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Navigating visa and immigration processes in the Philippines requires patience, cultural understanding, and seeking specialized assistance from legitimate agencies like JRC to ensure a smooth and legal stay.
This video features an interview with JR, who runs a visa and immigration services company in the Philippines. JR's company, established eight years ago, aims to guide foreigners through the complexities of living legally in the Philippines. He emphasizes that the Philippines offers a unique culture and people, which are primary draws for expatriates, alongside a potentially lower cost of living, though this depends on lifestyle choices.
JR addresses common concerns for foreigners, including visa options beyond spousal and retirement visas. He suggests starting with tourist visa extensions, which can be extended up to 36 months, to 'test the waters' for 6-12 months. For those looking to work or establish businesses, a 9G work visa is an option, and while a 'nomad visa' is being processed, its requirements might be complex, making a tourist visa extension a simpler initial approach.
The interview also touches upon the importance of cultural research before arriving in the Philippines, advising foreigners to approach interactions with patience and respect to avoid misunderstandings or issues with immigration. JR highlights that his agency, JRC, helps foreigners navigate these processes, emphasizing that cooperation and understanding are key to successful outcomes. He advises seeking specialized firms for specific needs, like visa services, rather than general consultants, to ensure efficiency and trustworthiness.
Philippines visa assistance for foreigners involves agencies that help navigate the country's complex immigration laws and processes. These services are crucial for ensuring a legal and smooth stay, whether for tourism, work, or residency. Legitimate agencies understand the intricacies of visa applications, extensions, and work permits.
Extending a tourist visa in the Philippines is a common option for foreigners wanting to stay longer, potentially up to 36 months in total. You typically need to visit a Bureau of Immigration office and complete the required application forms. Working with a visa assistance agency can simplify this process.
A 9G work visa in the Philippines is a permit allowing foreign nationals to work legally in the country. Obtaining this visa often requires a sponsoring employer and involves a detailed application process with the Bureau of Immigration. Specialized visa agencies can provide essential assistance for this type of visa.
While not strictly mandatory, Philippines visa assistance is highly recommended for foreigners unfamiliar with the local immigration system. Agencies like JRC can prevent costly mistakes, delays, and ensure compliance with all regulations. They offer expertise in various visa types and immigration matters.
To find a reliable Philippines visa agency, look for companies with proper business licenses and a clear understanding of immigration laws. JRC is mentioned as a reputable agency that helps foreigners navigate visa processes. It's important to choose firms that specialize in immigration services for efficiency and trustworthiness.
Beyond tourist visa extensions, options for living in the Philippines include spousal visas, retirement visas, and the 9G work visa for employment. While a 'nomad visa' is in development, current extensions offer flexibility. Specialized agencies can guide you through the best visa option for your situation.
This video focuses on navigating visa and immigration processes within the Philippines for foreigners. It does not provide guidance on bringing family members from the Philippines to the USA. For information on bringing your daughter to the USA as a tourist, you would need to consult U.S. immigration resources or an immigration lawyer specializing in U.S. immigration law.
0:02 If you slow things down, that is where you value life most because the Philippines is way, way different from the West. Bring your patience here. Thank you so much, Jr, for joining us today. I wanted to sit down with you and ask some questions. Can you please introduce yourself?
0:17 Hi, um, Lex. Thank you so much for this opportunity to be with you and to really spread the information about the Philippines. So our company started way back 8 years ago, in 2017. We do have, we started our registration with the government offices here, so we have our business licenses to start with. And that will actually give you an assurance that we are a legit company; we are not a fly-by-night company.
0:47 And right now, we are venturing into Visa and immigration services, in which the main advocacy is really to guide our foreign friends once they go to the Philippines. And on the side, we do some consulting for the real estate side because, by profession, I'm also a licensed real estate broker here in the Philippines. And other matters, maybe not all, but basically what you primarily need to kick off your decent, proper, and legal living here in the Philippines, which will actually give you peace of mind being in a different country.
1:24 Because the Philippines is way, way different from the West. The first question I have for you today is, what do you love about your country?
1:32 That's a good question, actually. And it's basically the culture that we have. The culture, which is embedded with different fusions of countries before, like we have an influence from the American side, from the Spanish side, and it actually blends well. Right now, it has pros and cons; nothing is perfect. So, when I ask my foreign clients why they come to the Philippines, aside from the cost of living, because the Philippines might be expensive up to some extent, so it would really depend on your lifestyle. But the culture, the people, those are the primary things that will prevail.
2:13 With the answers to the question, probably when you actually walk and try to be in the Philippines, you can see them smiling. You just don't know what they've been through on their personal lives, but when you walk, they're just going to treat you with a warm smile, no intentions. They just wanted to reach out to you.
2:33 The second question I have for you today is, how did you learn about the need for foreigners to be supported with long-term visas?
2:39 Um, I got a few friends before. When I was playing badminton a few years back, I had some friends who were actually foreigners. And when I hear them say, 'Oh, I've been scammed. I trusted this person, like you give them the money to do the extension for you, to do the process of the visa, and then eventually it didn't work out.' Also, on the real estate side, I put in some down payment, and after a few months, they're gone. It hurts me, and up to some extent, it embarrassed me as a Filipino because they are coming here, they are actually trusting us, the culture in itself. But that minority does not represent the majority either.
3:22 So when you come to the Philippines, I myself wanted also to benchmark our country with other countries. I just had a recent trip with Thailand. Admittedly, pros and cons between two countries, similarly tropical vibes, culture-wise different. Infrastructure is also different. Thailand is much more progressive than the Philippines, but the Philippines also has something to offer which Thailand does not have. So those are the things that we really wanted you to invite to come to the Philippines and see it for yourself.
3:54 I'm not saying that you stay here. Test the waters. Be here 6 to 12 months and see for yourself. If it works well for you, then good. If it's not, look for your options. At the end of the day, you decide which best fits for you.
4:08 The third question I have for you today is, what are the visa options for younger guys apart from the spousal visa and the retirement visa?
4:16 There are still a lot of visa options that the Bureau of Immigration Office can provide. Because right now, most of the people come to the Philippines like under 50 and above, they wanted to retire here, something new, new culture, they fell in love, they have successful marriages. Well, it's good up to some point. Now, on the other side also, for those who will not be hooked up on that aspect, they're also on the retirement visa. Now, there are still a lot. If I'm going to mention it here, we will actually take a lot of time for us to discuss it here.
4:52 But you can actually start off by having the tourist visa extension because the tourist visa extension will give you a good leeway for you to stay here in the Philippines and test the waters if it works for you. Like if you're from the US, you're non-visa required, you come here just with your flight, you're given 30 days. You can extend that up to 36 months, that's 3 years. And I think 6 to 12 months will be enough for you, like, 'Okay, I wanted to set up a business here.' Once I set up the Philippine company, and then you can actually apply for the 9G working visa. That's one of your options that you can take.
5:28 And I think most of you on our age range now, there are actually things that are circulating right now like a nomad visa. Now, I just had a brief look about the visa. However, that visa is still being processed to be approved and to be available. More likely, when I see the requirements of the nomad visa, if I'm a US citizen like yours, I would test the waters. I would just come here. It's much simpler for me, like doing the extension is not that hassle because the Nomad Visa will require you to submit a set of requirements, employment contracts, and also tax returns from the country where your company is located.
6:15 So, just make it simple: 6 to 12 months, test the waters, then go here. The fourth question I have for you today is, what is the most common reason someone reaches out to JRC?
6:24 They wanted to have the convenience. Sometimes they hear horror stories that it's difficult, and that's why we help them navigate through the process. Structure-wise, I wanted to be honest with you. Like, one good example, sorry to compare, but it's just the reality. Like from the city proper of Cebu, one of the cities in the Philippines, going to the airport, 7 kilometers, will take you at least an hour. That's on the infrastructure side. But I know the Philippine government is really working hard on it to really improve from time to time. And Thailand-wise, 28 kilometers, that's super helpful.
7:09 The sixth question is, what are your suggestions to help foreigners slow down?
7:16 You know what, it comes with perspective. I've been talking also with other clients of ours, like Jr, you need to really adopt the western side because the Philippines has its own unique way of doing things. Because being slower-paced than the West is also a gift. Why? If you slow things down, that is where you value life most. It's not about all the material things that you have. At the end of the day, it's your perspective on how you live life. And I think that is one of the most common reasons why people from the West come to the Philippines or any Southeast Asian nation.
7:55 And okay, I would like to add on that: bring your patience here. It will not work if you will be reasoning out the way how a Western would think. I'm not saying that you change; we just meet halfway. Because you might be perceived that you are too aggressive to have things done. So sometimes, like a typical example, you're coming from probably more than 10 hours flight, you come to the Philippines, you've been grumpy, and you have a back pain, you have all the pains that you have, you're not feeling well out of that flight. Come to the immigration officer, you just need to fill out the thing, and you become to reason out. And what would happen? You become unruly, you become disrespectful to an immigration officer. So that will not put you in a good place because you might be barred from entering the country, or you will be included in the regulatory record such as blacklist, watchlist, or whatever is applicable for you. That's a simple thing. So when you come here to the Philippines, do some cultural research first. Cultural, not places, because places are like easy, they're all beautiful. And when you see the picture, see it personally because there would be reality versus expectations.
9:13 The seventh question is, is there any way for a foreigner to come back from being blacklisted?
9:17 It varies by situation because it depends on what your violation was at that point. Now, it has all, it can be lifted. It's not the end of the line. What I wanted to stress out right now is, or what I wanted to point out is, you coming here does not mean that the entire culture of the Philippines will adjust to your culture. We meet halfway. Like on our form, so how do we meet halfway? We let them understand the process. Here's how it's going to work, here's the procedure. Bear with us because we want your cooperation also to have things done. Because if you don't, we will have a problem. And at the end of the day, we're always helping you how to navigate things here. Just have your peace of mind. Don't be in a situation wherein it's undesirable for you. You come here for a reason. Go back always to that.
10:14 In what ways can a foreigner help you to help them?
10:19 Um, number one, we need their full cooperation. That's very important because without their cooperation, we will have difficulties along the way. Number two, understanding. Understanding about the process here is different. It will not be like the same with the West, like, 'Okay, hey, I want my title to be done in days.' Here, it won't work. We're...
10:41 Here it won't work. We're talking about months, but we will be actually navigating or going through the process of, okay, this is the first step, these are the second step, third step, and the final step to be it done. I think those two for now will be the two points that I'll be sharing because those are very important. Understanding and your cooperation, it will not be a dance alone, but when we tango, we dance. We dance.
11:12 Can you speak on student visas? Are you affiliated with any universities locally that can help with those? Student visas have different procedures. So once you will be in a student visa, the immigration office is accrediting that school, and that school has the specific liaison officer. So that actually is a separate department from the Bureau of Immigration, wherein it's only focused more on those foreign students who wanted to learn in the Philippines or to study here in the Philippines.
11:47 Now, after that, that is where our scope of jurisdiction will come into play. So we don't have basically jurisdiction with the student visas at the time being. But for you to be guided initially, if you want to be enrolled in a school, the first thing that you're going to ask is if that school is accredited with the Bureau of Immigration. And then if they say yes, you coordinate with the liaison officer because they're the one being authorized as a representative of the school to transact your student visa in the Bureau of Immigration.
12:17 Are there any good reasons for a foreigner to obtain a work permit which is not registered in the Philippines or other countries that actually will comply to the country? The taxation will actually comply with the country where the business is operating and where the business is registered. So I think that's the first distinction that we would like to take.
12:39 Because, okay, if I'm also the foreigner wanting to go to the States, I would like to make sure that everything is legal. I don't want to be in a situation, hey, I'm in a foreign land, I've been stuck, I have a problem. It will actually mess up everything. I don't want that.
12:54 I think that's the norm right now for foreigners coming here. But you need to understand if you're a digital nomad and your company you're working for is from the US, then your taxation will be on the US, but you're working here remotely. However, if your US company has a registered branch in the Philippines, and that's another story, that will be a coin flip on the other side.
13:20 I'll be honest with you, I have not actually dwelt on that in detail. However, when I actually go through it, it actually depends on the plan of that foreigner moving to another country. Because if I see it that way, this is just my opinion, a nomad visa more likely will be more focused on the Philippine consulate outside the Philippines. Why? They are requiring foreign documents, business establishment documents of the company that you work for, your employment contracts with them, and your tax returns, which is one of the requirements.
13:55 Are there any able to go to that quickly? And if that would be the case right now, if speaking of a nomad visa, it would actually come to a remote work setup. If it's a remote work setup, it's not here in the Philippines. So more likely the application of that nomad visa will be more focused on the consulate offices outside the Philippines, like for example, the Philippine consulate in the US. So before you come here, you can be issued with the nomad visa. That is just my opinion as of the time being, but the regulations are still being checked and there will be a final regulation soon.
14:32 However, a brief comparison between a nomad visa and a tourist visa. Nomad visa, two years renewable, I think every year if I'm not mistaken. Tourist visa, three years. So which would you prefer? Because things right now, like those documents, I don't know how challenging it is to provide, especially if you're going to be submitting it to the Philippine consulate. It would be a foreign document because that Philippine consulate is an extension of the territory of the Philippines in a foreign land.
15:09 And those documents that are listed might be considered as a foreign document. Before they accept that, you need to authenticate it, then you need to apostille. Now, my question is, do you have time? If you're just talking earlier that in the US, it's just like, okay, I don't know. Because once you slow, you lose money. I think that's how you think.
15:40 There, for the work permit side, we can actually do that. That's forming part of our services. So, however, we just need to establish right now that that Philippine document is registered here. That's the first thing. Otherwise, we cannot process anything here. If it's beyond the jurisdiction or territorial jurisdiction of the Philippines, that's out of our reach already.
16:01 However, on the example earlier, that if you're working for a US company who has a physical branch or registered here in the Philippines to have those remote setup, and that's another story, we can actually help them. Where are your offices located? Our offices are located in the heart of the Philippines. The main branch is in Cebu. That's the second city after our capital city. It's a little bit slower, faster than Manila. Faster than Dagupan, let's put it that way. And the second one is we also have an office in Dagupan. And the third one, we do have an office in Manila.
16:39 How can people hire you and your company, JRC? We basically start when you have a need or when you need something. Okay, you can hire us when you have a need on a visa and immigration, and on the side, the real estate if you need one here. Basically, we just need to be your guide here in the Philippines, not your tour guide. I just wanted to be clear on that, but we will be your information reference, your guide here in the Philippines on how to maneuver things because it will be new to you.
17:17 Like for example, when we go on a trip to other countries, our first trip, we always have a tour guide because that is where they navigate. They know how to navigate us from point A to point B as fast as you can. And probably in the next six to 12 months, you already learn to adapt with the culture. You can start to do it by yourself. But if you don't, because you have a lot of things that can be done to you, then you can actually retain us. We don't have retainers, but when you need a specific service, then we will talk to you.
17:59 Thank you so much for your time today, JR. I want to give you the final word. One thing that I would like, one thing that I have learned along the way for the past eight years doing this business is you just need to go to the right firm for you to navigate it properly. Because take this for example, you don't go to a bake shop when you wanted to have medicine. So if you need visa and immigration services, go to visa firms. I'm not saying it's only us, there's still a lot of people out there. However, you go there because that actually will fit and that will actually guide you on what you need.
18:40 You don't go to a visa firm when you have a real estate need. You need to go to someone who knows that. Like you don't go to a doctor when you're looking for a house. So the main point is value your time because you come here for a reason. So don't save pennies when in fact you're spending dollars. So go to the person that you perceive that will be trustworthy and can help you navigate things for you so that they can actually give you the best result that you wanted to have.
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