Anyone to ask about living in the Philippines? - Page 80

Hey guys,

whats the visa situation for leaving Philippines for a few days? I am currently on my first 59 days extension which lasts until June and want to go to HK for a weekend. Can I somehow retain this visa or do I have to start all over again with 21+38+59 days when I re-enter the country? I do have ACR-I card btw.

Also do I need onward ticket when coming back or is ACR card enough?

Nope it starts all over again! but when you come back you get another free 21 days.

Don't know about onward ticket but you could probably blag it that you have one.

Quote

05-04-2011 , 11:16 PM

#1978

ITT666

Pooh-Bah

Join Date: Nov 2009 Posts: 3,663

Have any of you ever had any problem renting an apartment or opening a bank account on a Tourist visa?

I do have the ACR card if that will help, but my visa will be just a Tourist visa?

Will I have any trouble renting a place, or opening a bank account?

Quote

05-05-2011 , 07:39 AM

#1979

Sandviper23

veteran

Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 2,823

Tipping... What is the standard here in Philippines?

Quote

05-05-2011 , 10:41 AM

#1980

sooraw

journeyman

Join Date: Jun 2006 Posts: 318

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sandviper23

Tipping... What is the standard here in Philippines?

10%

Quote

05-05-2011 , 11:47 AM

#1981

L4Freedom

centurion

Join Date: Jun 2010 Posts: 177

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sandviper23

Tipping... What is the standard here in Philippines?

- No tipping if the restaurant have service charge (which most have), otherwise 10%.

- 10-20 pesos for taxi rides.

- 50 pesos for massage.

But keep in mind that locals rarely give tip.

Quote

05-05-2011 , 08:46 PM

#1982

sooraw

journeyman

Join Date: Jun 2006 Posts: 318

Quote:

Originally Posted by L4Freedom

- No tipping if the restaurant have service charge (which most have), otherwise 10%.

- 10-20 pesos for taxi rides.

- 50 pesos for massage.

But keep in mind that locals rarely give tip.

Those who can afford it always give tip.
I have never been in any place where to locals tip more than here in the Philippines.

Quote

05-06-2011 , 12:39 AM

#1983

ITT666

Pooh-Bah

Join Date: Nov 2009 Posts: 3,663

Quote:

Originally Posted by ITT666

bump.

Anybody got any info on this? would really appreciate it.

Quote

05-06-2011 , 12:46 AM

#1984

Sandviper23

veteran

Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 2,823

Quote:

Originally Posted by ITT666

bump.

Anybody got any info on this? would really appreciate it.

I know its not a problem doing it in Thailand, I am a US citizen and have all of my stuff set up from there.

Quote

05-06-2011 , 02:44 AM

#1985

FightRight

journeyman

Join Date: Sep 2009 Posts: 260

All I needed was an ACR card and my passport + deposit. It really depends on what bank and what kind of account. Most of the local Philippines banks are pretty easy to open an account with but the higher tier international ones (Citi) for example will have more requirements for opening an account.

FWIW most of the Philippine based banks are crap when it comes to direct deposit and moving money abroad into the Philippines. Bank wires generally are ok though just make sure you clarify that you will need an account capable of receiving bank wires. Sometimes you have to pay a vig in the conversion rate when the bank receives the money.

Quote

05-06-2011 , 03:42 AM

#1986

pokaplaye12

newbie

Join Date: Jan 2005 Posts: 49

I am flying in to the Manilla Monday and have set up a 1 bedroom place at "the Fort" in Manilla. Anyone near there?

Quote

05-06-2011 , 04:39 AM

#1987

Sandviper23

veteran

Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 2,823

Just arrived in Sabang. Got invited to a poker game by the guy that works at the hotel I'm staying in. Sabang Inn.

5% rake, 20/40 blinds, has a real dealer. Has anyone played in a game similar to this in Sabang?

Quote

05-06-2011 , 06:19 AM

#1988

L4Freedom

centurion

Join Date: Jun 2010 Posts: 177

Quote:

Originally Posted by ITT666

Have any of you ever had any problem renting an apartment or opening a bank account on a Tourist visa?
I opened a bank account at BPI with only my passport and a Phil address (used my friends address temporary). But I used my friend as reference since he already had an account there. Not sure if that made any difference or not.

I do have the ACR card if that will help, but my visa will be just a Tourist visa?
Some banks require ACR and but some don't after what I've read in this thread.

Will I have any trouble renting a place, or opening a bank account?
It shouldn't be any problems at all but you might be asked to pay upfront, same thing could happen with internet/landline etc depending on company. PLDT required that I payed 1 year upfront.

Answers in bold text.

Quote

05-07-2011 , 07:41 AM

#1989

Paul B.

handsome

Join Date: Mar 2005 Posts: 7,800

Sup guys. Alex is planning an epic 2+2 dinner in the near future. I highly encourage everyone to join. Anyone who's new (that means you Sandviper, pokaplaye, pk_nuts, etc.), PM Alex your number so he can invite you.

Quote

05-07-2011 , 08:37 AM

#1990

ITT666

Pooh-Bah

Join Date: Nov 2009 Posts: 3,663

Quote:

Originally Posted by L4Freedom

Answers in bold text.

Thanks for this.

Were you doing all of this on a tourist visa? or did you have some other visa status?

Quote

05-07-2011 , 09:48 AM

#1991

Vucking Vish

banned

Join Date: Apr 2008 Posts: 3,018

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sandviper23

TR on Sabang please, thinking of going there in Dec/Jan

Quote

05-07-2011 , 10:28 AM

#1992

L4Freedom

centurion

Join Date: Jun 2010 Posts: 177

Quote:

Originally Posted by ITT666

Thanks for this.

Were you doing all of this on a tourist visa? or did you have some other visa status?

Tourist Visa, you get 21 days at the airport, when you extend it to 59 days at a immigration office close to expire. After that you extend it every 59th day. Simple stuff, you can even use your gf to do it for you. Best is to arrive in the morning and they usually sort it for you within 15min. No questions asked really, they just want your money.

Quote

05-07-2011 , 10:54 AM

#1993

ITT666

Pooh-Bah

Join Date: Nov 2009 Posts: 3,663

Oh, yeah, I know the process. I was just making sure your info about opening a bank account and getting an apartment was done with a tourist visa, and not on a different visa.

Quote

05-07-2011 , 06:11 PM

#1994

PItom

banned

Join Date: Sep 2009 Posts: 533

Quote:

Originally Posted by Vucking Vish

TR on Sabang please, thinking of going there in Dec/Jan

I'll let Sandviper do a TR on Sabang. But the period over Xmas is pure carnage especially new years eve. The last two years there seems to be a big dick contest over who can set off the most fireworks.

Quote

05-07-2011 , 06:19 PM

#1995

Vucking Vish

banned

Join Date: Apr 2008 Posts: 3,018

Quote:

Originally Posted by PItom

Same in Thailand mate, abs hate it, scares the **** outta me

Quote

05-08-2011 , 11:13 AM

#1996

veganmav

Pooh-Bah

Join Date: Mar 2005 Posts: 4,972

Can I use an iPohone in the PI?

Quote

05-08-2011 , 04:44 PM

#1997

langer_rol

centurion

Join Date: Jun 2008 Posts: 155

Quote:

Originally Posted by veganmav

Can I use an iPohone in the PI?

yeah mine worked fine with a sun sim there, just double check it's unlocked before you arrive to be sure

Quote

05-08-2011 , 04:55 PM

#1998

L4Freedom

centurion

Join Date: Jun 2010 Posts: 177

Quote:

Originally Posted by langer_rol

yeah mine worked fine with a sun sim there, just double check it's unlocked before you arrive to be sure

If you forget to unlock it then just take it to any of the small phone stands at green hills, divisoria, makati cinema square etc and they unlock it for a small amount.

Quote

05-08-2011 , 11:35 PM

#1999

Paul B.

handsome

Join Date: Mar 2005 Posts: 7,800

Correction: most iPhones cannot be unlocked easily anymore. If you have an iPhone with newer firmware and baseband, you'll most likely have to buy a sim tray called Gevey, and the ones you want (genuine Gevey Pro) are not available in the Philippines afaik. The ones available here are overpriced and fake (you risk overheating and damaging your iPhone).

Tons of information out there, google it.