Latest News About Visa in
the Philippines
Foreign retirees and the Filipino farmer
By: Ernesto Ordoñez
Last updated 03:58am (Mla time) 06/16/2006
Published on Page B7 of the June 16, 2006 issue of the
Philippine Daily Inquirer
LAST May 30, retirement became a presidential
flagship program, with Edgardo Aglipay heading the program
as “retirement czar.”
Officials believe that by attracting the targeted 900,000
foreign retirements to the country over the next 10 years,
around four million jobs will be generated, while government
may expect $44 billion to go its coffers.
| Country |
2006 |
2015 |
| Japan |
60.4
M |
64.2 M |
| Korea |
16.2 |
21.0 |
| Taiwan |
7.6 |
9.7 |
| USA |
112.0 |
133.6 |
| Europe |
163.3 |
184.1 |
| China |
367.4 |
505.9 |
| |
|
|
TOTAL: 726.9 918.5
The government’s minimum target of 900,000 retirees by 2015
represents less than 1/10 of one percent (fewer than one in
1,000) of the number of retirees in the selected markets
above.
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PRA and PRI
Over the past 20 years, PRA registered only 12,500 retirees,
while Malaysia and Thailand each exceeded that number in
only one year. Two reasons have been given for this.
The first is that PRA has not been given the importance and
support necessary to fulfill its potential. Now that
retirement has become a presidential flagship program, this
issue is being addressed.
The second reason is that the private sector retirement
industry players have never coordinated on this. PRI, a
non-stock non-profit corporation, now unites registered
operators of retirement facilities, leisure and resort
destinations, condominium and housing developers, hospitals,
health insurance, transport and travel services, care giving
training schools, HMOs, financial institutions, tourism
advocates, brokers, builders, health and wellness
organizations, and other service providers nationwide, under
one organization.
In the housing industry, among the key movers behind the PRI
formation are the Zobel de Ayalas, Gotianums, Gokongweis,
Sys, and Tans.
Other Players
When talking of retirement, a “retirement village” comes to
mind. This is where an enclave of houses and buildings are
constructed with support facilities, such as swimming pools,
gymnasiums, walking trails, spas, and other amenities.
Chinese-Filipino tycoons and big developers may play a
significant role in this.
But according to PRI vice chairman Francisco Colayco, the
majority of retirees in developed countries live in much
less integrated arrangements, such as small buildings and
residential houses.
PRA chairman Aglipay relates his own brother’s experience in
the United States. Though an engineer, Joven Aglipay studied
care giving and started with two retirees in his own home. He
now has two more homes with four retirees each.
I saw one such home in Las Vegas. It housed four retirees
each paying $3,500, for a monthly total of $14,000, or
approximately P750,000. Like all other registered nursing
homes, it follows strict standards set by the US government
to ensure the quality of service.
For the facilities here to be globally competitive, the PRI,
together with PRA, will ensure that these same standards are
implemented.
In fact, we expect our retirement offerings to be superior
to others because of the Filipino’s caring, compassionate,
and professional attitude. We are known in almost every part
of the world for this, and no other nationality comes close
to us.
Examples of this compassion and professionalism are the maid
who put herself in front of a speeding car and was killed
trying to protect the child under her care in Hong Kong, and
the practice of many Middle East executives who entrust
their house keys only to their Filipino employees.
The Filipino Farmer
Aglipay said that his vision was for a teacher to augment
his or her income by taking care of one or two foreign
retirees in his or her home. The retirees will likewise
benefit, not only from lower costs, but also from the
compassionate care they would receive from their Filipino
hosts -- something the retirees might not get in their home
countries.
For a successful retirement industry, two areas that require
strict global compliance are health care services and the
diet. It is in the diet area where farmers play an important
role. They can provide the high quality food needed by the
retirees.
In addition, model farmers can likewise house retirees.
There are many retiree farmers in developed countries
looking for retirement destinations. These farmers prefer a
farming environment. They can also live more productive and
fulfilling lives by sharing their agricultural technology
and expertise with Filipino farmers.
The Alyansa Agrikultura [Agricultural Alliance] has
recommended creating a special window to attract foreign
farmer retirees.
This and other opportunities will be discussed in a PRI-PRA
Retirement Industry and Investment Summit to be held on July
3 at the Makati Shangri-La Hotel. For more information,
please call Ethel Ruffa at: +632 8481412 to 16, extension
119.
The author is Agriwatch chairman; former Cabinet secretary
for Presidential Flagship Programs and Projects, former
undersecretary of agriculture, and former undersecretary of
trade and industry. For inquiries and suggestions, email
agriwatchphil@yahoo.com or
call or fax: +632 8522112.
Copyright 2006 Inquirer. All rights reserved. This material
may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
COMMENTARY
The program will also reverse the prevailing migration
trend, allowing many Filipino health workers to come home or
stay put.
But what does this have to do with the Filipino farmer?
Proper Dress for Immigration Comment from List
Guest
They don't like sleeveless shirts
or tank tops. Also, the reasoning for all this
might be mentioned. It's an issue of proper
respect to them. This is something we foreigners,
myself included, don't seem realize immediately or
appreciate. After you've been in the country for a
while though, you begin to see the "whys" of
certain things. I had an outfit always ready in my
closet
just for the bi-monthly trip. I just sit inside in
the air-con and snicker to myself when I see guys
roll in dressed inappropriately. I'm laughing
partly at myself when I look back at my first time
there.
| Do not wear
short and slippers to the Immigration Bureau.
They will not let you in. |
BI Offers Amnesty to Foreigners Illegally Staying in Cebu
CEBU CITY, Sept. 22 (PNA)-– Foreigners, who are illegally residing in Cebu or anywhere in Central Visayas for less than two years, may avail themselves of the Bureau of Immigration (BI) amnesty program. Immigration Regional Director Geronimo Rosas said overstaying aliens must take the new amnesty program, a new policy of Commissioner Marcelino Libanan to give illegal aliens the chance to legalize their stay. Rosas, however, said foreigners who are illegally staying in the country for more than two years already cannot avail themselves of the amnesty and will be encouraged to leave voluntarily.He said the new policy is more liberal when it comes to visa extensions and explores corrective mechanisms.
”Commissioner Libanan is giving overstaying aliens an opportunity to come out in the open and legalize their stay. This allows overstaying aliens to avoid the inconvenience and embarrassment of being arrested, jailed and deported, especially in light of the government’s ongoing massive crackdown against illegal aliens,” Rosas said.He said the move, as admitted by Libanan, will in a way be beneficial to the government as it will generate substantial revenues for BI, which is under the Department of Justice (DOJ). ”The Immigration Bureau, as a regulatory and enforcement agency, is also collecting fees for services rendered that are remitted to the National Treasury,” Rosas said. He believes that there are hundreds of foreigners who are illegally residing in Central Visayas, mostly in Cebu .The immigration director urged illegal aliens to register and not wait for authorities to catch them.Rosas said aliens, who will voluntarily submit to BI jurisdiction, will not be arrested but will be assisted to legalize their stay instead. ”What they are going to do is comply with BI rules and regulations and pay whatever fees they owe to the government,” the official said. More than 7,000 foreigners are permanent residents in the Visayas. They are engaged in business, married to Filipinos or are working in various companies. These permanent resident aliens are required to secure the I-Card, a paperless travel record that cannot be tampered with. But Rosas said the number of overstaying aliens increased, with some of them trying to avoid arrest. (PNA)
Tourist Visa Fees
Visa Fees for a tourist visa staying a year in the Philippines are 14,810.00 , US$ 263 per year. This could be reduced by P3,000 by $53 by not paying getting the express fee service. That means you would have to go back after a few days and pick up the visa, no big problem if you live near the immigration office.
On this "Tourist Visa" you must leave the country once a year.
Some just go to Hong Kong for a couple of hours or days.
The cheapest way is to go to Malaysia by boat, from Cebu and
back five days and P1,900. Others go to Thailand, a few
dollars more, but a place some feel in more hospitable and
more fun than Hong Kong. You can get flights to these
places easily, and tour rates including hotels for US$250 to
$350 including hotel room.
Many stay for years on the tourist Visa, a good deal I
believe. And it is good to get out of the country at
least once a year for some. There are a lot of things to
see in the world a lot of the most interesting things to me
are near the Philippines, the "hub of Asia," right in the
center.
When you arrive in the RP you will be given
a tourist stamp in your passport which is valid for 21 days.
Before the expiration of the 21 days you must visit a RP
Immigration office and request a 39 day extension, for total
of 59 days. Thereafter, you can request and receive extensions
of two calendar months each (i.e., April 1 to June 1).
Delining Pensions
Health Care Coalition president David Paraiso, a senior
consultant of the Commission on Aging at the White House in
the United States, discovered that the declining pensions of
retirees in most developed countries will not be sufficient
for them to live comfortably in their home countries. There
will therefore be a “tsunami” of retirees leaving the
developed countries for less expensive retirement
destinations.
Philippine Retirement Incorporated (PRI), the private sector
counterpart of the government’s Philippine Retirement
Authority (PRA), did an analysis of retirees in six selected
markets shown below:
Here are the Visa fees
you use below "retiring," on a tourist visa.
1. Visa Waiver for 38 days initial stay of 21 days without
visa, i.e. the "Visa Waver," below:
| Visa
Waiver |
1,000.00 |
| Application |
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 |
| 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 Temporary 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 to
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
(ART) |
300.00 |
Legal Research
Fee |
30.00 |
Express Lane Fee |
500.00 |
Total |
2,130.00 |
Annual Total |
14,810.00 |
For the locations of all of the Bureau of Immigration offices, see:
http://www.immigration.gov.ph
Philippine Visas comments from the US
Embassy:
http://usembassy.state.gov
Philippine Governments Visa Page
All about Philippine Visa Requirements
http://www.gov.ph/faqs/visa.asp
Requirement to have on going or
returning ticket on arrival in the Philippines
Here is some valuable
information on an airline that flies out of Clark.
They have a special to Malaysia for only 1219 pesos one way. The special lasts till Oct.'05. It's noted for always being cheap,
it's:
http://www.airasia.com
He also gave me two others:
http://www.tigerairways.com
http://www.jetstarasia.com
When you arrive in the
Philippines you should have and on going ticket to some where. A
member of our List starts with an official source:http://www.gov.ph/faqs/visa.asp
"Nationals from countries listed below are allowed to enter the
Philippines without visas for a stay not exceeding twenty-one
(21) days, provided they hold valid tickets for their return
journey to port of origin or next port of destination." and
further down the page, "If you intend to stay in the Philippines
longer than twenty-one (21) days, a visa must be secured."
When you secure a visa from a consulate or embassy, one of their
requirements will be to show copies of your return or ongoing
ticket or itinerary from a valid travel agency. It so happens
that many have passed through Immigration at a POE without being
asked to show an ongoing ticket, but that doesn't mean that you
don't have to have one.
Airlines have a separate issue. They don't want to be stuck with
the burden of providing you a seat out of the country if you
aren't allowed in. They're perfectly aware of the requirements
stated above and may not allow you to board. This has happened
and is happening more and more frequently since 9-11.
It's still your call. You can chance walking through with no
challenge as quite a few travelers have, or you can choose to
play it safe and follow the rules as many other travelers have. Ron
Philippine Tourists Staying Longer In RP according to the Bureau of Immigration
Maybe because of the unrest in Thailand , longer staying tourist, some virtually “retirees,” believe from my observation, are staying longer than before. Besides the problems in Thailand , Thailand tightened rather than loosed visa requirements, to not seek “long term tourist,” does not encourage them, does not seem to want them or even retirees. They don’t need the US dollar as much as the Philippines . Indonesia and other sounding countries are not price competitive and the US ’s problems around the world makes non Christian countries less than desirable for many. T he dollars is setting record lows, against the Philippine peso but this is still the cheapest and easiest alternative and only English speaking country n Asia . I just got back from Guangxhou , China , noted the prices on needed goods and services more expensive than there than here in the Philippines . From what I see, retirement and tourism under different names maybe, will continue to boom unless prices get so high they scare people away. I don’t expect that to happen soon.
Here is what the Bureau of Immigration says.
09/39/2007
MANILA , Philippines -- More foreign tourists are opting to stay longer in the country, making the Philippines "one of the most favored tourist destinations in the Asia-Pacific." And it has been for a long time. Bureau of Immigration chief Marcelino Libanan made this observation Friday, saying that foreign visitors have paid more than P370 million to the government just to extend their stay in the country.
Libanan said that BI's collections from visa extension fees from January to August 2007 amounted to P370.17 million, up by P57.9 million or 18 percent from the P312.2 million generated during the same period last year."The income was sourced from 151,066 applications for extension of stay of tourists which the bureau approved during the eight-month period," the BI chief said in a statement, citing statistics from the immigration visa extension office. Libanan added that approved extensions of stay increased by 16 percent from the 129,666 applications for extension that the bureau granted from January to August 2006.
"Visa extension fees accounted for a large chuck of the BI's revenue collection over the past few years as the number of tourists who visited the country has steadily grown," Libanan said.The immigration chief said the figures indicated that more and more foreign tourists are visiting and prolonging their stay in the Philippines .
"The numbers speak for themselves. Our country is fast emerging as one of the most favored tourist destinations in the Asia-Pacific," Libanan said. He added, "The fact that foreign tourists are entering our country in droves is an indication that foreign investors' confidence in our country has tremendously improved as President [Gloria] Macapagal-Arroyo had stated in her last State of the Nation Address." Libanan noted that foreign tourists visited the country not only for pleasure but also to consider investment and business opportunities.
He also reported that more foreigners arrived in the country from January to August, compared to the same period last year.
More Pages:
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Visas and Raymond's Fast
Food: Detainment for Passport Violation
What I used to do when on a tight budget and had a
lot more time than money was something someone
very creative and thrifty a "cheap Charlie,
foreigner taught me, perfectly legal it seemed and
may be.
If I did not want to go back the next day or two
or maybe four in those days, nor did I want to pay
the express lane fee, I would just leave my
passport and all papers with Immigration and come
back in two months and pick it up. Of course it
was ready by then. After I picked it up, I went
through the renewal process again. Then I left it
with them again for two more months.
There is one problem with this. According to
Philippine Law, a foreigner must carry their
passport on their person at all times. A
receipt from the Bureau of Immigration is not
enough to satisfy that requirement. But no one I
know carries their passport with them all the
time. I carry a *copy* of my passport, the first
two pages, laminated and in my wallet. But even
that does not meet the requirement of that law, as
I read it, a law rarely enforced as far as I know.
I know this was the law at that time. I was shown
the Law.
Why? Because I was involved in a mass sweep in
Manila when all foreigners in Ermita on the
streets and in the bars in the area of P. Del
Pilar, one night during Mayor Lim's "clean up of
the city campaign." And many Filipinos too, were
picked up and detained, suspected prostitutes
their "managers," and even children, gay men,
pregnant women, business men on their way home
from what ever.
I had violated no law except not having the
passport on my person. But I was taken with the
rest of the foreigners and Filipinos who were
picked up in that area to the NBI's gym and held
overnight. We were taken in large busses with NBI
personnel aboard, handguns drawn as though they
were ready to shoot to kill if one of us jumped
out the window, all broken and jammed, impossible
to open so not even an option. They did not look
like a friendly bunch, no "Filipino smile."
All foreigners with passports on their person were
let go immediately after their arrival at the gym
when they were asked to produce them. Others who
did not and I were detained overnight. Some of
them and I had put my passport in Immigration for
renewal that day and had the receipt for it. I
showed the receipt to them. They showed me the
Law. After we were in custody they started smiling
again, became regular Filipinos, proud of the job
they had done. They did do a good job, hurt no
one.
The next morning, after a reasonably nice
breakfast provided by the NBI, The others and I
were taken to Immigration, picked up our passports
with the visa stamp already in them, and released.
None of us were booked or charged of anything, as
far as I know. I know I was not.
Like the fool I was, I went back directly back to
Ermita to Raymond's Fast Foods where they got me.
And had a beer or four with the others picked up
from there and discussed the exciting night. We
knew this was all for show but a serious warning,
probably not to be repeated.
Of course Raymond's and all the bars, including
the girly bars, bikini bars, were still open at
9am. The NBI didn't close the bars, just pick up
customers in them and in the area on the streets.
In those days bars in Ermita were open 24 hours a
day. They called them "day and night clubs." All
but Raymond's had doors, usually closed with
hawker outside.
Raymond's Fast Foods, was wide open front not even
a wall: No front a 12 foot entrance way to the
thin unpainted plywood unpadded unstable round
board mounted on two inch pipes, around the bar.
Why have a front if you never close? My favorite
stool was on the sidewalk not exactly inside the
bar but I guess more in and out. But from where I
sat I could reach out and touch the Jeepneys as
they went by and smell the smoke especially when
there was too much traffic to move, most of the
time. There were no dancers or GRO's in Raymond's.
It was just a joint where a lot of foreigners
gathered to drink, eat and complain about what a
terrible country this is, how horrible the people
are and how much better is was in their country.
They even complained about the high prices in
Raymond's. But they never mention why they wanted
to stay here the rest of their lives. There were
some strange ducks in that place and I guess I was
one of them. But I loved the Country. I just kept
my mouth shut. And I kept trying to figure out
what their problem was. I never did.
If you are a "cheap Charlie," like I felt I had to
be in those days, you went to Raymond's, beer 6
pesos, a half liter bottle of Rhum P12 Cokes for
P5. Something that resembled a hamburger was P8 or
so. There was other Filipino food even cheaper,
fried lumpia, and other delights. Cheap Charlie's
got their visa once every two months and went to
Raymond's for refreshment, entertainment and
conversation, such as it was. There were no drugs
at Raymond's as far as I know. There was not a
shabu/speed problem here at that time. It existed,
I know, but was not common like today. Today I am
sure Raymond's would be a shabu haven. But about
Raymond's you could never be sure about anything
except you better keep you wallet in your front
pocket and not leave any change on the bar.
Today I understand "cheap Charlies" go to sari
sari stores, some open all night. I have been
known to do that too. You can meet some nice
people there and some not as nice, just as at
Raymond's. You can find similar comfortable
seating. But unlike Raymond's I have never seen a
sari sari store or any bar with a one juke box on
one side of it and one on the other side, facing
one another, only 12 feet apart playing different
songs at the same time like some surreal
competition for no prize. The disco "music," was a
real experience, a strange kind of stereo,
incomprehensible sounds pounding your ears. They
were both turned to the most popular volume level
here, the maximum. At the time we all said, "If
this place goes, there will never be another
Raymond's." I think we were right.
At the time I thought it was a great life, or at
least a very
different one from any I have ever known. And I
have few regrets. I did some things I would not do
today and some I am ashamed of. But I had too much
Rhum to be sure I did them. But I had to learn the
hard way, like a lot of confused newcomers. But my
liver is still intact
and my life is moderated to a much more mature
level. And I see the world through different eyes,
older and I hope maybe just little bit wiser. If
so maybe I owe some of it to Raymond's and
learning about how some foreigners live and love
it here in the Philippines, while they hate it. I
decided not to follow that path to destruction.
There are many better ways to live and be much
happier.
There are a million or more stories to tell about
Raymond's Fast Foods. If you are lucky I will not
bother with you again under the guise of giving
you visa information. But I do love to write
about, Raymond's an aberration, as unlike to
appear again as the Tyrannosaurus rex.
Don Herrington, 02-01-05
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