Manila Embassy Interview

[windchaser_4 0]

Hi PW and many others, Been busy with getting the wedding done and everything, didn't have time to post. Jenny is here and we got married on the 13th of January and enjoying the Honeymoon. Thanks for all the help , even tho we still have a lot to do. See you all later.

[Ken_Maria 0]

RiggerAF interview is 18 Jan, he should be able to shed some light on the Honolulu POE befoe most of us. Good luck, Rigger. Ken & Maria

oh yeah anyone with experience POE honolulu?????

We are less than one month ahead of you. I hope I can provide some information later.

Aloha

[Ken_Maria 0]

You did not mention a date, but TravelPH has PAL flights in Feb $815 including taxes to SF. I got my fiancee's one-way through TravelPH to Honolulu for $566. Everyone else was $800+. Ken

PAL is the best way too go for the direct flight. @ 46,746.00 PHP (956.42 USD) one way the cost is not bad for the not needing too change planes.

Holy Cow! That much??? That's about what I paid to fly to the Philippines round trip from LAX on Cathay Pacific back in April. I was counting on finding a one-way ticket for under $600, especially since I'm going to need to buy one for Jinky and her 5 year old son, Job.

Did you look into your fiancee purchasing the ticket over there? I believe you'll save some money that way as well.

[robhankins 0]

For the Manila embassy interview, can my fiancee use her passport style photograph she submitted with her K1 petition? She took that photo about 7 months ago. I don't see why she cannot. Any experience anyone in using the photos submitted with the petition? thx.

I have the same question..

Anyone? Thanks

Gary makes a good point that it is over six months old and it is cheap. Also, do you have about six more of those? Three at St. Lukes, two for DS-156 and one more for Embassy? We took eight photos (copies) to be sure. This is such an inexpensive item, why take a risk? Surely, they have the one you sent in 7++ months ago???

You did not mention a date, but TravelPH has PAL flights in Feb $815 including taxes to SF. I got my fiancee's one-way through TravelPH to Honolulu for $566. Everyone else was $800+. Ken

PAL is the best way too go for the direct flight. @ 46,746.00 PHP (956.42 USD) one way the cost is not bad for the not needing too change planes.

Holy Cow! That much??? That's about what I paid to fly to the Philippines round trip from LAX on Cathay Pacific back in April. I was counting on finding a one-way ticket for under $600, especially since I'm going to need to buy one for Jinky and her 5 year old son, Job.

Did you look into your fiancee purchasing the ticket over there? I believe you'll save some money that way as well.

I have a really good travel agent in Manila. Send me a PM and I will give you her name, email and phone. I don't want to promote anyone's business online.

[Ken_Maria 0]

Not sure where you got the 1600 peso travel tax thing on tickets purchased outside the PI, but I am interested in finding out. I purchased my fiancee's ticket through PAL direct and it is an E-Ticket, is that considered a ticket purchased outside the PI?

I just left Manila 15 Jan and the new 200 peso security fee in addition to the 550 peso departure fee has not been implemented. The latest I read in the local Manila papers is the new security fee will be added to the ticket cost and not paid like the departure fee. Still not sure when it will be activated.

The additional security checks are only for the US carriers, have flown PAL, China, JAL and Continential in my 7 trips since Nov 2005 and only Continential had the additional screening at the gate. Ken

Hi all, don't forget to factor in the $1,600 peso travel tax you pay at the airport if your filipino loved ones are traveling on a ticket you purchase outside the Philippines. The 750p security airport fee, and 19 security checks and xray machines on the way to your international gate. It was enough to exaust my wife last month. She had a new respect for my previous 4 trips to visit her last year ha.

[w1n78 0]

Not sure where you got the 1600 peso travel tax thing on tickets purchased outside the PI, but I am interested in finding out. I purchased my fiancee's ticket through PAL direct and it is an E-Ticket, is that considered a ticket purchased outside the PI?

I just left Manila 15 Jan and the new 200 peso security fee in addition to the 550 peso departure fee has not been implemented. The latest I read in the local Manila papers is the new security fee will be added to the ticket cost and not paid like the departure fee. Still not sure when it will be activated.

The additional security checks are only for the US carriers, have flown PAL, China, JAL and Continential in my 7 trips since Nov 2005 and only Continential had the additional screening at the gate. Ken

wow another 200php? i just left jan 2nd and wasn't charged that. paid like $11 but security seemed alot tighter than previous trips. i basically remained with my shoes off right after immigration. thanks for the heads up

[Ken_Maria 0]

I just got back today after a week in the Philippines and only on page 297 of 304 so forgive me if someone has already answered this or it is OBE. LBC is the Cheapest I hove found for shipping freight (boxes) to-fron the Philippines. Only thing is, it takes up to 30 days or more sometimes. It is one price reguardless if weight. The price is based on the size of the box. Check out LBC Ken

Does anyone know of a cargo shipping company for shipping a box from Manila to the U.S.? We ran out of suitcase space and need to ship some things home.

[Ken_Maria 0]

PW, I have a friend who is a Tourist Agent in Manila and will check on the additional 1600 Peso for tickets purchased outside the Philippines.

The Airport departure fee is still 550 Peso as of 15 Jan 07 when I departed yesterday. The 200 peso security fee has not been implemented yet and looks like it will be included in the ticket price once they get the kinks ironed out and implement the new fee. Ken

Orbitz probably meant that all US taxes have been paid for. They may not be aware of Philippine travel tax. As far as I know, no ticketing outlets outside the Philippines are authorized to collect Philippine travel tax. Note that the US Security Fee alone costs $90 (YAY!!!)

7) $33 - Philippine travel tax (paid only by Filipino citizens). $ value varies depending on prevailing exchange rate

Yes, better to bring P1,620 plus P700 (or P750? I forgot) for Phil. airport tax. They increased effective January 2007.

[sunandmoon 450]

here's a link to Travel Tax if anyone wants to check it out. http://www.philtourism.gov.ph/ttax.html

[Pinay Wife 47]

Part of the memo circular by the Dept. of Tourism re travel tax on foreign-issued tickets:

MEMORANDUM CIRCULAR NO. 02-2003

TO: ALL CONCERNED

RE: TRAVEL TAX ON FOREIGN ISSUED TICKETS

To prevent collection of travel taxes on foreign issued tickets by unauthorized person, we are reminding all concerned to comply with Rule X of the Implementing Rules and Regulations on Travel Tax which provides that in the case holders of tickets issued and/or purchased abroad the same are taxable under Presidential Decree No. 1183, as amended, the travel tax shall be paid directly to the Philippine Tourism Authority (PTA) and shall not be collected abroad by the carriers or their agents.

The rule further requires that carriers or their duly authorized representatives shall not validate the bookings or reservation of holders of these tickets unless a Certificate of Travel Tax Payment (PTA Form No.357), Travel Tax Exemption Certification (PTA Form No. 354), or Reduced Rate Certificate (PTA Form No. 355), as the case may be, from the PTA, is submitted. In lieu of the Certificate of Travel Tax Payment, a PTA Official Receipt will suffice for validation purposes.

The following penalties shall be imposed on any person convicted of violating or causing another to violate any provision of said Decree or of the Rules and Regulations issued pursuant thereto, or makes any material misrepresentation in connection therewith, viz:

x x x

7 May 2003, Manila, Philippines

In service to God, country and the Filipino people.

(original signed)

ROBERT DEAN S. BARBERS

General Manager & Chief Executive Officer

Edited January 16, 2007 by PatientlyWaiting

[robhankins 0]

About going to medical with cough and congestion.

Lilia went to the medical on 12/21 with bronchitis. etc etc. etc. etc.

Does anyone know the absolute best way to go about requesting a "rescheduled" appointment? Her medical is complete and her passport is already at the USE. I will begin calling tomorrow morning Manila time.

Rob, the same experience happened to a friend of my wife's in September. Once her medical was clear, she had her interview the following week. Her husband called the embassy in Manila and they were very helpful in getting it arranged this quickly. Good Luck to you!

I called the embassy tonight and told them the story. Lorraine said I might get appointment in May. I believe I had a small stroke when she said that. I was expecting to hear a week or two.

If anyone has experience in this type situation, please contribute.

[Ken_Maria 0]

I am waiting on a response from my contact at the travel agency to see if internet tickets bought directly from PAL include the tax or if it has to be paid when departing. I will post the answer here, when i get it. Ken

Part of the memo circular by the Dept. of Tourism re travel tax on foreign-issued tickets:

MEMORANDUM CIRCULAR NO. 02-2003

TO: ALL CONCERNED

RE: TRAVEL TAX ON FOREIGN ISSUED TICKETS

To prevent collection of travel taxes on foreign issued tickets by unauthorized person, we are reminding all concerned to comply with Rule X of the Implementing Rules and Regulations on Travel Tax which provides that in the case holders of tickets issued and/or purchased abroad the same are taxable under Presidential Decree No. 1183, as amended, the travel tax shall be paid directly to the Philippine Tourism Authority (PTA) and shall not be collected abroad by the carriers or their agents.

The rule further requires that carriers or their duly authorized representatives shall not validate the bookings or reservation of holders of these tickets unless a Certificate of Travel Tax Payment (PTA Form No.357), Travel Tax Exemption Certification (PTA Form No. 354), or Reduced Rate Certificate (PTA Form No. 355), as the case may be, from the PTA, is submitted. In lieu of the Certificate of Travel Tax Payment, a PTA Official Receipt will suffice for validation purposes.

The following penalties shall be imposed on any person convicted of violating or causing another to violate any provision of said Decree or of the Rules and Regulations issued pursuant thereto, or makes any material misrepresentation in connection therewith, viz:

x x x

7 May 2003, Manila, Philippines

In service to God, country and the Filipino people.

(original signed)

ROBERT DEAN S. BARBERS

General Manager & Chief Executive Officer

[Dean iWait 0]

I just got back today after a week in the Philippines and only on page 297 of 304 so forgive me if someone has already answered this or it is OBE. LBC is the Cheapest I hove found for shipping freight (boxes) to-fron the Philippines. Only thing is, it takes up to 30 days or more sometimes. It is one price reguardless if weight. The price is based on the size of the box. Check out LBC Ken

Does anyone know of a cargo shipping company for shipping a box from Manila to the U.S.? We ran out of suitcase space and need to ship some things home.

Do you know if they recently changed their service? The only international parcel service I can find says it's limited to 3 kilos and must fit in plastic receptacle. Maybe I'm just not looking in the right spot on their site, I don't know.

[Ken_Maria 0]

Sorry, try this link, gave u the wrong one. TeamLBC

Do you know if they recently changed their service? The only international parcel service I can find says it's limited to 3 kilos and must fit in plastic receptacle. Maybe I'm just not looking in the right spot on their site, I don't know.

[Ken_Maria 0]

Just found out even if you buy the ticket directly thru PAL online, you will still have to pay the 1600 travel tax. It can be paid at any agency before flying out or at the checkin. Ken

Part of the memo circular by the Dept. of Tourism re travel tax on foreign-issued tickets:

MEMORANDUM CIRCULAR NO. 02-2003

TO: ALL CONCERNED

RE: TRAVEL TAX ON FOREIGN ISSUED TICKETS

To prevent collection of travel taxes on foreign issued tickets by unauthorized person, we are reminding all concerned to comply with Rule X of the Implementing Rules and Regulations on Travel Tax which provides that in the case holders of tickets issued and/or purchased abroad the same are taxable under Presidential Decree No. 1183, as amended, the travel tax shall be paid directly to the Philippine Tourism Authority (PTA) and shall not be collected abroad by the carriers or their agents.

The rule further requires that carriers or their duly authorized representatives shall not validate the bookings or reservation of holders of these tickets unless a Certificate of Travel Tax Payment (PTA Form No.357), Travel Tax Exemption Certification (PTA Form No. 354), or Reduced Rate Certificate (PTA Form No. 355), as the case may be, from the PTA, is submitted. In lieu of the Certificate of Travel Tax Payment, a PTA Official Receipt will suffice for validation purposes.

The following penalties shall be imposed on any person convicted of violating or causing another to violate any provision of said Decree or of the Rules and Regulations issued pursuant thereto, or makes any material misrepresentation in connection therewith, viz:

x x x

7 May 2003, Manila, Philippines

In service to God, country and the Filipino people.

(original signed)

ROBERT DEAN S. BARBERS

General Manager & Chief Executive Officer