Instagram Facebook Youtube Twitter
Travel Travel Documents Uncategorized
by Erica Poyauan

How to Apply for Mexico Tourist Visa for Filipinos

In Travel, Travel Documents, Uncategorized
November 5, 2018
2
Share

If you are a Filipino who plans to travel to Mexico as a tourist, and you don’t have an existing valid Schengen Visa or US Visa, here’s how you can get your Philippine Passport stamped with Mexico Tourist Visa:

(1) Secure all the required documents (listed below) including your passport that is valid for at least six months beyond the date of your expected exit from the country.

•• Set an appointment for your VISA application – Click here to know how to schedule an appointment online. You may also contact the Mexican Embassy (in Manila) VIA PHONE: (+63)(2)(8122211) LOCAL 116 OR VIA EMAIL: embmxco@info.com.ph

(2) Bring all the required documents and proceed to the Consular Office of the Embassy of Mexico in the Philippines. The Consular Office is open from Monday to Friday from 9:00am to 11:00am. It is located at Unit 201 GC Corporate Plaza, 2F., 150 Legaspi St., Legaspi Village, Makati City, Metro Manila. SEE THE COMPLETE REQUIREMENTS FOR MEXICAN VISA APPLICATION BELOW

(3) Pay the VISA application processing fee amounting to PHP 1864 (around USD 36).

(4) Wait for your Visa Approval. It normally takes 2-3 working days to process the visa but may also take up to 15 days for some situations.

Or if you have a valid MULTIPLE ENTRY VISA FOR JAPAN, CANA, US, SCHENGEN AREA, you do not need to apply for Mexico Visa! You will be allowed to visit Mexico through any port of entry without Mexican visa. These include tourist, transit and business trip.

If your valid US/ JP/ CANADA/ SCHENGEN visa is stamped on your old passport, you can still use it by presenting both old and new passports upon entry.

If you have questions don’t hesitate to email me/ message me on fb mesenger / comment below.


FROM MEXICAN EMBASSY WEBSITE: 


 REMINDERS FOR ALL NATIONALITIES

In accordance to National Institute of Migration of Mexico regulation, effective May 1st, 2010, all foreigners regardless their nationality traveling to Mexico, with a valid Multiple Entry visa from USA, CANADA, JAPAN, or SCHENGEN area will be allowed to visit Mexico through any port of entry – air, land, sea- without a Mexican Visa; this includes tourist, transit and business trips.

• • Holders of a valid United States multiple-entry visa do not require a Mexican visa to travel to Mexico for a period of entry not exceeding 180 days and for non-gainful activities. The Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) is NOT considered a valid U.S. visa for the purpose of travelling to Mexico under the exemption of the Mexican visa. The U.S. visa must be stamped on the current passport.

Similarly, Filipinos holding a valid official or diplomatic passport traveling to Mexico for official meeting or any business related activities will no longer need to secure a visa.

MEXICO TOURIST VISA REQUIREMENTS

Here are the requirements you have to submit to the Mexican Embassy in Manila:


 1) Duly filled up Application Form.  (Available from the Embassy or send me a message of you want to see how it looks like).

For minors, both parents must sign the application form in front of the consular officer at the Embassy. In case the mother or father of the minor could not be able to sign the application form he/she must request a parent consent letter to travel signed before a notary public. The parents must present legal documents that proves of his/her full authority/custody to the child.

2) Passport (with validity of at least six months). Photocopies of front and back cover of the passport.

3) One Latest photo (1.5” x 1.5” or 2” x 2” (inch in size) in color with white background. NO GLASSES.


 4) One Valid Identification card original and photocopy (photocopies of the front and back side of the card)

Please present any of the following:

oDriver’s License

oSSS / GSIS ID card

oVoter’s ID

oValid Student ID

5) Financial solvency. Please provide all of the following:

 Updated bank statements from the last 3 months and bank certificate (with minimum maintaining balance of Php75,000 per month) (original copy).

 At least one or two of the following (original and photocopy):

oValid International Credit Card (photocopy the backside of the card where signature can be found)

oPaid Credit Card Statements/Billing statements of credit card (for the last 3 months)

oUpdated Passbooks/ Bank Books (front page & page with the last updated amount

oIncome Tax Return History (if employed); Business ownership certifications, duly registered by the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). (if self-employed)

oBusiness Ownership Certifications, duly registered by the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) or Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) (if self-employed).


 6) Certificate of Employment (original). Stating the length of stay and remuneration package with minimum basic salary of Php 25,000.00 and at least two (2) years of employment in a single company.

7) Company ID

8) Certificate of Land Title. (Photocopy and original) with a minimum of 2 years of ownership.

9) Proof of investment/Business Permit

10) Certificate of Incorporation duly issued by the Securities and Exchange Commission

11) Photocopies of previous visa stamp/travel history

12) Personal appearance (Click here to schedule an appointment)

IMPORTANT NOTES ON YOUR MEXICO VISA APPLICATION

For Married Couple applying for the visa, separate set of documentation is required.  Please provide the Marriage Contract upon application.

For Parents and Children applying together for the visa, please present the Birth Certificate/s of the children. Both parents must sign the application form of the child. If the parent of the child is out of the country he/she must provide a consent letter to travel signed before a notary public.

The application form must be filled out in word format or it can be type written.

 The applicant must present both the original and photocopies of the documents before the consular officer at the Consular Section of the Embassy of Mexico.

Travel Tips

There is a way (for Filipinos) to enter Mexico without having to apply for Tourist VISA: Traveling by Cruise Ship. Regarding this cruise, I have confirmed that the cruise ships are mostly form California. Unfortunately, at this moment, there is no cruise coming from Asia.

I have good news though for fellow travelers who have asked about online work space: Travel around the world without missing your important work by accessing your online private work space remotely from any part of the globe on any device with hosted virtual desktop from www.CloudDesktopOnline.com powered by one of the best DaaS providers – Apps4Rent.com.

If you have pressing concerns/ queries about VISA APPLICATION please contact me. i’ll try my best to respond as soon as I can 🙂 

Author

Erica Poyauan

Erica is a former PR pro turned entrepreneur. Her greatest joys are family, blogging, music, skin care and social justice. As a Muay Thai enthusiast, Erica prides herself on working with increased focus, humility and diligence. She believes in living a fit life doing everything with a flair of creativity and love! Stalk her social channels @thegirlwiththemujihat

View all posts | Website

Related Posts

8 Romantic date spots in Metro Manila to take your special someone

In Beauty, Hair, Uncategorized
July 5, 2019
0

As people today become busier with adult responsibilities, everybody wants their date nights to be extra special. It’s already special with that ‘special someone,’ but the thing that would definitely make it a quality time is the place. It doesn’t have to be fancy every week, yet there’s the pressure it has to be somewhere new. If you think you’ve already brought your beau to every place near your house, continue reading for more suggestions.

Visiting a new place once in a while would feel like a treat to you and your partner. New food, scenery, experience, and memory. Good thing, it seems like a new restaurant is launched every day in this country. Filipinos just love food! Even if it’s a date with your friends and not a romantic partner, here’s a list of date spots in Metro Manila:

Tiendesitas

From reputable restaurants, nail salons, pet shops, to lots of shopping options, Tiendesitas in Ortigas is the place to go for a whole day date. The many choices of things to do could help you get to know each other on a deeper level. You can be spontaneous as much as you like, no need to plan in advance to make your date feel like work!

Metrowalk

If you’re a couple who schedules dates on Fridays, which often fall on payday, you’re one of the hundreds who get stuck in traffic. This is where Metrowalk comes in. Stopover at Metrowalk in Ortigas CBD, enjoy good food and drinks and have a quality time while letting the traffic pass. Even more romantic with live band performances.

Gastro Park Kapitolyo

This food stop in Kapitolyo has over 15 restaurants. Do you like cotton candy, tacos, or liquid nitrogen ice cream? Everything is here for that cute “Date Night” Instagram post. You surely wouldn’t get enough of the variety. Find it at 12 1st St, Barangay Kapitolyo, Pasig City every day from 12 noon to 12midnight.

Photos from Senor Pollo

Señor Pollo

Now, let’s go to Quezon City. Search online for reviews on this restaurant and you’d only see positive comments. That’s how good it is. They say it has one of the best roasted chicken in the Metro. Treat your special someone with good food and you’d both surely cap off the stressful work week with a smile.

Some photos from Mecha Uma

Mecha Uma

This restaurant in Bonifacio Global City serves food described as “absurdly delicious” by Chef Bruce Ricketts. Enough to make you want to check it out, right? They offer mostly Japanese food and a bit of other cuisine featured on the Tasting menu. Space is small just like in any other Japanese restaurants, so make a reservation in advance and come on time!

Some photos from Industriya Marikina

Industriya Marikina

Marikina has been boasting a lot of new restaurants for residents of the East since the Millennial guys started working. Industriya Marikina is one – which interestingly, used to be a shoe factory. The artsy in you and your partner would love the architecture while you indulge in good food and share stories about the week that was.

Bingsu photo from Cafe Seolhwa

Café Seolhwa

Not really hungry and just want to bond over dessert? You can come to Café Seolhwa in BGC or Paranaque. They serve great bingsu made from healthy ingredients. The flyer says, “this is the place where you bring your loved ones if you want them to be happy.” See for yourself!

Guests enjoying some slow jams and hot beats at Finders Keepers (Photo from Finders Keepers)

Finders Keepers

Drinking is always a good idea! Especially if you know you’re going home with someone you actually know… and love. Enjoy the music and drinks as you dance the night away and realize you’re never too old to have a great, loud night. Finders Keepers is located at Warehouse 5, La Fuerza Plaza, 2241 Don Chino Roces Ave. cor. Sabio, Makati City.

Parting Words

Again, your date place doesn’t have to be fancier every week. Just make it a point to try something new once in a while to make your special someone feel extra special. If the food isn’t as good as where you were the previous week, then charge it to experience. The memory of you and your beau hating on the food could be a funny thing to remember after some time! Maximize every quality time by taking advantage of the many date spots in Metro Manila.

What is your ideal date spot? Have you been to any of the places mentioned above? Do you want to go? Let me know your thoughts in the comments section below.

A Drink at Bank Bar in Bonifacio Global City, Taguig

In Uncategorized
December 1, 2018
0

I would love to say that these past few weeks of fortuitous sips of cocktail concoctions had always been about celebration—the gaiety of making new friends, of surviving the most stressful days, of partaking in a ball, and of reaching new heights in the more important aspect of adult life.   

While to me it is all about celebrating, some people drink liquor because they feel well enough to do it. For the most part, they drink to socialize and unwind. And I get it, some people just need that kick to open up and be more social. In my case, I could get drawn to “drinking” in these dim-lit spaces because of the ambiance—chill music, smoke-free, romantic yet cozy.

If you are into fine dining and sophisticated social dancing, check out Buddha Bar in Makati City. But if you just wanna chill and enjoy booze at a classy drink lounge, head to the Bank Bar at Bonifacio Global City in Taguig.

The entryway to the bar is a quest

Maybe I haven’t been to a lot of pubs or bars so I’m saying this. The entrance to Bank Bar is unlike that I picture on my mind. I don’t know if it is supposed to be hidden but it’s tricky to find if you don’t know the place.

Google map would lead you to RCBC Savings Bank Corporate Center where no Bank Bar sign is visible. You have to go to 7 Eleven convenience store, turn left as soon as you enter into the glass door. There is a thick exit door which apparently is the entrance to the bar. There’s usually a guy standing by the door. He’ll collect any drink or food you have prior to entering.

The door appears to be the stockroom door which leads to the main entrance to the bar. The stockroom itself has a potential to cause sudden apprehension because of the red light filter except that it is a rather small space and goods like Jufran and Yan-Yan are all over…

A few steps later, my friend Tim Tam pulls aside the heavy curtain to reveal the “top-shelf drinking den“.

Inside Bank Bar

I am impressed by the smell. I thought bars would smell anything but fresh. If my olfactory sense remembers correctly, the smell of the place has a hint of bergamot. Or is it Tim Tam? No. Probably not!

The velvet sofa and candles on the marble table make the place attractive and intimate. I couldn’t perfectly scan the entire place but what I saw is enough to conclude it’s a gorgeous place to hang out.

photo credit to Bank Bar IG account

   

It is worth noting that the tables easily get occupied. Most of them are reserved so better book ahead to secure a good seat.

Due Diligence

Ideally, every human being needs to exercise due diligence. In Bank Bar though, I am not sure if Due Diligence is gender-specific but two things I am certain of: (a) It is not for me (b) Tim Tam craves for it hence our Bank Bar visit.

Due Diligence Bank Bar BGC

Apparently, Due Diligence is among the strongest drink in their menu. It is a whiskey. Tim asked me to try a small sip and I kind of did. The smell is strong. I felt the alcohol evaporate into my system by just bringing the glass near my mouth. So I used a straw. It was not best way to try a whiskey by the way.

Whiskey and other decent liquor are acquired taste for Tim Tam, that, I haven’t acquired yet.

The Queen of them all

I must commend the bar staff who attended us that night for recommending an ultimately refreshing drink from Bank Bar menu—the Queen’s Park Swizzle. Tim wanted something fruity for me but I didn’t mind a minty drink.

I say this swizzle is the queen of them all because it’s the only one I have tried. LOL But to be fair, Tim also liked the taste. It has grapefruit, lime, mint, rum, and muscovado syrup but it is not too sweet nor bitter. It has a nice tart flavor but not sour. I could still taste the freshness of it in my mouth by looking at the photo below.

Queen’s Park Swizzle

Frequenting Bank Bar

The reason for me to come back here and hang out would be the ambiance. But for booze lovers, I’m seeing it’s the wide selection of drinks in the menu—”from akvavit to absinthe, sake to single malts, grappas to gin and an extensive choice of vermouths, tonics, sodas and such,” from momentgroup.ph

“Bank Bar has an impressive drinks list that includes inventive cocktails and the widest selection of any bar in Manila—from akvavit to absinthe, sake to single malts, grappas to gin and an extensive choice of vermouths, tonics, sodas and such.” 

Online reviews also mention that food at Bank Bar don’t disappoint. A bit pricey, but netizens attest to the goodness of their Chicharon Bulaklak. If you are an expat and you don’t feel like trying this Filipino delicacy in the streets, might as well order at Bank Bar.

Other food choices: pasta, cold cuts and cheese, pizza, burger sliders, steak tartare, deep-fried chicken skin, fried calamari, truffle fries, deep-fried mantou, bone marrow and wagyu beef diy-tacos, etc…

You can also enjoy Bank Bar’s Charcuterie & Formaggio Board (Photo by Bank Bar Manila)
dainty pizzette with a pile of spicy sausage and bubbling cheese (Photo by Bank Bar Manila)
THE bar

Bank Bar Favorites

Smoked Amaretto Flip (photo from Bank bar Manila)
Otis Florence’s The Penicillin (Photo by Bank Bar Manila)
 Wonka Martini: a single crème de cacao salted Belgian chocolate in wheat and rye vodka (Photo by Bank Bar Manila)
Pinay Colada: three kinds of local rum, mango Tang, chocolate mole bitters, grapefruit, citrus-honey meringue, and rose petal dust to finish (Photo by Bank Bar Manila)
Earl Grey Martini: with honey and lavender syrups, with egg white and lemon juice (Photo by Bank Bar Manila)
Mariang Bastos: a mix of two Dons (Don Papa, and Don Papa 10) (Photo by Bank Bar Manila)
Truffled Whiskey Sour mixes triple-distilled Irish whiskey, fresh lemon, egg foam, and white truffle oil

Price Range

The cost of alcoholic drinks start from Php350 per glass. The cheapest drink you can get is coffee at Php110 plus VAT and service charge. If you are dining and drinking here, a budget of Php2000 for two people would suffice. If you are like me and Tim Tam who went here for one drink, Php1000.00 is enough.

The first photo is owned by Bank Bar Manila 

Visit Bank Bar BGC

Bank Bar is located at Ground Floor, RCBC Savings Bank Corporate Center, 26th and 25th Street, Bonifacio Global City, Taguig City

Contact Numbers:

02 8014862

+63 9178570852

Opening hours:

Mondays to Saturdays: 5 PM to 3 AM

Sundays: CLOSED

You can book a table here. 


Have you been to Bank Bar in BGC? What do you think about the place? Would you like to try any drink here? Let me know your thoughts below. Thank you for your time! 

2 Comments
Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Adipiscing elit curabitur condimentum mi id volutpat mattis, enim arcu tris tique accumsan
Facebook Twitter Vk Instagram