General Info

[Fleaker29]

Hello all,

I am one of those who comes and reads but usually doesn't post much.

In fact, I was in Makati last September, got drunk and didn't play until the last morning I spent there.

The point is that I want to know about the best place to exchange USD to pesos. I exchanged at the airport but if any of you knows a better place, I'the be happy to know.

Thank you gents.

[Goferring]

Despite the mayhem on the ground in Manila, once you stroll through customs without a question asked or a bag checked, The Phils is still one of the easiest places I've ever had to enter.

_ Phil.

Agreed.

I travel light and, if I can avoid the bag weight Nazis at departure, often I'll sneak my bag on as carry on. This makes the longest part of arrival finding a taxi.

G.

[Goferring]

Also don't forget the visa extensions, they didn't ask me for it this time, but every single time before.

Same for me last trip. She didn't even ask about length of stay or visas. It was me that asked whether I could get 59 days immediately rather than finding a Immi office later. She referred me to the office in the airport. It was a super easy process. The longest part was finding the exact cash to pay them.

G.

[Old And Ugly]

I always fill it up, they never asked, this was first time I didn't, and the officer made me do it. He said is mandatory once you enter, even if you stay only one day, and if you open the app it kind of looks like is waiting for you to finish the trip, with a departure. Good they didn't asked for the visa extension, because I had it, but I couldn't find it on line.
Maybe he didn't like me, or maybe they don't bother, but this time did because my GF didn't had it filled up either.

[PhilJoy]

Come to think of it, I don't think I've eTravel-ed or eGov'd on the outbound since 2022. Anyone else?

Not here either Westie upon departure.

The funny thing about filling it out before you arrive is they ask for your hotel / address when staying in The Phils. I usually stay one or two nights in Manila before moving on and they accept the initial Manila hotel address as your primary location. Travelling to Russia quite a while back, they wanted to know 'everything', besides what you last had to eat, to keep track of you while you were there.

The best thing about eTravel is, it now eliminates the need to find a pen, hotel address and your passport when awoken mid-sleep on a flight to fill in an arrival card. You do all of that in five minutes at home a day or two before you depart.

Despite the mayhem on the ground in Manila, once you stroll through customs without a question asked or a bag checked, The Phils is still one of the easiest places I've ever had to enter.

_ Phil.

[Muttley81]

Come to think of it, I don't think I've eTravel-ed or eGov'd on the outbound since 2022. Anyone else?

Same here. Etravel website says following still:

Arriving Filipino and foreign crewmembers;.
Arriving Filipino and foreign passengers;.
And Departing Filipino passengers.

We had group of expats over from many countries recently, none of them had to fill it in for exit.

[WestCoast1]

When do you have to fill it out for exiting the country? I thought it was just for Filipinos or SSRV or similar visa holders. I've never stayed past 59 days at one time, so I wouldn't know. I was there just two days my last trip 😂128514;128514;.

Come to think of it, I don't think I've eTravel-ed or eGov'd on the outbound since 2022. Anyone else?

[Jarango]

I'm traveling right now, I'm in Thailand, and I forgot to do the eGov for exiting PH, I had to stay on the side and do it, and it's not fun to look up all the info while under pressure.Also don't forget the visa extensions, they didn't ask me for it this time, but every single time before.

I have just left the Phils and did not have to fin in visas in real or virtual format. I was well within my visa period.

[Aml3740]

I'm traveling right now, I'm in Thailand, and I forgot to do the eGov for exiting PH, I had to stay on the side and do it, and it's not fun to look up all the info while under pressure.

Also don't forget the visa extensions, they didn't ask me for it this time, but every single time before.

When do you have to fill it out for exiting the country? I thought it was just for Filipinos or SSRV or similar visa holders. I've never stayed past 59 days at one time, so I wouldn't know. I was there just two days my last trip 😂128514;128514;.

[Old And Ugly]

For all of my covid+ entries, originating in the US, at the check-in process they requested the e-Travel (now eGOV) bar / QR code and asked for the onward / outbound ticket at SFO or LAX. As airport wifi might be spotty, it might be a good idea at your home or hotel, when completing the eTravel app process and get your QR code, to screen capture the barcode.

I'm traveling right now, I'm in Thailand, and I forgot to do the eGov for exiting PH, I had to stay on the side and do it, and it's not fun to look up all the info while under pressure.

Also don't forget the visa extensions, they didn't ask me for it this time, but every single time before.

[WestCoast1]

The eGOV app is for entry, and exit, and is for everybody, filipinos included.

The return ticket is needed before you board your flight.

For all of my covid+ entries, originating in the US, at the check-in process they requested the e-Travel (now eGOV) bar / QR code and asked for the onward / outbound ticket at SFO or LAX. As airport wifi might be spotty, it might be a good idea at your home or hotel, when completing the eTravel app process and get your QR code, to screen capture the barcode.

[Old And Ugly]

The eGOV app is for entry, and exit, and is for everybody, filipinos included.

The return ticket is needed before you board your flight.

[Aml3740]

For first-timers or people who haven't been in a while.

Coming from the US, here are the current entry procedures.

ETravel app has become the only entry requirement. You must fill this out within the four-day window of entering the country. For example, if you're entering on the 20, you fill it out on or after the 17th. ETravel replaces all immigration and customs-related paperwork. When completed, they will issue you a QR code, and it will be scanned later.

Upon exiting the aircraft, you will be taken to immigration. There are two lines: one for Filipinos, and one for non-Filipinos. The line moves pretty fast. They may ask you for a plane ticket to show you are leaving within 30 days, as this is a requirement. I am asked probably half of the time. If you don't have one you can show them, it could be trouble. Make sure you have one just in case. It is easy to book a refundable ticket or even rent a ticket for $14-16 that self-cancels. After getting your passport stamped, next is baggage claim.

Here, don't expect to leave soon. In my experience, it takes forever. It seems like it gets longer every trip. When I can, I try my best to keep it to a carry on to minimize wait time. Plus, less baggage to lug around is better. Helpful hint: roll your clothes when you pack your luggage and it almost doubles what you can pack.

I don't think most of us have to worry about customs. This is where you have to scan your eTravel QR code. If you don't have one, they will make you go online and fill one out. If you don't have a phone with data connection, this is hard. It's better to do it before you ever leave your home country. There is no free WiFi in Terminal 1 that is reliable.

After clearing customs, it is up to you what you do next.

Helpful Hints.

- Bring cash with you and change it at the currency exchange. I was happy I did this on my last trip because no ATM in the lobby was working. Just make sure your bills are crisp and clean. They will not exchange dirty or creased bills.

- Bring a phone that is unlocked and get a local SIM card. I personally like Globe PH. Download the Globe One app and you can get an eSIM, then load it. The Go99 promo has calls, texts, and 18 gb data. If you're usually on WiFi in a hotel or home and you use mobile data only when you're outside, it's more than enough, and for about $2 per week. There is no need to get the "unlimited" data SIM cards you see in the airport. It's about $60 per month, and I would rightfully call that a scam.

- Download the Grab app. It's the Philippines version of Uber. Don't be the sitting-duck foreigner using the taxis. I've taken Grab from the US Embassy area to Terminal 4 and paid about 250 php (about $5), whereas a taxi had quoted me over 2 k php ($40).

- If you're staying in Manila, consider a hotel that has a free airport shuttle. Most of the hotels that offer this are not the nicest, but they are clean and nice enough. If you need a ride, go to the Grab kiosk and book your ride there. Do not use the Grab app at the airport. In my experience, the drivers give priority to the kiosk and will not take the booking from your phone at the airport.

- Sometime after April, the new company managing NAIA is going to remap the terminals again. All international flights will be routed to Terminal 3, in the new plan. This is really good for several reasons. There is a foot bridge from Terminal 3 to Newport City across from Terminal 3. If you don't mind walking to your hotel, it is free. There is Savoy, Belmont Hotel, Marriott, Megaworld, etc. These are probably some of the nicest hotels near the airport, and they seem to be girl-friendly, too.

[PhilJoy]

Yeah I know many have suggested this. Too dangerious for me Ill pass. Cartels or drug lords watch out for white Americans. Law and order in allot of these places does not exist. You think the ones Trumps ICE is currently picking up and shipping home won't be pissed, no thanks.

Fair call Loco.

I've looked at other locations or some alternatives, but the Phils always delivers.

And sometimes it's worth the extra travel for a fulfilling time in place you're familiar with and enjoy.

If the Phils does it for you, then go for it. Just still can't believe the airlines screw you guys before the Filipinas do.

_ Phil.

[Old And Ugly]

Yep they are just fine, obviously I'm shopping in the wrong area.

You're in the right place, all it takes is patience.