Visa issues and staying as a foreigner

Getting a visa and extending your stay is easier in the Philippines than most other countries in Asia. Most volunteers are foreigners needing a visa during their stay. You can stay and volunteer with Marine Conservation Philippines on a normal tourist visa, which is both easy get and extend. Almost all nationalities get a month for free upon entry to the Philippines. (See if you’re eligible) If you volunteer for more than a month, you can extend your visa in the immigration office in Dumaguete yourself and try to make a day of your trip to town. After 59 days in the Philippines, you will need an ACR-card (Alien currently residing) in the Philippines – it’s a small ID-card, which you’re legally required to obtain. It’s fast to get made in the Immigration Office in Dumaguete; It costs around 100 USD.

Please be aware that in order to be allowed to enter the Philippines, you must have proof of a booked outbound flight. You can either plan your itinerary well ahead, or do as many do – buy a cheap ticket to a travel hub in Asia such as Hong Kong or Bangkok, and then either cancel and get the ticket refunded when in the Philippines or rebook it to a departure time that better suits you.