued by the Bureau of Immigration (BI) must ensure that their visas, ACR I-Card, and Return Permit (RP)/Special Return Certificate (SRC) are all valid upon arrival into the country. 

Please refer to the link below regarding your concern:

 

Looks like we are good to go!

 

Now, any advice on the short-term insurance issue?

Salamat!

[Talako 785]

11 hours ago, Stevephoto said:

Speaking of questionable online information, can any of you comment on whether I need a cheap outgoing plane ticket when entering the Phils with a 13A Visa?

 

No you wouldn't.  (You always have a Balikbayan privilege with a no outward ticket requirement in your back pocket should something go sideways.)

Edited July 25 by Talako
Autocorrect problem

[Stevephoto 230]

5 hours ago, Talako said:

No you wouldn't.  (You always have a Balikbayan privilege with a no outward ticket requirement in your back pocket should something go sideways.)

Salamat!

[Stevephoto 230]

23 hours ago, J.M. said:

Some of the misinformation comes from Pet Relocators.  They like to scare you into using their services.  I know what you quoted was from an Expat forum, but I bet they got it from a Pet Relocator.  You are probably correct- they threw in the cost of the flight.

 

Salamat for the email information J.M. This is the response from the Veterinary Quarantine Service at NAIA:

 

• SPS Import Clearance Fee - P100.00 
• Inspection Fee - First two heads P250.00  (In excess of 2 heads P300.00/head)
• SPS Lodgement Fee - P55.00

So glad I was wrong! Thanks again for the help everyone!