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 Hi Bill and Lorna,
I'm a filipina who married to an American 20 years ago. Now we like to move to the Philippines permanently, I got my dual citizenship too. I read in one of your answer that there is no such thing as "permanent residency" in Phils.
So, what is the smart way and less hassle to choose from SRRV or balikbayan visa? Is there any other choices of visa that less hassle? Thank you and have a nice day!
Answer There is a fairly new option for foreigners, the SRRV but it's still cheaper if you fly together and be issued a Balikbayan visa good for one year + 21 days and can be extended for one year. And if you leave the country for a short trip and come back together the whole process is renewable. The SRRV will cost U%1400 plus a U$10,000 deposit refundable in 30 mdays if used to buy acceptable housing or club share + a long list of small fees. I did consider this type of visa for myself but when I studied it closer I found a yearly maintenance fee nearly the same as renewing a tourist visa. My wife and I just got back from Hawaii and I was issued a Balikbayan visa. If your husband does NOT like to travel then the SRRV is best but if you like traveling then the Balikbayan or tourist visa extensions is best and cheapest.
