Remember my 'test run' to Hong Kong in December? I was here 11 months that time and paid p500 at NAIA Terminal 3 for my ECC.

On a tourist visa, under 6 months in country no ECC, 6-12 months in country ECC at airport, over 12 months in country is when the need for added trips to obtain an ECC kicks in.

 

Yeah but I'm not a rich 'Merican who can fly out of the country every 12 months However I used to do that when the maximum we could stay on a tourist visa was 16 months and at that point I thought it worth it. Now its easier on the budget to only worry about it every three years.

 

hahaha got ya. and 2 day trips to Cebu is better/cheaper than staying?

 

If you are referring to the 13a Visa I am sure I was told by the approving Officer I needed to renew in 5 years after being approved...

Without doing the Math, I know I would rather fly to Cebu for a 'Holiday' every 5 years to renew my 13a Visa than fly in and out to another Country or renew my Visa monthly at the local BOI...

As a comparison; for myself and my wife to fly to Cebu the first time, then myself, my Wife and Daughter to fly to Cebu the second time, and pay the Agent and authorise another to do most of the footwork on my behalf both times, stay at a nice Hotel and pay for food for a week, do a little sight seeing and whatnot set us back under 70,000php for both trips, which I expect will rise maybe another 10k in 5 years time... I think it is worth it.

 

Since you bring it up, I put it to you to do a cost comparison between the cost of staying in cebu for 3 days once every 3 years (for the purpose of ECC) with the cost of flying out of the country and back plus buying an exit ticket plus paying for any vacation expenses while out of the country once a year for the additional 2 trips to do it annually. Hmm. I think I know the answer but show me and I may rethink my budget.

As for the member who mentioned the 13a, that is a personal choice that has its pros and cons, beginning with a marriage. Many or us are perpetual tourists.

 

last time ecc in cebu immigration only took me about 30 min...has this changed?

 

Nope, not what I meant. Problem was pain distracted reading of your post, my fault. I thought (incorrectly I see now) you were saying if BI in Cebu was going to take 3 days you would go to Cebu twice, once to drop off and again to pick up.

I see now you meant go to Cebu early, drop off at BI, stay a couple days, pick up at BI, then fly out of Mactan. All one trip. Which is why my question sounded, I am sure, pretty dumb.

 

Quite true but you can use an accredited Agency if you have time, there are some in Dumaguete, One upstairs from the BI and would save you from sitting and waiting