Original email response I got from a company: Good day! Thank you for your inquiry! Yes, we can help you extend your visa. Tourists are authorized to stay in the Philippines for a maximum of one year, and visa can be extended every 2 months. You don't need to go to the Embassy, all you have to do is to submit your passport in our office and we will process it in your behalf. For further inquiries, please do reply with this e-mail. Thank you. Dia V. Alzo Documentation Assistant Fiesta Tours and Travel Corp. 517 Alonso St. Malate, Manila Tel # 521-7866to69/5264365to66 Fax #521-1380 Can I just leave my passport with them and they will do all the work for me for a fee? Or is this something that might be shady?
There are many travel-agencys doing that, this was the only chance years ago in Puerto Galera. Some are serious, some are shady. Depending also when you received the letter, cause the information is simply wrong. since August 2007 you can stay upto 2 years, and you never needed to go to any embassy, it is always the immigration. That takes 5 - 10 Minutes (a bit longer in Manila. In many cities you don't even have to go by yourself, your girlfriens, caretaker, houskeeper can do that for you. cheers Rhoody
... sure, or do you think the travel-agent goes by himself??? In Dumaguete, I always do it personaly and have a coffee with Peter Bueno, the Head of the immigration here. It is always good to know people personally, specially when you planning on a business... cheers Rhoody
i've only tried having my passport renewed by a local travel agency, but then again i'm not a foreigner so i wouldn't know if it also works that way for you folks. that also depends on how comfortable you are leaving your one and only visa/passport to someone you don't know.
I agree with Rudy It doesn't take but a few minutes to get your visa renewed in Dumaguete. I personally don't see any reason to pay someone else to do it for you. Especially when it only takes a short while. Just one caveat. You're going to be charged and "express fee" when you renew your visa. Get over it don't argue about it. It's one of the charming aspects of life in the Philippines if I do say so myself. If anyone in her happens to know how to get past that please do tell. LOL Don
The firm offering this service is doing the same as many others. That, in itself, is a legitimate activity. The "shadiness" would have to be decided on how well or poorly this service is performed for the fee charged. For the benefit of those who may NOT KNOW IT - this renewal can be performed , speedily, efficiently, with "in person" service, at the Immigration Office in Dumaguete.
the more dangerous parts of the city. I am planning to travel to Cape Town this year for research and may want to travel to some of the more dangerous parts of the city. Is there some company in Cape Town that leads tours around the city and/or might send someone to accompany me since I want to go to the less touristy parts? If so, how can contact the company and find out hourly/daily rates? Is there any idea of Cape Town tour Guide Company?
