Ofelia wrote in with a citizenship/travel related question today.
Here is Ofelia’s question:
I have both an American and Filipino passport. My plan is to stay in the Philippines for a year or so. Do you know if I could fly on a one way ticket without having to have problems with authorities of either country.
Thank you.
And, here is Bob’s answer for Ofelia:
Sure, you are a citizen of each country, so you do not need a visa in either. However, make sure that when you enter the Philippines you use your Philippine Passport, and when you enter the USA you must use your US Passport.
For those who are not citizens of the Philippines (or Dual Citizens), if you are coming to the Philippines and planning ot use either the Visa Waiver Program (where you travel with only your passport) or you are issued a tourist visa from the Philippine Embassy or Consulate, remember that you must have an ongoing ticket when you enter the Philippines. This does not necessarily mean a round trip, or “return” ticket, it means any ticket that takes you outside the Philippines. Your departure ticket must have you leaving the country withing 59 days of your entry.
Enjoy your travel and your stay in the Philippines, Ofelia!
Every time I have entered Pi ( over 10 times) though either Manila or Davao I have never been asked to show a departing ticket.
Nor have I, Dave. But, I know lots of people who have been asked to show ongoing tickets. So, it’s just a matter of luck. Legally, unless you have a resident visa in the Philippines, you are supposed to have a departing ticket.
NO airline or travel agent in the USA would sell me just a one way ticket to the Philippines with out an ongoing ticket.
It depends on your visa type whether you need an ongoing ticket.
Hi Bob, my name is Jocelyn. I am from Iligan part of Mindanao region too. By the way, I have a question, I am US Naturalized already and planning to stay in the Philippines for a yr. I understand I will be under Balikbayan privilege but I have question for my son, he is 7yrs old and im planning to put him to school there, do I need to get a student visa for him?
He will either need a student visa or why not apply for dual citizenship for him? That would be the best, in my view.
I am an American Military who will be retiring soon. I am planning to retire to the Philippines. Can I fly to the Philippines to begin the retirement visa process on a one way ticket. The military only issues a one way ticket when being moved. Or do I need to get one of the throw away tickets?? How do I get one if I need one?
You will need a throwaway ticket to comply with the law here.
I can help you with a throwaway ticket just go here:
http://throwawayticket.com
hi Bob,
What part of Mindanao do you live? My wife and I are currently residing
in Panabo City, near Davao.
Hi John – I live in Davao City. Not too far!
hi!
Just a little clarification since my question has been partially answered by this one…
By “when you enter the Philippines you use your Philippine Passport, and when you enter the USA you must use your US Passport” mean the portion when you have arrived in your **country of destination** (either PH or US) you will show your respective passport in the immigration counter?
Do you do it in the immigration counter when you are leaving the country at the departure airport, or at the airport where you will be arriving? Won’t they question your passport not having any stamps of departure in the other airport when you show your other passport when you have reached your destination country? Its quite confusing and hope you can clarify this. Thank you so much 🙂
any reply to this? we have same situation and im leaving the states next week.
When you come to the Philippines, at the port of entry show both of your passports to the immigration officials. What passport you show on exit of the US is of no relevance. US immigration officials don’t check passports upon exit anyway.
oh i see, so i wouldnt have any problems about my US passport because the reason why i had my US passport is through my dad’s naturalization, i dont have any certificate or anything. just a proof that i am under his custody.
Hi Bob!
How’s your staying in the Davao?
Is Davao perfect for a vacation?
Hi Belladonna – Well, I don’t believe any place is perfect, but I sure like Davao!
Hi Bob,
I am an American Citizen. Can I get into Philippines with a one-way ticket? I am planning to go there in Feb and stay in Davao for a month, don’t know return date yet….Thanks
Legally, Jing, no you cannot come on a 1 way ticket. You must have a ticket leaving the country when you enter the Philippines. It does not have to be a round trip ticket, but it must go somewhere outside the Philippines. For example, you can come from Los Angeles to Manila and have a ticket going to Singapore and you have sufficed the requirement.
That said, sometimes you can “get away with it” of only having a ticket entering the country and no-ongoing ticket. But, to be safe, you really should have an onward ticket.
Thank you very much, Bob! This is crystal clear response to my question. I will follow your suggestion and book a fully refundable ticket just to be safe…. Thanks again for your help!
Hello Bob (Big Fan btw)
I am a US citizen and trying to bring my 19 year old son here to live with me. My wife is Filipino and i use a Balikbayan visa. (just info on me) I was wanting to bring my son here so he can go to school. I really am just wanting to buy a one way ticket for him because once he is here we dont plan on him returning soon. So i dont want to spend all that money for a flight back to the US. If i understand you correct all I would need to do is buy a flight leaving the Philippines to Hong Kong or anywhere cheap so he could enter the country. Did I understand you correctly? my email [email protected] if you choose to reply there
Bob you are a great wealth of information for me and I would just like to thank you.
Hello Andrew – Thank you for visiting my sites, I appreciate that very much.
Just a point of clarification… your 19 year old son, is he the son of you and your Filipino wife? Or from a previous relationship? If he is the son of your Filipino wife, I would recommend that you just acquire dual citizenship for him, then everything will be very simple and he can stay in the Philippines or the USA as long as he wants in either country.
If he is not the son of your Filipino wife, but from a previous marriage or relationship, then yes, he can come here with a cheap ongoing ticket to Vietnam, Thailand or some other nearby place. If you go through one of the budget airlines you can generally get a ticket like this for $20 or $30. This is often called a “throw away” ticket, because you will never really use it, you only get it to show that you have a ticket, and it is so cheap that you just throw the thing away. So, yes, you did understand me correctly.
On another note…. have you looked into getting a student visa for your son? He will not be allowed to go to school in the Philippines if he has only a tourist visa, he will be required to show his student visa before he is allowed to study. If he is able to get the Dual Citizen status that I mentioned, he will not need a student visa.
Good luck to you, Andrew. I hope that everything works out smoothly.
Hi,
If I’m married to a Filipina and we are traveling together I can enter on Balikbayan status without having an ongoing ticket outside the country right? I believe I have to leave then re-enter at the one year mark.
You don’t necessarily hvae to leave after 1 year. Your Balikbayan Visa expires after 1 year, but it can be converted to a tourist visa at that point, and you can stay for another 3 years. Or, you can leave and re-enter to receive a fresh Balikbayan. Only problem is that many of the airlines don’t understand the Balikbayan program and will insist that you must have an ongoing ticket. If you can get them to listen to you, you can explain to them that they should research about Balikbayan Visas.
I am going to the Philippines Wednesday and I don’t have enough money for an ongoing ticket or round trip ticket and my wife lives in the Philippines that’s why I don’t know how long I will stay. The China eastern airline gave me a waiver to sign and they said that I can go. What is a waiver?
In my opinion, if you don’t have $20 for an ongoing ticket, you really are making a big mistake by going to the Philippines. I just can’t imagine you are going to travel abroad if you don’t have an extra $20.
A waiver means that if you are refused entry to the Philippines because you are not following the law, the airline is not responsible to bring you home.. you will have to pay your own way.
If you can afford $20 for an ongoing ticket, how will you pay your ticket back home?
So you are saying that when I get to the Philippines they won’t let me stay if I don’t have an ongoing ticket? What if I book a another flight to different country when I get to the Philippines? Will they let me stay?
If you book another flight to a different country that IS an ongoing ticket! LOL
Wow. Just wow.
He completely ignored the most important part of your answer.
That said, I will put in all caps for his benefit:
THEY WILL NOT LET YOU BOARD THE PLANE WITHOUT AN ONGOING TICKET.
If China Eastern gives you a waiver, and immigration checks on arrival to the Philippines, it means a wait in jail for deportation.
Hi
my dad wants to stay in the phil. He doesnt want to come back here in canada .. Can he buy one way ticket to the phil.? He’s an immigrant and he has the permanent redident card of canada he’s been here for 3 months so is it possible?
No, unless your dad is a Philippine Citizen, or has a permanent resident visa in the Philippines, he cannot legally fly on a one way ticket. The way you word your question, although you did not say, I feel he may be a Philippine Citizen, in which case, yes, he can use a 1 way ticket.
Hi. I am a US permanent Resident. I plan to travel to Manila indefinitely. Can I travel with a one-way ticket going there? What are the repercussions of doing this. also I am traveling with my US Citizen son.
Thank you and would appreciate your advise
You say you are a US Permanent resident, but you did not say what country you are a citizen of. I will assume you are a Philippine Citizen.
As a Philippine Citizen, you can certainly travel here with no return ticket, or ongoing ticket. There are no ramifications at all.
As for bringing your US Citizen son… if you are his mother, and a Philippine Citizen, I would really advise you to file a report of birth abroad with the Philippine Consulate that serves the area where your son was born, and then your son will have citizenship of both countries.
In the meantime, I would advise you to request the balikbayan privilege for your son when you enter the Philippines, and he can stay for one year with no hassles.
Thank you so much for your advise. I would check on the US Consulate in our area about the report of his birth. One last question, can my son also travel with a one-way ticket? Thanks again and more power!
Hello Rosalee – Please double check, I did not say to check with the US Consulate for your child’s birth registration, I said the check with the Philippine Consulate. The US Consulate could not help you with that.
Technically, your son cannot travel without a return ticket, or an ongoing flight. They may not enforce that, but it is the law.
Hi Bob,
I have acquired my Canadian citizenship last year, and I still possess a valid Philippines passport (it will expire 2015). I am going to the Philippines at the end of this year and don’t know if and when I would come back to Canada, but I only purchased a one-way ticket. Can I still use my Philippine passport? I haven’t applied for the re-acquisition since I got my Canadian citizenship.
I am just confused. If I use my Canadian passport upon entry to the Philippines, they will require a return ticket. And even if I avail of the Balikbayan privilege so I can stay up to a year, return ticket is still a requirement according to the Phil. Immigration website. So I am just wondering if I can still use my Philippine passport upon entry at the airport even though I am already a Canadian citizen. I may apply for dual citizenship during my stay in the Philippines. Thank you.
By becoming naturalized in Canada, you relinquished your Philippine Citizenship. If you use your (invalid) Philippine Passport, that is Immigration fraud. If you are caught there would be consequences to that. Why not just file the form to re-acquire and be a dual citizen?
Thanks for your reply. I want to apply for dual citizenship, but want to do it when I am in the Philippines already. I may apply while I’m here in Canada, but it may get complicated as I am leaving on Dec. 27,2012. Do you think I can enter the Philippines and get the Balik-bayan stamp so I can stay there for a year even though I don’t have a return ticket to Canada? I will definitely apply for dual citizenship when I get there.
Just to make sure you are aware, it can take long time to do it in the Philippines. From the time my wife applied until it was granted was 9 months!
You are eligible for a Balikbayan Visa, just ask for it when you enter the country.
I will apply for Balikbayan privilege definitely, but would they require a return ticket or onward ticket?
Balikbayans are not required to have an ongoing ticket.
My question is this? if im going to the philippines with my wife and kids and plan to get a balik bayan stamp and really dont know when we are coming back do i need a round trip ticket back to the USA? it would be hard not knowing when ur going to return with a balik bayan stamp right? Thnx Bob and i look forward to ur reply….Chuck
Hi Chuck – Under no circumstances does anybody ever need a “round trip” ticket when they visit the Philippines. Most are required to have an ONGOING ticket to another country, but a round trip ticket is never a requirement.
Now, regarding the Balikbayan Visa, it is my understanding that an ongoing ticket is not required for those who will avail of the Balikbayan program. However, many of the airlines do not understand this, so that can create a problem.
thnx bob for your speedy reply on this matter, your info is greatly appreciated and i’ve learned allot reading your blogs on the Philippines…thnx again
Isn’t there anywhere or anyone that can help me with all questions from living in or around Cebu? I am having a hard time finding reliable information, any help would be appreciated. Thank You
Bob V – I am happy to help you if I can, but you haven’t asked any questions yet, and I have no idea what your questions are. Please give me a question and I will help if I can.
I want to buy an ongoing ticket from Cebu Pacific airlines. Ho can I get it to me delivered in nlas Vegas. will Cebu Pacific send it to me or how will I get it it. I need it when I board the pnane in Las vegas
I am sorry, John, I know of no way to get a Cebu Pacific ticket when you are outside the Philippines.
we are US citizens,only with US passport,we acquired dual citizenship last dec 2013,my husband is planning to go home next week,is he allowed to buy a one way ticket? he onlyhas the US passport but we have the dual citizenship document
Sure, as long as he shows his dual citizenship certificate.
my fiancee from Switzerland is coming here and we want to know if he can get a one way ticket and just buy ticket here if he will go back home to Switzerland
No, he cannot at this time. Once you are married, he can do that, but not before you are married. He will need an ongoing ticket, going anywhere outside the Philippines, and it must be dated for travel within 59 days of his arrival.
hi!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! me and my son traveleved last may and I come back here in us last june 10,im a us citizen and my son still Philippine citizen…my question is, he stayed there til august before the school starts here in us…but he traveleved one way ticket only…
OK, annamae. Thank you. You said you were going to give a question, but to be honest, I don’t see any question in your comment. Was there something you were wanting to ask about?
Aireen: You never have to buy a round trip ticket. As the other John said, just purchase a throw away ticket, the cheapest you can find, and show that to the people at the counter. I personally have only had to deal with this one time, when I first came to the Philippines in 2010 and I bought a throw away to Hong Kong. I have heard of people coming here on their US Passports and not even being asked for the round trip or throw away, but it’s been about a year since I’ve heard anything like that.
Are all the cheap airline tickets out of Manila, or are some available through flights from Davao ?
Hi Byron – Davao is certainly not the place to get cheap flights out of the country. Really, neither is Manila. The place to fly cheap out of the Philippines is from Clark, it is by far the cheapest.
Davao only has one, sometimes two, International flights per day – there is just no competition, so prices out of Davao are very high.
I guess….my question really ends up being,
I’ve been looking for really cheap ongoing tickets for a while and I’m failing to find the really low priced ones.
And, the cheapest ones probably are out of Manila, but meanwhile, I’d like to be able to fly out of Davao on the cheap and I’m not finding it…
Clark is the place where you will find the least expensive ongoing tickets. That is where I would be looking.
Hi! I have a Philippine passport and my son has only a Canadian passport. We booked a one way ticket to the Philippines cuz we are not sure when to come back here in Canada. Would my son need a return ticket even if he will travel with me as balikbayan?
The Philippines has never required a return ticket from anybody. Some tourists are required to have an ongoing ticket, which is a completely different thing.
Since your son qualifies for a Balikbayan Visa, he has no requirement for an ongoing ticket.
I may sound so stupid since I am Filipino and I do not know how to get the Balikbayan Visa, where can I get that? Is it at the immigration at Manila airport when we arrive? Thank you so much for helpful info.
There is only one place where you can get a balikbayan visa, at the airport when you arrive on the country. Ask for it before a tourist visa is stamped in your passport.
“The page you are looking for cannot be found.”
Bob I’m sure your article is more in depth than what I will say. Don’t try it! I didn’t know one time and was sent back to Tokyo with my fiancée left at NAIA waiting. Delta brought me back to The PI for free and gave me a BS round trip ticket for when I arrived back to Manila. Not a fun experience but lots of extra miles.
Yep, for $20 or so you can get a cheap “throw away” ticket and all is good. Better than the hassle that you went through!
Bob Martin you right I learned that late. Oh well live and learn Lol.
i think there is one way sir.do you have something to work here in our place.
I don’t understand what you mean. I have lived in the Philippines for 16 years. I don’ t need an ongoing ticket, because I have have a resident visa.
Man I should try it.. I love adventures
If you can afford to buy a resident visa, get it. I’ve been in the Philippines 8 years and never had a hassle with immigration
Buy a resident visa? It costs nothing. But, you have to be married to a Philippine citizen or former citizen. But, like you, I have had no hassles from Immigration in 16 years.
Another way around it is book separately and book return with option to cancel. It cost more at booking time but once in Manila just cancel and its credited back to card.
Yes, that is another great way to go, Roger!
$10,000 if your single and retired
Yeah, that is for an SRRV, which is not what I was talking about. But, that is correct. In some cases, you can get that to $1,500, though, (for former military). Also, the $10,000 is not to buy a visa, it is an investment you must make, and you get all of the money back when you move away, plus the investment profits.
So true.
Bob, your good at the details
Ha ha.. it is my business.. so I try to keep up! 😉
A quick comment on two passports. If you have an Australian passport and another passport (e.g. Philippines Passport), the Australian Consulate will not give any assistance if you didn’t enter the country on your Australian passport. I don’t know if that’s an Australian ‘rule’ or whether it’s a principle of international law, but it would be worth looking into.
Cheers,
Russell
That is a very easy fix. Show both passports when entering.
As Homer Simpson would say, “D’oh!” Yes, of course! Why are some things so obvious after you’ve heard them, but not before???
As long as the Immigration person will stamp both that would be perfect!
In the Philippines they will glacly stamp both passports for you.
Good advice about dual citizens and their passports. Philippine BI advises dual citizens to show both passports upon entry. This will excuse them of paying any extra taxes or fees when they depart. US Immigration wants all US citizens to use their US passports upon entry and exit. US Immigration doesn’t care if a US citizen has dual status.
It might be noted that only those who will be using visitor’s visas will need to show ongoing tickets if asked. Philippine BI specifically states that those utilizing their Balikbayan status upon entry will not be required to show ongoing tickets.
Problem is that most airlines don’t understand what a BB visa is or that an ongoing ticket is kit required
It Dan be difficult to convince è them about this so they will allow you to board your flight.
Ronald,
Whether you are a US or Philippine Citizen or both you will still have to pay 1620p Travel Tax everytime you leave the Philippines.
Travel tax only comes into play if they have been in country for an extended time. Off the top of my head, I think it is 6 months.
Ron was not talking about travel tax, though. He was talking about fees for overstating.
Wow !! This article caught a lot of attention…BUT I do not understand why a person who enters here has to have a return ticket back out …..if he or she is going to live here…I would assume all they would need to do is keep there tourist visa up every 2 months or opt for the longer ….Duration tourist visa … and ….or…… if they wanted a different kind of visa they could process that also……then… so why would they need a ticket back out of the country if that was their plans ????
Hi Lenny – Firslty, we are not talking about a “return ticket” we are talking about an “ongoing ticket”. Those are completely different things. 🙂
Why is an ongoing ticket necessary? Because that is the law of the Philippines. People on a tourist visa MUST have an ongoing ticket. What you say makes sense, but it is not legal. The Philippines will not allow you to enter the country on a tourist visa if you do not have an ongoing ticket that will take you out of the country. It is that simple.
Gotch Ya !!!!!
🙂
I am on my way to the Philippines as we speak.waiting to board here in San Francisco to Manila.glad I have my ongoing ticket.they sure asked for it when I boarded first flight.ask also going through customs
I’m glad that you had it too! These days, they are usually asking for it. There was a day when it was rare to be asked, but not anymore.
I have NEVER had trouble entering the Philippines without an exit ticket.
I ALWAYS have trouble leaving another country to go to the Philippines without an exit ticket.
Hi Robert – The Philippine Government leaves enforcement of this polity to the airlines. If they bring you without a ticket and you are asked for one, then the airline is responsible to bring you out of the country. So, the airlines don’t want to spend the extra money providing you with free travel. They almost always ask these days!
Are there any “got yous” or causes for worry in having DUAL US & Filipino citizenship?
None that I am aware of. My wife and all of my boys are dual citizens and it has been great for them.
I only take one way flights. I’ve always been asked to see my confirmed flight out of the Philippines before I’m issued a boarding pass. I show my confirmed reservation out within the first 30 days and all is good. I’ll never use that reservation. It’s a throwaway, only used to get on the plane. On all my entries into the Philippines, immigration has never asked to see my ticket out. The airline always ask’s.
Hi Steve – Yeah, that is what the article is all about! 🙂 Congrats.
Yup, same here Steve.
Only place I’m not asked is Malaysia, because they understand the one year visa when I’m travelling with my wife.
Steve. If you’re returning to the U.S within 363 days of your departure your paying almost 50% more with the 2 one-way tickets. Call me for help 248-546-3361.
Hello amazing Bob !! I am a Jew from Israel..
and I follow devoutly your blog!! you light and open a window into life in the Philippines, a huge thank you!! 🙂 🙂
and i ‘d be great honored to be your friend on Facebook, and share with you my interesting life story [ that if you understand Hebrew, you can see on my fascinating status, my state of mind .. 🙂 ] and you will get me!!
Thank you so much! I appreciate it that you follow my site! I have sent you a friend request.
Hi Bob
I have only ever been asked once by immigration for an onward ticket and that is in Davao. I did have a ticket so there wasn’t a problem.
Manila has many international flights coming in and if they asked everyone the process would be a lot longer. As Davao only has one or two international flights a day then the immigration officers can afford to take their time and impose all of the rules.
It is rare that Immigration will ever ask you for an ongoing ticket. It really is not their job. The Philippines has it set up so that the job of enforcement is the job of the airlines themselves. If they bring somebody who does not have an ongoing ticket they are heavily penalized. Because of that the airlines are generally pretty strict about it, and the BI does not worry much about it.
Hi Bob –
Please correct me if I am wrong or misguided, but:
An alien (i.e., an individual who is not currently a citizen of the Philippines), who arrives in the Philippines and who is provided the Balikbayan Privilege (it’s NOT A VISA, and it’s not issued or administered under the auspices of the Philippine Bureau of Immigration [BI]) upon his/her arrival, is NOT required to have a “follow-on” ticket for any outgoing mode of transportation.
For those fortunate Balikbayans, the issue of a “follow-on” ticket only arises when the one-year term of the Privilege expires and the Balikbayan seeks to extend his/her stay in the Philippines by employing the tourist visa gambit.
The “follow-on” ticket requirement is imposed by the BI, and only applies in cases involving an alien who has been issued a visa, or seeks a visa at the point of entrance to the Philippines.
I don’t think anything you said is different than what is in the article. Just the name… balikbayan privilege which is commonly called a balikbayan visa. That is the name that is most widely used by common folk like me. ? For real technocrats they might get a little bent out of shape because the commonly used nomenclature is slightly different.
Hi Bob,
When my wife came to the USA on a K1 Fiance Visa, we were required to purchase a round trip ticket dated 3 months after her arrival for her even though the Visa is an Immigrant Visa. Juliet was upset when the time came because we were wasting the ticket and the money. I however did not think the US Government was wrong, because the K1 Visa is conditional on the fiance marrying the US citizen. I could see that if the ticket were one way that might lead to coercion or a problem if one or both individuals decide not to go through with the marriage.
What I don’t understand is how so many people who come to the Philippines on a Tourist Visa which is a Non-Immigrant Visa resent the fact that they must have a ticket to leave the Philippines as a condition to use a Visa that is not designed to be permanent. I understand not wanting to waste money and I have no problem with you or anyone else explaining how to avoid losing money or lessen the amount lost, but the anger at the Philippine Government does not seem logical or warranted. IDK. What do you think?
Peace
Jay
Hi Jay – I sure didn’t know about that return ticket requirement for the fiance visa! When Feyma and I married it was here in the Philippines and we did a spousal visa. Interesting. Like you say, it is virtually the same requirement, and I don’t think a lot of folks know that!
Bob,
My apartment was burgled whilst my wife were at work – we’d left our patio door unlocked. My laptop was stolen and the thief has trashed all my email accounts – I’m currently locked out. The person has also emailed a lot of my contacts saying I am in India trouble and need cash wired by Western Union, to be collected by “a friend” in India. He/she has also sent abusive emails to some of my friends. Luckily my sister and I were chatting on the phone when she received the email. Also I was not logged into bank account at the time. I’d be grateful if you could delete this account and I’ll make a new one and will use an alternative user name. Apologies for any distress caused.
Sorry for the typos earlier – I’m pretty stressed right now.
Are there any alternatives…i like to stay there a year…and then come back to the states…please help im confused
Hi Jeff – I am a bit unsure what you are asking. I mean, of course, if you are a US citizen you are free to go there as aften as you wish. You can stay in the Philippines for up to 3 years on a tourist visa. Maybe you could spell out your question a bit more clearly?
Hello Bob. I am from the Philippines and my boyfriend is from New Jersey, He doesn’t have a VISA, he wants to travel here in the Philippines. He can stay here for 30 days but he has to have the onward ticket, right? But he is not sure about leaving the country in 30 days..What will happen if h don’t have VISA and he overstayed? Thank you. Please response.
No reason for him to overstay. The tourist visa waiver can be extended for a total stay of up to 3 years.
Hi Bob , we want to philippines next month and I want to apply a dual citizenship . I am currently an australian citizen . My husband want to book one way ticket for me and 3 children . I wanna know if I can apply a dual citizenship while we’re there.
Thanks Perly
Yes, you can apply for dual citizenship while you are here visiting the Philippines. However, just to be cautious, if I were you I would apply in Australia. It may take too long for it to be issued in the Philippines, and it may be time for you to leave before the process is complete. So, if you do it where you live, and Australia, you are sure to be there when the process is completed. Good luck.
Hi Bob its me again Perly, my husband was talking to me this afternoon he is planning to apply a visa for us , but we don’t know what type of visa to apply . We want to stay longer until we get approve of dual citizenship. Can you please help me what type of visa to apply , we want to live there for good.
THANK YOU, PERLY
Since you are from Australia there is no reason to apply for a visa. Also, because you are a former Philippine citizen.
If you request it upon arrival (before they stamp a tourist visa into your passport) you can have a Balikbayan Visa for you and your husband and children. That will give you a 1 year stay in the Philippines free of charge.
If you don’t wish to get the Balikbayan Visa then you can enter with no visa at all and get a free 30 day tourist stay in the country. That can be extended for up to 3 years stay.
Good luck.
Hi Bob,
My parents are dual citizens (U.S/balikbayan) however I am not. I am planning to live in Manila for awhile and enter graduate school there. Without being accepted, do you think it would be difficult for me to enter Manila with only a one-way ticket? How long would I be allowed to stay in the even that I don’t get accepted into any school? I really appreciate your help. Thank you in advance!
I really can’t say, because enforcement is hit-and-miss. You just never know if they’ll let you in or not. But I can tell you is that you won’t be allowed to study here on a tourist visa go. You will need a student visa for that.
Thank you for your speedy response. Right now my family and I are trying to figure out which would be easier for me if I should go for a student visa or if I should become a dual citizen. What are your thoughts if you don’t mind me asking.
I always feel it’s best to get the most rides that you possibly can. Because of that, if you are eligible to become a dual citizen, I would highly encourage you to do so. Good luck.
Can I enter the Pines an get a LTSV on a One way ticket whilst I apply for a SRRV
Not legally.
Hi, just want to ask something. My mom is a Filipina but she recently got her US citizenship. Her Philippine passport is expired and she only has a US passport. I booked a one way ticket for her to Philippines. Will she need a return ticket to US so as the Immig Officers will not question her?
She should request the Balikbayan Privilege when she enters the Philippines. No onward ticket is necessary if she avails of the Balikbayan.
Hi Bob, thank you so much for your reply and for the info! Have a nice day! 🙂
The balikbayan privilege should be requested at the immigration counter, before they stamp your passport with any other type of Visa.
Gotcha. Appreciate the info!
Hi Bob, i am so blessed i found this website! I read Ofelia’s comment and your response to her answered part of my question. The other part of my question is, my hubby is a US only passport holder, is he then required a
It depends on what type of VC your husband will use to enter the Philippines. If he will be unavailing Pion Visa, no need for an ongoing ticket. If he’s on a tourist visa he’s required to have an ongoing ticket on his arrival.
This must be a new regulation because we were there last year with one way tickets, stayed for 5 months and purchased our return tickets there. have a nice day.
It is a very old regulation that has been around for at least 20 years. However, it’s not enforced all the time. If you come on a straight one way ticket with no ongoing ticket you are taking your chances, and may not be allowed to enter the country.
Ok Bob, My Filipina wife and 18 yr old son both have dual Aussie / Filo citizenship. My son is travelling for about 6 months into the Philippines, but I actually want him to arrive as an Aussie so that if there is any calamity he can exit through Aussie diplomatic channels. Can he show both passports and have his Aussie passport stamped ‘Balikbayan”? Does he require an onward ticket?
Not only can he, he should show both passports upon entry and exit. That is the proper way to do it.
Thanks Bob for the quick reply.
Hi there,
I just want to confirm that this is still the policy before I fly back to Philippines. I just got my canadian citizenship and planning to spend 6 months to a year in philippines. Would that mean that I’ll be okay with one way ticket as long as I mentioned that I want to request for balikbayan priviledge at the Philippines immigration? Thanks in advance.
The policy has not changed.
Thanks for the quick reply. ? It means that I will be okay with my one way ticket right?
No, it means the opposite. You are required to have an ongoing ticket.
It doesn’t need to be back to Canada tho right? I mean I’m thinking of booking a flight to a closest country like Singapore perhaps.
It needs to be to ANY country that is not the Philippines.
If you need additional help beyond this, you will need to hire me on a consulting basis.
Good luck and enjoy your trip.
Back in April I made to move to live in the Philippines. I read a person can only stay 30 days and he had to have a ticket to leave. I applied for a 2 month VISA and I only had a one way ticket. No problem at all. kept getting extensions and been here for 6 months. Now I want to apply for a Balikbayan Visa cause I have a Filipina wife.
I am sorry, but I don’t think you have a good understanding of what a Balikbayan Visa is.
Firstly, you cannot “apply for” a Balikbayan Visa. It is issued only at the airport when you arrive, and your Philippine wife MUST be traveling with you in order for you to qualify to receive a Balikbayan Visa. You cannot get a Balikbayan visa if you are already here in the Philippines. If you are already here you and your wife will have to travel to a nearby country like Hong Kong, Singapore, etc, and then return to the Philippines.
Read this article for full information:
http://liveinthephilippines.com/living-in-the-philippines-on-a-balikbayan-visa/
What you wish to do, travel to the Philippines without an ongoing ticket, is perfectly legal, many of the airlines don’t understand how the law works and may give you a hassle.
As former Philippine Citizens you are all eligible for Balikbayan Privelege. You are not required to have an ongoing ticket. Sometimes the airlines personnel don’t understand that, htough.
Hello Bob,
I bought a plane ticket from Kiwi.com to fly on a one-way ticket from Manila to Davao in March. The ticket states that I will need a visa for that travel. I am a US Citizen. I will be flying roundtrip to Manila from Los Angeles through another booking agency that does not say I need a visa. I have flown from roundtrip from Los Angeles to Davao four times previously with no visa requirements. Manila to Davao is in country. Do I need a visa because I am only flying one-way to Davao? The reason I did not get a round trip from Manila to Davao is I plan to fly back to Manila from another city in Mindanao. Did Kiwi.com just make a mistake? Will it cause me problems with the airlines in the Philippines if my itinerary says I require a visa and I don’t have one?
There is no Visa required for US Citizens.
Thank you Bob for confirming what I thought but was not sure of.
Howard
Hi Bob, very good information here. I am a digital nomad and a US citizen. I plan to travel to Manila for the first time. I plan to stay indefinitely so I was thinking of going on a one way ticket. However it seems that I need to show an ongoing ticket. Every time I enter the PH I need to show an ongoing ticket? Can I renew my stay while living in Manila to avoid leaving everytime after 59 days? Many Thanks!
The information you are looking for can be found here:
http://liveinthephilippines.com/living-in-the-philippines-on-a-tourist-visa/
Its now 1 year from the date of entry
OK, and your point is?
Hello Bob,
My husband is British national in Bermuda and we got married last December 2017. He flew back to Bermuda last January and will return by April this year. He already booked a one way ticket coz he wanted to stay here with me in the Philippines.
So is the one way ticket okay? And he’s planning to coach tennis here.. Is that okay too while processing for his residency here. What’s the best thing to do Bob? Hope you can help. Thank you so much in advance! ?
No, he cannot legally enter the Philippines on a one-way ticket until he already has his resident visa.
I can help him, usually for less than $30 I can help him with a throwaway ticket to satisfy the legal requirements. http:///throwawayticket.com
I don’t think he will have any trouble with coaching tennis. If he wants to remain completely legal he should get an AEP (Alien Employment Permit) which he would start out at the BI and then the DOLE.
hi, just checking if they still want a return ticket, I am German married to a Filipna for more than 3 years now, we are both have been living in Phuket for more than 4 years, like to go and see the islands in Sep. but we have not made any return plans, I guess not more than 2 month staying there. Hope I don’t have to buy a throawayticket.
They have never required a “return ticket”. What is required is an ongoing ticket. A throwaway can often cost you less than US$30.
You said you are married to a Filipina. If so, why not come using the Balikbayan privilege? If you do that, a one-way ticket is fine (although many airlines don’t understand the law and wil question you).
Do I still need an onward ticket if I’m coming to the Philippines to get married and stay? I have a passport and have never left the US before. I want to get married and stay there by the end of next year. What Visa can I get here to stay a while until I can get married? Can I get a six month Visa before I go then apply for a marriage Visa at the embassy after I get married?
You must have an onward ticket if you do not have a permanent visa.
You do not need to get any visa before coming, just bring your passport and use the visa waiver program. When you enter the country you get 30 days free stay and then you can apply for extensions and stay for up to 3 years.
You will not go to the embassy to get your resident visa. After you are married and have all of the official (NSO) paperwork you can apply for a resident visa. You apply at the Bureau of Immigration.