Apart from the emotional side what are if any the benefits of being a married couple. Property, tax ect
Philippines, you can never own property as in land but you can after some complex processes be allowed to work in the Philippines, this only applies if your marriage is recognised as valid in the Philippines. You will be able to enter and leave the country on a Balikbayan stamp (not a visa) for up to a year, again I suspect this only applies if your marriage is recognised as valid in the Philippines. Apart from that not a lot. In the UK the rights should be the same as for any other married person, I have not looked them up for a long time so can't give definitive answers. Your partner will be able to apply to become a British citizen eventually which is a big plus.
You are allowed to own 40% of any businesses you set up (even if you put in 100% of the capital). Same with property. I've lost count of the number of investment opportunities I've been given, and the answer is the same every time. Refusal always offends (sadly and understandably) but I've always preferred practicality over sentimentality.
You don't have to be married to be able to own 40% of a business, regards property you can't own the land, foreigners can however own a condo unit or at least the 50 year lease that ownership of a condo actually represents.
There are no reasons why a foreigner cannot own property here, but agreed that cannot own the land that it is built on, exactly the same as a condo. One way is to take out an extendable lease on the land and build upon it. My house is registered in my name with Davao City Gov, even though the lot is owned by my wife.
Assuming you're a UK national - give's you more visa options - not just balikbayan - e.g 13a if you intend to retire here can be cheaper... http://www.immigration.gov.ph/faqs/visa-inquiry/permanent-resident-visa
As you say,we can lease land for 25 yrs + 25 years renewable.. (50 years) If the land owner that signed the lease is your wife though,the document is probably not worth the paper it is written on.. (sorry to have to be the one to tell you that) Many lawyers here though will take your money and draw up the lease for you regardless.
That`s true,in theory ,although my wife owns just about 100% of everything I think I own here....In reality!
Yes that's correct Boots. So no lease involved in my case. Wife has the land title in her name, I have the house registered in my name. As there's no divorce in Philippines, I reckon I'm OK.
Mate...I have a good friend here going through an annulment case right now. He`s very soon about to lose 100 Million Pesos in property and investments (minimum) and he knows it. His name was on all of the titles too.. Just saying.. Hey!! We are all in the same boat in many regards.
Yikes. I have been approached a few others to invest in businesses they are setting up, or houses they are building. It will never happen because I will never see a return. The last thing I want is to be working longer just because I invested for sentimental reasons. They all mean well, and if I won the lottery they would get the money. But, it's my retirement at the end of the day, and no-one is going to work the last few years for me, are they?
There is one investment that I do make - and only one. I do "sponsor" family members through college from time to time. . But it's on a strictly limited basis - only where for genuine reasons the parent(s) are unable to do so - and I need to see results. I'm doing so at the moment for a young lady whose mother is a widowed teaching assistant and who wants to qualify as a teacher.
Ain't that the truth. Just need to find the right variety for my beloved Kris - Thai Jasmine seems acceptable for now!
We discussed rice in the Chicken Adobo thread. For me the Basmati rice is more for Indian food, preferably also served with a "Garlic Chilli nan bread".