3 months in Phils - Checklist & Travel regulations

Hi all,

I am planning on going to the Philippines for 3 months and was hoping to have a checklist and any information on travel regulations over there. I'm from Sydney, Australia.

I have been trying to gather my checklist but I keep coming across conflicting information across websites. I have checked the Philippine Embassy Sydney website but a few sections weren't updated since Protected content I'm not sure if there hasn't been any regulation change in the past 3 years, or whether it's just not updated (which I would assume they would always be updated).

So far I know that I will need a visa after staying there longer than 30 days. Is there a tourist visa where I can apply for 3 months stay the whole time? I have read there is on a few websites, but also read that you can only apply for 59 day visa and have to pay the extension fee for 1 month there (which comes to about Protected content .

If I choose to work there within the 6 month period, I/my employer can apply for an SWP to work there on top of my valid tourist visa.

I thought that was it, but apparently if you stay for longer than 59 days you also need to an ACR-I card now? Is this company sponsored or for my own other form of ID besides a passport? My boyfriend and I want a joint bank account and the bank has stated that the foreigner would need that card. What else could this card be used for?

Can someone please clarify/confirm all the above is correct? Is there anything else I don't know? I just don't want any unexpected surprises or put myself in any trouble when I go there, knowing I wasn't most prepared and left something in Sydney.

I have yet to apply for my visa as I haven't found a place to stay yet and therefore haven't booked tickets. Does anyone know how long the process takes? I'm afraid I won't be able to fly without my visa being approved as my passport needs to be returned to me via mail with the approval? I am planning on flying around the 26th of January or the week after.

Thanks!