All, thought I would share my experience with opening a joint account with BDO. We opened a savings account with a debit card I only have the tourist acr, ( they did ask if I was changing this To a residents visa, I just made a little lie and said I have started the process) All in all relatively simple ( although did take some time to fill out all the paperwork) Card take 4 working days to arrive back at the branch, ( the. Another day for activation) as well as internet banking. All in all good and out of the banks I went to, ( eastwestt union, PNB, BDO was the only one that would allow me to open.
As far as I know you just need to be there long enough to get an ACR iCard you don't have to be a permanent resident, if you are there for more than 59 days you should be able to open an account.
Just be careful though if you have millions in your pocket. Only up to 500,000 PHP (Philippine Pesos) is ensured for savings accounts.
Opening an account here isn't a problem but the bank needs proof of permanent residency before it can issue debit or credit cards, allow Pesos to be paid-in or loan and overdraft facilities provided. A tourist ACR card only permits foreign currency deposits to be made and accessible via an ATM or over the counter.
I was a tourist with an ACR / I card no problems with BDO cheque book and debit card you do not need to be permenant resident.
Same they gave me debit card no problem, but said check book would follow if I got the residency visa, but not interested in the cheque book or credit facilities just the debit card
