AboutBill and Lorna Collings Expertise Feel FREE to ask us about traveling, living, relocating, retiring and investing in the Philippines. Guests from 83 countries make our place in Manila an incredible meeting place for world travelers who exchange travel stories and information. We understand both the joys and the hardships of living and traveling in the Philippines.
Experience I arrived in the Philippines in January 1980 to travel for 2 months; I stayed 4 months before reluctantly leaving. I met my Filipina wife, Lorna. an incredible stellar, "one in a million" individual in 1983 in Seoul and we moved to the Philippines in 1986 and opened our 3BR house to world travelers on a budget. After welcoming thousands of guests from 83 nations our place has grown to 30 bedrooms but will never lose its "Home away from Home" atmosphere. Almost everyday at The Townhouse Hotel there's a party-like social scene with vibrant, almost magical energetic conversations between our guests who have the pleasure to meet each other and share their life's many experiences. Sometimes. three groups with conversations in different langauges are going on at the same time.
So we've been exposed to every kind of person from all over the world and shared their experiences.
Publications Suite101.com, eDreams.com, expertcentral.com ( who asked me to apply with allexperts.com since About.com has bought both companies and are in the process of integrating them)
Education/Credentials some college 2-1/2 years - no degree - I've been traveling since I was 18, almost 30 years.
Awards and Honors Luckily, my wife and I have been semi-retired since we were 30 years old, more than 15 years.
Question QUESTION: I will be in the Philippines from June 1 to July 4 this summer. I applied for
and received a visa from the Los Angeles consulate, but it was issued as
starting in early April and ending July 1. I am having trouble getting the LA
consulate to answer my question (actually, their phone) about this apparent
error. Is this a big deal or can I deal with this easily once I arrive in the
Philippines?
ANSWER: Hi DAN, MABUHAY!! You might want to take a closer look at this April date as embassies will grant you a visa but also attach a limited period of time to use the visa. Otherwise this doesn't make much sense to me. The standard tourist visa is 59 days so it's NOT possible for the visa they issued to start ANYTIME in April and end July 1 since it's OVER 59 days. My guess is that they gave you a 90 day period of time which to avail the 59 day visa. Most of the time calling or getting answers over the phone with any government dept. is USELESS requiring you to go in PERSON. Good Luck and Let me know if I guessed right, Bill
---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------
QUESTION: Thanks Bill,
Assuming that the 59 days begins when I arrive in Manila, I will be well within
the limit (I'm staying only 34 days). I am guessing that the visa expiration
date of July 1 will not be a problem when I depart the Philippines on July 4, as
I will have spent much less than 59 days. I would go to the consulate and ask
in person but I live in Tucson and the consulate is in Los Angeles. Do you see
any potential problems - fines, etc.?
Answer Small World Dan, I lived in Tucson the winter after graduatuing from high school way back when in 72/73 and LOVED IT there. Did a lot of rock climbing on the outskirts of town. There's NO big deal overstaying from 21 days to 59 days but recently I have heard that one friend was turned back because he wasn't allowed to pay the normal P3030 ( P500 peso fine fee included ) for a VISA WAIVER upon departure. But I haven't really CONFIRMED the change of policy yet. You will know upon arrival and having your passport stamped whether you are given 59 days or 21 days. ciao for now, Bill
