I just wrote a very long email to the BI commissioner about all these rip-offs in the name of fees, taxes and regulations. Not that I'm expecting any change but I think they should at least know how upset we foreigners are and that we are aware of their all these ripping-off tricks just to generate revenues on the expense of aliens. It would be nice if other will write as well.
Do you guys know that you will be required to pay departure tax, travel tax and exit clearance fees at the time of departing from the PH?
Also, once an alien obtains an immigrant visa (such as 13a), s/he will need to-
(1) visit personally to local BI office every year for "annual report" AND of course would need to pay fees php 310'
(2) will be paying travel tax at the time of leaving the PH
(3) will be paying a big fee for exit clearance.
So, staying in the PH either on a tourist visa (with its frequent extension) or on an immigrant visa is still very expensive. It's okay if one wouldn't travel out of the PH after obtaining an immigrant visa; otherwise s/he is ready to pay a big amount.
It's so sad how this country comes up with "fancy fees/taxes/regulations".  |