Strip Searches Limited in The Philippines at Global Mobility Report

A new "no touch" policy should halt strip searches by Philippine immigration officials of Japanese visitors. It's not that they like or dislike tattoos. The justification for the strip searches was to identify Yakuza - Japanese organized crime members. There were claims of abuse by immigration officials, however, and that is the explanation given for the change in policy. See RP immigration bans strip-searches to find Yakuza tattoos, The Philippine Star, July 5 [...] Read More


Philippines Relocating Foreign Embassies at Global Mobility Report

Foreign embassies located in the Dasmariñas Village in Makati City, The Philippines, are given one year from July to relocate their consular services. 14 embassies are affected, including: China, India, Russia, Iraq and Iran, Egypt, Kuwait, Libya, Mexico, Nigeria, Qatar, Romania, Sri Lanka, and Turkey. The move is due to complaints from neighbors and local land use rules that permit only residential purposes in the zone. [...] Read More


Philippines Welcomes Returning Former Citizens at Global Mobility Report

The Philippine Bureau of Immigration now issues a one-year visa-free authorization to live in The Philippines to returning Filipinos and their spouse and children. Called "balikbayans," the rule applies to former Philippine citizens who naturalized as citizens of another country. To benefit from the new rule, balikbayans must declare at the port of entry to the Filipino immigration officer of the intent to invoke the balikbayan privilege. The request must be [...] Read More


Paradise Philippines at Hidden Travel Gems

Anybody who has been to the Philippines will attest to the warmth of the people and the beauty of the destination. With 7,000++ islands, there is a beautiful place that matches any visitor's taste and budget. The people's hospitality, innate helpfulness to foreigners and infectious smile, are things you will find practically anywhere in the archipelago. Acullador However, any foreigner who hasn't been here before must do his homework well, only if [...] Read More


The Philippines Passes the Biofuels Bill at IfEnergy

The Philippines finally has a Biofuel Law! Passed last Wednesday morning by a panel composed of members from the Upper and Lower House of Congress, the law now sets a mandate for all gasoline users and oil companies to blend the fuel they sell with either biodiesel or bioethanol. Things should get more interesting soon. For more information, click here. [...] Read More