Marriage Visa Benefits of Marriage Visa: Does it Worth Getting One?

Greetings to all forum members!

I've been staying in Philippines since 2010, extending my tourist visa and leaving the country from time to time. So far I am happy with visa laws here comparing to other countries.

It's been a year since I married a Philippine girl and I am about to go to another visa run in the middle of March to get another 36 months. I need to go to Cebu to get my exit clearance and I'm thinking to take my wife with me and try to apply for a resident visa (we have all the requirements on hands) but I'm not sure if it worths getting?

As I read in other topics it costs around 8000-9000 pesos and I will need to renew it after one year and looks like I will have to pay around 3000 extra pesos every time I leave the country on top of 1620 pesos travel tax. Looks like I will have to go to Cebu Immigration for any transaction which I would prefer to avoid. Or am I wrong?

What benefits will I get converting my visa? Isn't it easier to just stay with tourist visa?

And another question - do I need to pay those 8000+ upon initial applying or later after the approval?

Any information will be appreciated!

 

I've been doing the same since 2008 and similarly happy. In that time I have met and got to know 6 expat friends who got married, got the 13a visa, got divorced, lost their 13a status, and went back to the tourist status that I have been on all along. I'm happy doing it this way. YMMV

Edit: By "got divorced" I mean the marriage either ended in a legal separation, an annulment or in one case an actual divorce where she remarried another American in the US.

 

I guess one of the good things is that you can Work on a 13a

 

YIKES!!!! The world's shortest 4 letter word - Job

 

Aye! I didn't like it when I had to but seems some may still have to, although not worth much here but it is a bonus to be able to if needs Must