First Timer Questions

[medic4355]

OK Expats

 

A couple of questions for the first timers coming to the Philippines. As you may know I am planning on coming next year when my divorce is final and I have a few questions.

 

1^st:  Questions on the Visa? A man could go crazy reading the internet and I actually called the Philippine Embassy in Dallas and they were somewhat confused as well. LOL I was told that on my first trip to the Philippines I would not get a multiple entry Visa which is OK. Some thing on the internet say if you plan on staying past 21 days you have to have an invite from a Filipino National. The Embassy told me that I could go for 30 days without a Visa and could extend my stay at the end of 30 days but ONLY in MANILA. So whats the deal guys? Do I need a Visa at all and if so can  extend it in Cebu or just Manila?

 

2^nd I will need a round trip plane ticket to go but if I do that then I have to have a return date before I can travel. So is it easy to change a return date on the ticket or will it cost me. If so is the price like buying a completely different plane ticket. Trying to plan financially for when I get there.

 

3^rd I am planning on coming to Cebu and booking in advance to get a decent deal on the room. If I extend from there and choose to do some traveling what are some of the smaller provinces around Cebu any direction that are nice to visit and fairly safe.

 

Again thanks guys for the help. I am trying to get as much info together between now and next year before I come. Now I do realize that at some point all the info in the world doesn’t equal being there but I would rather have too much info then not enough.

 

[medic4355]

OK Already answered question number 1 by reading. LOL But any suggestions or ideas fire away. 

[Dave Hounddriver]

. So is it easy to change a return date on the ticket or will it cost me.

 

Each person I hear from that has this dilemma has a different experience.  I think it depends on the airline and the class of ticket but it almost always costs.  The best option will depend entirely on your point of view.  My choice was to come on a one way and just have an exit ticket.  But I only go back to Canada about every 3 years.

 

what are some of the smaller provinces around Cebu any direction that are nice to visit and fairly safe.

 

Loads of them.  Lots of places on the island of cebu or its provincial islands like Camotes or Bantayan.  Then there is Negros and Bohol and Leyte.

[Jollygoodfellow]

2nd I will need a round trip plane ticket to go but if I do that then I have to have a return date before I can travel. So is it easy to change a return date on the ticket or will it cost me. If so is the price like buying a completely different plane ticket. Trying to plan financially for when I get there.

 

You do not need a round ticket to go however you must have an onward ticket to somewhere or the airline won't allow you to board. Simply search for cheap fares from the Philippines to anywhere and buy one to show that you have it. The term often used is "throwaway ticket". 

 

3rd I am planning on coming to Cebu and booking in advance to get a decent deal on the room. If I extend from there and choose to do some traveling what are some of the smaller provinces around Cebu any direction that are nice to visit and fairly safe.

 

If you intend to stay on the island of Cebu only then perhaps take a trip to Moalboal or Daanbantayan but best to google to find what you're looking for but all will be as safe as anywhere in Cebu.

 

 

1st:  Questions on the Visa? A man could go crazy reading the internet

 

Glad you read up on that as it is the most common question, best just to arrive and your passport will be stamped for 30 days, extend at any BI office or get a travel agent to do it if you don't feel like the hassle.

[Gerald Glatt]

In my part of the states it seems that a round trip fare is within $100 of one-way, and in many cases less. Give yourself 1 or 2 months to scout around then if you return to states you have all the time you need to decide which visa, get your affairs in order for  your return. If you decide to stay the other half onf the round trip is not that much to lose.