General Info

[Breadman]

So I have both sim cards for differnet phones while I am staying here. Both required me to upload my documents to register the sim cards. Globe wanted the outbound flight (to any country), Smart asked for the outbound flight back to my home country (I uploaded a flight to Thailand and they accepted it. Now what's interesting is I got a text on my Smart sim card from Smart telling me that I had to upload a valid visa past X date which was when my visa is going to expire. I got no such text from Globe asking for more information. Interesting that they are linking smart sim cards to your visa expiration date which pretty much tells you that the gov't is pretty much working with Smart. Do wonder if Globe might try shutting off sim cards without bothering to ask for visa information then.

[WestCoast1]

Good questions. It can be confusing.

So if I sum up, I'm from Paris so I'm entitled to 30 days. When I arrive in Manila at the airport I extend for 29 days (3030 php 52 euros).

I am not sure of this. Was not aware that you could apply for an extension as you entered the country. Extensions must be applied for in the 7-day window prior to expiration. You should apply for your extension on or after day 23. Other gents weigh in.

Afterwards I can extend for 1, 2 or 6 months and then another 1,2,6 months up to a total of 36 months.

That depends on the location of your nearest Bureau of Immigration office. Some offices only allow 1 or 2 month extensions. Some offices process longer extensions (4 or 6 months) if you are a senior citizen (age 60+). You must depart prior to 36 months unless your visa status (tourist) changes while in-country (ie, to Permanent Status or SRRV or such).

Isn't it less expensive to take a visa for 59 days in advance (27 euros) ? Something that I don't understand!

You can do that, by applying for it thru a Phils Embassy in your home country in advance of your trip. Once in Phils, your first extension after 59 days can only be for 30 days. After that, they can be multiple months.

A return ticket Paris Manila is cheaper (765 euros 31/07 24/10) than a one-way Paris Manila 940 euros 31/07) so it is better to take a return ticket even if you are not sure of the return date.

Your return ticket that you show the Phils Immigration agent must have a specific return date.

If I rent a return ticket, won't they find it weird that I have 2 return tickets!

Yes. When they swipe your passport at Phils Immigration, it will show a definite return date on their computer if you purchased a round-trip ticket in advance. It would not necessarily show any other 1-way outbound ticket unless you showed it to them.

You appear to be making this difficult. Consider purchasing a 1-way ticket to Phils. For example, arriving June 1. Then purchase a separate outbound ticket for June 29, that can be cancelled for a full refund. There are other similar alternatives that have been discussed here. At the inbound Immigration, show the outbound ticket, and get your passport stamped and enter the country. Then cancel the outbound ticket and get your money back. Then you can extend your visa up to 36 months.

For the acr card it is 59 days of continuous presence on Philippine ground or can it be in several time? For example if I do 20 days in manila then I go out and come back 10 days later then another 40 days in manila.? . I would like to get it as soon as possible to open an account and buy a car.

Must be 59 continuous days. If you depart before 59 days and return, then your days start over again. If you stay 59 days and attempt to extend, they will automatically charge you for and provide you with an ACR card (you might have to return at a later date to pick up the ACR card at the BI office).

I am unsure about the account and buying a car. I have multiple friends in Phils that have Phils bank accounts and credit cards. However they have had them for a long time. I was rejected last year by BDO, Bank of Commerce, and Metrobank because my ACR at the time was stamped TOURIST. Every bank: "Sorry po, tourists not allowed to have a bank account in Philippines". Covid possibly seems to have slapped the banks into line with the law.

[ForkTruck]

For the acr card it is 59 days of continuous presence on Philippine ground or can it be in several time? For example if I do 20 days in manila then I go out and come back 10 days later then another 40 days in manila.? . I would like to get it as soon as possible to open an account and buy a car.THANKS.

FYIW, Here is my ACR card experience: I was required to pay for an ACR card when I applied for a tourist visa extension at the mall immigration office. It just seems to be another way to get some money from a tourist. No one ever asked to see it coming or going at the airport or anywhere else for that matter but maybe it was in the computer. It eventually expired (One year I think). This was a couple of years ago so it may be different now. Don't over think it. Just go with the flow.

FT.

[LoveEastAsia]

Good morning.

First of all thank you to Sam14,furiousgeorge and goferring for the reply and informations but it is still indecisive for me.

So if I sum up, I'm from Paris so I'm entitled to 30 days. When I arrive in Manila at the airport I extend for 29 days (3030 php 52 euros). Afterwards I can extend for 1, 2 or 6 months and then another 1,2,6 months up to a total of 36 months.

Isn't it less expensive to take a visa for 59 days in advance (27 euros) ? Something that I don't understand!

A return ticket Paris Manila is cheaper (765 euros 31/07 24/10) than a one-way Paris Manila 940 euros 31/07) so it is better to take a return ticket even if you are not sure of the return date.

If I rent a return ticket, won't they find it weird that I have 2 return tickets!

For the acr card it is 59 days of continuous presence on Philippine ground or can it be in several time? For example if I do 20 days in manila then I go out and come back 10 days later then another 40 days in manila.? . I would like to get it as soon as possible to open an account and buy a car.

THANKS.

[Transporter]

Good to know, thanks! Sorry for the additional question, but was going to try calling some massage places or going to some Spas / Parlors. Is there a site where the reviews of these places are listed along with the costs? Tried looking at manilatonight but don't see any reviews or costs for services. Don't want to be taken advantage of or hyper-inflate the market.

I am pretty sure if you do a simple google search for massage and or escorts, you will have all the info laid out for you. My guess is it will be way more info than you needed.

[GuyReynolds]

Been in Manila, AC, and Olongopo during Holy Week, and I didn't notice any change in my catch and release lifestyle. Traffic was a bit unpredictable, but its not like I was going to baguio or something. I have others say that the lineup thins out during the holy period, but I have not experienced it myself.

Good to know, thanks! Sorry for the additional question, but was going to try calling some massage places or going to some Spas / Parlors. Is there a site where the reviews of these places are listed along with the costs? Tried looking at manilatonight but don't see any reviews or costs for services. Don't want to be taken advantage of or hyper-inflate the market.

[Transporter]

With this holiday coming up, was wondering if anyone knew to what extent it will affect everything. Both P4 P girls / places and reg girls. Looking at the usual Manila, Makati, Angeles and Subic. I'm guessing it will pickup a bit before the girls travel to get some extra pesos before they leave, then it'll be somewhat dead everywhere during, and the girls will return with a ravenous appetite afterwards so they can refill their coffers. Gentlemen who have lived here or been here during this time, please advise on if my guess seems plausible or won't change enough to be seen / felt. Last time I was there, I got with the 1 out of every 5 reg girls that didn't flake LOL then filled the dead space with P4 P girls. But this was during a month where there were no holidays for people to travel home to their respective provinces. Figured I'd try here first for some info before I post it on the thread for each of the big cities / areas for maximum exposure to get some answers. Many thanks!

Been in Manila, AC, and Olongopo during Holy Week, and I didn't notice any change in my catch and release lifestyle. Traffic was a bit unpredictable, but its not like I was going to baguio or something. I have others say that the lineup thins out during the holy period, but I have not experienced it myself.

[GuyReynolds]

With this holiday coming up, was wondering if anyone knew to what extent it will affect everything. Both P4 P girls / places and reg girls. Looking at the usual Manila, Makati, Angeles and Subic. I'm guessing it will pickup a bit before the girls travel to get some extra pesos before they leave, then it'll be somewhat dead everywhere during, and the girls will return with a ravenous appetite afterwards so they can refill their coffers. Gentlemen who have lived here or been here during this time, please advise on if my guess seems plausible or won't change enough to be seen / felt. Last time I was there, I got with the 1 out of every 5 reg girls that didn't flake LOL then filled the dead space with P4 P girls. But this was during a month where there were no holidays for people to travel home to their respective provinces. Figured I'd try here first for some info before I post it on the thread for each of the big cities / areas for maximum exposure to get some answers. Many thanks!

[Transporter]

I have sent many a grab to go fetch.

But there is one thing to consider. Whatever they are fetching, kind of needs to be on time so you must constantly update the fetchie with screen shots (and pray) because they are not that patient, and will get very upset and just cancel sometimes.

[Goferring]

No, I never tried that. But I can't imagine that would make a difference. Once they accepted my card as a payment method, it was available for whatever.

Thanks. Grab Help is saying it's now possible (it wasn't previously).

"Can I still book a ride for my family and friends?

Yes, you can still book a ride for someone you know and trust at your own risk. Your Grab account should be for your personal use only, but we understand that sometimes you may need to book a ride for your family or friends. Be careful and help us keep our Grab community safe. ".

[Radical Guy]

Were you able to send a car to collect someone too?

Thanks. G.

No, I never tried that. But I can't imagine that would make a difference. Once they accepted my card as a payment method, it was available for whatever.

[Goferring]

Not true, I was in the Philippines last month and I successfully added my US credit card to my Grab app while I was still in the US. I used it frequently while in Manila.

Were you able to send a car to collect someone too?

Thanks. G.

[Goferring]

Not true, I was in the Philippines last month and I successfully added my US credit card to my Grab app while I was still in the US. I used it frequently while in Manila.

Thanks. I stand corrected. Sort of. Looks like it depends on the monger's bank and how they handle verifications. Previously Grab accepted no foreign banks (including mine). Now they seem to accept some / most.

Cheers. G.

"Register online payment for international credit and debit card.

Currently most issuing banks enable online payment as a default feature on their international credit / debit cards. However, a few banks will only enable it on customer's request upon opening the card or a later request.

If your international debit / credit card issued by one of the below banks and does not have the online payment feature enabled, you can follow the respective instruction to enable it:

https://help.grab.com/

[Radical Guy]

Correct. Grab does not accept foreign Credit or Debit cards for direct payment.

Correct. Cash is king and always works. Can you open GrabPay on the app? If so, do so and add stored value* using your US Credit card. Yes, the one that Grab won't accept for direct payment. Go figure. Welcome to the Philippines.

Grab were rejecting passengers who are not with the original person making the booking ie Monger A couldn't send a Grab to collect Girl Z without being in the car. Welcome to Covid. I don't know if this has changed.

* This worked with me in another country. If you can activate GrabPay, then it should work for you.

WestCoast1 had mobilising girls down pat. Maybe PM him.

Enjoy. G.

Not true, I was in the Philippines last month and I successfully added my US credit card to my Grab app while I was still in the US. I used it frequently while in Manila.

[Goferring]

If you cannot use your credit card (not sure why) then yes you can pay cash upon arrival. I have also used Gcash and it is my top choice.

I never knew Grab accepted Gcash. This is much easier. 👍.

https://help.gcash.com/hc/en-us/arti...n-the-Grab-App#text=Note%3 A%20 You%20 must%20 link%20 your, GCash%20 to%20 the%20 Grab%20 App. &text=Note%3 A%20 Your%20 GCash%20 funds%20 will, your%20 trip / delivery%20 is%20 ongoing.

https://www.grab.com/ph/press/others/gcash-on-grab-by-february/