[QUOTE=KeenEyeJoe1;3012679]I highly recommend Marawi City.[/QUOTE]Perhaps marry a couple of local girls and open a 5/6 lending service??
G.
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[QUOTE=KeenEyeJoe1;3012679]I highly recommend Marawi City.[/QUOTE]Perhaps marry a couple of local girls and open a 5/6 lending service??
G.
As per a new Jennifer Terri video, starting September 1, new SRRV applicants will pay more on the 'Classic' deposit. Non-pensioner deposit will go from $20,000 USD to $30,000 USD.
Pensioner deposit will go from $10,000 to $15,000. See the pic.
Military service stays the same at $1,500 deposit.
[URL]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LxOOXvwj-tU[/URL]
[QUOTE=WestCoast1;3014080]As per a new Jennifer Terri video, starting September 1, new SRRV applicants will pay more on the 'Classic' deposit. Non-pensioner deposit will go from $20,000 USD to $30,000 USD.
Pensioner deposit will go from $10,000 to $15,000. See the pic.
Military service stays the same at $1,500 deposit.
[URL]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LxOOXvwj-tU[/URL][/QUOTE]In addition, the BI visa extension express fee will increase by an additional p500.
[QUOTE=WestCoast1;3014080]As per a new Jennifer Terri video, starting September 1, new SRRV applicants will pay more on the 'Classic' deposit. Non-pensioner deposit will go from $20,000 USD to $30,000 USD.
Pensioner deposit will go from $10,000 to $15,000.
Military service stays the same at $1,500 deposit.[/QUOTE]Have been in the PRA office twice this year. I always go early when they open. Each time its been a mad-house, filled to the gills with SRRV applicants. A wild jump from my visits last year.
I think we are seeing 2 things happen simultaneously, a bit at odds with each other: 1) An increase in the number of foreigners wanting a permanent place to retire here, causing the government to increase the deposit. And 2) a continued lack of foreign tourists (esp K and Chinese). See below.
[URL]https://www.statista.com/statistics/1053908/philippines-number-of-foreign-visitor-tourist-arrivals/[/URL] (See pic).
And: [URL]https://www.esquiremag.ph/life/travel/tourist-arrivals-in-the-philippines-slow-down-this-2025-a7940-20250529[/URL].
From the article:
[B]The Philippines' tourism sector is experiencing a significant slowdown, with Korean tourist arrivals lower by 18 percent in the first four months of 2025. This decline, with only 468,337 arrivals, is attributed to a surge in criminal incidents targeting Korean nationals.
The situation even prompted the South Korean Embassy to issue a travel advisory. The warning urged Korean citizens visiting the Philippines to avoid going out at night unless absolutely necessary, citing that "armed robberies, deaths, abductions, and other serious crimes against Korean nationals are frequently occurring. " This advisory followed a high-profile incident on May 17, where two Koreans were robbed at gunpoint in Bonifacio Global City.
This downturn in Korean visitors is a major factor in the overall slump in Philippine tourist arrivals. From January to April 2025, the country welcomed 2. 1 million tourists, a 0. 82 percent decrease compared to the same period in 2024. Even more concerning, these numbers are 26 percent lower than pre-pandemic levels in 2019. Foreign tourist arrivals specifically saw a 3. 2 percent drop, reaching 1. 93 million. While overseas Filipinos (or Philippine passport holders residing abroad) showed a significant 37.5 percent increase, their numbers (170,815) weren't enough to offset the broader decline.
While the Korean market faces specific challenges, other key source markets are also contributing to the overall decline. Arrivals from mainland China went down by 34.4 percent between January and April 2025 versus the same period in 2024, with only 92,659 Chinese tourists. This significant drop is likely due to China's current economic climate, which has led its citizens to reduce their travel budgets and favor destinations with more relaxed visa policies. The Philippines' decision to suspend its electronic visa platform for China, coupled with ongoing tensions in the West Philippine Sea and a rise in crimes involving Chinese citizens, has exacerbated this decline.[/B]
The article speculates 6 million tourists this year, still down from the 8 million tourists in the year prior to covid.
More poon for the 2-week warriors, and more for me.
[QUOTE=WestCoast1;3014584]Have been in the PRA office twice this year. I always go early when they open. Each time its been a mad-house, filled to the gills with SRRV applicants. A wild jump from my visits last year.
I think we are seeing 2 things happen simultaneously, a bit at odds with each other: 1) An increase in the number of foreigners wanting a permanent place to retire here, causing the government to increase the deposit. And 2) a continued lack of foreign tourists (esp K and Chinese). See below.
[URL]https://www.statista.com/statistics/1053908/philippines-number-of-foreign-visitor-tourist-arrivals/[/URL] (See pic).
And: [URL]https://www.esquiremag.ph/life/travel/tourist-arrivals-in-the-philippines-slow-down-this-2025-a7940-20250529[/URL].
From the article:
[B]The Philippines' tourism sector is experiencing a significant slowdown, with Korean tourist arrivals lower by 18 percent in the first four months of 2025. This decline, with only 468,337 arrivals, is attributed to a surge in criminal incidents targeting Korean nationals.
The situation even prompted the South Korean Embassy to issue a travel advisory. The warning urged Korean citizens visiting the Philippines to avoid going out at night unless absolutely necessary, citing that "armed robberies, deaths, abductions, and other serious crimes against Korean nationals are frequently occurring. " This advisory followed a high-profile incident on May 17, where two Koreans were robbed at gunpoint in Bonifacio Global City.
This downturn in Korean visitors is a major factor in the overall slump in Philippine tourist arrivals. From January to April 2025, the country welcomed 2. 1 million tourists, a 0. 82 percent decrease compared to the same period in 2024. Even more concerning, these numbers are 26 percent lower than pre-pandemic levels in 2019. Foreign tourist arrivals specifically saw a 3. 2 percent drop, reaching 1. 93 million. While overseas Filipinos (or Philippine passport holders residing abroad) showed a significant 37.5 percent increase, their numbers (170,815) weren't enough to offset the broader decline.
While the Korean market faces specific challenges, other key source markets are also contributing to the overall decline. Arrivals from mainland China went down by 34.4 percent between January and April 2025 versus the same period in 2024, with only 92,659 Chinese tourists. This significant drop is likely due to China's current economic climate, which has led its citizens to reduce their travel budgets and favor destinations with more relaxed visa policies. The Philippines' decision to suspend its electronic visa platform for China, coupled with ongoing tensions in the West Philippine Sea and a rise in crimes involving Chinese citizens, has exacerbated this decline.[/B]
The article speculates 6 million tourists this year, still down from the 8 million tourists in the year prior to covid.
More poon for the 2-week warriors, and more for me.[/QUOTE]I think the ones coming to AC and other such places, are a little bit more bold than the average K, probably the slowdown is in visits to Boracay, and other family destinations, and is not going to do us any good. Also the Chinese are rarely getting lost from the mainstream destinations visited en mass and ending up in AC. Prior I only saw Chinamen from Singapore in AC, not from mainland.
Hi Guys,
Just some info for the Aussies.
Jetstar announced some time ago they were starting up two new routes from Brisbane and Perth to Cebu.
Well it's kicking off soon and the departure and arrival times, at least out of BNE look okay.
Today they announced a two day sale with one way fares starting at $188.00 each way, or for our American friends, about $125 bucks each way.
I've just been playing around on their website, and it's a bit of bullshit, as you can book a cheap one way fare to Cebu, but booking a one way back is showing as sold out.
However, if you book a return flight, the prices are inflated.
The cheapest I could get was a two week trip in February next year, with 20 kgs of baggage, a cheap meal and a decent seat for around $700.00 AUD or $460 USD return. Still about $500 cheaper than PA at the same time.
Yes, Jetstar is a budget carrier and pretty unreliable in a domestic sense, however PA is getting pretty sloppy with its Brisbane route.
At least there's now another option into Cebu direct and it cuts about an hour off the flight and takes it under 7 hours.
If I was to take this route, and had to go to MNL, Cebu Pacific is 'cheap as' for a connecting flight.
_ Phil.
Couple of YT vids regarding what you might run up against at inbound Immigration in various countries in regards to your devices. Pretty strict, and not just in the US. Canada has seized 18,000 devices since 2017. The UK requires you to turn over your device's passcodes, takes your fingerprints, your DNA, and your social media credentials. Failure to comply is up to 90 days in the clink. First vid is from a US defense lawyer.
[URL]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BZv2kaDH1zQ&t=330s[/URL]
[URL]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PDFDeFk6ykc[/URL]
[QUOTE=WestCoast1;3015294] The UK requires you to turn over your device's passcodes, takes your fingerprints, your DNA, and your social media credentials. Failure to comply is up to 90 days in the clink.[/QUOTE]Best to check legitimate sources not YT.
UK Border Force officers have powers to search baggage, vehicles, and cargo, as well as to check immigration status. They can also examine digital devices, but they cannot force a person to unlock them.
There is a law which relates to terrorism where they can open digital devices.
[QUOTE=Jingo10;3015300]Best to check legitimate sources not YT.[/QUOTE]The first video is a legitimate source. Its the YT channel of a law firm that specializes in this specific subject. Link to the lawfirm's YT channel:
[URL]https://www.youtube.com/@Rossenlawfirm.[/URL]
[QUOTE=Jingo10;3015300]UK Border Force officers have powers to search baggage, vehicles, and cargo, as well as to check immigration status. They can also examine digital devices, but they cannot force a person to unlock them.
There is a law which relates to terrorism where they can open digital devices.[/QUOTE]Thanks the update. Is there a link for that?
I imagine that if my GF knows how to search the deleted and the hidden albums looking for god knows what, they know how to do that also.
[QUOTE=OldAndUgly;3015479]I imagine that if my GF knows how to search the deleted and the hidden albums looking for god knows what, they know how to do that also.[/QUOTE]In these days of AI and Facial Recognition there would have to be some form of automated poontang recognition software for LE
I bet some pimply faced kid on Freelancer got the shock of his life when he accepted a Task to calibrate a new app. 😱.
Cheers. G.
[QUOTE=WestCoast1;3015294]Couple of YT vids regarding what you might run up against at inbound Immigration in various countries in regards to your devices. Pretty strict, and not just in the US. Canada has seized 18,000 devices since 2017. The UK requires you to turn over your device's passcodes, takes your fingerprints, your DNA, and your social media credentials. Failure to comply is up to 90 days in the clink. First vid is from a US defense lawyer.
[URL]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BZv2kaDH1zQ&t=330s[/URL]
[URL]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PDFDeFk6ykc[/URL][/QUOTE]Going throughyour phone means they have access to your bank and other accounts and it is oddds on some guys wil have their accoutns cleaned out by ofifcials in league with others. I am not a big one fior taking photos of women but I still don't want some dodgy offiicial going through my PRIVATE stuff. Not that I can do much about it.
[QUOTE=Goferring;3015526]In these days of AI and Facial Recognition there would have to be some form of automated poontang recognition software for LE[/QUOTE]In the second video, it mentions several of the exact software items used to bust past your device passcode and separately its encrypted PW to get at your: pics, txts, WA, Signal, Telegraph, etc. , bank account info, and your device's encrypted area. No warrant needed. Even if they don't look at your stuff right there, they make a copy of the drive for later perusal.
[I]Going throughyour phone means they have access to your bank and other accounts and it is oddds on some guys wil have their accoutns cleaned out by ofifcials in league with others. [/I]Regarding such:
[B]Canadian immigration authorities have the ability to review banking information of passengers under specific circumstances. This is part of their broader mandate to ensure national security and compliance with immigration laws.
Reasons for Accessing Banking Information
Security Screening: Immigration authorities may assess financial records to identify potential risks associated with travelers.
Admissibility Determination: Financial information can help determine if a traveler meets the requirements for entry into Canada.
Fraud Prevention: Monitoring banking activities can help prevent fraudulent activities related to immigration.
Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA): The CBSA is responsible for enforcing immigration laws and may access financial information as part of their risk assessment and intelligence programs.
Implications for Travelers
Transparency: Travelers should be aware that their financial activities may be scrutinized when entering Canada.[/B]
[I]I am not a big one fior taking photos of women but I still don't want some dodgy offiicial going through my PRIVATE stuff. Not that I can do much about it.[/I]
We give up the right to privacy when we travel internationally. Its unfortunate.
[URL]https://www.cbsa-asfc.gc.ca/agency-agence/reports-rapports/pia-efvp/atip-aiprp/infosource-eng.html[/URL]
[QUOTE=Jarango;3015529]Going throughyour phone means they have access to your bank and other accounts and it is oddds on some guys wil have their accoutns cleaned out by ofifcials in league with others.[/QUOTE]You guys need to stop with all this paranoid stuff. Since when does the government need your cell phone in order to have access to your bank and other accounts?
[QUOTE=WestCoast1;3015576]We give up the right to privacy when we travel internationally. Its unfortunate.
[URL]https://www.cbsa-asfc.gc.ca/agency-agence/reports-rapports/pia-efvp/atip-aiprp/infosource-eng.html[/URL][/QUOTE]We don't give up the right to privacy, It is a continual power grab, as witnssed by such things as Trudeau freezing the bank accounts of the protesting truckers. As long aas I have more than enough on hand for my needs / length off stay etc, these fascists have no call to go through my bsnk account. As regards dirtty pictures, though I don't take or carry any, as long as there is no sign of crime, under age etc, they should fuck off. The problem is our overlords want to know everything and land us in the shit again and again. International travel is a headache for so many reaosns and one of the main reasions is these assholes at airports. I was ojnce stopped because I had about €10,000 tied ariound my neck. The asshole said how much had I. I said I don't know (I just grab a clump of notes and some plastic when heading off) and it is none of his business. Threats, threats and more threats from thee wnna be gangsters / cop.