Here I will list questions (and answers) as they come in. I’ll attempt to put them in some sort of order, but issues and opportunities arrive in random bursts, so many of these Frequently Asked Questions (FAQS) will as well.
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Immigration Related Questions:
Q: I am from Guatemala and a US resident and I want to visit the Philippines and see my girlfriend for less than 22 days, do I need a Philippine visa?
A: No, your US Green Card doesn’t change your nationality, but Guatemala is one of the 150 countries who get an automatic 21 day Tourist Visa waiver upon arrival. When you return to the US, you can re-enter on your US Green card, foreign travel of less than 6 months is normally no problem for a US Green Card holder.
Q: How do I count the 21 days for a Philippine visit without a visa?
A: You’ll see several different methods being circulated about how to count the 21 days, but they all come up with the same answer. The day you arrive is a day of visit, the day you depart is not a day of visit in the Philippines. So count from the say you arrive to the day before you depart, or count from the day after you arrive and include the day you depart, whichever way makes more sense to you. Much more on the ‘how do I count days in the Philippines’ here.
Q: What if my flight arrives close to mid-night and I don’t get my passport stamped until it’s actually the next calendar day?
A: Well, I can’t find an official Bureau of Immigration “reading” on this, but in my personal experience (I arrived one night at 2345 (11:45 pm) and got my passport stamped about 0015 (12:15 am) the next day … the Immigration Officer was still using the date stamp for the previous day). I can’t guarantee what experience you will have if you arrive in a similar situation … write and let us know if your checking in works out differently.
Q: My Philippine friend wants to visit me in the USA. As an American citizen, can I sponsor her for a visitor’s visa?
A: Short answer, no. A foreigner applying for a visitor’s visa basically has to stand on his or her two feet. Single women, particularly if the US Embassy knows them to have “eligible” male friends in the US are going to have a very difficult time getting a visa. Not impossible, but close to it. The Embassy wants to see evidence the visitor will return to the Philippines .. money in the bank property, a substantial job, etc. You can read more at What Everybody Ought to Know About Citizenship and Visas — Philippine Citizenship
Q: How can I became a Philippine resident?
A: Two most common routes are: if married to a Philippines citizen (or former Philippines citizen), s/he can sponsor you for a 13-series Permanent Residency visa. If not connected by marriage, a foreigner can apply for an SRRV (Special Resident Retirement Visa) (age limitations must be met and an investment, or an investment coupled with a monthly pension is required) See to Is the Philippines really a potential Retirement Destination? learn more about the SRRV.
Job Related Questions:
Q: Do I need a Work Visa to get a job in the Philippines?
A: Yes, but … There are certain types of visas that allow you to work in the Philippines, aside from the dedicated work visa. Certain categories of the SRRV (Special Residence Retirement Visa) … but not the categories that require showing pension income … the 13(a) and 13(g) Permanent resident spousal visas, and several different investor visas. But do remember one thing … in addition to a visa, you need an AEP (Alien Employment Permit) from the DOLE (Department Of Labor and Employment).
Q: Since there are a lot of Call Centers in the Philippines who need English-speaking people, couldn’t I get a job at one of them … easily?
A: Could you get a Call Center job? Absolutely. On our Philippine Job Listings page I link you to many of them. However the “easy’ part is not always included. Don’t forget that these companies were established to employ Filipinos. In order to get any job in the Philippines, you and the prospective employer have to be able to show that the job opening can not readily be filled by a Filipino. In most cases this just isn’t so. Much better to focus on specific skills you may have other than “speaking English”, because millions of Filipinos speak English.
Marriage Related Questions:
Q: Do I have to register my US divorce with the Philippine government if I want to marry again in the Philippines?
A: I don’t think so. When a foreigner wants to marry in the Philippines, the Philippine Government accepts an “Affidavit in Lieu of a Certificate of Legal Capacity to Contract Marriage.” Americans may execute this affidavit at the American Embassy in Manila or the U.S. Consular Agency in Cebu. As long as you can execute this affidavit truthfully, I know of no other requirements from the Philippine government. You of course must carry with you proof of your divorce … from what I understand the Embassy official may or may not ask for it, but you will surely have a need for it sooner or later in your new marriage … and since this is nearly impossible to obtain remotely … you better make sure you have a copy of your “Final Decree” or “Final Order” whatever your state calls the document that actually proves you are divorced with you when you come to the Philippines. Safeguard it, there’s no way of knowing when it will be needed.
Medical Care Related Questions:
Q: Am I covered by U.S. Medicare when in the Philippines?
A: Short-term (s in a vacation) yes, long-term (as in living there), no. US Medicare does not pay for medical care outside the US except for certain limited medical emergency type treatment necessary while traveling. See http://www.medicare.gov/Publications/Pubs/pdf/10050.pdf for more, official information.
Q: Is TRICARE available in the Philippines?
A: Yes. For US Active Duty personnel and for US Military Retirees. For active duty personnel, follow the guidance from your unit representative. For Retirees, you must change tour plan to TRICARE Standard only, or if over 65, TRICARE For Life (TFL). More official TRICARE info here.
Q: There is a US Veteran’s Administration hospital in the Philippines, correct?
A: No, that is not correct. There is no S Veteran’s Administration hospital in the Philippines. There is a US Veteran’s Affairs Cinic in Manila. They provide out patient service to certain US vets with service connected disabilities, only. See their website for more information and be sure to check with them directly for your particular situation.
http://www2.va.gov/directory/guide/facility.asp?ID=682
Many Americans are confused by the fact that there is a large hospital in Manila (Quezon City) known as Veterans Hospital. This is a Philippine government facility maintained for Filipino veterans. It is not part of the US Veteran’s Administration.
Q: How do I get in touch with TRICARE, Medicare, etc. to check on my own specific situation?
A: Here’s a few places to start:
Q: Is commercial health care insurance available for foreigners in the Philippines?
A: Yes, but. It is not going to be exactly what you are used to in the US. In many cases pre-existing conditions and other “escape clauses” in favor of the insurance carrier will make things difficult. On the other side of the coin, if you buy plans with coverage in the Philippines only, the insurance can be very cheap. See more at Live in the Philippines and Keep Your US health Insurance | PhilFAQS
Philippine Retirement Related Questions:
Q: Are foreigners living in the Philippines qualified for a Philippine Senior Citizens Discount card?
A: Sorry, no. Under the latest rules for the Philippine Senior Citizen Discount program, foreigners are specifically forbidden to possess a government senior citizen card or to avail of the Senior Citizen Discount program. In fact, they are not only prohibited from doings so, trying to get an unauthorized discount can be a criminal act leading directly to jail time and subsequent deportation. See Where’s My Senior Discount, Dammit? for more information. Additional caution. Filipino citizens who seniors but who are not also Philippine Residents (such as those just in the Philippines for a visit) are also not allowed to avail of the Senior Citizen Discount program. Everyone likes a discount, but failure to follow Philippine law can make a “discount” actually extremely expensive in the long run.
Tax Related Questions:
Q: I’m planning a move to the Philippines. My retirement income will come from pension plans in the U.S. I understand that we still will have to pay U.S. Federal Income taxes. However, if there is no “domicile” state that can collect taxes. So doesn’t that amount to a tax break?
A: Yes, for many US expats in the Philippines, there is no need to pay U.S. State Income tax. There are 9 U.S. states with no State Income tax at all: Alaska, Florida, Nevada, South Dakota, Texas, Washington and Wyoming. The states of New Hampshire and Tennessee tax their residents only on income earned through interest and dividends. Some states, like Colorado, exempt certain pensions and annuities from state income tax, so even if you still file state tax there. you may owe nothing. It’s not that hard to change your legal tax“domicile” before you move and thus eliminate state income tax liabilities. (of course like all tax matters, this is my personal opinion and not a substitute for competent financial advice). See more on my “take” on income taxes here.
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