As airfares have increased, and time to make a quick exit from the philippines approached, i could only find flights on the weekend and monday. I chose a flight leaving at 6 pm on a monday, thinking this would give me time to deal with the exit fee scam and all that goes with it. I did not know it had to be done at immigration office. I thought i could just go in the morning, give them the 1 by 1 photos, fingerprints and pay the exit fee at the airport, and me and my wife could be on our way. But i have been told you have to do it the day before and also that you have to go to the immigration office (cebu). DOES ANYONE KNOW IF I HAVE TO SPEND EXTRA MONEY AND MAKE AN UNNEEDED TRIP TO CEBU ON FRIDAY to do this, or can i do it the same day as my departure?
Cebu only or the office above bi can do it overnight for around 3000p, Cebu is cheaper but think you have to go back next day to collect it.
Pictures? Finger prints? What kind of exit clearance is this? I paid an exit clearance in the Manila airport and it was 1500, no picture no finger prints.
exit phils only have acri card, no permanent residency here, even though married to philippino. i was told i must have 3 1x1 photos, get finger printed and pay an exit fee to leave the country and i must be done through immigration. the only flights from cebu i could get were on saturday, sunday, and monday. so i chose a late in the day flight in hopes i can be at immigration first thing in morning and they let me do the exit clearance the same day. I have recieved no helpful replies to this problem, and can not contact immigration by phone. I give up on sending e mails to business;s, they never answer them and most the time the phone contact info is no longer any good. what a system this country has, no wonder more and more people are heading for pensioner/retiree countries that give good benefits, truly welcome foreign residents and entrepenuers. The phils are a great place to find a good wife, but i am learning, living and doing business here is another story.
@syrkyn, Hope it's not this Monday you are leaving, or it's cutting it close. Yes, you can go to Cebu BI and get the ECC on the same day. Get there early. Cost is P500. It's three 2x2 photos, not 1x1s. Angel (Yolly's husband.)
syrkyn, Adding this: Maybe you already know, but if you are just making a visa run and coming back you will also need a ticket out of the Philippines to anywhere. Otherwise you may not be allowed to board the plane coming back.
Exit Philippines I went to immigration in Cebu early in the morning as my flight was leaving later that day. I had to rent pajamas to get in because shorts are not allowed. I had to have 3 2x2 photos, pay 500 peso exit fee and get fingerprinted. this took a little over 2 hours. At no time out of the country, boarding flight back to country or at immigration checkpoint at Mactan airport in Cebu, was i asked if i had an outbound flight ticket. I did,, just in case, but i did not need it after all. Anyone want to buy a one way ticket to singapore in october for 75 us dollars? In my opinion, most things depend on the official and their mood in govt offices in this country. One area is not the same as another. The rules here as you all know are a bit backward and well cuckoo. But i do not believe they will change or make things better for expats or even listen much to us. I am going to check out some of the other pensioner, retirement benefit areas of the world to see if me and my wife might like things better there. Of course i could get investor retirement here if i could sell my us farmland and lake property, anyone want to go live in usa? lol thanks for everyones help and comments
As far as I know the Philipines is the only country in the world that wants tourists staying more than 6 months after day of arrival to get an ECC. The Tourist department is doing a lot to attract more and more visitors. For those who are visiting the PH with a package trip for one or two weeks; no hassle. But in the event you're over the 6 months....OMG. Should be a good idea when the 2 governmental departments of Tourist and Immigration get together so that leaving the country don't have to be such a big hassle. And when money is no longer acquired from the ECC well simply increase the exit fee @NAIA. IMHO: everybody happy.
