Hi,

We (My partner/boyfriend (34) and me (31)) are now in the initial stages of planning the move to the Philippines where my partner will be setting up an offshore department for his company.
The plan is to go for 1-2 years to start off with.

We are coming over in 10 days for a "look n see" and can't wait to finally see Manila/Makati in real life!

My question now is regarding our visa. My partner will most likely be going on a work visa, but given that we are not married, can I still go on his visa as a dependent? (We are recognized as de facto in Australia).

Also if anyone have any advice on what to look for/check out at the "look n see" that would be great!

The route from your home to work. If you end up spending hours commuting per day that's no fun!

Sounds like your first time in the Philippines. Be prepared for bureaucracy and paperwork, and waiting around! Go with an open mind. I'd been to several Asian countries and yet this was still a whole new world for me. An enjoyable one though, once you get into the flow and relax.

Given that the Philippines is quite conservative on matters associated with marriage and divorce (not possible still) I would be surprised if they recognize your status for a dependant visa.

You may well find that your main option is a tourist visa which is renewable for up to about one year before you need to leave the country. This is not the most convenient as it will involve trips to immigration and the payment of renewal fees. Plus I think you need to get a special card after you have been in the country for a certain period. One little piece of good news is that the Tourism Minister recently stated that the Philippines would move to 30 day tourist visa on arrival as against the current 21 days. This is to match other neighbouring countries like Thailand.

I suggest that you check out some of the numerous living in Philippines web forums where you will doubtless find lots of visa info and plenty of good info about life in Manila and other parts of the country.

Thank you both of you!

GeoffM - This move is not only our first trip to the Philippines, it is our first visit to Asia in general. So I am sure that there will be some cultural surprises along the way! That will be part of this experience!

PeteinHongKong - Thank you. That is what I thought, but the tourist visa options sounds quite tedious. After having lived together for about 8 years and being perfectly happy not being married - the thoughts of a rushed wedding seems a bit off. Guess we would have to see what we can do.

Thank you both of you!

Never even been to Asia, SE Asia, or the Philippines? Wow, that's very ambitious to open up a new office then!

I have a book which is quite good, slightly dated in fact but still gives a good grounding and the reasoning behind some of the customs. http://www.amazon.co.uk/culture+shock+philippines

Thank you, GeoffM. I have actually already read that book and made small little "summaries" for my partner of the important parts

Just to clarify - My partner will be starting a department on behalf of his current employer and has good support from management and colleagues, who have more experience with Asia!
I am sure there will be a steep learning curve and guess we will know next week, when we come for a visit.

Ah, that's better then!

I hope you enjoy it! Hopefully I'm going back with my family in late February or early March, leaving them there for a bit (wife is Filipina), while I finish off our move to the US.

If you get a few days spare, have a trip to Boracay. Yes, it's not the most scenic of places, and it's touristy, and the sand's not as white as it used to be, but it's still nice for a couple of days. Only a half hour flight from Manila, as long as you land at Caticlan and not the other airport, whose name escapes me.

Good luck on you move - sounds very exciting!