Piso Envy

Glad you decided on a solution. I'm sure all will work out just fine. Have a great trip.

Your residence is where you live. If you took many long vacations with intent to return home then there is no change in residence.

If you worked abroad and reported foreign earnings to the IRS, then yes I would include those places on the G-325A.

PRISM and St. Mary's Euphraisa no longer perform the CFO Seminar. You must now attend the Manila seminar at the CFO office on Quirino.

http://www.cfo.gov.ph/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=1345&Itemid=843

CFO Manila

Citigold Center, 1345 Pres. Quirino Avenue
corner Osmeña Highway (South Superhighway)
Manila, Philippines 1007
Tel. No.: (02) 552-4700
Fax No.: (02) 561-8332
E-mail: info@cfo.gov.ph
Website: www.cfo.gov.ph

You can pre-register for your seminar online, however the seminar is on a first come, first served basis

http://www.cfo.gov.ph/

There are two seminars held daily at 9 AM and 2:30 PM and are limited to 15 attendees each. Plan to arrive no later than 4 AM and take the 9 AM seminar. All others will be given the 2:30 PM seminar until it is full.

Be sure to read Hank's blog on all matters related to your K1 Journey. Follow the link on any of his posts.

Happy Journey.

This will not be an issue.

I am guessing you plan to fly out of LAX/SFO and this is your first time traveling on a one-way ticket to PI. You will most definitely be asked at LAX/SFO airport by the airline rep when you check in for your flight for your onward/departing ticket, as you have presented a one way ticket for travel.

Since you do not have one, you would be inadmissible to enter Philippines. it is the airlines responsibility that passengers comply with the entry requirements of their destination. You will be asked to purchase a return ticket on the spot, or be denied check in. In this case, buy a totally refundable departing ticket from MNL to somewhere in SE Asia (ex: HKG, BKK, KUL, SIN) and cancel it after you get to PI. Online check in does not skip the step of an airline rep verifying your passport and documents.

Should they not be paying attention when you check in stateside, and you make it all the way to NAIA and then get asked for a return ticket at Immigration, this is now a problem. The check in, departure desks and ticket sales are all upstairs, and being inadmissible, among other technicalities, you won't be allowed past Immigration to buy one for yourself. Nice.

They will nicely take you to a holding room and, eventually either send you back on your airline's next flight out the following day, or if you are lucky, someone will escort you upstairs, after the ticket counters open, and you can buy any ticket leaving the country within 30 days (you will be on Day 2 at this point).

Expedia is not an airline and are Kings of Misinformation.

I would advise leaving the K1 paperwork out of all conversations. CFO, Travel Tax, Interrogations, Tea Money, Offloading, etc. Do not forget they they are very resentful when their people leave the country for a better life with a kano. This will not expedite your situation, and will probably cause more delays out of jealousy and spite.

In any case, good luck.

My fiancée's interview is on Feb 27th. I have booked a one way ticket to Manila (cost me $500) and I will book our return flight once we have the visa in hand. I have never heard of anyone having trouble getting into Philippines with a one way ticket. I have been there 3 times and they never checked my ticket. I did call Expedia too and they told me no problems with a one way ticket. If they do ask me about it, I will just show them my K-1 paper work, interview confirmation and explain that I am going home with my fiancée once we have our visa.

Hey there vj'ers! Does anyone fly from the US-PINAS with PAL(philippine Airlines) recently? Do you know the luggage dimension that is allowed for check in?

That all depends on your routing, class of service, and airline of your connecting flight. Carry-on size and weight varies among airlines and yes, they do often measure and weigh them, especially to/from Philippines.

http://www1.philippineairlines.com/flights/all-about-baggage/free-baggage-allowance/

You are not reading carefully. The entry requirements specify an "onward ticket" not a return or round trip air ticket. That's ridiculous.

Buy your best one way ticket USA to Manila, Cebu,or Clark. Buy a "burner" ticket, $50-60 USD one way Manila - Kota Kinabalu or Kuala Lumpur or somewhere on ex: www.airasia.com or www.cebupacificair.com. That's your onward ticket. You don't have to return home and you don't have to go to Maylasia, just leave the Philippines before your visa is up.

Take care of your embassy business and when you have visa in hand, buy 2 one way tickets back to the states.

United has an office in Manila with outstanding customer service. Delta is there also, and then there are travel agencies and always the Internet. Should be able to get back here for around $650 USD.

If you are running close to your 30 day limit, simply ask your hotel or find a travel agency that will run and get you a visa extension at the DFA, 2 day or so service.

You can connect through Tokyo, Inchon, Hong Kong, Singapore, Bangkok and elsewhere on a K1. You just can not always exit and re-enter the country/airport on a Philippines passport without a transit visa. Get a same day connecting flight back home, no stopovers or next day flights.

The other option is to buy a fully refundable ticket departing Philippines to the Moon and then cancel it after you get inside the country.

Relax.

Not true. Delta flies direct to both NRT Narita/Tokyo, Japan and also to NGO Nagoya, Japan from Manila. The Nagoya flight is earlier than the Tokyo flight and lands in Detroit. This may be a better option for those not heading to the west coast or one of Delta's hub airports.

Delta flights from Manila to US ports of entry ALL stop and change planes at Narita airport in Tokyo.

I think what might be going on with your comment is a generalization based on information that is pretty negative about the area of Angles City....

From my understanding, because of the influence of Clark Airbase filled with the American military during WWll that prostitution and easy women was very prominent.

If you actually think about most cities, there are good area's and bad area's and the influence of military bases all over the world certainly has created some negative identities in the culture of those area's.

That does not mean that those areas in general have not changed and are still that way.

I have made 4 trips to Angeles City in less than 9 months and have seen the good and the bad......but in general.....I see a nice place with lots of ambition, new construction and more worldly change for the good.....

Please do not generalize your thoughts like this.....it is not fair to the people that are good and really understand.

Just my thoughts....

Cheers,

cjmc

There is indeed more to Angeles City than the entertainment district of Balibago, Pampanga.

Thats why the money changer in the secured area was questioned. There is Allied Bank in the center of the ticketing area where money changing can be accomplished. The question was more about changing pisos to dollars once all fees had been paid, they buy their duty flee, bag of soggy mangoes, and what not, And then they change the remaining pisos into dollars after their spree and make the walk to the gate and wait wait wait. Sounds like intending immagrants to me, divesting themselves of all local metalic value.

In years of yore, there was a money chager kiosk to the right after you paid your airport fee. As of last year, that space has been consumed by metal detectors.

In the Domestic side of Terminal 3 where 5J balls up at the very end where bus gate (!) departs. There are no ATM's or money changers past security, and none in Tacloban. Such fun with a handful of Thai Baht, and after last trip, and closed for special holiday, to take the bus, ok boss. Need to get down to Maasin City and she's got the taxi driver pulling over for chicken and rice. WHAT ABOUT ME? Its already 11pm and the driBer has his headlights off because of a bad alternator or something. Susmariahyosep!

The land of not quite right. I love it, been there half time since 1998.

Ingat

This is the sort of device you will be looking for. Most prefer the wireless microphone version and maybe 2 of the latest song chips to get startred. She can buy locally at SM Mall or you can Google around and find a distributer in the US.

It connects to your TV/home theater receiver with RCA plugs just like a VCR would.

http://www.magicsing.com.ph

Hi All -

We have a friend coming to the USA who will be departing from NAIA or Terminal 1 on a 0630am flight.

They will be spending the night with relatives and friends the night before and will be arriving at the airport at 4am to check in and wait for the flight.

The have Philippine Pisos only, and want to change the rest of their money to US Dollars after they have paid all travel taxes and terminal fees and have cleared security.

Do they still have a money changer inside the terminal, in the a area by the duty free shops? Someplace official to change the rest of their pisos into dollars? (less than 10,000 PHP by law)

Also, how long is the line to pay travel tax around 4am-5am? They can not pay at the city office in advace, it must be done at NAIA prior to their flight.

Thanks in advance, ingat.

Thank you! and yes! I was not suggesting the OP clear out the account, only take what is hers. I hope he hasn't already cleared it out... you never know.

Your constant use of CAPS are completely unnecessary.

I hope VanessaTony got your message loud and clear.

Go to the bank and take out the money. As far as i'm aware it couldn't go there if your name wasn't on the account so you should have access. If you don't, tell him you want your money out of the account. Tell your employer your banking details have changed. Do this ASAP in writing.

As far as I'm aware YOU have NO idea about THEIR banking and financial arrangement and YOUR directive to simply "Go to the bank and take out the money" is NOT going to make for a happy happy situation.

OP stated that she wants to work on the relationship. YOUR advice is likely to prevent that from EVER happening, he is ALREADY upset with her for SOME reason, and YOU are suggesting that she MAKE it WORSE.

Better she ASK not TELL him "you want your money out of the account" first. Yes she can change her direct deposit contribution. However, directing a stranger to "take out the money" of a joint marital account without the other parties knowledge when YOU have no IDEA of their financial structure or the EFFECT that may have on their livelihood or CREDIT is irresponsible advice.

OP: Americans frequently raise their voice when expressing anger, in most cases, once the words are out, they calm down. I know loud yelling is not a part of your culture and you may have even grown up with the belief that "it is better to be hit than to be yelled at" so I understand how loud words make you feel bad. This is a backwards difference of culture than you are used to.

I sincerely hope you can find a neutral party to help sort out your misunderstandings. I think you need to learn to understand each other some more.

Just wondering if the CD and vaccination record received from the medical needs to be brought to the interview. Thanks!

Bring anyting in question with you and to the States. The St. Lukes CD is a souvenir beer bottle coaster.

Byposting the question here, I am asking the the locals (Philippione) to assit me on few questions:

1. How Difficult it is to get a work visa for a non phillipino?

Filipino?

2. Most of the jobs online are stricly for Philipinos only, does that mean it impossible to find a job there?

McDonald's requires 4 year college drgrees. Department stores, "sales ladies" same education but on 6 month, usually never-renewable, one shot in a lifetime, ever positions.

3. What are the best websites to look for jobs in Manila

Notthing that would not make your mother blush. Best hit the streets and papers once you arrive, bring lots of money in case it takes a while. You should have a reasonable living from your husband's job, don't be fooled into 1000's of Euros worth rent per month for safety that is both non-existant and ridiculous. Live middle of the road, dress down and try to blend in.

4. Is it easy to come to Philippines on a tourist visa and later get a work permit if I can find a job?

Visa on arrival, easy as buka pie.The businesses have enough over educated talent avaialble to them at a pittance for them to consider recruiting foreigners. However, there are call centers in Makati and on Clark that hire voice/dialect deprogramming specialists and customer service managers in Yankee speak.

TEFOL certificate teaching English, or a cash gig as a mamasan/bar manager in a go-go bar.

Any job is a good job. An amazing job is not to be messed with. Can you use Skype?

P.S. Additionally, you can tavel to see him often. Easy to get a 59 day extended visa in advance at the local Pilippine Consulate and then extend your visa at a travel agency, hotel or at the Bureau of Immagration for about $50 for 2 months. Skype is you friend.

Hello everyone,

My husband is debating moving to Manila Philippines for a job with an international NGO headquartered in Manila, its a 2 yrs position and doesnt not sponsor me to travel with him.

Currently we both are here in US, I have a amazing job here which I just started since Jan 2013 ( came to US from UK in April 2012) however if my husband took his job then I dont want to be alone here with out him.

Byposting the question here, I am asking the the locals (Philippione) to assit me on few questions:

1. How Difficult it is to get a work visa for a non phillipino?

2. Most of the jobs online are stricly for Philipinos only, does that mean it impossible to find a job there?

3. What are the best websites to look for jobs in Manila

4. Is it easy to come to Philippines on a tourist visa and later get a work permit if I can find a job?

A brief about me: I am in my mid 20's, with Masters from UK and over 6 yrs of international experince.

I hope to get some help on the above questions, so my hubby and I can decide if him moving to Manila is a good move or not.

Thanks

P

Hom mai dee? Mabaho? Yes, they hassle everyone who does not have all their ducks in a row, and rightly so for not being prepared and following the printed directions such as, photos with date and location on the back, 2" x 2" passport "style" photos, black ink,

No time to be Filipino clever, or do instead what a friend of the ex-neighbor of ate Maria did, just RTFM and you'll be OK.

Yeah I just need to focus on what is important, thank you for replying! And yes, this one smells horrible!

Jenny

Quick answer, YES.

The country is basically an island, hence no mini-bus visa runs to the nearest land border. You have fly out and fly back in agian.

Some of the well known strategies used for tourists is, applying in advance for a 59 day visa through your the consulate office covering your state, then renewing your visa through your hotel, travel agency, or by going yourself to the BI, and repeating the process up to one year.

Buying a RT ticket with an open return, or a return of greater than 21 days (including the date you arrive) and then purchasing a "burner" one way cheapie ticket to show on departure or arrival (ex: Cebu Pacific, AirAsia) to Honkers or Sillypore with intent to forgo that ticket in lieu of seeing what happens and then extending your visa on arrival locally if you want to stay.

Purchasing a full fare refundable ticket departing RP to anywhere within the span of your visa, then cancelling it at full refund.

Best to be honest. Even if others are not.

Wanted to ask a quick question. Just looking for straight forward answers here.....

I am under the impression that if you go to the Philippines you are stamped a 21 day visa but you have to have a ticket saying you are leaving the country within 21 days; is that correct?

If so can you buy a ticket leaving, say Cebu and going to Kuala Lumpur (which gives Americans a 3 month stay for fun/business with no required Visa) that leaves on that 21st day will they allow you into the country?

Just wanting to know how that works. Thank you so much.

Immigration didnt let my mom board in the plane because she didnt have seminar stamp? I thought u only go for seminar if you you are fiance or wife/ husband.. Please help

Finacee, wife/husband, "other partners of foreign nationals" which is intended to mean, boyfriends, girlfriends, friends or with any foreigner, or claiming intent to travel to meet a foreigner in any other country, including the no-visa ASEAN countries, Should plan to be offloaded at Clark and probably NAIA.

April 2013. CRK-BKK on 5J. Plane was 1/2 empty despite being sold out. Many westen guys with empty seats next to them. Their companions were denied at Immigration while exiting due to their girls not posessing the CFO documents. Some of these ex-pats have lived with their girlfriends in the Pinas for years, have children with them, and support their families.

Honey-ko took her CFO at Prism 2 years ago when the news of this "practice" started circulating.

An example on how over zealous these guys are:

A retired Fil-Am couple who we planned to travel with, both well to do US citizens with valid US passports were denied also. She answered the officer back in Tagalog and the Immigration officer immediately demanded from her a Philippines passport, which she let expire 15 years ago as she became a US citizen. He then asked for her completion of councelling documents from the CFO, then denied her boarding and confiscated her US Passport saying it was a fake. Then he threatened the American husband with jail when he showed their flight schedule from LAX and their flight back to the states 2 months later.

I oveheard the oifcer tell the US husband, and everyone in ear-shot, that "every Filipino needs to attend CFO seminar in Manila before leaving the country."

This is what to have to learn to expect.

We are traveling back to the Philippnes next week to visit family and show off our daughter (22 months old).

In the past its kind of a hassle to exchange dollars for pesos (at least at a bank) as they need to record every serial number on the currency you are exchanging. Is it any easier if you bring traveler's checks?

Also, is there a lot of WiFi available or will I have to use an internet cafe's again? I know my phone won't work but I'm hoping I can get data if WiFi is available.

Thanks in advance for any replies.

Some good ideas already mentioned. Forget travelers checks, they will want to see all receipts, including the special receipt that instructs you to not carry it along with the actual checks.

Xoom works great. Sign up for an account, link to your bank account, then send money to your wife or someone else there who has a passport for ID. Pick up at BDO or at the pawnshops.

American Express Prepaid debit card, free. - Order one online and load it up using reload cards as found at Walgreens, CVS, mini marts, or your bank account. No foreign transaction fees (typ 3%). 1st ATM withdrawal every month is free, $2 thereafter, plus what ever the bank's ATM fee is. Withdraw from any BDO ATM 10,000 PHP per transaction, I've done 2 in a row without problems. Say NO to a receipt, the printers are often broken and will "unable to process your request." Plus you have online access to americanexpress.com, a phone number you can call collect, and all the protection, benefits of travel and emergency services that AmEx credit cards have.

Most prepaid Visa/MC debit cards are for US only.

Money changers in every city, less hassle than the bank and no ID needed. Bring crisp $100 bills in perfect condition, if you give them 3 or more, they will reject one of them every time, change that one across the street or at the next place.

Free WI-Fi is very common now in malls and in the more established restaurants and hotels. Everybody knows where to get a signal, so ask someone.

Enjoy your trip!

On your Form G-325A. What was your response to the following?

"This form is submitted in connection with an application for:"