The Cebu Immigration office has a strict rule that men are not allowed entry when wearing shorts, they MUST wear long trousers, or “pants” as the Americans say. I did consider wearing just my pants, but …., well, you know… 😀
Bureau of Immigration Cebu District Office
P. Burgos St., Tribunal, Mandaue City
Tel. # (032) 345-6442
BI Mactan Cebu International Airport (MCIA)
Mactan, Cebu City
Tel. # (032) 340-1473
Both addresses are shown, although I am not sure if the Airport office will process Visa Renewals, I doubt it, but I did not try.
All APPLICANTS are required to dress properly.
Applicants wearing shorts, sandos, and slippers will not be allowed to ENTER the Immigration Office.
Transactions are entertained during Mondays to Fridays, 7:00am to 5:30pm.
www.immigration.gov.ph
There does appear to be a new office opening in Lapu-Lapu at the Gaisano shopping centre. I walked past it on 20th March 2013, and it has the signs outside and above the door, but interior work was still being done, so it is not yet ready for occupation.
Prices in March 2013 for Visitor Visa extension fees are:
Initial 21 day Visa is given on entry, at no charge, for most overseas visitors.
3,030 php 38 day extension from 21 visa to 59 days
4,300 php + US$50 + 50 peso : 1 Month extension after the first 59 days
4,800 php + US$50 + 50 peso : 2 months extension after the first 59 days (Total of: 7,337 pesos on 22/3/13)
more details can be seen at www.immigration.gov.ph at the Immigration Fees link on the left of their page.
The US$50 + 50 pesos is for the I-card required under Bureau of Immigration, Memorandum Order No. MCL-09-027
The second visa extension process, on a quiet day, in Cebu took from 1:15 pm to 3:30pm, (2 hrs 15 minutes) but I need to go back after 3 days to collect my I-Card.
The FIRST visa extension process, done in Puerto Princesa, Palawan, took about 15 minutes, and I was able to wear shorts and sandals.
Philippines Tourist Visa’s are only extendable up to 12 or 18 months, after which the traveller must leave the country, and re-enter and begin the entire Visa process again.
Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, Malaysia is apparently one of the cheapest overseas destinations to fly to, when you need to leave the Philippines at the end of each period.
There are many local travel and tour agencies who can also arrange your tourist visa extension for you, saving the trip to the Immigration Office. You just fill in and sign the forms, give them your passport and pay the total fees, which includes their service charge, and let them do the waiting.
Is the service worth it ?
I did it myself and paid 7,337 pesos plus taxi fares of 400 pesos, and it took a half day of my time.
A local agency quoted me 8,975 in total, so their service fee was (8,975 peso-7,337 peso) = 1,638 (about A$41.00)
They also quoted 4,575 for the 21 to 59 day extension, ie: a service fee of (4575-3030) = 1,545 (about A$39.00)
Each person can decide for themselves, about the value of their time.
What did I wear to the Cebu Visa Extension office? Trousers, Shirt with (short) sleeves, socks and sandals. There is a sign at the office saying that shirts MUST have sleeves, at least short sleeves, so no tank tops… I was concerned about the no Sandos rule, but quite a few had sandals and socks on, but none without socks.
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