PhilHealth Expands Coverage to Foreign Nationals

Philippines National Health Service Insurance for Foreigners

The Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth), [the Philippines National Health Service] now allows foreign nationals and former Filipino citizens who have chosen to retire in the Philippines to avail themselves of social health insurance benefits.

Philippines National Health Service Insurance for Foreigners

The Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth), [the Philippines National Health Service] now allows foreign nationals and former Filipino citizens who have chosen to retire in the Philippines to avail themselves of social health insurance benefits.

Citizens of other countries residing or working in the Philippines with a valid Alien Certificate of Registration Identity Card (ACR I-Card) issued by the Bureau of Immigration may submit their ‘PhilHealth Member Registration Form (PMRF) for Foreign Nationals‘ to the nearest Local Health Insurance Office (LHIO).

Premiums for PhilHealth vover for Foreigners

The annual premium contribution rate for PRA foreign retirees is P15,000, while that of other foreign citizens is P17,000.
They may pay for their premium contributions either quarterly, semi-annually or annually.

Eligibility Requirement

Premium contribution has been paid for at least three (3) months within the six (6) months prior to the first day of confinement and with sufficient regularity of premium contributions.

Sources:

www.philhealth.gov.ph/news/2017
www.philhealth.gov.ph/circulars/2017/circ2017-0003.pdf PDF File.

How Much Money Can You Take into or Out of the Philippines

How much in Philippine currency can you take in or out of the Philippines? The figure has recently increased from Php 10,000.00 to Php 50,000.00 in local currency.

How much Currency can you take in or out of the Philippines

Most people know that there is a limit of US$10,000 or equivalent for money to be carried in or out of the Philippines.  It is a similar figure in most countries.

However, what about Travellers Cheques or Philippine Pesos?

How much in Philippine currency can you take in or out of the Philippines

Circular No. 922 Series of 2016 23rd November 2016 Increase from Php 10,000 to Php 50,000

The DFA wishes to inform the public that the Monetary Board of the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas has approved the issuance of Circular No. 922 Series of 2016 increasing from Php 10,000.00 to Php 50,000.00 the amount of legal tender Philippine currency that may be imported/brought in and/or exported/brought out of the country physically or electronically without prior authorization from the BSP.
This is part of the continuing efforts to ensure that regulations are attuned to the need of providing greater flexibility to travelers to and from the Philippines. The new policy became effective on 15 September 2016. www.dfa.gov.ph

Prior to 2016 the figure was just 10,000 pesos, enough to last you a day or two when you arrive.

How much in Travellors Cheques can you take in or out of the Philippines

The answer to this appears to vary, depending on what part of the Philippine Government you listen to…. Or more appropriately as to whether you have got on the plane yet.

If you read a Philippine Consulate website you see this:

Residents and Non-residents: local currency (Philippine Peso-PHP): up to PHP 10,000.-. Exceeding amounts require an authorisation from the Central Bank of the Philippines. foreign currencies : up to USD 10,000.-, or its equivalent. Amounts exceeding USD 10,000.-, or its equivalent must be declared.
Note: Only banknotes and coins, which are legal tender must be declared (travelers checks, credit cards etc. are exempt from declaration requirement).

So you think… Hmm travelers checks are exempt. That’s good.

But, then you are on the plane and you get the “Customs Declaration Form” which says:

3: Are you carrying foreign currency or other foreign exchange denominated bearer negotiable monetary instruments (including travelers checks in excess of US$10,000 or its equivalent?

So, which is right ? Well it is too late now. You have to fill in the “Customs Declaration Form”, or argue with Philippine Customs..

Play it safe is often best.

From the Philippines Consulate in Canada

Philippines Customs declaration rules

then the form to fill in on the Plane:

From the Philippines Department of Finance: Bureau of Customs, 2015

Philippines Customs declaration form

Removing Name from Immigration Blacklist

Prescribed Periods For Lifting Of Entries From The Blacklist

The Philippine Immigration Department has a ruling on the amount of time before an Immigration Blacklisted person can be removed from the blacklist.

This is often either 3 or 6 months after being blacklisted, but can be as high as 10 years.

Ruling no: SBM-2014-01 4th February 2014 – Prescribed Periods For Lifting Of Entries From The Blacklist

The full ruling can be seen at: http://www.immigration.gov.ph/images/ImmiAdminCircular/AdminCircularNO.%20SBM-2014-001.pdf

Three (3) months

Three (3) months from date of actual implementation of the exclusion order for foreign nationals who were excluded under the following grounds:

1. Public charge
2. Incompetent
3. Member of a family accompanying an excluded alien and companions thereof
4. Children below 15 years old unaccompanied by parents
5. Stowaways
6. Improperly documented

Six (6) months

Six (6) months from date of actual implementation of the exclusion order or inclusion for foreign nationals who were included in the Blacklist under the following grounds:

1. Deported by virtue of a Voluntary Deportation Order
2. Overstaying for less than one year

Six (6) months after being cured of the condition or illness for foreign nationals who were excluded under the following grounds:

1. Insane
2. Afflicted with loathsome or dangerous and contagious disease

Twelve (12) months

Twelve (12) months from date of actual exclusion or implementation of deportation order for foreign nationals who were excluded/deported under the following grounds:

1. Prostitutes of procurers of person who came for any immoral purpose
2. Person who practice polygamy or who believe in or advocate the practice of polygamy
3. Paupers, vagrant and beggars
4. Unskilled manual laborers
5. Indigent
6. Those who entered the country through misrepresentation
7. Those who entered the country without inspection and admission
8. Those who are drunk and disorderly at the port of entry
9. Those who refuse to comply with inspection procedures
10. Those who display unruly behavior or discourtesy to immigration official
11. Illegal entrants
12. In violation of the condition of limitation of stay
13. Overstaying for more than one year
14. Cancelled visa
15. Undocumented
16. Improperly documented

Five (5) years

Five (5) years from date of actual implementation of deportation order for foreign nationals who were deported under the following grounds:

1. Engaging in profiteering hoarding, or black-marketing
2. Defrauding of creditors
3. Undesirability

Ten (10) years

Ten (10) years from date of actual exclusion or implementation of deportation order for foreign nationals who were deported under the following grounds:

1. Conviction for a crime involving moral turpitude  What is Moral Turpitude?
2. Conviction for a crime under Section 45 and 46 of the PIA, Alien Registration Act or the Naturalization Law.

Never

Foreign nationals who were excluded/deported under the following grounds shall not be qualified for lifting of entries from the blacklist
unless otherwise ordered by the Secretary of Justice for lifting.

1. Involvement in subversive activities
2. Conviction for a crime involving prohibited drugs
3. Registered sex offender

How to remove name from Blacklist

All Requests for lifting of entries from the Blacklist shall be addressed to the Commissioner and filed at the Main Office, stating therein the nature of the request with attached duly authenticated/certified true copies of documents to prove that the ground for inclusion in the Blacklist no longer exists.
Requests filed within the periods prescribed herein do not however guarantee its approval.
Conversely, filing of requests outside the prescribed periods may automatically cause its disapproval unless the said request is meritorious as to constitute a waiver of the periods herein prescribed.

Electricity Cost Comparisons Australia v Philippines

Comparing Electricity Costs between Philippines and Western Countries

Comparing Electricity Costs between the Philippines and Australia (and other countries), is not always easy, unless the living situation is similar.

But here is a good example, for very similar living conditions….

Electricity Cost Comparison Australia and Philippines:

After a couple of years in the Philippines, and now completing some months back in Australia, I have checked my exact Electricity costs.

Both locations were similar western style 1 bedroom apartments about 70sqm in size.
The one in Australia on the Gold Coast directly overlooking the Broadwater.

The exact costs, for a 3 month average were:

Philippines

10.99 Kwh per day at a cost of 91.03 Php per day (A$2.84)

Australia

10.1 Kwh per day at a cost of A$2.74 per day (87.68 php)

Cost per Kwh

Australia: $0.272 per Kwh
Philippines: PHP 8.56 per Kwh = $0.267

There appears to be very little difference in the actual real cost.

The way to save is to live like a local, and use less electricity. No fridge, no Air con, No computer or TV on 24 hrs a day.

 

The above figures are based on the current AUD-PHP conversion rate at the time of writing.

Stay for 3 Years as a Tourist in The Philippines

Three Years on a Tourist Visa in the Philippines

Non Visa required nationals can stay for up to Thirty-six (36) months on eligible tourist visas before needing to leave the country again.

Visa required nationals can stay for up to Twenty-four (24) months on eligible tourist visas before needing to leave the country again.

The 24 or 36 month period is counted from the date of applicant’s latest recorded arrival.

Bureau of Immigration Philippines

Immigration Memorandum Circular No. SBM 2013-003 issued on 23 December 2013.

Foreigners admitted under Section 9 (a) of the Philippine Immigration Act (PIA) of 1940, as amended, or Executive Order No. 408, as amended, may extend their authorized stay every two (2) months for a total stay of not more than:
a) Twenty-four (24) months for visa-required nationals; and
b) Thirty-six (36) months for non-visa required nationals.
The said periods shall be counted from the date of applicant’s latest recorded arrival.

Entering the Philippines with a Passport with under 6 Months left.

Can you enter the Philippines with a Passport that expires within 6 Months?

From the 15th July 2015 foreign nationals with passports or official travel documents of less than six (6) months validity from date of arrival may be allowed entry into the Philippines.

Those that will be allowed entry must be Nationals from countries allowed entry to the Philippines without a visa for a stay not exceeding thirty (30) days under Executive Order No. 408.

The countries listed in the OPERATIONS ORDER NO. SBM-2015-026 are:

Angola
Argentina
Australia
Austria
Belgium
Benin
Brazil
Cambodia
Canada
Chile
Cyprus
Ecuador
France
Germany
Greece
Iceland
Indonesia
Ireland
Israel
Italy
Japan
Korea
Kuwait
Laos
Mexico
Myanmar
Netherlands
New Zealand
Niger
Papua New Guinea
Peru
Portugal
Romania
Saudi Arabia
Singapore
Spain
Switzerland
Thailand
Turkey
United States of America
Venezuela

This change is based on the embassy or consulate located in the Philippines being authorized to renew or extend the validity of their passport or official travel document

Motoring Costs in the Philippines

The cost of running a car in the Philippines

Petrol prices in the Philippines

Between May 2015 and August 2015 the price for 1 litre of Petrol in the Philippines has varied between a low of 43.4 pesos and a high of 46.7 pesos. This gives an average of about 45 pesos per litre.

Petrol Prices in Manila

The Philippine Department of Energy provide a website showing Retail Pump Prices in Metro Manila at:
www.doe.gov.ph/retail-pump-prices/retail-pump-prices-metro-manila

These show the Petrol prices at August 13, 2015 as:

Fuel Rating RON 91 Between 37.15 and 42.95 pesos per litre
Fuel Rating RON 95 Between 38.45 and 44.50
Fuel Rating RON 97 Between 40.35 and 45.25
Diesel Between 23.85 and 30.60

Petrol prices differ between Locations, as these examples on the same day show:

Cebu City 43.10 at Petron
Iloilo City 48.55 at Petron
Bacolod 48.66 at Petron

Car Prices in the Philippines

Some example Car prices at August 2015 are:

HYUNDAI i10
GRAND I10 1.0 E 5MT PHP 538,000
GRAND I10 1.0 E 4AT PHP 598,000
GRAND I10 1.2 L 4AT PHP 728,000

TOYOTA CAMRY
2.5 G A/T Php 1,511,000
2.5 S A/T Php 1,645,000
2.5 V A/T Php 1,745,000
3.5 V6 A/T Php 2,128,000

 

Currency Conversion at August 2015  
PHP 33php – AUD 45php – USD 
PHP 23.85  $                 0.72  $                 0.53
PHP 30.60  $                 0.93  $                 0.68
PHP 37.15  $                 1.13  $                 0.83
PHP 38.45  $                 1.17  $                 0.85
PHP 40.35  $                 1.22  $                 0.90
PHP 42.95  $                 1.30  $                 0.95
PHP 43.40  $                 1.32  $                 0.96
PHP 44.50  $                 1.35  $                 0.99
PHP 45.00  $                 1.36  $                 1.00
PHP 45.25  $                 1.37  $                 1.01
PHP 46.70  $                 1.42  $                 1.04
PHP 538,000  $            16,303  $            11,956
PHP 598,000  $            18,121  $            13,289
PHP 728,000  $            22,061  $            16,178
PHP 1,511,000  $            45,788  $            33,578
PHP 1,645,000  $            49,848  $            36,556
PHP 1,745,000  $            52,879  $            38,778
PHP 2,128,000  $            64,485  $            47,289

Emigration Clearance Certification (ECC) to be available at Airports

Emigration Clearance Certification (ECC) to be available at Airports

Visitor Visa Holders can now get the ECC at the Airport..

IF

a) Is leaving the country within twenty-four (24) hours and with Boarding Pass;
b) Stayed in the Philippines for six (6) months but not more than one (1) year;
c) Is a holder of a valid Temporary Visitor’s Visa (TVV);
d) Has no pending obligation with the Government, its instrumentalities, agencies and subdivisions, and has no pending criminal civil or administrative action which by law requires his presence in the Philippines; and
e) Is registered under the Alien registration Program (ARP) and was issued a Special security Registration Number (SSRN).

The Cost is either 1,210 pesos or 500 pesos depending on if you paid an ECC Fee  with your First Temporary Visitor’s Visa extension.

The official document on this is shown at: www.immigration.gov.ph/…/OOSBM%202015-009.pdf and is copied below:

 

REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES
DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE
BUREAU OF IMMIGRATION
MAGALLANES DRIVE, INTRAMUROS
1002 MANILA

OPERATIONS ORDER NO. SBM-2015-009

AUTHORITY TO ISSUE EMIGRATION CLEARANCE CERTIFICATE (ECC) AT INTERNATIONAL PORTS OF EXIT

WHEREAS, foreign nationals with Temporary Visitor’s Visa (TVV) who stayed in the country for six (6) months or more are required to secure an Emigration Clearance Certification (ECC) before they are allowed to depart from the Philippines;

WHEREAS, under present regulations, ECCs are only issued at the Bureau of Immigration (BI) Main Office, through the Alien Registration Division (ARD), and Sub-Port Offices; WHEREAS, statistics show that the primary reason for deferred departure of foreign nationals is their failure to secure an ECC prior to their intended departure;

WHEREAS, the incidence of deferred departures of foreign nationals shall substantially decrease if bi offices at the international ports of exit are authorized to issued ECCs and will facilitate their travel;

NOW THEREFORE, pursuant to book IV, Chapter 6, sections 29 and 36(2) of Executive Order No. 292, as amended, otherwise known as the “Administrative Code of 1987”, in relation to Section 3 of Commonwealth Act No. 613, as amended, otherwise known as the “Philippine Immigration Act of 1940”, the following rules are hereby ordered:

Section 1. Issuance of ECC at the International Port of Exit. – An Emigration Clearance Certificate may be issued to a foreign national at the international port of exit who:

a) Is leaving the country within twenty-four (24) hours and with Boarding Pass;
b) Stayed in the Philippines for six (6) months but not more than one (1) year;
c) Is a holder of a valid Temporary Visitor’s Visa (TVV);
d) Has no pending obligation with the Government, its instrumentalities, agencies and subdivisions, and has no pending criminal civil or administrative action which by law requires his presence in the Philippines; and
e) Is registered under the Alien registration Program (ARP) and was issued a Special security Registration Number (SSRN).

Section 2. Duties of the Airport Operations Division (AOD). –

Upon finding that the foreign national qualifies for issuance of ECC under Section 1 hereof, the Airport Operations Division (AOD), through its duly authorized Collecting Officer /Cashier, shall collect from the foreign national the amount of Seven Hundred Ten Pesos (Php 710.00) as ECC Fee and Five Hundred Pesos (Php 500.00) as express Lane Fee; Provided, however, that if the ECC Fee was already paid upon the First TVV extension, only the amount of Five Hundred Pesos (Php 500.00) as Express Lane Fee shall be collected.

Section 3. Deferred Departure. – A foreign national without an ECC and not qualified for issuance thereof pursuant to Section 1 hereof shall not be cleared for departure and shall be referred to the nearest BI Office authorized to process and issue such ECC.

Section 4. Duty of the Immigration Officer. –
the Immigration Officer on primary inspection shall indicate in the Border Control Information System the:
a) Official receipt Number/s covering the fees paid at the international port of exit; or
b) ECC Number issued by the BI Main Office or Sub-Port Offices.

Section 5. Supercession Clause. – All circulars, memoranda, orders and other issuances inconsistent with this Circular are hereby repealed, amended of modified accordingly.

Section 6. Effectivity. – This Order Shall take effect fifteen (15) days after publication in a newspaper of general circulation.

Let a copy of this Order be furnished to the Office of the National Administrative Register (ONAR), U.P. Law Center, University of the Philippines, Diliman, Quezon City. City of Manila, Philippines.
16 April 2015
Signed
SIEGFRED B. MISON
Commissioner

Philippines Motorcycle Helmet Law

Wearing a Helmet on a Motorcycle is Compulsory in the Philippines

R.A. 10054 aka “Motorcycle Helmet Act of 2009” was passed on March 23, 2010.

The Land Transportation Office [LTO] announced that it would start enforcing the law from August 1, 2012.

Implementation of the law was postponed until January 1, 2013.

On the 27th July the Department of Transportation and Communications [DOTC] ordered the LTO to postpone the implementation of the Motorcycle Helmet Act of 2009 until January 1, 2013. They didn’t have enough time, or enough “PS” and “ICC” stickers to authenticate all the helmets in time.

The penalties for a Motorcyclist without a helmet are:

First Offence: 1,000 peso fine
Second Offence: 3,000 peso fine
Third Offence: 5,000 peso fine
Fourth and further Offences: 10,000 peso fine and confiscation of driver’s license

Fines also apply for non-compliant and substandard helmets, and helmets without the genuine “PS” and “ICC” stickers.

Australian Working Visa 457

Temporary Work (Skilled) visa (subclass 457) for Australia

​​​​​​​This visa lets a skilled worker travel to Australia to work in their nominated occupation for their approved sponsor for up to four years. ​​

To get the 457 Visa you need:

To have been sponsored by an approved business
To have the required skills to fill a position nominated by an approved business

You must be sponsored by an approved business. A business can sponsor someone for this visa if they cannot find an Australian citizen or permanent resident to do the skilled work.

The basic cost for this Visa is AUD 1,060 (35,000 to 40,000 pesos depending on FX rate) July 2015.

More details at: Australian Government Department of Immigration and Border Protection

Australian Medicals for Visa in Manila

Medical Examination Procedures for Australian Visa Applicants

This information is provided from the St. Luke’s Medical Center Extension Clinic, but should be similar to all other Medical options.

All Australian Visa Applicants (except for those applying for subclass 457, 856, or 857) must first lodge their visa application either through eVisa system or at the Australian Embassy in Makati before coming to St. Luke’s Medical Center Extension Clinic for their Medical Examination.

Australian Visa applicants can register online at the St Lukes Clinic:  Online Registration Form

All Applicants must present the Health Examination List (from the Australian Embassy) or the Examination Referral Letter (for eVisa/eHealth applicants) at the Australian Reception Area on the day of the medical exam.

For Subclass 457, 856 and 857 visa applicants, you may still have your medical screening examination before lodgement of visa application.

REQUIRED DOCUMENTS

  1. Health Examination List (sample)From the Australian Embassy, or Examination Referral Letter (sample) for E-Visa Applicants
  2. Valid Passport
    If not available, the following identification documents may be presented:

    • national ID (SSS, postal ID, voter’s ID, PRC ID, driver’s license, school ID) or
    • birth certificate
  3. 2 PHOTOCOPIES of the passport/ national ID/ birth certificate (click here for format)
  4. 2 pieces recent passport-sized photos (white or blue background)
  5. furtherance letter, if applicable
  6. Regardless of current marital status, applicants who have had previous marriages that were nullified through annulment are required to present the annulment papers (court decision) before their medical report can be completed.

http://www.slec.ph/australian-visa-applicants.shtml#required-docs

 

New Links for Australian Visa Classes

Australian Visa Classes at www.border.gov.au

Following more changes to the Immigration Website www.immi.gov.au and www.border.gov.au, we have changed our links for some relevant Visa Classes.

Spousal – Partner visas

Visitor visas

Family visas

Working and skilled visas

Studying and training visas

Refugee and humanitarian visas

Other visas

Family and partner visas

Self Storage facility in Mandaue City, Cebu

Container Conversions & Modifications Inc.

Mabugat Road,
Lower Tabok,
Mandaue City
Cebu

Contact:

Tel: 032 350 1610
Mob: 0917 773 9915
Email: erivas@ccm.com.ph
Web: http://www.ccm.com.ph

Details:

CCM Storage Services specialises in providing exceptionally secure commercial goods storage at very low cost and flexible rental periods. From locker spaces to forty foot container vans, we’ve got a space that’s right for you.

Our storage service provides a flexible, customised approach to the storage and distribution of a wide range of items.

When you store with CCM Storage Services, you get much more than just an empty space…. Ask about our shelving, racking and decking systems (fixed and mobile). They are currently exported to The United Kingdom and Australia.

Every customer has different requirements and different products. Our Services List is a shopping list. Choose which services you would like and we will provide you with a cost estimate. Below are prices for space only.

Space Rental Rates Size Price (Php P/Mth)
Storage space excluding extras services Size One : 3.5m² Php 2,600
Storage space excluding extras services Size Two : 7m² Php 3,706
Storage space excluding extras services Size Three : 14m² Php 5,850
Storage space excluding extras services Size Four : 28m² Php 9,860

Australian Visa Application – Medical Locations

Immigration Visa for Australia and need a Medical ?

Locations of medical panel doctors authorised to carry out Medicals for Australian  Immigration.

Australian Visa Application – Medical Locations

MANILA

Nationwide Health Systems AUX Inc
2nd Floor Annex, Zeta Building
191 Salcedo Street, Legaspi Village
Makati City 1299
Metro Manila

St Luke’s Medical Center Extension Clinic – Global City
Room 1002 Medical Arts Building,
St. Luke’s Medical Center – Global City
Bonifacio Global City
Taguig
Metro Manila

St Lukes Medical Centre Extension Clinic
1177 J. Bocobo St
Ermita
Metro Manila

BAGUIO

Nationwide Health Systems Baguio, Inc.
Room 1, Ground Floor
EDY Building
144 Kisad Road (near BGH Rotonda)
Baguio City
Benguet 2600

CEBU

Nationwide Health Systems Cebu Inc.
G/F Gillamac’s Building
169 Sanciangko
Cebu City 6000

DAVAO

Nationwide Health Systems Davao Inc.
Suite 4, Pelicano Building
Ecoland Phase 1
36 Quimpo Boulevard
8000 Davao City

Source: http://www.border.gov.au/Lega/Lega/Help/Location/philippines

Indian Nationals entering the Philippines as Tourist

Visa for Indian Tourist into Philippines

A Visa is required before arrival

The visitor must apply for a visa at the Philippine Embassy or Philippine Consulate in the country of legal residence.

HOWEVER:

Effective 20 April 2015, Indian passport holders do not require a visa for tourism travel not exceeding fourteen (14) days provided that they hold a valid visa or permanent residence permit issued by a specified country:

These countries are (as at April 2015)

Australia
Japan
Schengen countries
Singapore
U.K.
U.S.A.

This exemption is currently only valid for arrivals at NAIA airport in Manila.

Philippines Visa for Indian

Letter of Invitation to Philippines

If a Visa is required, then a Letter of Invitation may also be required, at the same time as the Visa is applied for. This must contain several elements such as: Length of Stay, Relationship Details, Purpose of Travel and Finances/Support.

This may be something along the lines of:

Dear Sirs

I have invited xxx to visit me in the Philippines in Month Year, for about xxx weeks [=length of stay].
He has been a friend for xxx amount of time, [=explaining the relationship] and we have discussed meeting each other for a while. [=purpose of travel.]
He has sufficient funds to look after himself, but could stay with my family (=Finances/Support)

My contact details are:

Name
Address
Phone Contact
Email

British Passport Renewals in the Philippines

Renew a British Passport in the Philippines.

A British passport is renewed when in the Philippines, by lodging an Application in the UK.

The application can be started at: www.gov.uk/overseas-passports

Emergency Travel Document

You can apply for an emergency travel document if you’re abroad and your passport has been lost or stolen, damaged or expired, and you can’t get a new or replacement passport in time to travel.

Apply online for an emergency travel document If the person needing the emergency travel document is under 16, a parent or guardian should apply on their behalf.

If you are travelling in more than 3 weeks, check if you can get a new or replacement passport in time to travel.

The British Embassy does NOT normally renew passports.

The British Embassy is located at:

120 Upper McKinley Road,
McKinley Hill
Taguig City
Metro Manila 1634
Philippines

www.gov.uk/…/british-embassy-manila

Update 24 May 2022

UK Passport Photos.

The UK government now allows two ways to do a passport photo, but only one is available for people overseas.

These two options can easily confuse people.
They are:
How to get a digital passport photo

  1. Photo with a code
  2. Take a digital photo at home

The first option is only available in the UK, where you use a special E-Photo booth, so you need to ignore that option, and just select “I’ll take or upload a digital photo” and the take a normal photo with your mobile phone.

Digital Photo UK passport

Australian Passport Renewals in the Philippines

Renew an Australian Passport in the Philippines

An Australian Passport can be renewed in Manila, Philippines.

Appointments should be made at least two weeks in advance to lodge passport applications/renewals. Passport interviews are available from 9am to 11.30am Monday to Friday

  • From 1 July 2015 all passport applications/renewals will require a face to face interview with the applicant, with the exception of minors (below 18) who require an interview with a parent or a person with parental responsibility.
  • Provide a pre-paid pre-addressed DHL or LBC satchel during your interview if you wish to have your new passport sent to a Philippine address.
  • From 1 July 2015 all passport applications/renewals lodged overseas will be charged an additional ‘Overseas Application Fee’ of $100.00 for adults (including senior citizens) and $50.00 for minors (below 18).
  • Passport Information and Electronic Applications
  • Recognised professions for passport application guarantors in the Philippines
  • Passport Fees – Only Philippine Peso (cash) or a Bank Manager’s Cheque (in Peso) made payable to ‘Australian Embassy’.

Consular Section
Australian Embassy
Level 23 – Tower 2, RCBC Plaza
6819 Ayala Avenue
Makati City 1200
Metro Manila,
The Philippines

Telephone: 02 757 8100
http://philippines.embassy.gov.au/mnla/consular.html

Bank ATM Limits in the Philippines

Bank ATM Limits in the Philippines

A selection of the major banks in the Philippines, showing the daily ATM limits.

Virtually all the banks that I have seen, have a maximum withdrawal of 10,000 pesos per transaction. But it is not uncommon for some people to do two or three withdrawals at a time, to get out what they need.

My maximum was 3 withdrawals one after another, at 10,000 pesos each, from the PSBank in Feb 2015.

PNB ATM Limits (Philippine National Bank)

PNB Superteller 

Php 10,000.00 maximum withdrawal limit per transaction
Php 20,000.00 to 100,0000 maximum withdrawal limit per day (Account selectable and dependent)

http://www.pnb.com.ph/index.php/personal-banking/ebanking-services/atm-faqs

PSBank ATM Limits (Philippines Savings Bank)

PSBank Regular ATM card

PhP 10,000 maximum withdrawal limit per transaction
PhP 30,000 maximum withdrawal limit per day
PhP 50,000 daily purchase limit for point-of-sale (POS) and Online transactions.

http://www.psbank.com.ph/psbank-atm-savings.aspx

BDO ATM Limits (Banco de Oro)

ATM card

PhP 10,000 maximum withdrawal limit per transaction
PhP 50,000 maximum withdrawal limit per day
PhP 100,000 daily purchase limit for point-of-sale (POS)
PhP 25,000 “mastercard” Online transactions

https://www.bdo.com.ph/personal/accounts/atm-debit-cards/limits-fees

BPI Direct ATM Limits (Bank of Philippine Islands)

ATM Card

Php 10,000.00 maximum withdrawal limit per transaction
Php 50,000.00 maximum withdrawal limit per day

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Top 10 Tourist Spenders in Philippines 2015

Which Countries Tourists spend the most in the Philippines

The United States of America moved up as the top tourism spender for March 2015, with Php 4.03 billion, overtaking Korea’s Php 3.34 billion visitor spent.

Australia was 3rd with Php 1.08 billion, while Japan with Php 1.07 billion, and United Kingdom Php 0.95 Billion provided the 4th and 5th biggest visitor receipts for the month in review.

  1. 4.03 billion United States
  2. 3.34 billion Korea
  3. 1.08 billion Australia
  4. 1.07 billion Japan
  5. 0.95 billion United Kingdom

Top 10 Tourist Spenders in Philippines 2015

Source: http://www.tourism.gov.ph/pages/industryperformance.aspx

Average expenditure for each tourist for the month is stated to be Php 43,956

That covers the spending, but how many Tourists actually arrive.

International Arrivals Jan – March 2015

361,480 Korea
214,057 United States
130,374 Japan
93,043 China
62,899 Australia
46,756 Canada
44,216 Singapore
41,713 Taiwan
40,071 United Kingdom
37,336 Malaysia

Average Spending by person by nationality:

Comparing the two sets of figures we see the following:

214,057 US tourists spent Php 4.03 billion in March 2015 (Est: 13.09b for 3 months) or about 56,480 peso each

361,480 Korean Tourists spent Php 3.34 billion in March 2015 (Est: 10.02b for 3 months) or about 27,719 peso each

An average of Php 43,956 per overall visitor was quoted from the www.tourism.gov.ph webpage.


Department of Tourism (DOT)

According to data from the Department of Tourism (DOT), covering the period from January to October 2013, the following numbers of overseas tourist arrived in that 10 month period of 2013.

  1. 990,486 South Korea
  2. 550,991 United States
  3. 365,905 China
  4. 360,721 Japan
  5. 165,282 Australia
  6. 142,970 Singapore
  7. 120,587 Taiwan
  8. 107,312 Hong Kong
  9. 100,274 Canada
  10. 96,648 United Kingdom

DOT said a total of 3,867,386 visitors were recorded from January to October 2013, a double-digit gain of 11.19 percent compared to 2012 arrivals of 3,478,285 visitors for the same months.  www.abs-cbnnews.com

Comparing the two sets of figures, (although take account of the deferring time period) we see the following:

US tourists spent Php 4.03 billion in ONE MONTH (March 2015)

Korean Tourists spent Php 3.34 billion in ONE MONTH (March 2015)

Multiply that by 10, to get 10 months spending and then divide by the numbers of visitors for the 10 months in the second set of figures, and we get an average spend per person, per nationality, of:

73,141 pesos per person United States
65,343 pesos per person Australia
64,150 pesos per person United Kingdom
33,721 pesos per person South Korea
29,663 pesos per person Japan

These figures seem slightly higher than the March 2015 figures shown at the top.

The accuracy of this is only right of the numbers of visitors per country stayed in the same proportion.  As soon as I can find accurate visitor numbers for March 2015, I will redo that calculation, for a more accurate result.

It also takes no account of length of time each visitor stays. For example an Australian spends twice as much as a South Korean, but may also stay in the Philippines twice as long, meaning they could each spend a similar figure per day.

However, taking that one example further, I have heard that many Koreans spend much shorter time here, than the average Australian, so it could be be closer to say that the average Korean may spend twice as much as the Australian, for each day in the country.

Expats Cost of Living in Philippines

How does does it cost to live in the Philippines?

That is a question much like: “How long is a piece of string”? But can we get an idea ?

I am going to say that 100,000 pesos per month will be a close figure for the majority, in 2015.

This is why I come up with that figure.

A survey was taken in 2015 from an expats web site, and it had these results:

Survey of 77 Expats Monthly spend in Philippines in pesos

11 people spend under 44,000 pesos per month
14 people spend between 44,000 and 66,000 pesos per month
16 people spend between 66,000 and 88,000 pesos per month
9 people spend between 88,000 and 110,000 pesos per month
14 people spend between 110,000 and 132,000 pesos per month
7 people spend between 132,000 and 176,000 pesos per month
6 people spend over 176,000 pesos per month

Looking at that, and removing the top and bottom groups, we get a median spending of 95,000 per month, over the middle group of 60 people.

60 (78%) with a median of 95,000 pesos per month
11 (14%) under 44,000 pesos per month
6 ( 8%) over 176,000 pesos per month

These figures give a very rough guide, as we do not know if that is for an individual, a couple or a family.
We also cannot compare any ones lifestyle with our own. But it does show an idea of what expats living in the Philippines might spend.