Moving to the Philippines Made Simple Blog

Cost of Living Cebu

pedrochristopher@gmail.com (Peter Christopher) — Tue, 18 Jan 2022 06:11:55 GMT

Get a Ballpark Idea of What the Cost of Living in Cebu Philippines Would be for You.

Are you ready to crunch the numbers and get a better idea of what it might actually cost to live in the Philippines? Here is a list of resources we have put together to help you decide if living in Cebu might be right for you and your budget.

Cost of Living Trackers:

YouTube Videos:

When Will the Philippines Open for Visitors?

Fri, 07 Jan 2022 23:49:21 GMT

Philippines Reopening Tracker

We all want the Philippines to reopen as soon as possible. We routinely check a number of sources daily and will keep this page updated with the latest information.

We also believe that all dreams, wants and goals take preparation. We understand the travel bands and constant changes with travel restrictions is frustrating to everyone. That is why we keep providing information. We want everyone to be prepared when the Philippines opens again.

Friday January 28, 2022

BREAKING NEWS

PHILIPPINES TO REOPEN BORDERS TO FULLY VAXXED TOURISTS 2/10/2022

Sources:

https://www.rappler.com/business/philippines-opens-border-fully-vaccinated-tourists-vs-covid-starting-february-10-2022/

https://www.france24.com/en/live-news/20220128-philippines-to-re-open-to-vaccinated-foreign-tourists

https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/philippines-reopen-february-vaccinated-foreign-tourists-2022-01-28/

https://www.straitstimes.com/asia/se-asia/philippines-to-open-borders-to-fully-vaccinated-travellers-next-month

https://www.cnn.com/travel/article/philippines-reopening-tourism-intl-hnk/index.html

US Embassy COVID 19 PH Specific Information:

To ensure the health and safety of our clients and our staff, the U.S. Embassy in Manila is canceling all non-emergency appointments for U.S. passports and Consular Reports of Birth Abroad through January 31, 2022.  All appointments will be rescheduled.

The current surge in COVID-19 cases has impacted our operations, and as a result we are working with significantly reduced staffing levels and can only accommodate applicants with urgent travel needs in the next two weeks. For more information, see our January 12, 2022, Health Alert .

According to the Philippine Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF), the following locations are under Alert Level 3 until January 15, 2022: the National Capital Region, Bulacan, Cavite, Rizal, Laguna, Baguio City, Dagupan City, City of Santiago, Cagayan, Angeles City, Bataan, Olongapo City, Pampanga, Zambales, Batangas, Lucena City, Naga City, Iloilo City, and Lapu-Lapu City.

The rest of the country remains at Alert Level 2.

For more information, see the  Philippine Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCOO) website  and  Guidelines on the Implementation of Alert Levels System for COVID-19 Response in Pilot Areas .

The Philippine government has mandated that everyone must wear face masks in public places. The use of  face shields  is mandatory in medical and quarantine facilities, as well as during Alert Level 5, Enhanced Community Quarantine, and granular lockdowns. Local governments continue to implement additional requirements to slow the virus’ spread. For information about public health protocols, please visit the  Philippine Department of Health’s website .

(source)

Philippine Airlines Travel Guide and List of Updated Green Countries:

https://www.philippineairlines.com/en/covid-19/arrivinginthep h

Various news sources and updates:

There have been no new or relevant updates to travel from news sources in the past 24-hours.

Philippines COVID 19 Tracker:

Should You Use an Immigration Lawyer or Visa Consultant for a K-1 Visa

pedrochristopher@gmail.com (Peter Christopher) — Thu, 06 Jan 2022 01:44:02 GMT

As the development of technology and transportation makes it easier to meet and form relationships with people from all over the world, it's becoming increasingly common for people from different countries to fall in love. When considering a relationship with a person from another country, it's convenient to know how marriage is possible. When a United States citizen marries a foreign citizen, a K-1 Fiance(e) Visa is necessary to bring the foreigner to the U.S. There are several important things to know about a K-1 Visa to allow the application process to flow as efficiently and quickly as possible.

What Is a K-1 Visa?

When a U.S. citizen marries a citizen from another country, the fiance(e) applies for a K-1 fiance(e) visa in order to move to the United States to live near their future spouse. The K-1 visa is a nonimmigrant marriage-based visa . Once they obtain the K-1 visa, the foreign fiance(e) then can come to the U.S. to marry the U.S. citizen sponsoring their visa. They have 90 days from the visa issuance date to get married. If the foreign fiance(e) has any dependent children, they can apply for a K-2 visa to come to the U.S. with their parent.

There are similar types of visas available, including marriage visas and K-3 marriage visas, but the K-1 fiance(e) visa is often the fastest, least expensive, and most convenient option for bringing a fiance(e) into the country for the purpose of marriage.

As an immigrating future spouse of a U.S. resident, the fiance(e) applicant must meet several requirements of a standard immigrant visa. After they arrive in the country and marry their fiance(e), the immigrating citizen then applies for an adjustment of status with the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). With this step, they apply to become a Lawful Permanent Resident (LPR) and obtain a green card.

Requirements for a Fiance(e) Visa Petition

There are several requirements that must be met before applying for a K-1 fiance(e) visa. The U. S. citizen applying for a visa for a fiance(e) must have met in person with the foreign-born partner and be able to provide proof of meeting. Both individuals must be legally able to marry at the time the petition is filed, meaning neither is currently married to someone else.

If either party was previously married and is no longer married due to divorce, death, or annulment, documentation might be necessary for proof when filing for the K-1 petition. Also, the applicant and fiance(e) must intend to marry within 90 days of the foreign-born person entering the U.S.

The applicant must also submit the Affidavit of Support. This is a document that proves the U.S. citizen is able to financially support the fiance(e) once they move to the U.S. If the applicant doesn't meet the income requirements , it may be possible to find a co-signer to qualify for this income regulation.

How Do You Apply for a K-1 Visa?

The U.S.citizen, who is known as the petitioner, files a petition for a K-1 visa for the foreign fiance(e). This petition is called the I-129F or Petition for Alien Fiance(e). The U.S. citizen files this petition at a United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) location based on their geographic residency.

Note that the visa process is slightly different for Canadian citizens .

What Happens After Filing a K-1 Visa Application?

After an individual applies for a K-1 visa application by submitting the I-129, the USCIS reviews and accepts the application. During the review process, they conduct a review of the petitioner and may request any missing or incomplete information be corrected. If it's properly filled out and submitted correctly, the petitioner is notified that the application was accepted. When a decision is reached to provide the visa, the I-129F petition is sent to the National Visa Center (NVC) for processing.

After that, it's assigned a case number and sent to the U.S. Consulate or Embassy where the foreign citizen fiance(e) resides. The consulate or embassy then sends the foreign citizen applicant instructions for how to complete the process of applying for the visa.

They must complete a medical examination with an authorized physician. At this time, the fiance(e) isn't required to get the vaccinations required of visa applicants. However, it can be convenient to do so since the vaccinations are necessary to become a lawful permanent resident after they're married and living in the United States.

After the medical examination, the fiance(e) must schedule an interview at the U.S. Embassy or Consulate to receive a K-1 visa. The embassy or consulate provides specific instructions regarding this interview. Requirements vary slightly for each embassy or consulate, but most require applicants to submit the following documentation:

All relevant visa applications.
A passport.
Divorce, annulment, or death certificates pertaining to any previous marriages.
Medical examination records.
Affidavit of financial support.
Evidence of relationship with fiance(e), who is a U.S. citizen.

After reviewing this information, the embassy or consulate can approve the petition. Once approved, the K-1 visa is valid for six months.

How Long Does It Take?

It generally takes from three to six months from the date of filing for the I-129 Petition to proceed through all the stages to approval and arrive at the U.S. Embassy or Consulate nearest the foreign-citizen fiance(e). The time frame can vary based on individual cases or the country the fiance(e) is from.

Once it goes through the entire process and is approved by the U.S. Embassy or Consulate in the fiance(e)'s country, the K-1 visa will be delivered in several days. Upon receiving the K-1 visa, the fiance(e) has six months to travel to the U.S. Upon arriving in the United States, they have 90 days to marry the U.S. citizen petitioner.

If there are any mistakes or any forms that need to be revised or resubmitted, the process takes longer. Since each case is different, other factors may affect the processing and approval of the petition.

Fees and Costs of a K-1 Visa

Various fees and costs are associated with applying for a K-1 fiance(e) visa. The I-129F has a filing fee of $535 . If the foreign fiance(e) has a child or children and is filing K-2 petitions, no additional fees are charged as long as an I-130 Petition of Alien Relative petition is submitted by the same U.S. citizen sponsor.

Travel costs must be considered as well. There may be travel associated with getting to the U.S. Consulate or Embassy for the K-1 interview, depending upon the applicant's distance from that location. The foreign-born citizen must travel to the U.S. Consulate or Embassy near them for an interview and to submit all relevant documentation, but this can still be a significant distance away and require transportation and potentially lodging costs as well.

Finally, if a petitioner chooses to hire an immigration lawyer or visa consultant, those fees must be added to the total cost. Prices can vary widely for professional services, and there are many different types of specialists to assist with the application process.

What If a K-1 Visa Is Denied?

An application for a K-1 visa might be denied for various reasons. A common reason for denial is the information on the I-129F form was incorrect, incomplete, or inconsistent. If this is the reason for denial, simply correct the mistake and refile the petition. Usually, the fee will need to be submitted again. Some petitioners choose to hire an immigration lawyer or visa consultant to file their petition to prevent common mistakes like this or any other issues that might arise.

Is It Necessary to Use an Immigration Lawyer or Visa Consultant?

With thorough research and review of the laws and requirements, a U.S. citizen can apply for a K-1 visa for their foreign fiance(e) without using an immigration lawyer or consultant. However, hiring an experienced professional may reduce the chance of mistakes and oversight on the petitioner's side. If there are any unusual or extenuating circumstances with the foreign-born fiance(e), it can be helpful to use a consultant for a K-1 visa to assist in filing and ensuring all requirements are properly met.

When dating someone from a foreign country, it can be valuable to explore the requirements necessary for marriage. The United States has a very clear procedure for bringing a foreign-born citizen to the U.S. in order to wed. Researching and understanding all requirements well in advance of the desired wedding date can make the process efficient and ensure everything is completed in a timely manner.

While some people consult immigration lawyers or visa consultants to assist with obtaining a K-1 visa, it's not a legal requirement. Understanding how the K-1 visa application process works can eliminate the need to hire an outside professional. If there are any complications or unique circumstances regarding a specific situation, it might be helpful to hire a professional to guide the couple through the application process.

Top Romantic Spots in the Philippines

pedrochristopher@gmail.com (Peter Christopher) — Tue, 04 Jan 2022 05:28:54 GMT

With its 7,641 beautiful islands, bright blue water, sandy white beaches, vibrant nightlife, and picturesque scenery, the Philippines screams romance—or perhaps "pagmamahalan," which is the Filipino word for romance.

If you're planning a romantic getaway with that special someone and you want to make it memorable, where should you go? With so many dreamy destinations for a romantic escape, it can be challenging to choose. Explore this list of 14 of the top romantic spots in the Philippines.

Need to Meet Someone to Travel to these Spots with - Date a Filipina

Popular Beer in the Philippines

pedrochristopher@gmail.com (Peter Christopher) — Wed, 29 Dec 2021 18:47:13 GMT

Beer in the Philippines is one of the leading alcoholic beverages of choice. It's consumed more than wine and pairs exceptionally well with Filipino food and the scorching Filipino summers.

Although craft beers are becoming all the rage in the Philippines, as they are almost everywhere, two big-name breweries are still producing the most popular Filipino beers.

1. The San Miguel Corporation

The Anheuser Busch of the Philippines, San Miguel is the No. 1 Filipino beer producer by far, accounting for 90% of the country's entire beer market. The company was established in 1890, and it produces both San Miguel Pale Pilsen and Red Horse Extra Strong Lager.

San Miguel Pale Pilsen is the oldest, most popular, and most readily accessible beer in all the Philippines. It's Filipinos' go-to brew, and you'll see it everywhere, from bar tops to ice-filled buckets on restaurant tables. The Pilsen is a basic 5% ABV pale lager.

Red Horse Extra Strong is named because it has 6.9% ABV, stronger than your average beer. It comes in multiple sizes and is easy to find throughout the Philippines.

If you're looking for a light beer and can't manage to score a Bud Light in the Philippines, as foreign beers are relatively limited there, San Miguel makes a San Mig Light, or SML. At 5% ABV and just 100 calories, it's a light and refreshing beer that allows you to save more room for all that good Filipino cuisine. Still not light enough? San Mig Zero has only 60 calories and 2.6% ABV.

San Miguel also produces several other beers, including San Miguel Premium All-Malt, Cerveza Negra (a dark beer), San Miguel Super Dry (a light amber lager), and a series of flavored beers.

2. Asia Brewery

The second in line for Filipino beer popularity is Asia Brewery's two beer varieties: Beer Na Beer and Colt 45, both well-liked beers in the Philippines.

Brewers created Beer Na Beer to be San Miguel Pale Pilsen's main competition, and as such, it's a very similar beer. Even the design of the bottle is a near imposter. Beer na Beer is a budget-friendly brew and great for warding off thirst in the warm Filipino weather, but it's much harder to find than many other beer options.

Colt 45 is, of course, an American beer originally, but Asia Brewery is licensed to brew its version locally using the same recipe.

Now that you're familiar with many popular Filipino dishes and several Filipino beers, try some of them for yourself. If you're planning a trip to the country, you can sample everything there. If not, plenty of Filipino restaurants in the United States make authentic and tasty cuisine. You could also try making these dishes at home and ordering the beers online. Many websites offer recipes, and most ingredients are available at local supermarkets or Asian markets. As the Filipinos say, "kain tayo," or "let's eat!"

For a list of resources related to the Philippines, click here .

Popular Food in the Philippines

pedrochristopher@gmail.com (Peter Christopher) — Mon, 13 Dec 2021 23:54:30 GMT

Popular Food in the Philippines

Filipino food uses various fresh ingredients, innovative sauces, and a range of meats and vegetables—some of which you might be familiar with and some not. Explore several classic and popular Filipino dishes with information about each one.

Moving to the Philippines Made Simple Blog

Cost of Living Cebu

Get a Ballpark Idea of What the Cost of Living in Cebu Philippines Would be for You.

When Will the Philippines Open for Visitors?

Philippines Reopening Tracker

***BREAKING NEWS***

PHILIPPINES TO REOPEN BORDERS TO FULLY VAXXED TOURISTS 2/10/2022

Should You Use an Immigration Lawyer or Visa Consultant for a K-1 Visa

Top Romantic Spots in the Philippines

With its 7,641 beautiful islands, bright blue water, sandy white beaches, vibrant nightlife, and picturesque scenery, the Philippines screams romance—or perhaps "pagmamahalan," which is the Filipino word for romance.

Popular Beer in the Philippines

Beer in the Philippines is one of the leading alcoholic beverages of choice. It's consumed more than wine and pairs exceptionally well with Filipino food and the scorching Filipino summers.

Popular Food in the Philippines

BREAKING NEWS