General Info

[QUOTE=OldAndUgly;2949011]I don't do only HJs, only if it's a part of an BJ, or something else, but I think the price is not necessarily related to the price of massage. It depends on the provider, if she is stupid and misses the opportunity for some extra cash, whatever that may be, because she's only doing it for x amount of money, or smart and just does some relaxing hand movements instead of more hard work on your back and also gets rewarded with whatever extra tip comes her way.

In Brazil, HK, and other places, everything is included in price, you don't even have to ask for it, is just part of the massage.[/QUOTE]Thanks. I wasn't suggesting the HJ was a fixed price or a %age upgrade. JUts a reference point.

I've seen prices all over the place. As you mentioned many shops and area have it included in the price. I've also said nothing, has the service performed as a routine inclusion and then tipped what ever I felt was appropriate. The other extreme is places like Bali that charge 80 k for a massage but will insist on 500 k from a horny but gullible tourist.

Thanks for the clarification. I'm off to do more field research. 😜

G.

[QUOTE=KenjiYoshioka;2948907]Nobody has anything to say?[/QUOTE]Its because we are shy.

I will give it ye old college try. You can be in-country for up to 59 days without Registering. After 59 days, when you extend your visa to stay in the country, at the BI or online, you will have to Register. (its the law). I put that 'are' in capital letters as its part of the Alien Certificate of Registration. You do not have to purchase the card, but you must Register (technically as a tourist who is not going home after vacation). I think Registering costs about p400, and if you also get the ACR card its about another p1000 (covers the cost of making and mailing of your card), and you come back later to pick up the card. I always got the ACR card with my Registration as I was never told at the BI, when extending, that I had the option of Registering and not getting the card. Around 2018, for the first time at a BI office, the BI agent asked if I wanted the card with my Registration, and explained that I didn't have to purchase the card. I purchased the card anyway, as many vendors and locals believe it to be your BI tourist ID card when you are in the country. It has some advantages. BTW they don't mail your ACR card to you. You go back and pick it up when they notify you that its at the BI nearest you. Not sure if the main BI office in Intramuros makes them on the spot when you Register. Province BI's have always said it takes up to 30 days to get it from Manila, but its usually been 2-3 weeks I go back to their office to get it when they notify me. On one occasion I didn't get the ACR card, as I was only staying in-country a few weeks after my extension renewal.

But I digress a bit. If you want to stay for 3 months, you will have to at least Register at the 59 day mark when getting your next visa extension. Assume you have stayed the first two months on either of the following methods:

1/ You got your initial 30 days on a VOA (walk-in visa), as almost everyone does. Then after 30 days, you got a 29-day extension (that's the maximum allowed on the first extension). You are now at 59 days and must extend for 2 months.

2/ You applied early, before coming to Phils, thru a Phils embassy near you, for an initial 59-day entry visa, allowing you to enter and skip that first 29-day extension above. You are now at 59 days and must extend for 2 months.

At the end of your 59 days, you must extend for 2 months. They will charge you for the extension (about p2000), and additionally for Registering, and additionally for the ACR card (unless you say you don't need the card). Once you've paid for that and got your extension, you can stay for months 3 and 4, before having to extend again for another 2 months.

Whew! #thatsalottawordsalad.

There are fees associated with being late to extend. Having laid that groundwork, are you asking if you can skip all this stuff, bounce around the islands for 90 days, and simply pay the late fees on the way out? It sounds to me like that is what you are asking. The answer is a solid MAYBE. Have missed deadlines myself (as others have also reported here), and paid the late fees once. However I got lucky. I missed paying my Exit Clearance Certificate fee after 6 months. The outbound Immigration officer caught that and took me to a small booth where another BI officer took my money and late fees for the ECC and issued it. He looked me in the eye and said something like: "Lucky. I was leaving my shift is over and I'm the only one to issue these ECC's. If your a minute later you will have to stay in Manila over the weekend and go to the BI office and get your ECC". I am saying that your idea of whisking out of the country by ignoring the extensions might not work out. If the NAIA Immigration fee collectors (not the outbound Immigration officers) are not working in the evenings or weekends, you could be stuck.

Its pretty easy to bump into the nearest BI office for your 59-day extension, or do it online as OAU says. You have to pay the normal fees anyway, no sense not doing it and paying late fees later.

[URL]https://immigration.gov.ph/acr-i-card-issuance/[/URL]

[URL]https://ph.usembassy.gov/exit-clearances/[/URL]

[QUOTE=Goferring;2949014]
I've seen prices all over the place. As you mentioned many shops and areas have it in the price
G.[/QUOTE]The spa that I use in Manila has an option that is not stated in the description but is included in the price: 1000 php for a one-hour back massage with a flip-over and happy conclusion.

You don't have to ask. It is part of the deal.

I don't want to get them in trouble, so I am not mentioning where it is, but I will divulge it in a private message to respected board members.

[QUOTE=WestCoast1;2949024]Its because we are shy.

I will give it ye old college try. You can be in-country for up to 59 days without Registering. After 59 days, when you extend your visa to stay in the country, at the BI or online, you will have to Register. (its the law). I put that 'are' in capital letters as its part of the Alien Certificate of Registration. You do not have to purchase the card, but you must Register (technically as a tourist who is not going home after vacation). I think Registering costs about p400, and if you also get the ACR card its about another p1000 (covers the cost of making and mailing of your card), and you come back later to pick up the card. I always got the ACR card with my Registration as I was never told at the BI, when extending, that I had the option of Registering and not getting the card. Around 2018, for the first time at a BI office, the BI agent asked if I wanted the card with my Registration, and explained that I didn't have to purchase the card. I purchased the card anyway, as many vendors and locals believe it to be your BI tourist ID card when you are in the country. It has some advantages. BTW they don't mail your ACR card to you. You go back and pick it up when they notify you that its at the BI nearest you. Not sure if the main BI office in Intramuros makes them on the spot when you Register. Province BI's have always said it takes up to 30 days to get it from Manila, but its usually been 2-3 weeks I go back to their office to get it when they notify me. On one occasion I didn't get the ACR card, as I was only staying in-country a few weeks after my extension renewal.

But I digress a bit. If you want to stay for 3 months, you will have to at least Register at the 59 day mark when getting your next visa extension. Assume you have stayed the first two months on either of the following methods:

1/ You got your initial 30 days on a VOA (walk-in visa), as almost everyone does. Then after 30 days, you got a 29-day extension (that's the maximum allowed on the first extension). You are now at 59 days and must extend for 2 months.

2/ You applied early, before coming to Phils, thru a Phils embassy near you, for an initial 59-day entry visa, allowing you to enter and skip that first 29-day extension above. You are now at 59 days and must extend for 2 months.

At the end of your 59 days, you must extend for 2 months. They will charge you for the extension (about p2000), and additionally for Registering, and additionally for the ACR card (unless you say you don't need the card). Once you've paid for that and got your extension, you can stay for months 3 and 4, before having to extend again for another 2 months.

Whew! #thatsalottawordsalad.

There are fees associated with being late to extend. Having laid that groundwork, are you asking if you can skip all this stuff, bounce around the islands for 90 days, and simply pay the late fees on the way out? It sounds to me like that is what you are asking. The answer is a solid MAYBE. Have missed deadlines myself (as others have also reported here), and paid the late fees once. However I got lucky. I missed paying my Exit Clearance Certificate fee after 6 months. The outbound Immigration officer caught that and took me to a small booth where another BI officer took my money and late fees for the ECC and issued it. He looked me in the eye and said something like: "Lucky. I was leaving my shift is over and I'm the only one to issue these ECC's. If your a minute later you will have to stay in Manila over the weekend and go to the BI office and get your ECC". I am saying that your idea of whisking out of the country by ignoring the extensions might not work out. If the NAIA Immigration fee collectors (not the outbound Immigration officers) are not working in the evenings or weekends, you could be stuck.

Its pretty easy to bump into the nearest BI office for your 59-day extension, or do it online as OAU says. You have to pay the normal fees anyway, no sense not doing it and paying late fees later.

[URL]https://immigration.gov.ph/acr-i-card-issuance/[/URL]

[URL]https://ph.usembassy.gov/exit-clearances/[/URL][/QUOTE]Thanks, WestCoast. I definitely owe you a beer or three. I guess my first step should be to visit the embassy here stateside. Cheers!

[QUOTE=KenjiYoshioka;2949406]Thanks, WestCoast. I definitely owe you a beer or three. I guess my first step should be to visit the embassy here stateside. Cheers![/QUOTE]Normally most of us just purchased an airline ticket and flew in for the 30-day walk-in visa (Visa On Arrival, VOA). For those who want to stay longer, we went to a BI office and got the first extension, which is for 30 days. All extensions after that are 59-day extensions.

You can pre-apply for an initial 59-day visa at any Phils embassy in the US (I used the embassy in LA). Costs was about $30 USD. You email, and they email back a visa application form, and a list of other required documents for you to send them (ie, passport, airline ticket, proof of income / bank statement, etc). You send them such documents and money, they mail back your PP and approved (or denied) 59-day entry visa. Upon arrival at Phils Immigration, you show your PP and approved Visa.

LOS Angeles Consulate website: [URL]https://losangelespcg.org/[/URL].

Their email: [B]"Please email ovas.lapcg@gmail.com for the requirements and application form"[/B].

This gets you your first 59 days in-country. To stay longer, a week prior to departure you go to any BI office (or apply online) for a 2-month extension. Cost is about p2000 ($40-ish).

[QUOTE=WestCoast1;2949501]Normally most of us just purchased an airline ticket and flew in for the 30-day walk-in visa (Visa On Arrival, VOA). For those who want to stay longer, we went to a BI office and got the first extension, which is for 30 days. All extensions after that are 59-day extensions.

[/QUOTE]He any anyone else can get the 30 day extension right at the airport on the day of arrival. Only available on the day of arrival. You cannot come back and do it days later.

Get the 29 days VOA at the normal booth after leaving the plane. Then find the BI Office in the terminal and they will extend it there and then. 3050 pesos and about 10 minutes.

G.

PS. Forgot to say you need to have pesos on hand to pay for it. ATMs nearby but peso cash is the only acceptable method of payment.

I thought about replying but you made everything too complicated when for your first visa extension it is easy.

Turn up at the immigration office with passport and 3 k. Fill in a form, pay the money, sit and wait for 45 minutes till your name is called. Go hunt some pussy in a nearby mall.

There are other ways to do it but this is my preferred method.

[QUOTE=Jingo10;2949504]I thought about replying but you made everything too complicated when for your first visa extension it is easy.

Turn up at the immigration office with passport and 3 k. Fill in a form, pay the money, sit and wait for 45 minutes till your name is called. Go hunt some pussy in a nearby mall.

There are other ways to do it but this is my preferred method.[/QUOTE]

[QUOTE=Goferring;2949503]He any anyone else can get the 30 day extension right at the airport on the day of arrival. Only available on the day of arrival. You cannot come back and do it days later.

Get the 29 days VOA at the normal booth after leaving the plane. Then find the BI Office in the terminal and they will extend it there and then. 3050 pesos and about 10 minutes.

G.

PS. Forgot to say you need to have pesos on hand to pay for it. ATMs nearby but peso cash is the only acceptable method of payment.[/QUOTE]Thanks, I should have known that was available, somebody mentioned it here a few months back. Do we know if that first extension in the airport is available 24/7? If the BI employees doing the extensions are 8 am-5 pm only, or not available weekends, then the gents can go to a BI office. Is also available online now, right? In addition to getting the pre-arrival 59-day visa, Those here for only a few months should not have a problem.

I greatly appreciate all the feedback and nudges in the right direction. I think I'm actually going to make an effort to buy some beers when I'm in the islands. I have one question though.

[QUOTE=Goferring;2949503]He any anyone else can get the 30 day extension right at the airport on the day of arrival. Only available on the day of arrival. You cannot come back and do it days later.

Get the 29 days VOA at the normal booth after leaving the plane. Then find the BI Office in the terminal and they will extend it there and then. 3050 pesos and about 10 minutes.

G.

PS. Forgot to say you need to have pesos on hand to pay for it. ATMs nearby but peso cash is the only acceptable method of payment.[/QUOTE]Is this BI office only at NAIA? I was hoping to fly into and possibly out of Clark.

[QUOTE=KenjiYoshioka;2949540]I greatly appreciate all the feedback and nudges in the right direction. I think I'm actually going to make an effort to buy some beers when I'm in the islands. I have one question though.

Is this BI office only at NAIA? I was hoping to fly into and possibly out of Clark.[/QUOTE]BI is all over in Philippines. Just search online.

There is a BI office in MarQuee Mall in Angeles. Takes a few hours for an extension. Drop it over and do some shopping and have lunch. There is a fixer shop to the right just before the BI, he charges 1 k and gets it done faster and fills out all the forms for you. You don't have to wait in a line.

[QUOTE=Dg8787;2949800]BI is all over in Philippines. Just search online.[/QUOTE]True and I've found the smaller offices extremely easy to deal with. Walk in, pay your money and walk out. Certainly no need for extensive forms, queues or fixers. I don't know where Kenji is going but if there isn't a BI desk at CRK airport, it would be an option.

G.

[QUOTE=Goferring;2949860]True and I've found the smaller offices extremely easy to deal with. Walk in, pay your money and walk out. Certainly no need for extensive forms, queues or fixers. I don't know where Kenji is going but if there isn't a BI desk at CRK airport, it would be an option.

G.[/QUOTE]There are 3 offices in Manila, one in Cebu, and one in Davao. I'm planning on going to all of those. But I'd still rather get it taken care of at the airport. Of course it's always also an option to get it taken care of at the consulate stateside first, which I am currently looking into. All the Philippines government websites are terribly shoddily run. There are broken links everywhere and lots of dead ends, kinda like doing business in the PI.

No offense, DG, but I don't trust "fixer" shops. I'm not trying to get stuck in the PI without my passport.

There's a 24 hour BI office at Clark. There's literally a complaint on google reviews that the "officers" there ripped someone off for 120 php by pretending they didn't have change. Imagine being pissed off about $2. 13 in a country that rife with corruption. I'd just consider it a "tip" and move on. What is he going to do with 120 php anyway, buy a yacht?

[QUOTE=KenjiYoshioka;2949905]There are 3 offices in Manila, one in Cebu, and one in Davao. I'm planning on going to all of those. But I'd still rather get it taken care of at the airport. Of course it's always also an option to get it taken care of at the consulate stateside first, which I am currently looking into. All the Philippines government websites are terribly shoddily run. There are broken links everywhere and lots of dead ends, kinda like doing business in the PI.[/QUOTE]There is a Makati office at the Ayala Circuit Mall, 5th floor, see pic. From Burgos, its about p120 in a taxi. That's the Pasig river along the top. Its about 2-ish blocks from the South cemetery. I like that particular office as its mostly designed for extenders, and rarely has a crowd of any kind (unlike the Intramuros BI). In fact, having been there several times, only once did I encounter another client such as myself. I also like the mall itself. Its large, open, clean, has a few decent restos, and an open-air food area good for having a coffee and watching the talent walk about.

[URL]https://mallsph.com/bureau-of-immigration-ayala-malls-circuit/[/URL]

[QUOTE=KenjiYoshioka;2949905]No offense, DG, but I don't trust "fixer" shops. I'm not trying to get stuck in the PI without my passport.[/QUOTE]Don't necessarily count the fixers out. If you see them in any BI office, they are wearing a special purple jacket, indicating that they are bonded / certified to carry your PP and money around. I have chatted up two of them, one at Intramuros and one at Circuit mall. The process is simple. You contact their company. They show up at your door in the morning. You hand over your PP and tell them what you want. They fill in the form for you (its easy), and they collect from you the exact BI fee required + p1000 (their fee). They return your completed extension receipt and PP in the afternoon to you.

They have their own special lane at the BI, they get quick treatment, and it will take them about 1/3 of the time to complete your task than it will take you. You must go to several different windows: fetching the form, dropping your PP with an officer, paying your fees at a different window, returning to the officer to show your receipt, then waiting at least an hour for them to process. Then you get called to yet another window to pick up your PP and extension. The fixer simply drops off a bunch of PPs to one officer and then sits down. That officer and another separate the PPs, one counts money and issues the receipt, the other does the background check and issues the extensions. 15 minutes while the fixer sits. Then the fixer spends 5 minutes going thru each PP and extension to see if there were any problems. Then he's on his way back to customers condos / hotels to return the goods.

Now that I live here, I have plenty of time and find it easy to handle BI office tasks myself. But when I was a 2-week warrior, it was much better to spend the day perving at LA Cafe, as opposed to wading thru grunt paperwork at a BI office.

[QUOTE=KenjiYoshioka;2949905]There are 3 offices in Manila, one in Cebu, and one in Davao. I'm planning on going to all of those. But I'd still rather get it taken care of at the airport. Of course it's always also an option to get it taken care of at the consulate stateside first, which I am currently looking into. All the Philippines government websites are terribly shoddily run. There are broken links everywhere and lots of dead ends, kinda like doing business in the PI.

No offense, DG, but I don't trust "fixer" shops. I'm not trying to get stuck in the PI without my passport.[/QUOTE]No offense taken. I personally had the fixer shop do my extension a few months ago and had no problems with them. It was done in 90 minutes.

Years ago I was in Davao and passed by the small BI office. Instead of getting my extension later in Manila I turned around and went back the Davao BI. It was hot and I stopped and got a bottled water before I entered the BI. Outside was a security guard who looked very thirsty so I gave him the water. He was so happy that he walked me into the building, gave me a form to fill out and then took me to the front of line claiming I was a senior with priority. Then took me over to the cashier to pay and then had me sit and wait. 10 minutes later I had my extension was on my way. All in about 20 minutes there!