That's what I was told also but I don't remember the minimum amount either $1000 or $1500 per month plus at least age 35. If met then you can get cheap with only $1500 USD deposit in bank and $1400 USD fee paid to PRA plus approx $20 for fingerprint check with FBI etc... Only problem is you have to go to Cebu to complete it as no local PRA office in Dumaguete. I think that is correct.
I'm suprised nobody suggest this route. Just get your local student license and 6 weeks later your non prof. Its super easy to get, if you want to be patient you can do it all yourself, if not there are many faster lanes. I never saw a reason to 'translate' my dutch license bla bla bla its all to complex when getting a local license is painless.
This is the route I took, student license first , then the non prof license. I actually gained mine from Bais. Upon the first expiry date I renewed at LTO Robinsons with no problems . Recently after suffering a house burglary in October last , I had to get a duplicate , this involved getting a blotter report from Sibulan Police, a notorised affidavit stating the license as stolen. LTO Dumaguete made a duplicate while I waited . The only hitch was when I paid the cashier , she stated ( too loudly for my liking ) I looked like Sean Connery , this prompted a chorus of giggles from her co- workers and me blushing like a child ! Dear reader , I do not resemble 007 in the least , more like the late lamented " Q"
I did ask about this but was told I would still need to meet the 1 year visa requirement when I convert from student to full license.
you have to be in the Philippines over 1 month AND have a year or more left on your Visa per Administrative Order AVT-2015-031 page #3, paragraph B.4 Request Rejected This looks like it applies only to new licenses, those who already have a license can renew as normal.
Mine expires in 2017. I'm sure the rules will have changed a couple times by then. It would be silly for them to deny me a renewal because of this administrative order. I guess I'll find out next year.
Apparently it is based on your Arrival date, so if you have been out of the Country and have a new arrival date then it maybe they will take this as a start again. We all know that where there is a loophole, they can climb in, they will Each LTO Office is going to be Different, Would be Interesting to hear what those that are doing things now, are Finding it.
The new regulation is for new licenses only, your renewal will be ok. As for being silly, it is arguably silly that I cannot get a license because I'm on a tourist visa which can only be extended for a maximum of six months at a time
I've always been on a tourist visa as well and I've had a Philippine license for a long time. They know d*mn well that a tourist can stay here longer than a year (and it's been that way for quite some time). What are they expecting the vast majority of the expats here (I'm assuming that most stay here for a long time on a tourist visa) to do for a license? They didn't think this one through IMO.