Philippines Mulls New Visa Rules for Americans

[scott h]

11 minutes ago, GeoffH said:

can the Philippines really be expected not to do the same?

The big difference is that the Phil needs the tourist dollars more than the US, Oz or England

[GeoffH]

3 minutes ago, scott h said:

The big difference is that the Phil needs the tourist dollars more than the US, Oz or England

If I can speculate for a moment... there is a type of visa called 'visa on arrival' that's used in some countries.

You arrive, they *optionally* check your name against a ban list, charge you a visa fee and give you a visa.

I could see that sort of system being considered... it wouldn't really stop the tourists and the fee would be a new income source (or an extension of the existing visa fee system, either way... extra pesos).

Edited December 28, 2019 by GeoffH

[Heeb]

I don't think a country that survives in part by OFW's working around the globe should rock the visa boat IMO, especially since the current administration in the U.S. is known to engage in tit for tat.

Edited December 28, 2019 by Heeb

[Mike J]

4 minutes ago, GeoffH said:

If I can speculate for a moment... there is a type of visa called 'visa on arrival' that's used in some countries.

You arrive, they *optionally* check your name against a ban list, charge you a visa fee and give you a visa.

I could see that sort of system being considered... it wouldn't really stop the tourists and the fee would be a new income source.

The Philippines has a visa on arrival but it is limited to some fairly specific groups and individuals.

 

http://immigration.gov.ph/visa-requirements/special-visa/applications-for-visa-upon-arrival

 

Foreign investors and businessmen duly endorsed by the Board of Investments (BOI), Philippine Retirement Authority (PRA), Philippine chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI), local business councils, or local as well as foreign chambers of commerce and industry;

Athletes and delegates to sports competitions, conventions or exhibitions duly endorsed by its organizers and/or sponsors;

Delegates and participants to, resource speakers in, international conventions, symposia, conference and similar gatherings duly endorsed by its organizers and/or sponsors;

Foreign investors and their executives in investments that are endorsed by the government, or those resulting from bilateral agreements as well as those in response to Presidential Invitations for Investments during presidential trips or State Visits abroad;

Officials of World Bank, Asian Development Bank, and other international development partners, including their dependent spouse and unmarried minor children;

Other foreigners who, in the discretion of the Commissioner, may be entitled to the benefits of this program.

[scott h]

12 minutes ago, GeoffH said:

If I can speculate for a moment

Speculating is half the fun 

I don't think it can be done here. Just consider that even the LTO's here are not networked nor a lot of the Banks. And a lot of government agencies use publics email like yahoo and Gmail 

[Mike J]

Regardless of what we deem to be fair, I think it is important to look at this issue from the standpoint of President Duterte.  He is stating in no uncertain terms; "We are a sovereign nation, keep your nose out of our business.  If you don't there will be consequences."   The rider that was attached to the USA budget bill is seen by Duterte as being an attack on his administration and him personally. This is the Philippines and they have the right to set their own laws just as the USA has the right to set their laws.  Those laws do not have be the same, there is no reciprocity agreement that says all nations must have laws that are "equal" as to tourist visa, owning of firearms, purchase of land, trade agreements, etc.  This idea that the Philippines should be more like the USA in terms of laws/regulations is exactly the reason that President Duterte gets so angry at American politicians.   

 

[Heeb]

I will say we definitely aren't' consistent in our meddling, Saudi Arabia comes to mind, If we are somehow benefiting from a relationship you can do whatever you want (Marcos) we will look the other way, the minute we aren't benefiting...Iran found out the hard way back in the 1950's.

Edited December 28, 2019 by Heeb

[Gator]

Let’s take it one step further........what happens to those of us (and by us, I mean Americans) who have already made the Philippines our home?

I’ve reached the point where I’m semi retired. I now work about 6 months a year and come to the Phils for about 6 months. So if it comes to pass that new visa restrictions come into play, then what happens if you’re already here (on a tourist visa)? Will we be required to jump thru even more hoops to stay? Longer delays in getting approved? Or worse, being denied a visa extension and forced to pack up and leave? 

Hopefully it’s just rhetoric and the politicians come to their senses. 

 

[Old55]

Sadly this is one more good reason not too deeply invest in Philippines. 

Durte is like a yappy mop dog. Although occasionally even a yappy dog may bite.

[BrettGC]

I see it a pretty strong sign that we as Westerners, of any stripe, aren't as highly valued as tourists and retirees in The Philippines.  The sharp rise of Asian tourism to PI in the last 10 years, particularly by Chinese and Koreans, is somewhat offsetting any decline in Western tourism, whether it be now or in the future, voluntary or forced.  No it's not completely offset now nor likely to be in the near future but the potential for growth in Asian tourists to PI is virtually unlimited and every time I visit I see those tourists being specifically catered for more and more.  

It may be coincidence but Duterte's attitude towards China is pretty strongly reflected in his statements and inaction with regards to their incursions into the South China Sea.  I.e. he's done nothing.  

It should also be remembered that previous deep ties to any given country are being forgotten.  The memory of the US's, and to a much lesser extent Australia's,  help during WWII, is fast fading as the older generation passes and any national sense of obligation passes with it.  Given,  the irony is dripping having said all that,  when one reflects upon the recent assistance given by the Australian SAS and US special forces in Mindanao against Muslim insurgency.  

At the end of the day, I see visiting or living in any country other than my own as a privilege, not a right.  Any changes to the status quo would affect me yes, and of course I wouldn't be happy about it, but it is their right as a sovereign nation just as it is our countries' of origin to do the same.