| Expats living in the Philippines, without a resident visa, | | | | here will be limited. |
| must get their visa extended every 59 days. I usually | | | | I've heard other stories about pushy Americans in BI, |
| try to stay clear of the Bureau of Immigration (BI) just | | | | often over the BI dress code. This guy took rudeness |
| to make sure no one upsets me and I respond by | | | | to a new level! Its a lesson in how to get thrown out of |
| saying something I shouldn't have. Today's visit to BI | | | | and blacklisted from ever returning to the Philippines. |
| was a perfect example. Well, I would have never done | | | | When you go to BI, you need to dress in shirt (not |
| what this expat did. What he did was next to insanity. | | | | t-shirt) and long pants. Also flip-flops are not allowed, |
| Today, a guy in Mandaue City, Philippines, was at BI | | | | you need to wear regular shoes. If you do that, you |
| trying to get his exit clearance which requires a 2*2 | | | | should meet their dress code. But always be |
| inch picture. He had only a 1*1 photo and the BI officer | | | | respectful to all BI employees. Be on your best |
| told him she needed a 2*2. He responded with "its all I | | | | behavior. I usually hire an agent to handle my |
| have" in a raised and disgusted voice. The officer | | | | extensions just to be on the safe side. The cost is |
| continue to tell him that she had to have a 2*2 and | | | | about an extra P500 to P1000 or $10 to $20 USD. |
| continued to insist he did not have it. Soon the officer | | | | On a side note, when I went to Bangkok a couple of |
| told him not to raise his voice to her and the expat | | | | weeks ago I walked up to the immigration window on |
| asked "Why not?" She reminded him he was in | | | | my way out of the country. The woman was behind a |
| immigration to which he said "So what?" Not a smart | | | | glass that had only a small opening to slide your |
| move on his part. Her reply was "I will deport you if | | | | papers through. I don't remember even that but there |
| you continue." | | | | must have been something or I could not have given |
| Now he understood! He replied with asking where he | | | | her my passport. The area is huge, with high ceilings |
| could get the required picture. She told him and he left. | | | | and is noisy. Lots of echoes. She told me something |
| He was on the verge of getting thrown in the | | | | but I could not hear her. When you can not hear |
| Mandaue Immigration Jail! The exit certification he was | | | | someone, most of us will raise our voice and after I |
| attempting to get is required after an extended stay in | | | | walked away, I realized I had. She kept talking and I |
| the Philippines. The point being, if you have been here | | | | couldn't hear her and she made no effort to help me. |
| that long you should already know better. Based on | | | | Very frustrating. I guess she realized I could not hear |
| the way this guy was acting at BI, I'd guess his time | | | | though or it could have gone badly for me. |