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jollymee4562RepostReddit
Oct 2

What's the best thing to tell immigration?

I'm a UK citizen. I've been staying in Airbnbs. I have an address in the UK and all my bank accounts are registered to that address.

I was here as a tourist from March to late April. I did one tourist visa extension — they call the first extension the visa waiver. Then I left. No questions asked.

I came back as a tourist in early June, and again no questions asked. I did one visa waiver and one more extension, and got my ACR card.

I left again a few days ago, and again no questions asked.

I'll be back in October and will look for a longer-term apartment, ideally on a 6-month contract. I also want to get a Philippine phone number.

In November I'm leaving briefly for a vacation in another Southeast Asian country and coming back after about 8 days. I hope I don't get questioned when I come back in November, but if I do:

Should I tell them I have a long-term apartment? Or should I just book a free-cancellation hostel/hotel to show them?

I have a Filipina girlfriend here. Should I say I keep coming back to see her? Or is it better not to mention it?

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Reactions12 of 14 original comments
You're overthinkingIn and out, no issuesNot a work riskA GF helpsThey watch departures
You're overthinking
3a5m3

You're overthinking it. In the rare case they ask, they just want a reasonable explanation. Why would it be better not to mention the girlfriend?

In and out, no issues
mephibosheth_722

I've extended, left, come back and extended again more times than I can count... In the reason field, I've always written the exact same thing: 'Continued travels, more time with friends.' I don't know why people overthink this. They want your foreign currency here.

Not a work risk
Jaygee410912

I'd be kind of surprised if they asked you any of that at all. I'd imagine the odds of a foreigner from a developed European country coming here to work illegally aren't very high. IMO you're overthinking this by a lot.

A GF helps
dirtydaddydonks1

If you have a local girlfriend, set a photo of the two of you as your phone wallpaper when you come back. I doubt you'll get stopped, but that's enough reason to wave you through. I come in and out 2-3 times a year and have never been stopped. Not once.

They watch departures
IllIgan_1

A point I keep coming back to is that immigration priorities here are different. Developed countries are strict with incoming foreigners because demand to get in is so strong. This country focuses more on locals going out, because of the risk of human trafficking.

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