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Live in the Philippines Forum » Living in the Philippines

US citizen looking at an extended stay in Davao

(9 posts)

  1. mushin
    Member

    Hi,
    My wife (a Filipino) and I are thinking to move back to Davao where she has a home for maybe 8-10 months. I have been trying to determine if I need to have a return ticket back to the US and what else I may have to do or need to take with me. I read on one of the other posts here about getting an extended stay once I arrive at the Manila airport’s BI office to get to 60 days. Then I will renew it every 60 days until we return at the BI office in Davao. Right now I am just not sure what day we would return so I am trying to avoid having to pay for airline ticket changes if I bought a round trip ticket.
    I currently am unemployed and while we are there I plan to do some studying for a MCDBA or MCTS certification and we will also be looking for potentially another place to buy. So our return trip is hard to predict we may want to go back to the US at anytime.
    Robin

    Posted 10 months ago #

  2. Rich321
    Member

    Hi Mushin,
    It's my understanding that you (assuming you are a US citizen) will not be allowed to clear customs once you arrive in the Philippines UNLESS you have a ticket out of the country.

    That does not necessarily mean a round trip ticket. The ticket can be to one of the other countries near the Philippines. Maybe a ticket to leave the Philippines and visit Hong Kong, for instance. You can actually use that second leg ticket or just write it off. Maybe a shopping trip is in order if you have problems with the write-off part.

    This strategy allows you to stay as long as you wish (with the necessary extensions, etc.) before getting the more expensive tickets back to America.

    Search this website if you need more explanations of the ticket issue. There have been a number of similar post and explanations.

    Enjoy your stay!
    --Rich--

    Posted 10 months ago #

  3. Mindanao Bob

    Just one clarification to what Rich said........ (I think you know this, Rich, but I don't want it to come off the wrong way)...

    You can't "stay as long as you wish (with the necessary extensions)" You can stay a maximum of 16 months with extensions, then you must leave.

    Posted 10 months ago #

  4. Matt
    Member

    Mushen, If you enter the Philippines with your wife you will receive a one year visa. Just make sure you go up to the immigration counter together.

    They rarely check for a return trip ticket but its better to have a ticket to HK just in case.

    Matt

    Posted 10 months ago #

  5. mushin
    Member

    Hey thanks for the answers. Yes Rich I am a US citzen and my wife is a LPR. Sounds good I will look into buying a ticket from Davao to HK here in the states. Thanks Bob for the clarification. I was thinking when I am ready to retire there of going for the SRRV. Hey Matt that sounds good I like the idea of getting the extension out of the way upon approval. We are thinking w/my wife having a travel document we would not push our luck and return within 1 year.
    Now I just have to find some renters for my home here or get it up for sell.

    Posted 10 months ago #

  6. Kevin Hemminger
    Member

    Hey Bob, about that 16 months, you sure thats right? Best of my knowledge a foreigner can stay for 24 months before they have to leave (2 years), in fact I'm on my 20th month right now. On the 16th month you have to get approved clearance from Manila to continue renewing your visa. Basically, I went in to the filipino embassy next to Victoria Plaza in Davao, got some paperwork to fill out, went to expedited mail it in Victoria Plaza, then about a week later we went back in. During that week, Manila faxed approval back to the Davao branch and then they stamped my passport as normal (and at that point you're allowed to stay to the remainder of 2 years).

    Posted 9 months ago #

  7. chasdv
    Member

    Hi Mushin,
    When you arrive with your wife and request a 12 month Balikbayan visa don't forget to have your marriage certificate with you in case they request to see it.

    Regarding a ticket to HK, i don't think you can fly direct from Davao without going via Cebu or Manila.Just buy a ticket Manila to HK as proof you intend to leave the country.

    regards Chas.

    Posted 9 months ago #

  8. chasdv
    Member

    Hi Mushin,
    Most of the time immigration will not ask to see your return ticket,they put that responsibility on the airlines.
    If you cannot show an outward bound ticket from PI ,most airlines will not let you board the plane.

    regards Chas.

    Posted 9 months ago #

  9. chasdv
    Member

    Hi Mushin,
    If you are just looking for a cheap throw away ticket as proof of onward flight.
    Airasia.com, Clarke to Kota Kinabalu (Malaysia) from P499 one way.

    regards Chas.

    Posted 9 months ago #

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