Phuket Thailand - Fed Up with Thai Visa Nonsense? Phils Visa for 2 Yrs? -- No Problem!

K2 · #1 21-10-2007, 13:37

Makes you think ...

The Manila Times
Tuesday, August 07, 2007

Tourists can now extend stay up to two years

By William Depasupil, Reporter

A new Immigration policy now allows tourists and other temporary visitors to stay in the country up to two years and even longer, The Times learned Monday.
Immigration Commissioner Marcelino Libanan, in a memorandum order, announced that foreigners with temporary visitorâ?Ts visas may extend their stay in the country every two months and up to 16 months without prior approval from the immigration bureau.

After 16 months, Libanan added, a foreigner may still extend his stay by another eight months or up to 24 months if his application is approved by the chief of the bureauâ?Ts immigration regulation division (IRD).

Extension of stay after 24 months need the approval of the commissioner,â? Libanan, in his memo, said.

Libananâ?Ts order, which is effective immediately, also directed the BI visa extension office to expedite the processing of all pending applications for extension of stay.
The BI chief decided to issue the new order following a 21-percent rise in the number of tourists who extended their stay in the country during the first semester of the year.

Data from the BI visa extension office showed that from January to June this year, a total of 196,172 applications for extension of stay were approved, compared to 161,984 approved in the same period last year.

It also showed that total tourist arrivals for the six-month period increased by 38,755 to 468,281 arrivals. There were only 439,526 arrivals in the same period last year.

These statistics indicate that our country is fast emerging as one of Asiaâ?Ts most favored tourist destinations, Libanan said.

The IRD chief, lawyer Gary Mendoza, said the new policy on visa extensions applies to all foreign tourists regardless of their nationality.

Previously, Mendoza explained, foreigners, such as Indians or Chinese, who must secure entry visas to the Philippines, were allowed to extend their stay every month up to a total of six months only.

Now, any foreigner, regardless of whether he is a visa-required national or not, may extend his stay every two months up to a total of 16 months without getting prior approval from the bureauâ?Ts management, Mendoza added

Further food for thought for any making long term plans.

LivinLOS · #2 21-10-2007, 13:41

I know..

Look at the Malaysia my second home deal.. Own 2 homes outright, import one luxury car tax free.. multi year visas with red carpet..

At some point I might grow up and then beer and pussy will not be enough to make up for other drawbacks.. Climate, cost of living etc all exist in the region. Theres only so far they can push the 'leave your money at the airport' routine and expect to take without giving.

I love the place, but I do have to say that while other local counties make you more and more welcome, Thailand makes you less and less.

Schmeen · #3 21-10-2007, 14:19

Supply and demand.

I wouldn't live in the Phillipines if you paid me. The food is unbelievably shit if nothing else.

Quote:

Thailand makes you less and less.

I disagree, WP's and the like are so much easier than they were 20 years ago....sooooooo much.

Hobbsy · #4 21-10-2007, 14:40

No pork in malaysia - does my head in after 2 days so god knows what it would be like after 6 months.

Nautilus · #5 21-10-2007, 15:29

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hobbsy

No pork in malaysia - does my head in after 2 days so god knows what it would be like after 6 months.

You have to find Chinese restaurants for pork. Most in shopping complex cant serve you pork cause of the Muslims.

There are some really good restaurants that serve pork meals, like Euro Deli, Daves, some Irish and German restaurants.

Of course at Chinese restaurants, you can get pork.

Just dont go to the WRONG area.

Btw, under the Msia my 2nd home plan, you can import 1 luxury car tax free? What happens if you sell it?

JayBee · #6 21-10-2007, 15:42

Well, obviously, PI and Malaysia want our business. LOS clearly does not want it.

LivinLOS · #7 21-10-2007, 16:02

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nautilus

You have to find Chinese restaurants for pork. Most in shopping complex cant serve you pork cause of the Muslims.

There are some really good restaurants that serve pork meals, like Euro Deli, Daves, some Irish and German restaurants.

Of course at Chinese restaurants, you can get pork.

Just dont go to the WRONG area.

Btw, under the Msia my 2nd home plan, you can import 1 luxury car tax free? What happens if you sell it?

I think you cant sell it until you have owned it a few years.. 3 maybe or 5 ?? Its not designed to make a fast buck but allow you to bring in a car you can use without tax penalty.

Nautilus · #8 21-10-2007, 16:34

Quote:

Originally Posted by LivinLOS

I think you cant sell it until you have owned it a few years.. 3 maybe or 5 ?? Its not designed to make a fast buck but allow you to bring in a car you can use without tax penalty.

Aaah ok. Probably the same rules when you want to bring in cars fr Langkawi or Labuan. The 2 duty free states.

Schmeen · #9 21-10-2007, 22:54

Quote:

Well, obviously, PI and Malaysia want our business. LOS clearly does not want it.

But you keep coming so they must be doing something correct.

Capt. Fantastic · #10 22-10-2007, 06:08

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hobbsy

No pork in malaysia...

Does this mean no Western women at all?

JayBee · #11 24-10-2007, 15:20

Quote:

Originally Posted by Schmeen;

But you keep coming so they must be doing something correct.

There's Something About Mali! .... and Noi, and Nit, and Nok, and Tuk, and Ao, and Ae, and Oy, and Dtaa, and Lek, and Nam, and all their "sisters," too!

Nautilus · #12 24-10-2007, 15:45

Found this link, Malaysia my second home program get second citizenship, retire, live in Malaysia

hop · #13 24-10-2007, 17:03

had the time of my life in the philippines was not in a rush to get back.

dennisinkamala · #14 25-10-2007, 05:32

After researching the visa situation I decided to go the Malaysian AM2H programme and went ahead, new house is finished in March and I move end March.

Still think this is the best option without the hassle and I think the Malaysian property market is a good investment for the next 5-7 years re capital growth, if not rentals.

Just a 1 hour flight from Penang to Phuket.

Plan is live in Penang, play in Patong.

Of course, I now have a Thai gf and am getting another home in Thailand.

All plans are flexible. Come the end of March I will have a home in Uk, Spain, Penang and Phuket. Property markets flat in UK and Spain!!

Anybody wanna buy a house??

richone · #15 03-02-2008, 13:49

How do you pay the utility type bills on them all when you are not there? That's what I find a hassle. Ok can cover some with Direct Debits, but not all.

LivinLOS · #16 03-02-2008, 14:17

Sat with a bunch of long termers last night..

2 are actively looking at relocating there.. A whole bunch of 10 or so heading out for a week to 10 days at end of the month.. Every one of them singing PI's praises over Thailand for reasons of english language ability, cost of living, nightlife (and cost of Thailands), attitude / personality of girls etc.. Really was a 'grass is greener' rant. Both of them looking for tennants on BKK condos.

Simbo · #17 03-02-2008, 22:20

Think I'll finish this visa, do a double in PI turn 50 and get back here just in time for them to change the rules on retirement visas- rock on!!

LivinLOS · #18 03-02-2008, 22:32

Do a double in PI ??

Not sure if you mean a double tourist visa but Manila is (so I read) one of the least friendly for tourist visa's for non PI nationals..

I do hear Vientiane are giving doubles currently.

dennisinkamala · #19 04-02-2008, 03:20

Update on the MM2H programme in Malaysia. I bought a property in Penang and just5 finished a 2 week stay there. Had an offfer to resell back to developer at decent profit and due to the boredom, shyte in the water and filthy streets, took the offer. Am now looking at KL as my retreat and base. Did Phillipines also as a possibility and am checking out Cebu next month.
Fact is, despite the drawbacks, Thailand is magnetic and addictive. Not to mention the girls....

Nautilus · #20 04-02-2008, 07:23

Which part of KL are you planning to stay?

The expats area like Bangsar and Sri Hartamas should suit you well.

Capt. Fantastic · #21 04-02-2008, 11:15

Quote:

Originally Posted by dennisinspain

...due to the boredom, shyte in the water and filthy streets...

Wouldst thou care to expand on this? I have been looking at MM2H, use that as a base for frequent LOS sojourns. They offer a nice package, I do not drink, no real extroverted lifestyle issues. What was the showstopper?

Just wondering. All these issues touch on personal taste so are not open to judgments.

Simbo · #22 04-02-2008, 12:50

Quote:

Originally Posted by LivinLOS

Do a double in PI ??

Not sure if you mean a double tourist visa but Manila is (so I read) one of the least friendly for tourist visa's for non PI nationals..

I do hear Vientiane are giving doubles currently.

Nope- meant go to the PI for 4 years (Ie 2x 2 year visas) after current visa expires, and come back age 50 to see they change all the rules

PS- was being tongue in cheek again!

dennisinkamala · #23 04-02-2008, 23:29

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nautilus

Which part of KL are you planning to stay?

The expats area like Bangsar and Sri Hartamas should suit you well.

Thrse are two areas I am looking at as well as Port Dickenson (I think thts the name) south of KL for the beaches. Also looked at city centre and am impressed by the new one condo units but very overpriced. Will be returning there soon to investigate properties. Ill get in touch before I come, Im sure your input will be invaluable.