I have never traveled to another country before (I'm in the US and Canada and Mexico do not count) but was told I need to apply for a visa. I am looking at a 60 day stay, but have not decided when. Will be in the next 4-5 months. So, any helpful information and links would be greatly appreciated. I live in Seattle, Wa so if there is a place I can go to great. Shot, I read that I should consider getting vaccinated before I make such a trip. Thoughts and links? thx for your time Doug
Assuming you are American you do not need to get a visa prior to entering the Philippines. They will give you a 30 day tourist visa upon entering the Philippines and you will have to extend it at an immigration office in the Philippines. It's really not a thing to worry about, no problem to get extended. I think that you can go to the Philippine Embassy (possibly call first, maybe you can mail your passport to them) and get a visa for the full length of your stay prior to your leaving. I would make sure you have decided on exact dates before you did any of that though. For vaccinations: Maybe you should make sure you are up to date on your Hepatitis A/B (especially B if you are planning on having some "fun"!) vaccines. If you can get a TB vaccine that might be a good idea as well. Typhoid, Rabies, Japanese Encephalitis are all something to consider (though I wouldn't worry about these too much). You should always be up-to-date on your regular vaccines: measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine, diphtheria-tetanus-pertussis vaccine, varicella (chickenpox) vaccine, polio vaccine, and your yearly flu shot before traveling to a third world country. If you want to play it safe you can have your doctor issue a 60 day supply (or however long your visit will be) of anti-malaria/bacterial pills for your visit.....but again, pretty rare to contract malaria and I'm not sure how effective those pills are (I carry them with me, courtesy of Uncle Sam, but I have never actually taken one). I don't think there is anything for Dengue, which is probably the biggest threat in terms of sickness in the Philippines....for that just bug repellent.
You can apply for a 60 day visa with the Philippine embassy. I recommend doing that if you stay more than 30 days. It saves you a day of your vacation and isn't more expensive than extending it here in the Philippines. I have also heard people who have done the 60 day extension when the enter the Philippines by going to the immigration officers office prior to passport inspection at the airport.
Thx for the fast reply...Yes American for sure. I see lots of information but nothing is real clear. Yes, will see about getting the main shots you told me about. I have never got the yearly flu shots, they are a psyop of sorts. So where is the Philippine Embassy?
There is a Philippine Embassy in Los Angeles, but I do not know where you are located. They are probably other places also in the US. Look on the internet for locations. If you go to L.A. there are not as busy in the afternoon, but you may have to wait a day for a one day processing. Meidcines, think about checking on prices.. there are travel clinics that will help you though all that and give you a little 35 cent paper vaccination passport which they charge about $100 dollars for... travel clinics are very over priced in my experience. Go to you doctors office, or a clinic but ovoid the "travel clinics" unless you have some money to burn. If you have money to burn please contact me immediately, send it to me, and I will send you a receipt. I got some of my pills at Costco (probably Walmart could help too) for about 40% of the drug store type cost. If you have a good relationship with your doctor, tell him/her where you are going and they will make recommendations, he will give you longer prescriptions than the 30 days ones you health provided will allow. This will allow you to bring enough pills for your entire trip.... I got 6 months worth. Again the Costco pharmacy had pills at a substantial price break. Any bottle with a prescription on it can be refilled here if they have the medicine in stock, but they may not .... I am not sure what they will fill it with but they will smile and give you a blank look if you ask any questions.... that is at least a little comforting. (NOTE I have been told only Mercury drug here has a closed distribution system, meaning you will get the real pills you asking for... but there may be others also.) Also besides your doctor's recommendations, there are web sites that make suggestion on what pills and shots to get. Wrye's post did a pretty good job of outlining what you should need. Good luck on your adventure. Remember you are not going to Dizzyland, you certainly will not be visiting "Tomorrowland", you maybe experience a little of "Fantasyland" here, and you certainly will experience "Adventureland" . Enjoy your trip.
Their are Philippines consulates in San Francisco and Los Angeles and their embassy in Washington D.C.. They all have web sites you can look up for addresses and services. If you come in 4-5 months, the hot season starts here then, perhaps a shock for you coming from Seattle, so be prepared - sunscreen, hat, etc.
