How long does it take to get a Philippine Visa?

[MovingIn07]

One of our staff (Chinese citizen) is supposed to be going to Manila on Tuesday but we just realised she has no visa .. anybody any idea on the procedure or how long it generally takes? (I get so used to travelling visa free I forgot how restrictive it must be to travel on a chinese passport!).

[HowardCoombs]

Although these sources dont look definitive, they do indicate that you dont really need one but can get it when you arrive:

http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P2-16625973.html

http://www.philippines-travel-guide....ines-visa.html

HC

[Konijntje]

I think it's 10 days - check with SP from our Pinatubo trip - he kept on saying what a hassle it was ! (paperwork-wise)

[MovingIn07]

I think it's 10 days - check with SP from our Pinatubo trip - he kept on saying what a hassle it was ! (paperwork-wise)

She lives and breathes I was going to email you and ask how it goes....

Yes - I recall that now you mention it - looks like my colleague is staying at home next week, although one of the links above implied she might get a visa on arrival ... given we are only intending to stay in the country about 5 hours she might miss the meeting sitting in a queue at the airport for the visa if it's standard Philippine bureaucracy at work!

[Konijntje]

Cool! My first thanks! (tho I'm not sure if they count if they come from a friend)
Having a major attack of "missing HK" therefore snooping around on Geo....

[MovingIn07]

Better give you another then.....but you missed last night's chapati thread - that was the best one in a while

I thought about you as all the flights got disrupted in London ... I bet that caused you chaos. Anyway you can tell me all about it in a few weeks.....

[Konijntje]

I thought about you as all the flights got disrupted in London ... I bet that caused you chaos. Anyway you can tell me all about it in a few weeks.....

assuming our flights are not affected...and given BA's recent announcements I'm booking Swissair - City airport is closer to the office anyway!

[PDLM]

As with all things Filipino I suspect the answer is "how much are you prepared to pay?"

[MovingIn07]

As with all things Filipino I suspect the answer is "how much are you prepared to pay?"

I'm sure you are right - just not sure of the correct 'procedure' for doing it here in HK! Anyway if she can't come it wouldn't be a huge loss - more for her benefit and experience than for the client. But we'll give it a go and report back to the information of any other chinese nationals who might have the same problem.

[PDLM]

For future use, shouldn't your colleague try to get an APEC business travel card? Then these problems go away, at least in APEC.