I called the Swagman Travel Agency in Manila (632-523-8541) and learned that the automatic tourist visa we all get of 21 days can be extended by an additional 38 days for 2,500 pesos. It can then be extended in 2-month increments for 4,290 pesos. Extentions take 7 - 10 days to process, so you have to start before the current one expires. The extentions seem to be 'automatic'. The extensions are proceesed by any travel agency.

Posted by Daytimer on May 21, 2006 - 18:21 pm

You can keep extending for up to a year. Here is the schedule and estimated costs.

1. Visa Waiver for 38 days after initial stay of 21 days without visa

Visa Waiver 1,000.00
Application Fee 500.00
Legal Research Fee 20.00
Express Lane Fee 500.00
Total 2,020.00

2. Visa Extension after 59 days good for two months
Visa Extension 1,000.00
Application Fee 300.00
Alien Certificate of Registration 1,000.00
Head Tax 250.00
Emigration Clearance Certificate 700.00 This was explained to
me as being the equivalent of the airport exit fee, which I now don't
need to pay
Legal Research Fee 40.00
Express Lane Fee 500.00
Total 3,790.00

3. Visa Extension good for 2 months going from 5 to 6 months stay

Visa Extension 1,000.00
Application Fee 300.00
Legal Research Fee 20.00
Express Lane Fee 500.00
Total 1,820.00


4. Visa Extension after 6 months stay
Visa Extension 1,000.00
Application Fee 300.00
Cert. Of Residence Temprary Visitor (CRTV) 1,400.00
Legal Research Fee 30.00
Express Lane Fee 500.00
Total 3,230.00

5. Visa Extension good for 2 months going from 9 to 10 months stay

Visa Extension 1,000.00
Application Fee 300.00
Legal Research Fee 20.00
Express Lane Fee 500.00
Total 1,820.00


6. Last Extension good for 2 months going from 11 to 12 months stay

Visa Extension 1,000.00
Application Fee 300.00
Annual Report Fee (ARF) 300.00
Legal Research Fee 30.00
Express Lane Fee 500.00
Total 2,130.00

Annual total 14,810.00

HM-Go to the P.I. Embassy web site in DC and read about a retirement visa. Looks like about $1,500 USD and you can come and go as often as you like. Gotta be 55 or older though.

See, there are benefits to being older and more mature beyond AARP.

Sandman

Thanks for the visa info. Two questions, is this info current and still the deal now? And I am confused about how this works in practice. Say I decided to go to AC for 30 days. I buy my air ticket, I arrive in Manila with my return showing 30 days later, over the 21 days limit. Do I pay then at the airport? When I depart? Or does staying 30 days mean I have to do something here in the US first at their consulate? Any info, or link to such info would be appreciated.

I believe you can either go to a PI embassy in the states and get an extension before you leave, or you can get one there in the PI. If I was gonna get one in the PI I would get it before the 21 days is up, after that I think you are actually breaking the law.

You can get the visa extension once you arrive in AC. Swagman travel agent will do it for you as will some hotels and other travel agents.

Best to get it before the 21 days or you pay a fine on top of regular charge.

Swagman charges I believe about 1000 peso for the service, which is pretty standard, this on top of the extension charge by immigration.

What I'd like to know is whether you can buy the extension in the airport, when you land? I know that the hotel or travel agents will get it for you when in AC. I've used the Pacific Breeze travel desk, (one day service and about 3,000 Pesos give or take including all fees. I just wonder if it's cheaper or easier to stop at some desk in the airport when I land?

I was planning a 24 night stay in Philippines before learning about these visa issues.

Would a Macua package tour give me another 21 days or does Philippines count days from initial landing?

Perhaps the last week of my travel needs to be Siam Reap and Pattaya.

Not an expert - but I think it is safe to say when you stamp out of a country and pay the Airport fee - you are re-set to come back for a fresh 21 day free visa.

BTW- 21 days is actually 22 days because in the PI they do not count the arrival day as a day.