Hi everyone.

We’re a couple—I’m French and my girlfriend is Filipino. We’re not married yet. I’d like to bring her to France for a long-term stay so we can live there, she can work legally, and she can leave her current tough living conditions.

How do we go about this? What documents do the French and Philippine authorities require? Do we need to be married first?

Thanks.

Hi everyone, and thanks in advance for the tips—it’s always great to find people who take the time to reply. Thanks so much.

I’m heading to the Philippines at the end of August. I plan to stay for a few months, so I’ll need to apply for a long-stay visa extension while I’m there.

During my first month in the Philippines, I’d like to spend a week in Malaysia. With the extension, I’ll have a 59-day visa for that period.

My question:

Can I leave the country for a week and come back during my 59-day visa? Is this possible, or will it cancel the visa?

Thanks so much for reading! Best regards, Boris

Hello everyone,

My partner and I would like to travel to the Philippines at the end of August for a 4-month stay. We can’t apply for a tourist visa in advance because (from what I understand) we’d need to provide proof of hotel reservations for the entire stay. But planning a 4-month trip so far ahead isn’t something we want to do.

So my question is about extensions once we’re there:

After the initial 29-day extension request, we’d like to apply for another 2-month extension. Do you know if the same supporting documents are required for this one (pre-booked hotel, 2000 € in the bank account per month requested)?

Or can we go ahead without risk and request the extension without these documents?

Thank you so much for reading, and for this forum existing. Take care,

Boris

Hi everyone. I’m leaving for almost 3 months in the Philippines (11 weeks total) starting in early May. I already have my round-trip ticket. The problem is, I don’t have time to get a 2-month visa because the process takes nearly a month. From what I’ve read here and there, I need a return ticket valid for less than a month when I arrive in the Philippines to prove my good faith. After that, I can apply for a 30-day extension at the immigration office. I’m planning to either buy a fully refundable ticket to the nearest country or a fake ticket. For 3 months, I’ll need to extend my visa two more times before my return date to France. My question is this: Will immigration ask me each time I extend my visa by one month to show proof of an exit ticket matching the new visa extension date? Is it possible to extend directly by 2 months before the initial 30 days expire? Thanks in advance for your experiences and tips! 😊

Hello everyone, Here’s the follow-up to our recent experience (5/11). Upon arrival at Manila T3, don’t look for the immigration office before passport control (this was info we’d gathered but turned out to be outdated). Go through passport control with your eTravel, grab your luggage with a trolley because the obstacle course begins. Head toward the exit hall, turn right, exchange a minimal amount at one of the two counters, continue toward Burger King, turn right, take the elevator at the end of the corridor to the 3rd floor (departure area), then turn right as you exit the elevator, head to the right, go around the big pillar on the left, and you’ll reach the immigration office that will process your extension quickly for the modest sum of 4070 pesos (the price increased due to a new tax as of June). This little route will save you from asking a thousand questions and getting just as many different answers. Next, logically, buy a local SIM card. There are two small kiosks side by side on the ground floor, Smart and Globe. Prices here are triple what you’ll find in the city, but honestly, if I had to do it again, I’d get both SIMs at the airport. For one simple reason: it’s a hassle in the city—you have to find the shop in a mall, go there, wait in line, explain what you want, and it takes forever. We got a Globe SIM at the airport and a Smart SIM in Baguio, and we really struggled. The cheapest rate offered by Globe at the airport is 1500 PHP for 1 month, with calls and 80GB of internet. It’s oversized, but be careful—they’ll try to sell you an even more expensive SIM upfront (2500 PHP). Smart offers roughly the same terms. It’s pricier, but it’s a turnkey solution—the hostess handles registration with the authorities (passport, etc.) and configures your phone. Finally, almost at the far right, there’s a Grab kiosk (taxis, the Asian Uber, which I highly recommend—it’s so convenient!). They’ll arrange a safe taxi for you no matter your destination in Manila. Watch your belongings during all these tasks that keep you occupied—a tourist had their bag stolen while we were there! All this took us two hours from the moment we got off the plane, but you’ll likely save time with these tips. There you go—you’re ready to face Manila’s traffic jams on your way to your hotel. This is just a summary of our own experience; I hope it helps. Have a great stay! 😊

Hi there,

This will be my first trip to Thailand, which will be the first stop on my Asian journey. This time, I’d like to leave with a one-way ticket so I can return to France from the last country I visit.

First and foremost, I’d like to confirm whether it’s possible to get a VOA (Visa on Arrival) when I land in Thailand without any prior steps? Is proof of onward travel (like a return ticket) required to get this visa?

If so, does it have to be a round-trip ticket from the country I’m arriving from, or can I use a flight or train ticket from Thailand to a neighboring country as proof of exit?

For Cambodia and Vietnam, is it also possible to get a VOA on the spot?

I’d also love any tips or important info you think might be useful about Thailand, Cambodia, and Vietnam—my planned destinations—especially regarding accommodation, transportation, points of interest, and, of course, any personal advice or experiences you’d like to share!

Thanks so much to everyone, and I wish you all an amazing 2025 filled with health, travel, and discoveries! !

Hi there, We’re doing a staged tour of Africa in our Citroën Dyane 2CV. We left Belgium and our car is currently in Zambia. We’ll be joining it at the start of 2025 to continue on to Malawi and Tanzania. We’d love to chat with overlanders who’ve already crossed these borders with a vehicle—without necessarily having a carnet de passage, given the costs and guarantees required. Thanks

Hi everyone!

So happy the forum is back—I’ve been part of it since 2012! ☺️

After lots of twists and turns with Sri Lanka’s visa (called ETA) over the past few months, here’s a quick recap of the current situation for travelers:

- You need to get an ETA, either online or on arrival. I recommend doing it online because it’s cheaper (here’s a step-by-step guide to avoid common pitfalls: https://www.tongsetsrilanka.com/mode-demploi-pour-eta-au-sri-lanka)

- It’s valid for 30 days and costs $50 online or $60 on arrival.

- It was supposed to be free starting October 1st, but due to the elections and Parliament being dissolved, that didn’t happen. Stay tuned in December in case the topic comes up again.

- The online ETA is recorded in your passport, so you don’t need to show any documents, but I’d still recommend traveling with the confirmation.

- If you didn’t receive the confirmation email, you can check the status on the official ETA website.

- The only official site is eta.gov.lk. Watch out for agency websites pretending to be the official one.

- Avoid filling out your ETA on the French version—it’s buggy. Use my guide and do it in English instead. 😅

Happy travels! Caroline

Hello,

Last year, we stayed for 3 months in Thailand, north of Khao Lak, and were able to benefit from the 2-month visa exemption, renewable for one month by going to Takua Pa to validate a 1-month extension (1,900 baht). This year, it’s a disaster for us—not only were we planning a 4-month stay, adding a visa run in between (which some say is quite risky), but the law is apparently changing in the coming months with the return of the 1-month exemption (plus the usual 1-month option). So, we looked into applying for a 6-month multiple-entry visa, allowing a maximum of 60 consecutive days in Thailand. However, I can’t find anywhere the minimum time required outside Thailand between two stays—do any of you have an idea? Thanks for the info! If you’d like tips on Khao Lak and the surrounding areas, we’ve got some experience, though things change fast! Cheers, Bruno.

Hi there, We’re heading to Japan soon and booked a room through Booking for our first two nights. The host is asking for a copy of our passports even though we’ve already paid. What do you all think? Thanks

Hi, I want to invite a Malagasy friend and I’m surprised to learn there are procedures (that seem complicated) to follow… It would be a short stay (max 3 months). She’s got her passport, I’m paying for the flight ticket, and I read that I need to get an accommodation certificate from my town hall—but what else is required after that? What other documents are needed? What are the processing times? I’m really disappointed that in 2026, it’s still such a hassle for this kind of thing.

Hi there,

Next September (2025), we’re heading to Latin America as a family for a year, and we’re thinking of buying a vehicle (car, van, or camper) in Punta Arenas, Chile, to sell it later in Lima, Peru. While I don’t think buying in Punta Arenas will be too complicated, I’m looking for info on border-crossing requirements (Chile-Argentina / Argentina-Chile / Chile-Bolivia, and Bolivia-Peru), as well as the steps and conditions for selling the vehicle in Peru.

Thanks in advance for your help!

Hi there, I know there are similar topics here and elsewhere, but they’re a few years old, and I need an up-to-date answer to make sure I don’t throw over 1000 € out the window. Thanks for your patience.

I’m planning a trip from France to Alberta/British Columbia, and I’m unsure about which bank card to use for the security deposit with the rental company (I’m thinking of going with AVIS).

I contacted Avis Canada, and they told me a credit card is absolutely required. I asked my bank for a credit card (a *real* credit card), but they only offered me a deferred debit card.

My question: For a rental with Avis Canada, is a Gold International Mastercard deferred debit card usable for the security deposit needed to finalize the rental? Is the "CREDIT" label enough? (Some cards say "CREDIT" and others say "CARTE DE CREDIT"—seems minor, but it’s actually a big deal in how the card works.)

I’ve seen conflicting info everywhere I look... My bank says it’s *usually* okay (the deferred debit card), while Avis Canada insists it *must* be a credit card, not debit—even when I mention the deferred debit card.

I know the whole credit card concept is already confusing, and on top of that, some sites say a deferred debit card counts as a credit card, while others say it doesn’t.

Thanks to anyone who can share a recent experience! Have a great day

hi Do you know of any travel insurance for someone with a pre-existing condition? Can a person who’s had a heart attack and is on medication get travel insurance? Thanks

Hi, I’m heading to Seattle next week. We’ve got our ESTAs (we’re French). We’d like to spend a day in Vancouver. Do we need the I-94 form to re-enter the U.S., or are our ESTAs enough? I’ve read conflicting info everywhere... Any recent experiences? We can’t be the only ones... Thanks.

India is introducing an electronic arrival card for foreign travelers. The measure is effective for all travelers starting October 1st.

India is now adopting the electronic arrival card. Presenting this "e-Arrival Card" is now mandatory for all arrivals in India as of October 1, 2025. This formality replaces the paper card previously filled out on the plane or upon arrival. India aims to streamline traveler tracking. The requirement applies to travelers of all nationalities, both adults and minors, for all entry points into India. It’s an additional mandatory formality alongside the e-Visa or visa. The e-Arrival Card must be completed online within three days prior to arrival in the country. Available in English only, it’s free and can be done on the official Indian authorities' website. The document is valid only for the declared arrival day. "This means you’ll need to complete it for each new arrival," clarifies RapideVisa, an agency specializing in visa services. Travelers must provide standard information to obtain the document (passport number, purpose of stay, countries visited in the 6 days before arrival, etc.).

Once completed, a document with a QR code to present to authorities upon arrival is generated. With this new system, India aims to facilitate traveler tracking and reduce congestion at airport counters. Nearly 19 million international visitors traveled to India in 2023. Among them, 189,000 were French.

Source: https://www.lechotouristique.com/article/inde-une-nouvelle-formalite-obligatoire-pour-voyager

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1WaPqVyUmuY

Hi there. I’m reaching out to ask for your advice about travel insurance for my trip.

I bought Eurostar tickets back in January, but I forgot to take out travel insurance right away.

I’d like to get multi-risk travel insurance now, but most insurers say you have to sign up within 48 to 72 hours after buying your transport tickets.

Do you know of any insurance that doesn’t have this deadline and lets you sign up even months after buying your tickets?

Thanks so much for your help in advance.

Best regards

Hi, We're heading to Germany in August. Finally, after all this time I wanted to go back to Germany :) I think I need an eco sticker for my car, but I'm not sure. I found this info: "Since June 1, 2022, it’s no longer necessary to buy the German eco sticker to drive in Freiburg-im-Breisgau’s Umweltzonen (low-emission zones). The Crit'Air sticker, rated from 0 to 3, is recognized by the authorities." Could you tell me the name of the website where I can find this info, please? We’ll be staying in Brigachtal (Baden-Württemberg). We’ll visit Friedrichshafen, Triberg, and Hohenzollern Castle.

Thanks :)

Hi, what’s the amount to pay for the proof-of-income certificate for a visa extension, to make the payment?

Thanks

Hi, as an NRI with a European passport and OCI, can I get a credit card or debit card that offers services and benefits? What are all the requirements, please? Thanks for your reply, best regards

Hi everyone,

I hope you're all doing well! I really need your help.

As part of my job here in France (I'm a foreign employee), I have to go to the US in about a month for a one-week assignment. I’ll need a visa, but I don’t know if there’s an express visa option for this? It’s stressing me out, and I don’t know where to start looking for info.

Thanks in advance for your replies.

Hi there,

The Netherlands is one of the countries that hasn’t officially taken a position on accepting French ID cards with extended validity (+5 years). However, it seems to be tolerated, and it’s recommended to carry the explanatory notice about the law that extended the validity of ID cards—especially in case of a police check during your stay in the Netherlands. The main concern seems to be about legal status in the country. Air France (apparently) indicates that boarding is possible. Has anyone had experience traveling by plane under these conditions, and can someone confirm whether it’s possible to visit the Netherlands (by plane with Air France) with an expired French ID card (based on the date printed on it) but with validity extended by 5 years? It’s hard to get a definitive answer, which is why I’m asking fellow travelers for their experiences :) Thanks in advance for your feedback! Audrey

Hi there,

My partner, our 8-year-old daughter, and I are going on vacation to Gex.

We’ve decided to spend one day in Switzerland and another in Italy. Will we need ID (national ID card or passport)? Do we also need ID for our daughter?

Thanks so much for your answers! 🙂

Hi there, Do I need a return ticket? Proof of insurance and a hotel reservation?? I’m French. Also, is there any control on meds and sleeping pills?? Thanks a bunch!

Hi everyone, For an Egypt e-visa application, they ask online: Country you’re traveling from Now, if you’re French but leaving from Italy, for example, what do you put? Has anyone been in this situation before? Thanks

Hi, I’ve got another little question about filling out the TDAC regarding the address to provide, given that I’m staying for 2 months and 3 weeks and I’ve booked an exit ticket to Malaysia (which I’ll cancel on-site before the 60 days). I’ve booked a hotel for one night, and after that, I’ll be staying at my Thai wife’s house—she lives with me in France and has her ID card with the house address. But her *tabien ban* is still in Thailand. Which address should I put? The hotel for one night or the house address? And in that case, I’m worried they might ask me for the TM30.

Hi there, Just a quick question about filling out the TM6 (TDAC) for Thailand. I'm going for 2 months and 3 weeks (I bought a round-trip ticket) and I'll arrive under the 60-day visa exemption since I didn't get a visa. However, I bought an exit ticket to a neighboring country before the 60 days are up to avoid any hassle at Paris airport. For the TM6, they ask for the return date—what should I put? My actual return date? The website doesn’t give me the option to upload my exit ticket from Thailand. Thanks!

Hello,

I applied for a passport renewal at the beginning of November, and my town hall told me it would take about a month to get it. However, I still haven’t received it, and it’s been over a month now. When I checked the ANTS website to track my passport application, I saw that its status changed to "In production" on November 27th. Today is December 18th, and I still haven’t heard anything about receiving it, even though I’ve read everywhere that once the status is "In production," it usually takes about a week to get the passport. I’m starting to worry about not having received it yet...

Do you know what the current processing time is after it reaches "In production" in 2025? Is there a risk that the passport was made but lost in transit?

I’m concerned because I have a trip planned for 2026—admittedly not until April, so there’s still time in theory—but my application seems to be stuck.

Either way, I’ll contact the town hall soon, though I don’t think they’ll have more information...

Thanks, Have a good evening

Hi, I successfully applied for an ESTA for my family and myself for an upcoming trip to New York in August. But here’s what I didn’t realize: my two older daughters are leaving for Costa Rica in a week with a layover in the United States, something I wasn’t aware of when I filled out the ESTA application. The person handling their application is stuck because one is already on file... My question is: is this ESTA valid for their layover even though it’s not specified on the application (since a U.S. address was provided)? If not, how can I reapply for their transit ESTA? Thanks for your help!

Hey everyone! A small group of us are heading to Gabon for a research mission. Everyone got their visa without any issues through the e-visa site, and it only took a few days.

Except for a friend and me. We applied early, and three weeks later, still no news. And we leave in a week...

A colleague on-site tried to help us, but no updates so far.

My questions:

- Has this ever happened to you? - What are the solutions? (I’ve already tried calling, but it doesn’t work. The email contact form doesn’t work either. The Gabonese embassy isn’t functional, and they gave me a number that never answers and where you can’t even leave a message anymore.) - Can this be resolved easily at the airport? - Am I totally screwed?

Clean record, and I haven’t been to any sketchy countries. Brand-new passport...

Thanks in advance for your help! !