First Steps

[Charles Cifuni]

Just found this site and registered.  Recently returned from Manila visiting soon-to-be fiancé.  She is Filipino national, I'm American citizen.  Contacted US State Dept.: little help.  Contacted Philippines embassy by email & phone: no replies.  What's my first step when considering moving & living in Philippines?  Have questions about visa, dual citizenship, renting apartment, etc. etc. and possible costs and time involved with all.  Any additional info will be happily received.  Feel free to reply here or I can provide my email address.

[GeoffH]

You can stay up to 30 days after arrival then extend after that at BI for a fee periodically on a tourist visa.  That is probably easiest then look around for the area you want to live.

 

[Jollygoodfellow]

Welcome to the forum.

I can only imagine since this is the first time these questions have been asked that you can not at least find an answer from over 12 years of the same type of questions already posted. 

Honestly to survive in the Philippines means do your research and yes good place to start but really there is so much info here from past post to read and then when you have a new question ask.

No you wont be Emailing anyone as a forum is that, discussion with members and thats how it works.

Trust me, Philippines is not for everyone so do some reading.

Sorry to be a bit harsh but you need to click your head into gear as this as in your questions  is a life changing event and it seems as if you know nothing about  this place or what might come next.

 

[Mark Berkowitz]

Welcome to the Forum.  All of your answers can be found on this Forum by using the search feature.

For example, do this if you're searching for visa info:

When you click on the magnifying glass, you get a link:

https://www.philippines-expats.com/search/?q=visa

You can do this for each and every query... there's plenty of great answers already available when you do a query for each topic/question.

[Mark Berkowitz]

1 hour ago, Jollygoodfellow said:

Trust me, Philippines is not for everyone

Truer words have probably never been spoken before. 

There's even many locals who would prefer to leave the Phils if they were given a proper chance.

[scott h]

7 hours ago, Charles Cifuni said:

Just found this site and registered.

Welcome Charles, lots of good info here with friendly members (mostly ) to give you a hand. You are in for a wild ride moving to the Philippines and you have lots of homework to do. Here is a little to get you started.

7 hours ago, Charles Cifuni said:

Have questions about visa,

Until you get married or are obscenely rich, you are basically limited to a tourist visa which can be renewed for up to two years I believe, more detailed info is on the site in other topics.  

7 hours ago, Charles Cifuni said:

dual citizenship

for you? As an American, forget it. you will lose all US benefits. Plus getting Philippine citizenship is a very long and drawn out process. 10 year residency being one of them

7 hours ago, Charles Cifuni said:

renting apartment, etc. etc. and possible costs and time involved with all.

All these will depend on where you settle and your income. You would need to start a specific topic to get anything more than just general unhelpful answers. The more info provided the better the answer.

in the mean time there are topics on the board that cover just about everything you might need to know.

[Jack Peterson]

14 hours ago, Charles Cifuni said:

Just found this site and registered. 

 Look, Listen and Learn Charles,  Enjoy   

[Arizona Kid]

12 hours ago, Mark Berkowitz said:

Truer words have probably never been spoken before. 

There's even many locals who would prefer to leave the Phils if they were given a proper chance.

So true!

[Arizona Kid]

17 hours ago, Charles Cifuni said:

Just found this site and registered.  Recently returned from Manila visiting soon-to-be fiancé.  She is Filipino national, I'm American citizen.  Contacted US State Dept.: little help.  Contacted Philippines embassy by email & phone: no replies.  What's my first step when considering moving & living in Philippines?  Have questions about visa, dual citizenship, renting apartment, etc. etc. and possible costs and time involved with all.  Any additional info will be happily received.  Feel free to reply here or I can provide my email address.

If you don't do anything else my friend, vet the person that you are considering spending the rest of your life with. I'm not saying that she is not true blue, just go slow and if something feels wrong or suspicious take the time to check it out. Too many guys have been hoodwinked into falling in love with someone who just wants their money.