What is a Balikbayan? Well, it is a person who is returning to the Philippines after spending some time abroad. If your wife is from the Philippines, but is living in your home country, when you take a trip back to the Philippines, your wife is a Balikbayan!
As a Balikbayan, your wife is entitled to some benefits, and one of them is a Balikbayan Visa. Here entitlement to this special visa is also extended to her spouse and children as well, so your whole family can avail of the Balikbayan Visa.
Now, I know you are wondering exactly what a Balikbayan Visa is, right? Well, it entitles you to a one year stay in the Philippines, without any need to check in at the Bureau of Immigration, or any other government agency. On top of this, after one year you can still stay in the Philippines by converting to a tourist visa, and going through the whole tourist visa process for another year. So, with a Balikbayan visa, you can get a total of two years stay in the Philippines. Nice!
After your two years stay, you and your wife can leave the Philippines, even for just a one or two day trip to Hong Kong or Thailand, and when you come back into the country you are good for another 2 years!
Now, there are a couple things to remember if you want to take advantage of the Balikbayan Visa program. Most importantly, you MUST enter the country with your spouse who is a Philippine citizen or former citizen. If you come in alone, you will NOT be issued a Balikbayan Visa. Another thing to keep in mind is that even if you are with your spouse you are not guaranteed of getting the Balikbayan Visa, although in my experience you will get it every time. One good thing to do is to keep a copy of your marriage license with you and show it to the Immigration official when you enter.
One other thing… if you want to work, you must keep in mind that unless you file for a work permit, you will not be permitted to work in the Philippines while staying under a Balikbayan visa.
In my opinion, for the spouse and kids of a Philippine citizen or former citizen, the Balikbayan Visa is a very attractive way of living in the Philippines!
Hi Bob,
THANKS for the information….! You spelled out exactly what I need to do…
Hello Bob,
Good info, will come in handy when the time comes. Now waiting for my wife to arrive in the States for the first time May 2007. Any info on what
We need to do after her arrival in the States ?
Thanks
Randy
Hi Randy – I am not sure exactly what you are asking. I guess I'd say that what you need to do after she arrives in the States is to enjoy your life together, give her time to adjust, help her through homesickness. Are you asking what you need to do to start getting ready to move back here to the Philippines? Sorry, I just don't understand. If you can clarify a bit, I would be happy to answer.
My husband and I will be going home, (I'm a Filipina)can he immediately apply for a change of visa status? Can he also get a reentry visa, while he's on a balikbayan visa? I was informed that there is a need for a court hearing, is this true? It's weird though, I'm a Filipina and yet I'm asking questions to you who is a foreigner. But this is new to me and I don't have any idea on how the process go. Can you please give me an advise on what is best? Thanks very much.
Hi Gloria – Your question is a little bit unclear to me. I will answer the question in the way that I understand it, but if I am off base, please respond and let me know that I mis-understood.
A multiple entry visa is something that is totally different from a balikbayan visa. Under a multiple entry visa his stay can only be 21 days, but can be extended after that. He will, however have to keep extending every 2 months and must leave within a year. So, I see no reason why he would change it upon entry. If he gets a multiple entry, his subsequent trips into the country would not be good for a one year stay, only 21 days.
If he gets a balikbayan visa, he can stay for one year, and after one year he can convert the balikbayan to a tourist visa and stay for another year with renewals of the visa. So, he could stay up to two years without leaving. If he has a balikbayan, he can leave anytime he wants (doesn't have to say a year), but he will only get the balikbayan visa again if you are with him on entry.
If he comes in on any type of visa and then applies for a 13 series resident visa while he is here, there will indeed be a court hearing as part of the process.
Another option would be for him to apply at the Philippine Embassy of the country where you are currently located, and get the resident visa (13 series) before coming. Once he does that, he can come and go from the Philippines any time, and still maintain his resident status here.
I hope this helps!
Feb. 17, 2012
Just to let the readers know that is current :0) I and my husband have decided to apply for immigrant visa for him at Phil Embassy in L.A (we are located in Wa.) where we thought wld be reasonable to avoid hassles in extending his stay in Phils. He was almost ready for his medical lab works (as per the requirements to acquire immigant visa) when he asked he how much wld the lab works cost…it wld cost $1000 and Xray ($97) is not included. We cldn’t afford to pay that much, so we have changed our mind and decided to go Phils as Balikbayan this April 2012. At least worry free for a year then rqst for extension for another year and I certainly hope it wldn’t cost us $1097.
Hi Cristina – You cannot extend a Balikbayan Visa, they don’t do that. You can, at the end of one year, convert your Balikbayan Visa to a tourist visa, but that will require renewals at 21 days, 59 days and then every 59 days for up to a max of 6 months.
I am a balikbayan now in the Philippines with a 12 month visa, at the end of the visa or slightly before it expires, now can I leave the country per say, Hong Kong for a day or two then return to start the 12 month balikbayan visa all over again? Thank you very much for your response
Yes, you can.
Thank you very much for the rapid response.
I am a Filipino born in the Philippines raised in the States, as a balikbayan, am I considered an expat according to the Philippine imagrations law?
You don’t say what your citizenship is. If you are still a Philippine citizen then you are a citizen, not an expat. If you are a US citizen, then I suppose you are an expat in the Philippines. I don’t think that any law spells out anything about expat, though, only alien.
You may want to do his immigrant status at the philippine immigration in manila. My dad did that and it wasn’t that expensive in the Philippines since medical exams are cheap over there. Look into it. Plus my dad doesn’t have to worry about renewing his visa every month or couple of months. Hassle free.
HI bob this balikbayans visa what write in passport I try to find
on site on internet of immigration philippines but I can't to find
I look for balikbayan visa. maby you think why I no go to ask
in philippines embassy hear in athens greece because the philippine girl is no good no like to help you many philippina have problem about service in good.
regards from athens
Hi Zois – No need to go to the embassy for a balikbayan visa. That can only be issued at the airport upon your arrival. As long as you enter the country with your wife, you should qualify for a balikbayan visa.
Hi bob you tell me what means if my wife receive the passport dual citizen.
After I go buy 2 tickets for me and for my wife and I go
travel for philippines and if arrive in air port in philippines
after give to me issued for balikbayan visa.
And no need to go in philippine embassy in athens in greece
I take visa for me and also my wife no need visa for travel
to philippines.
and another question if travel for philippines my wife need to keep philippine passport and also greek passport in air port of philippines. and also I must to keep greek marriage certificate in
my hand for issued balikbayan visa in air port philippines.
sorry make to mutch question for you because the philippine embassy in athens no have good service and give information
very easy.
regards from athens
Hi Zois – Yes, what you are saying is correct. You get the Balikbayan Visa at the airport in Manila upon entry. No need to visit the Embassy. It is indeed a good idea to have your marriage certificate with you to be sure you get your balikbayan visa! Good luck!
Hi Bob this is good news for me. for balikbayan visa how mutch
I pay you know.
regards
Here's a bit of info for those that must physically leave the Philippines to renew a visa. Guam is a direct 3 hour flight from Manila. Continental Airlines flies there daily, sometimes more than one flight per day. Less than 4 miles from the airport is the Philippine Consulate (located in the ITC Building). There are never any lines, and you nearly always get a visa the same day you apply for one. For those longing for a bit of the USA while in a tropical setting, that is what you will get on Guam. As a US territory, you will find Cosco, Kmart, etc. and American english and dollars is the offical language and currency. Since it is a big tourist destination for Japanese (approx. a million visitors per year) There are a lot of hotels along "hotel row" in Tumon, which is an area less than 10 minutes from the Philippine Consulate. Guam is clean, doesn't have much traffic, and well, its like being in the states but with the same weather as the Philippines. There is a shopping center (Guam Premium Outlet) with a pretty good food court and adjoining movie theatres less than a half mile from the Philippine consulate, so if you go there with the intention of just staying a few hours for the visa and flying back, you can do so without having the expense of a hotel.
Can my filipina wife and phil-am son go to guam and back with me for my balikbayan trip with passports only and no “visa” ?
Hi Hector – tough question to answer, because I do not know enough about your wife and son. If they have the right to travel to the USA (US citizens, green card holders, etc) then the answer is yes.
My son is US citizen by me being his biological father,my wife has philippine passport but no visa or ever been to the US, no intention to go.
Can she visit for a week and come back to PI without a visa?
Shouldnt be an issue with myself or my son.
We did balikbayan trip to singapore last time…just looking into other close places.
Because your wife is not a US citizen, she cannot enter the United States without having a Visa. So, if she wants to go for a visit, she will need to apply for a Visa first, and if approved, she can go there with no problem.
I was hoping for balikbayan trip to guam only.
Hi bob I am sorry I no tell I pay you I write wrong I like ask you how mutch the fee for balikbayan visa. Now another
question for balikbayan visa privelege need fhoto or no need.
regards
Hi Bob, I thought I would throw in my little comment, balikbayan visa great for foreign husbands entering country, although advife lately is to ensure husband has applied for Permanent residency in his home country, no chance of corruption, no extortion fees, in London its about £100.00 with chest xray bloodwork etc, and evidence of means to live in Philippines, i.e. retirement pension, savings, business, or income generated from business in UK.
Balikbayan great for initital year, if coming in and out, but at some stage I think permanent resident is the way forward.
Wont require it this trip Bob, as we are heading North to Shanghai for a few days prior to my long trek back to the land of high living costs, extortionate taxation.
I left comment # 13 above with info about flying to Guam to renew a visa. The phone number of the Philippine Consulate there is 646-4620 or 646-4630. Calling there from outside of Guam is identical to calling the USA. The area code for Guam is 671.
Hi BOB /FEYMA,we read your blog everyday, we've been going back and forth to the phil/usa for 14 years,and we always stay in the phil. for 11 months ,no paper works needed for "BALIKBAYAN VISA" all you need is your passport, the Immigration officer in manila upon arrival at the airport will stamp your passport "BALIKABAYAN" they will stamp the date of your arrival like for example,july 25,2007 then underneath they will write down july 25,2008..meaning good for 1 year…we enjoy reading your blog BOB,learned a lot especially bringing a dog to the phil .We'll be back in sept..
From personal experience I find the Balkbayan has been just what I needed for this first year. The only disadvantages I see are that many governement agencies and virtually _all_ commercila businesses do not understand it.
Banks for example. Although there is no legal requirement that anyone can show me for permanent residency to have a bank account, many banks ask for an ACR … Alien Certificate of Residency before you can open an account. Just keep trying and you'll find one that follows the law.
But the conveniences so far … and the price … have bene great for me. Funnily a lot of fellow ex-pats have negative comments about the BB and have even asked, when will you stop this nonesense and get a "real" visa? Ha ha, well, to each his own … but if you plan on a "real" vsa, such as the 13a … Get It Before You Come! It is more expensive and much more troublesome to get in the Philippines.
Anyway, nice to see so many people thinking about living here … I like it fine no matter what the visa.
Hi Zois – Don't worry! I am happy to answer your questions. There is no need for any photos for the Balikbayan Visa.
Hi Pete – I've missed you lately! You must be busy. Yes, I do believe that for those who want to live here long term the resident visa is the way to go, but if somebody will be coming and going anyway, the Balikbayan visa is a great resource. And, yes, I highly recommend applying for your resident visa in your home country. Doing it here is putting yourself in for a lot of hassles!
Hi Kevin K – Good advice about Guam. If you want an "American" experience without actually going that far, Guam is a good alternative.
Hi neng – I'm happy to have you as a visitor! Good luck on your coming trip.
Hi Dave – Yep, the Balikbayan Visa is a good deal – much better than having to keep renewing a tourist visa! And, you are right about applying back home too!
Hi Bob you can tell me if my wife have the dual citizen
is good idea to make philippino passport or not
regards
Hi Zois – I don't think there is really any need for the Philippine Passport. The Greek Passport should be adequate.
Hi Bob many thanks again now you can tell me if I write
the coment (post) and I write wrong my text how repair and I
write correct on same text
hello
Hi Zois – It is not possible for you to edit the comment after it is already posted. If you made a serious mistake, you can e-mail me, and I will edit it for you.
Hi again Bob, a little addition to your BALIKBAYAN VISA info here, I have a BALIKBAYAN VISA and all it takes is when you enter, like you said, WITH YOUR SPOUCE, never alone, forget that, you just simply say "I WOULD LIKE MY FREE BALIBAYAN VISA PLEASE" bingo signed sealed and delivered, another thing, at the end of your year do not go straight to a TOURIST VISA, instead apply for and receive the same day a 2 month extention on your BALIKBAYAN VISA, it can be done every other year, so instead of getting 24 months (12 balikbayan-12 tourist) you get 26 months
Hi Dave, Do you apply for the two month Balikbayan extension at the Bureau of Immigration?
Hi Dave – I have heard of a few occasions when the Customs people asked to see a copy of the marriage certificate. Normally, though, just being with your spouse is good enough. I didn't know about the 2 month Balikbayan extension! That's good advice.
Hi Bob I am crazy now hip hop hip hop hip you thinking what
about zois. I read one book before many years the writter
is american man and he is small win (small victorry) this is life
one big travel. After 7 months my wife take the dual citizen.
Why after 7 months because we wait from come in greece the
birth certificate with red ribon. But if there is my friend Bob Martin
of the site http://www.liveinthephilippines.com no finis my paper the Bob
explain to me and ansuer for all my question somes I ask him
every day I make him tired of my question.many thanks of your
help Bob. Now Bob my wife have dual citizen. You know the embassy
make philippino passport for my wife I ask why and ansuer me
the philippino passport need for proom she is philippina in air port manila if we travel to philippines.And also for me ansuer
my question about balikbayan visa you must keep your marriage cerificate in manila air port. I am sory for wrong gramar.
regards
Hi Zois – No problem in asking questions! I am happy to help you. So, the Philippine Embassy went ahead and provided a Philippine Passport? Well, that's OK, no problem for you. Yes, I do recommend that you bring along your marriage certificate when passing through the airport. It's not totally necessary, but will absolutely insure that you get your Balikbayan Visa.
As far as balikbayan visa goes, it just is a luck of the draw on which
immigration you get on arrival. I got one with no problem (wife PI citizen)
2 months later a friend came over (with wife also PI citizen) asked for balikbayan status and was told it was only applicable if his wife was no
longer a PI citizen/aka a former Filipina.
Rick
Hi Rick Austin – Yes, what you say is absolutely correct. The Immigration officials do not HAVE to give you a Balikbayan Visa. They normally do, to be denied is rare, but it can happen.
I am a 50 year old American ex-marine with a 40% VA Service connected Disability, who has been married to a Filipino for 22 years, and we have a 14 year old son born in the US. My wife received her US citizenship 8 years ago. She owns a small Coco and rice farm on Dinagat Island. We moved to Surigao City, Del Norte Oct. 15, 2008 so she can tend her property, help her elderly parents, and to finish raising our son in the beauty of this land. He could fully understand what being half Filipino really meant, and learn the language and culture, and be able to live in both countries if he choose after his schooling is complete. We still need to go to Manila and start our paperwork, and my wife and son need to apply for their Dual citizenship. I am not sure what the process is for me applying for a Residency Card (Green Card). I have been told so many different things by Expats, but they have all be retirees, or moved here to get married. My wife is a Balikbayan returning home to live with an American husband and child. I have been told that the process will be easier because I fall into a different classification, due to my wife's status. Others tell me that I will be treated the same as every other applicant, and her status does not matter, and that 13A has been disregarded all together. I have checked Philippines Immigration and Embassy websites and they mentioned no such changes. They are also written as if for Male Balikbayans with American wives and children. Is it so unusual for an Balikbayan female to return with her American family, that nothing is written for such an occurrence.
I need to know the proper forms, steps, and proper procedures to follow before we endure the financial burden of traveling to Manila with the wrong paperwork or insufficient funds to complete the necessary paperwork. Can you help with this information, or direct me to someone who has completed the same process I will have to follow.
Editor's Note: It is my policy that I don't publish e-mail addresses in comments, James. Any information that people can provide should be provided here on the site so that others can benefit from it also. Bob
Thank you for the quick response to my queries. Each person that I have questioned has only contradicted the one before, and each acted as if I should blindly trust their advice. I have been born on a weekend, but NOT LAST WEEKEND. They will not be the ones that will bear the financial burden endured by back tracking from being improperly prepared.. We have an expression in Texas, "The B.S. is so strong, that vegetables should be growing on the walls." I research government websites and find the language vague, dealing more with the visit than the stay. Your second option is what I had come to believe through my research, and it was nice to have it confirmed by your responses. I believe it is the best path to follow.
I really enjoy being here so far, and have found a great place to settle down with my family. Once our paperwork is done, we can finally relax and get started with building our business and our futures here. Thanks again
Bob,
Out of curiosity, Could James acquire the 13g or 13a visa at the Philippine consulate in America? I ask because this may be easier as have recently read some stories of them demanding between 45-100tphp in bribes at BI to give the visas to some expats.
I'm not sure what BI the people where going to but while the amounts seem high , to me at least, I do semi-believe the stories because in the past one BI office was so corrupt I literally saw the employees almost brake into a fist fight to see who was going to get the 2tphp for selling me a Balikbayan stamp without me needing to leave nation, they just charged 2tphp and took my passport to international airport, entered some stuff in computer, stamped it with 2 exit stamps (had been overstaying for 1yr) and then stamp it again with Balikbayan stamp good for 1yr. Cant complain about the service though as they even delivered the passport to my home after finishing, true door to door service.
Anyway was just curious if he could apply at the consulates offices in America as doing such may prevent him from meeting some undesirable BI employees looking for easy cash to use in keeping their kabits taken care of.
One things for sure, either way hes better off than the folks paying for the opportunity to spend their money in PI as never really thought the folks with the tourist visas seemed to logical as most where wasting money since they had generally Filipina wives and could have saved allot of cash by staying legal in country by other method.
Justin
Bob,
Sorry about that as only realized after your post that James is in Surigao City, nice place. Also, My apologies for mentioning corrupt practices on forum because rather common or uncommon you are correct in stating its not an issue that's best to put out on public view in a forum that is promoting the Philippines. I sincerely hope no one thought that I was condoning such actions because looking back in retrospect its now my opinion that if people just refused to engage in such practices that such practices may just phase out of existence in a generation or so.
Justin
I will be going through the process in the next couple of months. I will let you know what we encounter and if anyone will try to take advantage of us. I hope we encounter professionals who only want to assist us with the paperwork we need to process, and not professionals using the process to assist themselves to the paper in my wallet. Thank you again for your help and I will touch base with you later. We love living in Surigao City, which was just rated the #1 child friendly City in the Philippines. It is a good place to raise a family, and is very safe to travel in and around.
James,
I also like Surigao city and have spent some time there as well as in a small municipality just outside there called Tagana-an as my wife has much family there and her grandfather ,recently deceased, was a mayor there
Surigao is very safe but are several areas just outside Surigao City where rebel ambushes and such take place at times but they typically just targeted government figures and facilities and not expats.
BTW, Saw where your wife is from Dinagat and wanted to ask if shes a PBMA member? I ask for no particular reason except because I have another expat friend online who's wife is a PBMA member from Dinagat and he routinely speaks very highly of Dinagat and says its very safe and peaceful place.
Justin
My wife's family are mostly members of the PBMA cult. She has lived 22 years in Houston, Texas in the center of the Bible Belt, and has become a Born-again-Christian, which now causes a conflict with her past beliefs. She know Jesus is her savior, the son of God; and now shuns their belief that Master Ruben is the savor, being just a man. The island is beautiful and the people are warm and friendly. It is a 1 hour boat ride from Surigao City, to Cagdiano where my wife was raised. She own a family coco and rice farm between Cagdiano and Cabunga-an, and we also own a sea front lot in Tagbirayan. I have traveled throughout the island, and know several foreigners who live and travel there. There is never an incident with foreigners and the locals, and I would suggest it to anyone that enjoys backpacking. There are jungles and Hardwood forest, and each hill top allows for beautiful views, the seascapes are spectacular, with private surfing areas yet undiscovered to commercial interest. It is one of the last places that still preserve the true old fashion Pinoy family culture. I will build my retirement home there and hope to live there until the lord calls me home.
Hi Bob,
Great info and insight. I am a Balikbayan born here and have been back 3 years now after more than 30 years working outside the country. The 1st 2 years here, I just left the country and upon coming back, I would get my new one year BB visa. However, my current one has gone past the one year mark. Your advise please?? I plan to stay indefinite. Thank you.
Hi George – You say you are a balikbayan, which to me means that you are either a Philippine Citizen or a former Philippine Citizen. Right? If you are a citizen, you don't need any visa! You can live here as long as you want, you're a citizen after all! If you are a former citizen, you should file for dual citizenship, reacquire your Philippine Citizenship, and then you can stay for as long as you like. Good luck.
Hi Bob,
I was born and raised here till the age of 19. My father was a U.S. citizen at the time and my Mother is a Filipina citizen. I was required to choose at the age of 18 and picked U.S. Eventually I worked abroad in many countries.
Whenever visiting the Philippines, the customs officer always would see in my passport that I was born here so gave me the one year Balik Bayan stamp. I have gone passed the one year mark so should I just inquire with Immigrations?? Thanks again.
Hi George – You didn't really say how long past the 1 year mark you are. But, you can actually go to the BoI and convert your Balikbayan Visa to a Tourist Visa and stay another 16 months. Yeah, I'd go to the BoI and see what they recommend. It should not cost you much for overstaying, as long as you take care of it.
Hi Bob,
My husband is 53 swiss, and me is 26 and my son is 3 years old dual citizen. My questions is: What is really best visa to got. I am pilipina and not yet have a dual citizen. We plan to go back in philippines this coming end of year but wondering what kind of visa we would apply. I heard about Balikbayan visa, but i could not find in any website about the rules and regulations if you plan to buy a house and lot, make a business, or they need also a money deposit. In balikbayan visa, if my son can go also to school in philippines. then go out in the country for one day and go back again. Also, with my husband. I could not have a problem with the Imigrations. What is the requirements with it. It is allowed to make a deposit in with any bank with thier names or no?
About in 13a i read in some website. But is not clear with me so much. About if you will apply here in switzerland. after it you need to go in manila just to process again? then after a year what it should be? i hear that it would takes a little bit of time or days to renew always.
Hope to hear you soon. Michelle
Hello Michelle – All of this information is available in my Philippine Immigration Guide, which is only $9.99.
Hi S’Bob,I have a swiss partner or boyfriend,Im a Filipina.We’ve been together for almost 2 yrs.He arrived in the Phils. last April 2009 and he got a 1 yr visa that he really pay with big amount(Php 16T plus).Before his visa will expire,he process to renew it again last feb. 2010.But he did not go to the bureau of immigration,instead he just let somebody(the man who give him the 1 yr visa upon his arrival last yr 2009) from the immigration office to give another yr of visa,but of course he pay again with P19,000.What they do is that they put a stamp DEPARTURE from Phils and then ARRIVAL(Phils.)and stated there that his visa is valid until feb 2011.It is always departure(phils.) and arrival(phils.),but no stamp from other country or a destination that you depart and arrive.Now my question is,is it good that we will just travel to singapore or other country so that he can renew his visa?Can he get a balikbayan visa or 1 yr visa even if we are not yet married?We already have one child.Please help,as I don’t like him to get visa again from the fixers of immigration.Im afraid that he can have a penalty because his visa before was invalid or fake…Thanks in advance and sorry for the long messages
What he did was illegal, and if caught he won’t have any fine to worry about, he will have to go to jail. My best advice would be to get an attorney and get this sorted out.
Hi Bob ,Me and my Husband are Filipino citizen, we are planning to have a vacation for 2 months in the Philippines but im wondering do i need to get a visa for my daughter, because she is a canadian citizen.
I’m hoping for your respond,Thank you and God Bless…
Hi Gerlie – If you and your husband are Philippine Citizens, then your child is too, no matter where she as born. She is a citizen of Canada and the Philippines. All you need to do is file papers for her at the Philippine Embassy or consulate in Canada and she can then get a Philippine Passport and can stay an unlimited amount of time in the Philippines.
thanks Bob, will call when in Davao
Sounds good Peter! Take care
my 5 yrs old son was already in the philippines and he was stayed there 5yrs now and i am his mother planning to bring him back here in the US where he was born, is there any fee do i pay before he going back here in the US ?
It depends, Flor. If your son entered the Philippines using a US Passport, then your son is currently an illegal alien in the Philippines. If he used a Philippine Passport upon entry, then you have no fees or fines to pay. If he did enter as an American, using a US Passport, then you will have some pretty hefty fines to pay.
He’s a dual citizen having both filipino passport and us passport! Yehey!!! i feel so relieved… and thankyou bob! 🙂
The fact that he has both passports is not important. What matters is which passport did he use when he entered the Philippines? If he used his Philippine Passport, you are OK. If he had both passports stamped, then you are OK. If he used only his US passport, then you will have fines to pay.
the both passport was stamped….
That’s great then, Flor. You have no worries.
Take care!
hi I have an irish born kid, turning 2 this month and is presently here in the Philippines. I am planning to let her stay here for two years. problem is she an Irish passport holder. will I be fined if I’ll let her stay here. what will be the first thing to start the process of dual citizenship?thanks.
Hi Anthea – To be honest, you did not give me enough information to be able to answer your question, Firstly, I need to know, are you a Philippine Citizen? Were you a Philippine Citizen on the day your child was born?
Hello,
I found this thread while researching for my friend’s case. She lives here and US as an immigrant. She has a 2 year old American citizen son and US Citizen husband (naturalized). last June, She and her son came home to Philippines to finish her studies and plans to be remain in the Philippines until she graduates (in about 3 years). What does she need to file or pay in order to make her son’s stay legal?
Please advice, it’s really hard to get through the US embassy hotline. Thanks!
Hi Maria – Not sure why you would be trying to call the US Embassy, as this is a matter for the Philippine Government, and has nothing to do with the US Government.
If your friend is a Philippine Citizen, then her son is also a Philippine Citizen. A child with a Philippine parent is a Philippine Citizen, no matter where he was born. Your friend needs to file a report of birth abroad with the Philippine Consulate or Embassy in the USA closes to where the child was born. Once that is done, he is a dual citizen.
about the child, i can not see any problem yeah bob is right he just ned to be a dual citizen, but to your friend that which is only a US immigrant… that will be the prob coz she just only allowed to stay in the Philippines less than 6months, if she will more of it she might lost her greencard. Have good one! 🙂
hello.
i am planning to go college there in the philippines in laoag city in northwestern university. i was wondering. because im a U.S. citizen. would i just need a dual citizenship to enroll into the school.
and how do i apply for it… because im going to go there next year in april to enroll into the school.
Hello Stacey – Are you a former Philippine Citizen? If you are not, then you are not eligible for Philippine Dual Citizenship.
hello sir bob, does reporting of birth as late registration can cause problems? and does philippine embassy allowed it processing thru mail? i have 17 mos.old korean born daughter and planning to report her birth to the embassy of the philippines, i visited philippine embassy websites and tried calling their contact no.but nobody answers. waiting for your response,thank you!!
I don’t think you should have any problems with late registry, but I recommend you check with the embassy to be certain.
There was a fellow called James Musselwhite referenced on your site (search engine) who briefly blogged on the Square Foot Gardening site; do you know him is he still there and would he like to contact me? My wife’s family is into SFG successfully in Zamboanga City
Hello this is James Musslewhite, yes I am a member of the Square Foot Gardening site that you mentioned. I would be more than glad to exchange information or answer any gardening questions you or your wife might have. I am formally trained in Biology and Botany with over 25 years of commercial horticultural experience in Sub-Tropic and Tropical regions. I was first introduced to a form of Square Meter gardening when I was stationed on Okinawa from 1985-1987 and was probably one of the first people to purchase Mel’s book on Square Foot gardening. Please feel free to contact me anytime and I am sorry for such a late reply but I had overlooked this thread and just spotted it today..
Hi James Musslewhite, I’m and avid gardener from the UK about to settle in Batangas and can you please send me your email details, and I’ll contact you for some words from the wise with reference to organic (or as close as I can get) gardening if that’s OK.
Mike
hi bob i m indian guy 27 years old my father living in philpina since 1980.he have pr card of philppine .
and doing finance business there since 1980.can i apply for balikbayan visa travel for philpine?
Hello Pawan – unless you have a Philippine spouse, you do not qualify for a Balikbayan Visa.
Im a canadian citizen but born in the philippines.iim planning to go back in the philippines to study but i dont have time to process my dual citizenship here in canada can i just apply it when i get to the philippines? One more question if i entered phil. With a canadian passport and try to enroll in university will am i going to have a problem because i dont have a student visa.thnk you
You can apply for dual citizenship here, but you must keep your visa active, pay extensions and such. If you want to study here you will need a student visa until your dual citizenship is approved.
Just a clarification. If you are born in the Philippines, that does not make you a Filipino. The Philippines is based on Jus Sanguinis, meaning born by blood… therefore if you are a canadian citizen born in the Philippines, that means, your parents were Canadian Citizens, ergo not a Filipino. If one of your parents was still a Filipino upon your birth, then you can be automatically still a Filipino, and has a Filipino birth certificate stating your Filipino nationality (thru a parent), thus no need to apply for Filipino Citizenship.
Birth in the Philippines to foreign parents does not in itself confer Philippine citizenship, although RA9139, the Administrative Naturalization Law of 2000, does provide a path for administrative naturalization of certain aliens born on Philippine soil (Jus soli). For more info visit this page http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Philippine_nationality_law
My mom was a filipino citizen when i was born.whatvif i dont want to get a student visa and just enroll while waiting to be a dual citizen?
My mom was a filipino citizen when i was born.what if i dont want to get a student visa and just enroll while waiting to be a dual citizen?
Sure, go for it. Just don’t forget to apply for a student visa, because you can’t attend school without one, if you are a foreigner (and until you apply for and receive your dual citizenship, you are a foreigner).
hi! My name si juliet, I merried a korean guy about 7 years and we planning to live in phiillippine , I wanna know how can i take dual citizenship for my son and how can i tke it? he is 6 year old know . pls let me know.. thank you..
Hi Kim – If you were a Philippine Citizen on the day your son was born, all you need to do is file a report of birth abroad with the Philippine Embassy in Seoul and your son will be recognized as a Philippine Citizen.
Do you know what is the requirement to do so? and if he is recognize as philippine citizen , can he take also koren citizen?
Once you do what I advised he will be a dual citizen by birth. He will be a Korean and a Philippine Citizen.
thank you
my partner was born in the phillipines. She became and australian citezen in australia during 2007. We have just had a baby. Firstly. Can my partner have dual Citezensahip both australian and philo?
Secondly is my son eligable for a philo citezenship or what can he be eligable for ?
Thanking you in advance
Hello joyce n luke – If your partner desires to re-acquire her Philippine Citizenship, she needs to file an Application under the Philippine Dual Citizenship law. If she applies for dual citizenship, your child can be included in the application and will also become a Dual Citizen of the Philippines (not Philo, the Philippines), and of Australia.
However, if your partner does not desire to apply for Dual Citizenship, your child has no path to Philippine Citizenship since neither the child’s mother or father was a Philippine Citizen at the time of your child’s birth.
For details on how to file the application, where to file, and what documents are needed, please check our book, Philippine Dual Citizenship. The book is only $9.99 and can be downloaded immediately upon payment.
Flo, I would suggest you file a “Late” Report of Birth for your kids (you would have to pay penalty fee for the late report + the actual report of birth fee) while you are outside of the Philippines. You can always file Report of Birth and apply for Philippine Passport at the same time and it will mean less problems for you in the future.
having to do all these within the Philippines would be a big hassle since there are LOTS of red tape of having thing done in the Philippines.
As for entering Philippines without a visa, the kids will automatically be given Balikbayan visas (which is good for 2 years) as long as you have proof that a parent is Filipino and you have documents showing that you are the parent of the kids (birth cert or indicated in the passport that you are the parent)
correction Balikbayan visa is good for 1 year stay
A Balikbayan Visa is not always “automatically” issued, as you suggest, Roland. It should be requested.
Hi ! I am looking where to download application form for dual citizen . I presently live in Korea and have korean passport . I saw one but ( made from chicago )…..
I do not know of a place to download the forms. If you contact the Embassy in Korea they will provide you with the form, though.
My parents were Filipino and born in the Philippines. However, I was born in the US and they were both US citizens at the time of my birth. How can I get my dual citizenship? Is it possible? Any insight and information would be helpful. Thank you.
If both of your parents were US citizens on the day of your birth, you have no path to Philippine Citizenship.
hello i have the same problem. i can’t acquire dual citizenship if they were both US citizens when i was born?? my fiance is a filipino citizen does that help me in anyway?? thankyou
When your baby enters the Philippines on a US Passport, he will be issued a 21 day visa at the airport. This visa can be extended up to 16 months. First extension will be good for up to 59 days.
If you have a Philippine passport when you enter, you do not need an ongoing ticket. If you don’t have a Philippine passport to present, you are required to have an ongoing ticket.
Good luck.
Hello, I am planning on going back to the Philippines for 2 months and by that time, my baby will be here. 🙂 I am a dual citizen and the babies daddy is Filipino citizen, now do I need to get baby a visa or will they automatically let it go because I am a dual? I plan on getting baby a dual citizenship when we get to the Philippines due to it being a faster process but exactly what do I need in terms of documentation to enter the Philippines from the airport (for baby)? Thank you! 🙂
Hello Josephine – Yes, if neither of your parents were Philippine citizens at the time of your birth, you cannot acquire citizenship. Being married to a Philippine Citizen shortens your time for naturalization from 10 years to five. You must live in the Philippines for 5 years before applying.
The baby will be having a US passport, but like i said we are staying for 2 months,,,,doesn’t baby need a visa still? or is it okay because I’m a dual? Last time I entered the Philippines I had to buy a plane ticket to another country because I only had a one-way ticket.. even though I had the proof that I am a dual…
Oh, I got my passport and documentations approved in less than a month. But I did have my them approved before hand at the Philippine Consulate in San Francisco before hand.
Sorry many questions! 🙂
Hello Toni9p – Your baby must have a passport to enter the Philippines, or the USA, or any other country. The passport is the documentation that you must have.
BTW, the dual citizenship is much more quickly processed in the US than here in the Philippines. My wife applied for dual citizenship here in the Philippines last June, and it still has not been issued.
Enjoy your trip!
Flo, you are correct in being worried about the 1 way ticket. All of the airlines I have flown with demand to see an onward ticket before they will let you board the plane to the Philippines. Philippine Airlines, PAL, especially, is a real stickler for this.
Hi Patrick – Flo said that she is a Philippine Citizen. She is not required to have an ongoing ticket.
I am a Filipina origin, US permanent resident for 3 yrs now married to US citizen. Have been living here since ’08 and couldn’t get a job for the reason being, I came here on a wrong timing USA is going through economic recession. Second, not very easy to land a job when you’re on your 50’s, too many competition. Now, I and my spouse have decided to leave the beautiful Evergreen State (Wa.) too cold, I have given up in addition to the unemployment situation here. Life is survival and a struggle. My husband is on a Social Security Disability since he was 52 (he’s now 56) and boy the $1700 he’s getting is hard to stretch out to make both ends meet. So, we have decided to leave soon for Phils anytime May 2012 as soon as we get the bank docs from PNB (Phil Nat’l Bank) L.A inorder for us to open an account in Phils. It’s such a long process, it’ll take 4-6 months to receive an account number and our bank book. On the other hand, we were planning to apply for an immigrant visa (13a) for my husband but the medical requirements such as Lab works (blood serology, urine and stool and x-rays) are not covered by Medicare and we do not have that huge amount of money to pay for those medical requirements, so we have decided to just travel to Phils and get a Balikbayan visa. Now my question is, before the 12 months BB visa should we apply for a tourist visa so his stay could be extended? If it’s extended for another year, do we need to go and see the Immigration every 2 months? It’s kinda hassle. I need yr opinion, if his stay is extended for another year after his 1 yr BB visa is finished and after the 1 yr extension is over, can we apply for immigration visa instead of exiting the country and coming in again because it’s such a waste of money.
Hi Cristina – I am going to just give you my honest opinion, although I am sure you will not like what I have to say. I am just being honest with you, though.
If you cannot afford the cost of a few medical tests to get a resident visa, you really cannot afford to live in the Philippines. We are talking like a couple of hundred dollars at the most. When you start having to renew visas and such here int he Philippines, you will blow through that amount in no time. If your budget is that tight, you would be much better off to just stay in the States.
Good luck to you.
hi bob love all your site and good read ref philippines, im going PI with my wife who is a filapina we are married 3 years she lives here UK has brit ciz.. she has a wee house in san jose del monte , im just wondering if you know anything about the flooding there is it a thing that happens often? and what do you think of sjdm
to live in as a expat would be very obliged for and inf on it. jim . thanks
Hi James – Thank you very much for stopping by, and I am very happy that you enjoy my site!
To be honest, there are lots and lots of places in the Philippines called San Jose and also Del Monte. Could you give me a bit more information? Which province are you talking about?
Hello Bob,
In reading your information about Balikbayan. If I have the marriage certificate and the registration of the marriage with the Philippines consulate. Is it possible to get the Balikbayan without my wife being there? My fingers are crossed.
Hi Daniel – No, that is not possible. Your wife must enter the country with you.
Thank you Bob,
I already sent my wife there to find a place to live. Would have been nice to to apply for this visa. So I guess I need to go to immagration either in Manila or there in Davao for an extension. And then work in the direction for a 13A.
Dan
Daniel:
You could get your wife a ticket to Hong Kong, meet her there, and then fly in… Just an option.
If I were you, I’d send my wife to HK to meet me there and fly in with me. It’s your choice, though.
Flying to HK has an estimated additional cost of about $ 850.00 us dollar, with her flight and mine traveling through HK. That is at a quick check with flights.
Thank you for the option.
I use HK only as an example. You must have a stopover somewhere. For example, if you had a stopover in HK, she should be able to come there for $150 or so to meet you. But, that is only an example. Over the course of 16 months, you will spend $500 to $600 on visa renewal fees if you enter on a tourist visas, so the $850 is not really that far out of line.
Thank you for your help Bob, I have some researce to get done ASAP. I plan to be there around April 1 and maybe when I get there I look you up. And we can team up as Mindano’s Bab and Dan. Kidding!!!! But yes I will be on Mindano.
Thank you again,
Dan
That’s great Dan, good luck with your plans!
Sorry miss-spell Bob!!!!!
Hi bob, sorry I did not get back to you sooner , have been very busy getting things sorted, have left the UK was in Luzon for a couple months now living/working Bangkok the past year.
The question is not needed now I went there and did not like the house or the area and we have been lucky to sell it since. Oh it was Bulacan , anyway ive just sent you another remark here on your site I’m sure you will come across it ref BB visa in support of something you said, i am sure I will be chatting with you soon to pick your brain thanks for the reply . Jim.
Thank you, Jim, and good luck to you!
Hello. I am a Canadian citizen and I am born here but I have dual citizenship by my parents which are Macedonians. I want to merry my boyfriend which is Macedonian. As far as I know, I must go back there and get engaged so I could bring him here in Canada or is there some other way (ex. can he comes here and get married with me and stay legal)?
I am sorry, Billy, but this site is about Philippine Dual Citizenship. I really don’t know a thing about Macedonian or Canadian citizenship.
Hi! I am in need of immediate answer. I will be studying in the Philippines soon and I recently took an oath to reacquire my Philippine citizenship. The problem is, I won’t be able to apply for a Philippine passport as I am leaving soon. If I just use my U.S passport to enter the Philippine airport, will the Philippine immigration think that I am overstaying once I head back to the US, as they won’t know that I have a dual citizenship? How can avoid that from happening? (I’m also planning to apply for a Philippine passport in Cebu when I arrive). I really hope to hear back from you soon. Thank you!
You should be OK, but make sure you carry your dual citizenship certificate with you, and show that when you enter and exit from the Philippines.
hi, just wanna ask, how long will it take when my frnd from canada who’s canadian citizen but have filipino parents will apply for dual citizenship? she wants to stay here for good.
Hi Mau – It does not take long to apply, but I suspect you are actually asking how long it will take for the application to be approved, am I right? My wife recently applied for Philippine Dual Citizenship, and it took 9 months for it to be approved.
OMG! that long? so she have to apply for the extensions right?? how can she find a job is she’s not filipino citizen?!
There are no extensions, as my wife and I have resident visas.
Hi Bob ,
Im in need of your help i have a gorgeous woman im in love with who lives in San Jose del Monte, Philippines but i am living in Michigan usa.. i want to move yes move to her country and then marry her at a later date we have known each other for 2 yrs but because im on ssdi money is tight so no travel for me to go there. So my questions to you are what do i need to move there and maybe even work there can i keep my social security disability if i move there to live and what is the process to do all of this and then marry her as well i call her Gem as we would love your help in this mater and maybe then i can see what the cost is as well to fly there
Thanks Jerry
Hi Jerry P – What do you need to move here? Well, nothing special… you need a will to come and an airplane ticket. I don’t know if you can keep your disability payment, that is on a case by case basis. I know some who have been able to, and I know some who have been denied.
Basically, when you first come here, you will be on a tourist visa, which is good for 21 days. You can extend that for up to 16 months, but then you must leave, even just for a day, and return again. You might go to Hong Kong, Vietnam or maybe Thailand, it’s up to you. You can go anywhere outside the Philippines. When you return your visa clock starts all over again for another 16 months stay in total.
Alternatively, once you get married you can apply for a 13(a) resident visa and stay here for as long as you want, without the need to leave every 16 months, and no extensions and such.
Hope this helps.
oh and Bob do you know what the cost is for a visa ,work permit passport sorry never traveled or had any of these before
There is no cost for the initial 21 days visa. Extensions, which must be done at 21 days, 59 days, and then again every 59 days after that, cost roughly between $70 to $90 or so, it varies each time.
If you go for the permanent resident visa (after marriage) you can find a rundown on that here.
hi.,My son is in the Philippines right now and he was born in the u.s so i’m paying for he’s extension every 6 months i figured out that is too much for me,so i’m planning to apply for a dual citizen for both of us the problem is i’m a u.s citizen before he was born. And he’s in the phil. right now while i’m here in california and all of his important document are here with me,can i apply a dual citizenship without his presence?and what is the requirements?
Just thought this might be helpful!
http://immigration.gov.ph/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=239&Itemid=80
Item VII is for dual citizens. If you came into the Philippines using your foreign passport and plan to stay more than a year, you don’t need to extend the balikbayan visa or get any other visa provided you show proof that you’re a dual citizen (passport and/or IC) when you leave (or pay a fine of P710). If you show both passports when you arrive, they write IC or PP on your foreign passport 🙂
“Filipinos with dual or multiple citizenship, who represents a foreign passport, may be admitted for an indefinite period of stay, being a Filipino, provided, he/she possesses and shows a genuine and valid Philippine passport and/or Identification Certificate. “
Hi there,
I’m a balikbayan and wants to extend my stay in the Philippines. I heared that after 1 yr of stay in the Phils. as balikbayan, I can convert my visa into tourist. My question is, where should I go to have my visa converted? I live in Mindanao part of the Philippines. Please advise. Thank you!
Sally
Go to the Bureau of Immigration for that.
hello sir, my husband and I are planning to get married in the PI. Since were already married in america I was wondering what requirements we need to get second wedding in the PI. thank you
I am sorry, binjet, but this site is really not about marriage in the Philippines, and I do not have the answer to your question. In my opinion, you are not getting married in the Philippines, only renewing vows that have already been accomplished, and you should need no paperwork at all, since legally this is not a wedding, only a renewal of vows.
Hi Bob,
My husband and I live in the UAE right now. I am Filipino amd he is British.
I understand the mechanics of the Balikbayan visa but have some questions I hopedyou can help me with.
1. Balikbayan visa can only be obtained when I can prove I have been living outside the Philippines for a minimum of 1 year. What happens when that year is over, husband and I travel to say HK for a few days and come back together. Does he get a BB visa again, or will he get a 21 day visa because I have not been out of the Philippines for 1 year?
2. is the Balikbayan visa a single entry visa? What happens if say 4 months into the 1 year visa, my husband decides to go to HK for a few days without me? When he comes back, can he tell the immigration officer that he has a BB visa that is still 9 months valid?
Thanks for your help, Bob
Hi Che,
1. Generally, that “1 year out of the country” requirement is not enforced. If you leave the country even for a day, you can get a BB stamp upon re-entry.
2. The BB stamp becomes invalid upon exiting the country. Your husband can only get a new BB stamp if you re-enter the country with him. If he re-enters alone, he is not eligible for the BB stamp.
Hi Bob, et al — Very informative and useful thread about visas. Just to clarify a few points and hope make visas a little less mystifying.
Starting with visitor’s visas, specifically entry visas. They are available from all Philippine Embassies and Consulates and come in 3 flavors. (1) Valid for 3 months, single entry. (2) Valid for 6 months, multiple entry. And (3) Valid for 12 months, multiple entry. They are valid from the moment they are placed in your passport and may be used for as long as they are still valid. Upon entry, they will afford Immigration the right to place a 9a visa (visitor’s visa) in your passport that is valid for 59 days. Without an entry visa (visa free), Immigration will give you a 9a visa valid for 21 days.
If a foreigner arrives with a Filipino or Former Filipino spouse, the Filipino may avail of the Balikbayan Program which will afford their foreign spouse and/or children who need one, a one year visa. It may be extended beyond a year by purchasing extensions, 2 months at a time, for up to one additional year. These are not 9a visa extensions, but they are extensions to the Balikbayan visa first obtained and unlike 9a extensions, an ACR is not required (this may change according to rumors emanating from BI).
Hi Ron – Personally, I see no value in obtaining a visa from the Embassy or Consulate before coming to the Philippines. You can get the 21 days automatically upon arrival anyway.
Your information on the Balikbayan Privilege is incorrect, slightly. A Balikbayan Visa may never be extended beyond one year. At the end of a year, you may convert to a 9a Tourist Visa and run for an additional 16 months on that.. but you will no longer be on a Balikbayan Visa beyond 1 year.
Hi Bob — You must be right. The implementation of the Balikbayan Privilege is under the auspices of the Department of Tourism which I researched some time ago and my memory is likely faulty about extensions.
However, about obtaining an entry visa before traveling affords the traveler a 59 day stay when they arrive at no additional cost. A single entry visa valid for 90 days costs Americans US$30.
If one wishes to arrive visa free (without an entry visa), a 21 day visa will be issued. If one wishes to stay longer they must purchase a 38 day extension for about US$70. Therefore, if one wishes to stay longer than 21 days, a single entry visa will cost half as much. US$40 may not seem like much to many, but some will find value in it and it would buy a number of good meals.
I am sorry, Ron, getting a 59 day visa is not free, whether it is obtained in the Philippines or anywhere else in the world. Either way you do it, you still must pay.
Sorry Bob. The 59 day visa is free at the port of entry. There are no additional charges. To get it however, one must pay for an entry visa. The cheap one is $30. It is single entry and is valid for 3 months.
If one wishes to come and go several times, the multiple entry visas valid for 6 months ($60) or valid for 12 months ($90) are available. When entering the Philippines with any of these entry visas, you would receive a 59 day visa to stay at no additional charge.
Hi Ron, better notify the Philippine government, because their Embassy an Consular websites say that there is a fee for those visas. 🙂
Bob,
Yes, as I’ve been saying there is a charge for an entry visa. These are available ONLY from Philippine Embassies and Consulates around the world. US$30 for the cheap one, valid for 90 days.
The 59 day visa to stay in the country is ONLY available at a port of entry in the Philippines and there is no charge.
Bottom line is that at the end of 59 days, one would have ether paid US$30 for an entry visa or PhP3,030 (approx US$70) for a 38 day extension. US$30 or PhP3,030, your choice.
I am sorry, Ron, but your information is inaccurate. One of my goals for this site is to provide accurate information to those who visit. I can only encourage readers to ignore this inaccurate information.
Hi Bob,
I just want to ask in Balikbayan Visa there is Immigration Fee and how much is that?
hi,
I hoe this thread is still alive.I came here with my 2 stepkids and my 2 biological kids. My question is , are the 2 stepkids eligible to get a 1 year balikbayan visa ?? They didnt get one at the airport but im hoping that i could still get that for them at the immigration if they are eligible for it.
Thanks
It depends, Kristel. If you or their father are Philippine Citizens or former Philippine Citizens, then they should be able to get BB visas upon entry, if the Philippine parent is with them at the time of entry.
However, they are not eligible for this trip, because they have already entered the country. They cannot get one after already entering.
Dear Bob,
Thanks for the reply. Yes I am a filipino citizen and they are not my biological kids, and i came with them without their dad here in the philippines.We could take a trip to Guam if its possible for them to get one. Is there a link that you could send to so I will be able to look it up more.
Thanks again Bob
Re: Balibayan visa run, minimum absence.
Hi Bob,
I acknowledge I should buy your book., but am most grateful for free advice.
Can you please advise, when doing a BB visa run, is one required be absent overnight.
Your comments suggest I need to be gone for a day, kindly elaborate, if you will.
Could we theoretically clear customs in HK airport and return immediately?
The reason I ask is that my Filipina wife is reluctant to leave our kids overnight.
I’m not averse to leaving the kids with Lola for a night out in Hong Kong.
Cannot waste airfares on a day trip to be told by BI that we have returned too early.
I enjoy and appreciate your well informed posts
Cheers
Tony
It is my understanding that you must be out of the country overnight. Of course, this is the Philippines, which means that you can never know for sure how the law will be enforced.
Hi,
My name is John Pearson!
The innigration charges has doubled,to get a pass port extended,since I was here 4 years ago.They charged 1010 for my first 2 weels,as required,Dec.4th And 3080 for 2 months.But they stamped my pass port for Jan.4th which will be 1 month.And they are going to charge me another 3080 pesos for another 2 months when I go back to immigration on Jan 4th.It doesn’t make any sense.Why all these charges?
Well, things do change, no doubt on that. I can’t say why, but it is what the government decided.
Hi Bob quick question? Can u get a balik bayan stamp at a philippine consulate here in the USA before going to the philippines or do u have to get it upon arrival to phil at airport? i too am married to a filipina and have been 6yrs now and are planning to go back again in the springtime here. Thnx Bob i look forward to ur reply…
No, a Balikbayan stamp can only be issued when you arrive in the Philippines. It can be gotten in Manila, or any other Philippine airport where you enter the country (Cebu, Davao, etc). Remember, your Philippine spouse must be entering the country with you if you are to be eligible.
What’s the requirement for dual citizenship?
You can get all of the information about what the requirements are, and the price of applying in our book, Philippine Dual Citizenship.
You can find the book at this link:
http://philippinedualcitizenship.com/get-our-book/
The book is only $9.99, and is an electronic book which can be downloaded immediately once payment is made.
Thank you again!
It’s luke and joyce again. If my partner does in fact apply for dual citizenship and my son is also accepted on the application does this mean we as a family can stay in the philippines for as long as we want? Me being Australian citizen can we live in the philippines should she be accepted as a dual citizen?
I don’t know what your citizenship is, Luke, but if you are not a Philippine citizen then you will need a visa to stay here permanently. I recommend you Look into getting a 13 a visa for that.
Im Australian citizen but both my wife and son have dual citizenship. Later downs the track we may want to live in the philippines. Given there citizen ship status dual both Australian and philippines what does this mean for use should we want to live there. I am Australian citizen
Your wife and child could live here as long as they wish since they would be citizens. As I said before, you will need a visa to live in the Philippines. I recommend a 13a resident visa.
hello bob, my fiance and i planning to geting married just wanna ask is he qualify to have a balik bayan visa. another thing is he want to stay in philippines permanently what are the requirements to process. 2nd, is he can travel alone even he have a balik bayan visa like visiting his family and relatives in singapore for only week or month. thank you hope you reply me soon. God Bless.
Hi Rech – Your husband will only qualify for a Balikbayan Visa after you are married, then you must both leave the country and re-enter together. At that point, he could get a Balikbayan Visa. If he leaves the country again and re-enters without you, he will not get a Balikbayan visa on his re-entry. You must accompany him. You should make sure that you are in possession of your marriage license upon your re-entry too. Why not apply for a resident visa – 13a visa – since he will qualify for it after you marry.
hi, i have a child to a filipina woman although we are not married. (long story) i am on the childs birth certificate as father. doew this entitle me to enter the philippines on balikbayan visa if my daughter travels with me?
No, it does not. Balikbayan privileges can be extended to spouses and children, but not to parents.
hi bob. my kids and I are all holding Philippine passports except my husband. my husband and I are legally married in the Philippines for 15 years now but living abroad. we go to Philippines every year (by the grace of God) for 12 years and i have been applying tourist visa for him at our embassy here. so, will he be qualified to have a Balikbayan visa if i apply for him upon arrival at the Phil Airport even though I’m still holding Philippine passport? Are ALL FOREIGN NATIONALS legally married to a Filipina entitled to have Balikbayan visa? …and how much would it cost? Thank you very much. your site is very very informative…God Bless you.
Hello Melanie – You cannot apply for a Balikbayan Visa at the Embassy or Consulate. You must obtain it upon your entry to the Philippines. If your husband is with you, and be sure to have your marriage certificate with you, then he is entitled to receive a Balikbayan Visa, which will allow a one year stay. Foreign nationals who are married to a Philippine Citizen, or to a former Philippine Citizen are entitled to have the Balikbayan privilege extended to them. The Balikbayan Visa is free of charge.
By the way, Melanie, you can also get a more in depth answer to your query by checking my book, Can I get a Balikbayan Visa. The book is only $7.99 and can be downloaded immediately upon payment. The book includes full information on who is eligible for the Balikbayan Visa, how to get it, how long it is good for and other such information.
Hi Bob,
Good day to you, Im a indian citizen and im going to manila this month with my filipina spouse and a canadian born son, i saw on your website that im also entitled to a balikbayan privilege since me and my spouse and son are all travelling together, but im also planning to go to india and come back to manila by myself, can i just show my balikbayan stamp to the imigration officer or i need to apply for entry visa since im travelling back to manila by myself? thank you so much.
Once you leave the country, your balikbayan visa is void. You cannot get another one unless your Philippine citizen spouse enters the country with you.
Hi Bob,
i am an Indian national married to Filipina currently living in Cebu and my visa and ACR is valid until JAN 2015 but I’m planning to visit and live in INDIA for few months during that time my visa and ACR will expire also i don’t have any US, Japanese, Australian, Canadian, Schengen, Singapore or UK visa in my passport. So do you think am I still eligible to get the balikbayan visa when i enter to Philippines along with my spouse and Philippine born kids.
Thanks in advance.
Hi Chetan – I am sorry to say, but the laws for immigration here are different for Indians than for Westerners. Unfortunately, I do not know the laws well that apply to Indians, so I do not have the answer to your question.
Hi Pardeep!
Could you please update us on your experience with the balikbayan stamp in the Philippines? My husband is an Indian national and will be asking for the balikbayan stamp when we travel to Philippines next month. Were you able to obtain a balikbayan stamp upon arrival?
I am a filipino citizen and married here in korea(korean) I am planning to visit philippines with my 3 kids.can my 3 kids stay in the philippines for 6 moths without visa?.pls I need your good advice.
Did you file a report of birth abroad with the Philippine Embassy when each of your kids were born? If so, they are Philippine Citizens and can stay as long as they wish. If you did not file, then your kids will need proper visas to stay that long. If you did not file, you can still do it, and get the Philippine Citizenship that your kids deserve.
hi bob,
im a filipina.,we process my husband 13a visa,were on probitionary now and we apply for permanent and the BI ask for FBI clearance we already send the fingerprints card to them and after 1 month the FBI said they can’t read his fingerprint and his probitionary visa is run until october 30,2013…what should we do if were running out of time should we go out in the phil.and get BB wen we re-entry…………..thank you
It’s a tough situation. Leaving the country is one solution, but if you do that your probationary 13a is than null and void. Try to do a rush on a second set of fingerprints, perhaps you could get it done in time.
hi bob i just want to ask this….hope you can help me i have fiancee from he wants to live here in phil.but he dnt knw and also i dnt knw how he can live here he was charged before a felony case way back 13 years ago…how can he lived here or does he can live here?
Hi Aiza,
Thanks for writing.
If you want to move to the Philippines, there are many things to find out about, and to do in preparation for the move. I have come up with a series of electronic books that will provide you with all of the information that you will need to make the move easy and smooth. There are a total of 31 eBooks in the set, you can find out about each title at my website: How to Move to the Philippines. http://HowToMoveToThePhilippines.com
I have a special deal that I want to let you know about, though. The books are $7.99 each, but that can add up if you want the whole set. Because of that, I have a special package that includes all of the books, 31 titles in all. You can get the entire package, which I call the PH Pro Package, for just $49. I can offer you the PH Pro package for a special discount price of $10 off for the next 24 hours though. When you are buying the books, just use this coupon code during the checkout: Move2PH10 Keep in mind, though, this coupon code is only valid for the next 24 hours for your purchase.
You can find the PH Pro package here:
http://expatisland.com/how-to-move-to-the-philippines-ph-pro-all-in-package/
I really believe that this package of books will give you all the information you need to make it a successful move. If you have other questions that you don’t find answered in the books, though, you can e-mail me any time for a personal response to your question.
This book package specifically includes information on living here if you have a past conviction.
I am a Canadian Citizen by birth. My parents are both Filipinos by blood but were naturalized in Canada before I was born.I am currently studying in the Philippines.But I have problems in applying for my student visa because I have no naturalization papers of my parents which are required by the immigration. They were separated a long time ago and I was under the care of my Grandma . What will I do?Can I apply for a dual Citizenship to continue my studies? This is my last year in school and I really want to Graduate.
Because your parents both relinquished their Philippine citizenship before your birth, you have no right to Philippine citizenship. Sorry for the bad news.
Is there a way that I can have a student visa?
I am sure that you could get a Student Visa. I don’t have knowledge about that, though, you should check with the Bureau of Immigration.
hello, I am an older american and have lived here now for over 2 yrs . im presently living with a woman but not married . I have already had to leave the country and fly back the next day just to comply with the philippine immigation laws and will have to again this december once again . am I eligible to get one of these balikbayon visas ? i hate having to spend money for p[lane tickets etc. and would just like to get one of these visas if i can .
Sorry, because you are not married to a Philippine citizen, you are not eligible for a balikbayan visa.
Assuming Crystal’s parents were Filipino when she was born and they have Naturalized US citizenship, she would have lost her Philippine citizenship when she received US citizenship derivatively from her parents. Her simplest solution would be for one or both parents to reacquire their FIlipino citizenships per RA 9225 and their reacquisition would also apply to her. She may reacquire her Filipino citizenship on her own once she reaches the age of 18.
what about i lost my citizen us filipino
i process my papers to immigrate in canada
now i reiceve my citizen become a canadian citizen
and now i want to return my country to visit but i lost my citizen us filipino
what can i do?how many months to process my citizen so i can revived it.
pls help me.
Just apply for Philippine Dual Citizenship. You will be able to keep your Canadian Citizenship, and also re-acquire your Philippine Citizenship. The application process can take from a couple weeks to almost a year.
Hi Bob!
We are a recently married couple. Not sure if I understand the Balikbayan visa correctly.
Is it enough just to go out for a few days from the country and when we return we can apply to Balikbayan visa already? Even though my wife works here, in the Philippines and not dual citizen?
If it is possible, am I eligible to apply for working permit with Balikbayan visa?
Thank you in advance for your response.
Appreciate you site!
Thank you!
Hello Andras – You can apply for a Balikbayan Visa if you are already married and you are in possession of an NSO certified copy of your marriage certificate. There is no requirement for dual citizenship or anything of the sort. Since your spouse is Filipino and you are not, that is all that is needed. When you reenter the country, request the Balikbayan Privilege before they stamp your passport. They are supposed to then ask to see your marriage certificate (they don’t always ask, sometimes they just trust that you are married). They will stamp a 1 year BB Visa into your Passport.
You do not automatically get a Work Permit, but you can certainly apply for one.
My kids are american citizen ,im still filipino citizen,i am planning to bring them in the Philippines for more that 21 days probably 2-3 mos.They are 3 and 3 mos old.how long can they stay in the philippines are thet qualified to get the balikbayan stamp?and is there any requirements for them to get it?tnx
Yes, your children are eligible for a Balikbayan stamp, just request it from the Immigration officer when you enter the country. There are no other requirements. With the Balikbayan stamp they can stay for 1 year.
Question, I am US retired, I have been married to a Filipina for four year’s I have been living here one year with visa extensions Bi-monthly. If me and wife fly to HK for an evening and return the next day am I eligible for a Balik… Visa? Should I secure it before I fly to HK? or must I secure it at the Airport. Also do you know if Clark offers this or only Manila? Thank you awaiting your response.
If you fly to HK, no matter how often, as long as you enter the country with your wife and have your marriage certificate (certified copy) with you when you enter, then you are eligible for a Balikbayan Visa. It can only be secured at the airport entry. You cannot secure it before you leave. This is available at any airport in the Philippines as long as you are entering from another country.
Hi Bob,
I am filipina and married to a foreigner with 1 child. We are going to stay in the Philippines for a few months & gonna apply for Balikbayan visa. I just want to ask if availing for a balikbayan visa a copy of the return plane ticket is required also?
Thank You.
Those who obtain a Balikbayan Visa are not required to have an ongoing plane ticket. Some of the airlines do not understand that, and you may have to argue your point with them.
Thank you for the information you are a great help. But I was confused with the information provided at the website of the Philippine Consulate General. Under Dual Citizenship (Inroduction Note, Question# 12) it was said those entitled to a balikbayan visa have a return air trave ticket. Could you clarify this one for me.
Thanks a lot.
The only thing I can say is that their website is incorrect.
Greetings Bob enjoy your website My filipina wife and our daughter just returned from trip to Bangkok for two days mainly for my bb stamp on return. However the Thai airways agent insisted that me and my daughter both us citizens to show a outbound ticket out of the philippines. I being a retired airline staff i could quickly produce a ticket however she would only accept seeing a paper copy of the ticket not the online exact same image of our tickets. Lucky Bkk has a internet cafe in departures area when we arrived in Mnl customs agent never asked to see tickets. That was why the Thai agent insisted we would not be admited into Philippines.
Hi Arnie,
Unfortunately, their information with simply incorrect. This happens fairly frequently.
just a tip, use Philippines airlines to avoid getting asked for outbound tickets
Hi,
I’ve been living in the Philippines now for 2 years on the Balikbayan “stamp” and i am planning to leave to Hong Kong and come back on the Balikbayan again later this year.
Now my question is how many times can you get away with using the Balikbayan stamp, for example last time I entered with my wife the officer at the Cebu desk was asking a lot of questions about where my wife is currently a resident at and how long had we been out of the Philippines – we were not sure what to say as we didn’t want to NOT get the stamp.
So I just blurted out Dubai as we had been living there for 9 yeas in the past and that worked. My only concern on this years Balikbayan run (#2) is if they will again question us at the airport with regards to getting the Balikbayan stamp.
it seems like everyone gets the stamp and I’ve not read anywhere that someone has been refused but seeing as we are living here, is the Balikbayan stamp something we should still be entitled to – is it not for “returning” Filipinos? ….
…damn that was along comment! hope you get what I mean?
looking for a little advice
Cheers,
Mark
I am a bit confused, Mark. Is your wife a Philippine citizen? It would seem she is not, if she is getting a Balikbayan Stamp.
For you, as long as you are with her, you should be able to get the Balikbayan stamp when you enter. There is no limit to the number of times you can get it.
Sorry I should have mentioned, yes my wife is a Filipino,
My only concern was if there is any limit on the amount of times you can go out and come back on the Balikbayan Stamp – my understanding of the Balikbayan Stamp was that is was for returning Filipinos? and not really aimed at Filipinos who are living in the Philippines on a permanent basis to sponsor spouses?
Because we were questioned last time I was worried we my not get the stamp this time I do the visa run. The main question the immigration girl at the counter was asking was where if my wife was living in the Philippines, which she is? and where were are residents at, i.e which country? which through me off guard when they asked this.
I just wanted to make sure and try and get a bit of advice, so I don’t though money down the drain flying out with the wife to Hong Kong to only find out we cannot get the Balikbayan Stamp for me on our return.
Cheers
Mark
Hi Mark,
On the Balikbayan Stamp, there is no limit. However, it should also be understood that you are never guaranteed to get the stamp. It is at the discretion of the Immigration officer every time somebody enters whether he will give it or not. He can deny it for virtually any reason he wants. I have heard of it being denied in only a few occasions over the years, though.
Your living situation fits the program, that should not be a problem.
My only advice to you would be that when asked a question by the Immigration officer, always answer truthfully. Worst case scenario, you might be denied the BB visa, but get a Tourist Visa instead. A bit of a hassle, but the punishment could be much worse for being dishonest when answering their questions… you could even be permanently blacklisted for that.
Good luck.
Thanks for the advice Bob
hi
i have a question realy need help on this one. i am a filipina my husband is a chinese citizen we are married last 2012 here in philippines. my husband right now is in china and planing to visit phil. can i flew to hongkong and by there we will meet and together fly in Back in phil can he get the bb stamp? my husband just renewed his passport does he still hav to apply a 21 day tourist visa? does he have to buy a return ticket to china? one last thing my i had only travel once this yr. and in my pasport i have not yet change my surname as well as my status still single but i already have in me our marriage cert original and authentcated copy and the birth certificate of our child can my chinese husband avail the bb stamp?
Dear Bob,
I hope you can help me with my question.
I was born in the Philippines. My dad is Filipino living in the Philippines. My mom is German and I have lived with her in Germany for most of my life.
Today I have a valid German passport, but I also have an old Philippine passport and my Philippine birth certificate.
Am I eligible to ask for a Balikbayan stamp – even when traveling by myself?
Thank you so much in advance and thank you for this really helpful web site!
I would say, in my opinion, you ate a dual citizen. I do not believe you are eligible for the balikbayan stamp, but could renew your Philippine passport and stay as long as you wish in the Philippines.
Hi bob 🙂
Im marife a filipina married to japanese citizen and we have two children..
We are planning to have vacation in philippines..
Do i have a right to get a balikbayan stamp?
Where i will get the bbstamp?
Thank you 🙂
Hi Marife – If you are a Philippine Citizen, you have no need for a Balikbayan Stamp. You already have all the rights that a Balikbayan stamp would give you. If you and your family are traveling into the country together, though, your husband and children could avail of a Balikbayan stamp.
My husband was given a 1 year BB visa when we traveled to the Philippines . We both were on the same flight. The next year, I went to the Philippines ahead of my husband, and so he came to the Phils. alone. He was given only a 21 day stay on his passport. We asked the Dept. of Immigration what’s the reason why he was given a 21 day stay only. They answered that because he came to the Philippines without me to be at the immigration for them to recognize that he was with me, a balikbayan.
Yes, exactly. To satisfy Philippine law, you must accompany your husband in order for him to be given a Balikbayan Privilege.
Interesting and thanks again Bob! When recently arriving from US with my Pinay wife i check visit family on the immigration form, as the reason for my visit. The immigration official asked where was my wife, and i said “there”. Get her here he said. When she arrived and confirmed i was her husband, he looked at her passport and questioned her as she has not changed from her maiden name. She told him she could produce our marriage contract and started to get it out. He said it’s OK and stamped my passport with a BB visa, telling her to get her passport changed.
Yep, that is exactly as it is supposed to be! If your wife arrives with you, then you are eligible! Sounds like everything worked smoothly!
That’s true, Hey, Bob, please delete my previous “verify” comment….I was just trying to correct myself pf using the word “recognize” instead of “verify.” Thanks.
hi bob,
what if all of a sudden you need to travel out of the country on sudden business trip but not accompanied by my filipina spouse whom i entered with a balikayan visa. what will happen in the airport? would there be a problem to exit? although i will still come back to the philippines and exit again but this time with accompanied by my wife. thank you so much.
Hi dave – That is not a problem. There is no requirement that you must exit with your wife. However, when you re-enter the country you will not receive another Balikbayan Visa, you must be accompanied by your wife to get that. The Balikbayan Visa that you currently have will become void when you exit the country. So, when you re-enter, you will be on a tourist visa.
Hello MindanaoBob,
Your article here is great and I’m wondering since it’s May 28th, 2014 if there is any change regarding Balikbayan holders and if the ACR card is still not required?
Been in Cebu for six weeks with the wife and it’s great except we finds services to be 20 years behind the times. East West Bank only requires a foreigners passport, no second id required. But, East West Bank online banking is not stable.
The other problem is that the ACR car info including finger prints will be shared with your originating country that you are from. This not only breaks security and privacy but shows me the the US is still in control of some function within the Philippines.
Anyhow, that’s how it goes. Philippines is a nice place and I like the hot weather!
Hi Andy – Yes, that is absolutely correct, people here under the balikbayan program are not required to obtain an ACR I-Card. If you are here under an SRRV the same holds true, no ACR required. All other Visa types require an ACR card if your stay is over 59 days.
Hope this helps! Keep enjoying life in the Philippines!
Hi Bob. I am Jean and recently got married to an American his visa extension will expire on the 11th of September and a friend of ours suggested that we just go out of the country like Hong Kong and come back here and avail of the Balik-bayan stamp and my husband is allowed to stay here for a year. How can we be sure that we will get the balik-bayan stamp? We need to present our marriage certificate right to the immigration people at the airport and ask them to let us avail of the bb stamp, right? Any suggestion please? Thanks. Your help will be highly valued.
Yes, Jeanielyn – You should be able to avail of the Balikbayan Privilege. But, remember, it is never guaranteed. It is at the discretion of the Immigration officer that you deal with at the airport. A few guidelines: 1. Be sure to ASK for the balikbayan privilege before they stamp any other visa into his passport, if you don’t ask and they stamp in a tourist visa it is then too late. 2. Carry your marriage certificate with you. They may not ask for it or require it, but have it with you in case they do.
Good luck to you.
Hi,
I have a question, it’s regarding my mom she went to the Philippines last april, 2014 and she wish to stay in the Philippines for a year but I am afraid she didn’t avail the Balikbayan visa. She is Former Filipino citizen but she became US citizen and she wasn’t able to apply for dual citizenship. what should we do? is that okay?
She will have to pay the penalties due, that is her only choice.
Bob. My husband is a European citizen and he’s been here since april 2014. We got married on June 2014, until now my husband was renewing his tourist visa and it cost him a lot. Now we are expecting a baby to be born on April 2015. Can he stay here longer using the Balikbayab privelege if we go out both of the country like thailand, indonesia, japan, etc, stay there for few days then go back here in the Philippines with me. Is he eligible for Balikbayan visa for one year? Thanks.
Yes, he can certainly get a Balikbayan Privilege as long as you re-enter with him and you have your marriage contract with you. That would not be a problem. The other option would be for your husband to get an 13a resident visa, then he would never have to leave.
Good luck to you, Mari.
I’m considering marrying my girlfriend in the Philippines. If we get married in my first trip to the Philippines can I get a Balikbayan Stamp on that first visit or do I need to wait until the second visit ??
I see no way that you could get a Balikbayan Stamp on your first visit, because you would not be married to her when you enter the country on your first visit, you would marry after you arrive, right?
Hello, i hope you can help me with my concerns, me and my husband got married last year and he flew back to the US, then he came back August 2013 on a tourist visa, we kept extending it up to the moment, somebody advised us to get a 13A visa but were still saving money for it as we are bit far from Manila.
a friend of mine also advice me to fly to Hongkong for a day and come back next day then we can get a
Balikbayan visa entitled for a year…..is this true? can you advice me please?
Thanks and have a nice day
Mia
Yes, what your friend told you is correct. If you and your husband leave the country and return the next day, you can get a Balikbayan Visa for him when you return. You must both travel together, and be sure to have your marriage certificate with you – it may or may not be asked for, but technically you are required to have it. When you enter, be sure to ask for the Balikbayan Privilege.
However, it is not expensive to get a 13(a) visa. It would probably cost more to fly out of the country than it would to get the permanent visa.
Hello again, thank you for the nice advice, as its been really confusing of what is the best way to do, my husband has been worrying because they only gave him 1 month extension til Nov 6, if we fly to Hongkong do we need to get that throw away ticket? my last question is do you have an idea of how much 13A visa will cost all in all? because i heard that you will have to be there 3 times at the immigration, my husband is 68 yrs old and he cant travel by bus or jeepney, we need to have car rental service which is another expense, please advce
again thanks so much for getting back to me
Mia
Generally, getting the 13(a) will cost you a few hundred dollars, but not payable all at the same time.
If you take the HK trip, you will need a ticket from the Philippines to HK, a ticket back to the Philippines. Since you will enter under the Balikbayan Privilege, no throw away ticket is needed. If the airline officials tell you that an ongoing ticket is needed, tell them that you qualify for the Balikbayan Visa and no ongoing ticket is required.
I would like to stay in the Philippines for 3 or more months. Me and my kids (14yrs old and 11 years old) are all split citizens. (Filipino -American) But my husband (born) American citizen will accompany us with his American Passport . Is he eligible to get a Balikbayan Stamp Visa? Do we need to purchase a round trip ticket even we are not sure the exact date of coming back to USA?
Hi Lynn – Yes, your husband is eligible to avail of the Balikbayan Privilege. Make sure that you have your marriage certificate with you, as it may be requested in order for your husband to avail of the Balikbayan Privilege.
Ongoing airline tickets are not required if you will be making use of the Balikbayan privilege. Not all airlines understand this, though, and you may have to request them to look it up in their computer and let them know that you will be entering the Philippines under the Balikbayan program.
Wow! Thank you for the past response that’s answer all my worries after few sleepless night. Again, thank you 🙂
I am a Jordanian married to a Filipina, am I qualified for the Balik Bayan visa upon arrival in the Philippines? Thanks, Esam
I believe you should be eligible. Your wife must be with you and have your marriage certificate with you.
Hi Bob
I have a one year BB stamp on my British Passport given when I arrived in the Phil last year with my Filipino wife. The question is’ do I need an EXIT VISA (ECC) when I depart the Phil next month. My BB will be only 10 months used on departure. .Many different opinions on this even from immigration!!
Thanks
Chris
Hi Chris, balikbayan visa holders do not need an ECC.
Hi Mr. Bob,, just looking at all the messages on your site and i am so glad i found you. Here is my story: I have found a very nice Filipina Josie 9 years ago and despite the time, the flame still the same. 2 Years ago she applied for a divorce through Canadian office and got it and also had her ex Filipino husband to sign the said paper. We both invested a little fortune in Phils to build a house, piggery and one fish pond. Josie has a Phils passport and is permanent resident in Canada. My question are the followings: 1) If we get marry here in Canada on a civil way do you think i will be able to apply for BB visa considering that Josie is still married in Phils ( no divorce in Phils ) although on a divorced status here in Canada. 2) With a marriage certificate from Canadian authorities and both of us going to Phils embassy in Canada can i apply for a 13a resident visa there. Many thanks for your help. Regards Mike
Hi Mike – Unfortunately, in the eyes of the Philippine government, if you and your friend get married (no matter where), your wife will be a polygamist. The Philippine government does not recognize that divorce in Canada, so your friend is still married.
Because of this, you cannot get a 13a Visa. You may be able to get the Balikbayan Visa, but not legally. The reason you may get it is because it is issued at the airport, and there is really no investigation. But, as I said, the visa will technically be illegal.
Hello Mr.Bob I understand our situation and we are now looking for a honest lawyer in Phils to start the annulment procedures. If someone has already done that with an honest and legal lawyer then i would like to have some advises. Thank you
anybody that can recommand a good honest lawyer please tell me regards
Can I still get this Balik Bayan stamp without her standing beside me? She’s always at the airport waiting for me along with her brother and Sister-In-Law.
Hi Edward – Her being at the airport is not good enough. The law is that she must be entering the country with you in order for you to be eligible for a Balikbayan Visa.
Hi
I have a foreigner husband and he was granted a BB priveledge when we enter the phils last oct 2014.
He is planning to go back to america on june 20, 2015. Does he need to secure ECC from BOI before he fly out? pls help advise.
Thanks/Angie
Those on a Balikbayan visa are not required to get an ECC.
Hi Bob, can you please give me some advice on this, i hold a British passport but am a permanent resident of Australia for the last 40 years. I intend to marry my Philippine based girlfriend in Mindanao in october 2015, i have a multi entry visa and will stay for 50 days and then return to Australia , i want to return to Mindanao in January for the birth of our baby and stay there for 6 to 9 months with the possibility of attaining a permanent resident of the Philippines. What is the best way for me to be able to stay there for the 9 months or so? i look forward to your reply
Hi David – When you enter the Philippines on a tourist visa, that is initially good for a 30 day stay. However, if you go to the Bureau of Immigration before your visa expires, it can be extended. These extensions can continue to be done for a total stay of up to 36 months at a time. So, staying 9 months is nothing at all to worry about.
Good luck and enjoy your trip.
Bob,
I met my now Filipina wife in Korea last year. We married here in Korea and are headed back to the US and I questions about citizenship related to the Balikbayan Visa. She has asked me if she becomes a US citizen if this would impact us ever wanting to live in the Philippines in the future. Does the fact that we married in Korea not qualify me for a Balikbayan Visa, or does it not matter where we were married? Do we need to our register the marriage in Korea with the Philippine Embassy once we get to the states?
Thanks,
Brian
Hi Brian – If she becomes a US citizen, she is still eligible for a Balikbayan Visa in the future. There is no impact based on becoming a US citizen.
As her husband you are qualified to receive a Balikbayan Visa if you travel into the Philippines accompanied by her. Getting married in Korea has no impact on that.
Since you were married in Korea, it would seem to me that you should register your marriage at the Philippine Embassy in Korea.
Bob,
Thanks for the reply. If she maintains her Philippine citizenship and just remains a green card holder while in the US will that allow us to buy property in the Philippines in the future vs. her becoming a US citizen?
Brian
Hi Brian – If she keeps her green card she can own property. However, if she is out of the USA for more than a few months, especially if that happens more than once, she will lose her green card and no more right to enter the USA.
Why not have her become a US Citizen and then after she is a US citizen, file for Philippine Dual Citizenship under the Philippine Dual Citizenship act? Then she will be a US Citizen and also a Philippine Citizen, with the full rights that both offer. Including owning land in he Philippines.
Hi bob can’t i askng want to know what is a meaning of balikbayan i hope i get the answer
Balikbayan is a Filipino word which means to return to the country.
Hi Bob,
May i know if my husband, who is an Australian National and had been granted a BB visa last October 26, 2014 be required to get an exit clearance certificate at the Bureau of immigration before we fly out for three days out of the country next week?
Thanks.
JC
Balikbayan visa holders are not required to obtain an ECC.
Hi Bob! Great website by the way. It really helps answer all the questions we Filipinos abroad are having.
I am an OFW based in Gambia, West Africa and I have been travelling to Philippines back and forth like twice a year. This month I got married to a Pakistan, Muslim guy. He is planning to travel with me to Philippines next month. We have a Marriage Certificate from the Imam but we have not reported and registered in Philippines Embassy as we don’t have it here, will he still be eligible for Balikbayan Stamp?
I would be glad if you can help me with this query. Thank you.
Sometimes people are denied for Balikbayan stamps, but I think he will be OK to get one. The odds are best if your Philippine passport is in your married name, Reca.
Can a perosn just exit the philippines and go to hongkong for few days and reenter again in the philippines and get balikbayan visa again or it has to be usa or guam if the person came from usa? Need to know asap, thks:-)
If the person is eligible for a Balikbayan Visa then going to HK is just fine.
I understand the bb is only good gor 1 yr and need to exit phils. After that, can the person just go to hongkong or thailand instead of going back to usa or guam in order to exit phils for bb requirements? Pls answer asap, thks
There is no requirement to exit at the end of one year. At the end of the year the balikbayan visa can be converted to a tourist visa,a nd then the person can stay an additional 3 years using the tourist visa.
Going to HK or Thailand is fine. They can to to any country outside the Philippines.
Dear Mr. Bob, I read your entire article and other guests comments. But I can not find the answer. Hope you can help me Sir.
I m an Indian citizen and I m coming to Philippines to marry filippina. What I plan is after marry to filippina then we go to Thailand or HK for a week and me and my filippina wife at airport visa office for balibayan visa. Do you think it will work?? Well, my Filippina wife works in Philippines but after marriage in Philippines we both go outside Philippines for a week and return to Philippines then can we avail balikbayan visa???
Thank you so much for positive feedback.
No, sorry, you are not eligible for a Balikbayan Visa, because it is not available to citizens of India.
Hey Bob. I just travelled with my mother for a 6 week family emergency. I got a 1 year visa. But i have to take my mother back to the USA and then come right back. Is the visa a multiple or single entry?
Hi William – a Balikbayan Visa is single entry only. Sorry for the bad news.
Thank you, couldnt even find that info on the .gov.ph site. So i will be forced to go to Japan to get my Philippines Citizenship then.
hi bob i have a questions for you although I am a Filipina but one thing are not cleared to me and I hope you can help me. me,my husband who is british national and my son are going back to Philippines for atleast a year, but we are planning to go first myself and my son and my husband are going to follow us after a month, would they still give him a balikbayan visa? even he show our marriage contract to them? please I need your advise…thanking you in advance. mariane
Your husband is eligible for a balikbayan visa only if you enter the country with him. So, the answer to your question is no, he cannot get a balikbayan visa under the scenario that you have described.
Hi Bob, I’m a Filipina and i married to an American, we been married for over two years. My husband and i are planning to to go to Hongkong for a few days and come back here in the Philippines. My question is this, is my husband can get a Balikbayan visa even though i have not been to US?
P.S hope to hear back back from you soon.
Thank you,
Gina
Balikbayan Visas have nothing to do with going to the USA.
Your husband is eligible for a Balikbayan Visa when you return from HK to the Philippines as long as you are with him. They may ask to see your marriage contract, so be sure to carry a copy of that with you.
Hi Bob, thank you very much for your help. Your answer to my question was very helpful to me and my husband.
Thanks again.
My pleasure. Good luck to you.
Hi Bob. Is their any other requirements needed to bring aside from marriage contract when applying Balikbayan Visa with my husband?
and is marriage contract will still be valid if i got it 5 months ago?
Sorry for my english.:)
Hi Dyne – Hmm… let me be clear to start out… you cannot go apply for a Balikbayan Visa at the Bureau of Immigration. You have to request one at the airport when you arrive.
The requirement is that the Filipino spouse must accompany the BB Visa recipient when arriving, and they may ask to see your marriage contract.
You said that you were worried if the marriage contract would stil be valide since you got it 5 months ago. A marriage contract is valid for life. You can only get a “new” one if you get married again. So, yes, even if it is 5 months old, it is still good. My wife and I married 26 years ago, and our marriage contract is still valid, because we are still married.
Hi Bob. my wife has Philippines passport, we are staying in India, if i want to take this balik bayan stamp, can i take when she is accompany with me to the philippines?
I am not certain if Indians are eligible, sorry.
Maybe I’m reading “Getting the I card will still make bank accounts easier and will relieve you of the exit clearance rule” wrong. I’ve had an I-card since 2006 and I’ve left the country four times. I had to pay the exit clearance fee at the airport each time.
On one occasion, I knew I would be gone long enough to mess with my annual registration. I checked in with the local BI office and I was told to just bring my passport with me when I registered the next time. I ended doing it in December of 2014 and then again in January of 2015. No big deal because it wasn’t like 620 pesos was going to break me.
But I’m confused why you said what you said, unless the requirement is different in your neck of the woods.
You had to pay exit clearance AT THE AIRPORT, but did not have to to to the BI, right? I would say that is easier. 😉
My partner and I are getting married in HK. So we will be there one week or two weeks Max. I’m Filipina and he is foreign When we return back in the country, can we get balikbayan visa for him?
If you are traveling together, and you have a copy of your marriage license, it is most likely that you can get the balikbayan visa.
Hello, Bob. Thanks for the information you posted. My cousin obtained his balikbayan status last October 2015 and now he has overstayed until present date. Would you advise him to leave the country for a while and re obtain his balikbayan status? How should we go about his penalty fee. Thank you!
Hi Dylan – Something is wrong. If your cousin obtained balikbayan status oct 2o15, then it has not expired yet, and will still be good until October of this year, Oct 2016.
If he obtained it some other time, he can regain balikbayan status if he leaves the country and returns after a day.
Hi Bob, great info, you have confirmed what I had been told about the balikbayan Visa. I just got back from Dagupan City in February for a 3 weeks visit to check out our house we have built there. I’ll retire next year and plan to stay 6-9 months in the Philippines each year. Only question I have is when you check in with the airline here in the U.S. are they going question me about a visa as I’ll be staying longer that the 30 day visitor visa but I will be entering and exiting with my balikbayan wife each time, we’ll have a dated return ticket. We had a friend that flew and was questioned due to not having a return date, a open date return ticket. They let them fly but had a little hassle. Have you had anybody tell you they had such a problem flying form thr U.S.?
Thanks
Yes, you will get hassles from airlines. They don’t understand that those who are eligible for the Balikbayan Privilege are not required to have ongoing tickets.
All you can do is to explain to them, ask them to check the visa requirements on their computer, etc. They will usually figure it out and stop hassling you. Maybe you could print out something from the Internet explaining the policy.
Good luck.
So…..in theory, from what I’ve read here….I could go to Philippines on the standard Tourist Visa and get it extended to 59 days (prior to leaving the US). And then I could marry my Filipina fiance. Then leave to Hong Kong or Macau overnight and return with my wife and in all probability be issued a Balikbayan Visa and not have to do anything for one entire year….and we can literally just make another short overnight trip once annually and have another Balikbayan Visa issued…in perpetuity?
I have every intention of getting a Resident Visa… but in the interim this would work? Correct?
Hi Steve. Everything you said is correct except that you will extend your 30 day tourist visa in the Philippines. No need to do it in the USA. It is actually easier and less expensive to do it in the Philippines than the USA.
Hi Bob. I came to the Philippines from Saudi Arabia with my Filipina wife and got the ‘Balikbayan Visa’ on 17 May 2015. I then went to Kuwait on a contract expecting my wife to follow me, but when I arrived there I was told that since I was over 60 yrs old I couldn’t get the type of visa that would allow me to bring my wife. I have quit that job and returned to the Philippines 12 May this year and was given a 30 day tourist visa. We were expecting to take a short inexpensive trip somewhere and return together to get another Balikbayan Visa, but due to odd circumstances have missed the cheap flights. I didn’t come across your site until today to learn that I could convert my Balikbayan Visa into a tourist visa for the second year. But my Balikbayan visa expired yesterday… do you think I could still get a two month extention somehow to give us time to avail of cheaper tickets? Thank you in advance for any advice you can give me.
Yes, I don’t think that will be a problem. However, from what you wrote, I do not believe your BB visa is still active, because you said you left the country and returned and were issued a 30 day tourist visa. If that is correct, your BB is a thing of the past, any you already have a tourist visa. Maybe I am confused?
Hi Bob. Yes my BB visa has expired. I arrived on 12 May and it was going to expire on 17 May so they gave me a 30 day tourist visa. I believe it is going to cost P4600 to extend the tourist visa anyway, so we will just pay the higher airfare costs to get a new BB visa. Hopefully it will be approved since my wife hasn’t been out of the Philippines for the supposedly required 12 months… Thanks for your expertise! It is appreciated!!
Hi Roger – OK, it is now apparent to me why we were not understanding each other. It is because you don’t understand how a Balikbayan Visa works!
You see, when you entered the country with your spouse and they gave you a Balikbayan Visa for 1 year, that is good until the end of 1 year, or whenever you leave the country. So, if they stamp a 1 year BB visa into your passport, and you leave the country after 3 months, then the Balikbayan Visa has already ended after 3 month. You cannot return to the country on your Balikbayan Visa. If you are returning with your spouse they will issue you another Balikbayan Visa upon your return, or if she is not with you then they will give you a tourist visa. But, the BB no longer existed the day that you left the country.
So, no, you cannot go convert that now. But, why would you want to convert it? You already have a tourist visa and that can be extended for up to 3 years additional stay in the Philippines.
Your choices right now are to:
1. Extend the tourist visa.
2. Leave the country with your wife and upon your return you can get a new BB visa.
3. Leave the country altogether and don’t return.
Good luck.
Thank you Bob! I didn’t realize that leaving the Philippines would cancel my BB visa, good info to have, that will effect how I accept contracts in the future. Of my 3 choices I could never use number 3, I love this country too much. My parents brought me to the Philippines when I was 2 years old and I graduated high school here before leaving, the Philippines is in my blood! It looks like number 2 is going to be the most cost effective solution for us, plus my wife wants the trip to take a break. I’m curious, is there a way to take a ferry to Malasia or Indonesia? If so, would you consider it a safe trip for an expat, and would we be able to get a BB visa on the way back? (I have heard that the BB visa is only given at airports, is that true?) Thanks again for your expertise, we will eventually be moving to the Visayas region, perhaps our paths will cross sometime.
Hi Roger – Happy that I could help you out on that one.
There is a boat to Malaysia. You would leave from Zamboanga and it passes (and stops at) Basilan, Sulu and Tawi Tawi before heading on to Malaysia. I would not recommend that, though… way too dangerous. I took the boat from Zambo to Basilan once, but I would not go beyond Basilan. Today, I would not even go to Basilan on that boat. It goes right through the heart of Abu Sayyaf terriroty.
I do not believe there are any boats to Indonesia. There is a flight from Davao to Manado, Indonesia, though. You might want to check that out.
Hi Bob,
I am a Filipina and a permanent residence in HK.
My questions are :
1. Can I obtain a BB visa using HKSAR passport upon my arrival at the Philippine Airport immigration?
2. Do I have to presence my Marriage Contract at the airport Immigration ?
3. How about my daughters if they also come alone with me to Philippines, can they also be given a BB Visa ?
Thanks !
Yes on every question.
Hi Bob,
Thanks for your reply.
If the answer of my questions 1 & 2 are “yes”, then how come last February 2016, when I went to Philippines using my HKSAR passport I did showed my old Pilipino passport (expired already) and I have also told Philippine immigration airport officer “I’m a balikbayan”, he didn’t gave me a BB visa. His reason was my Pilipino passport expired already.
The immigration officer gave me a Tourist Visa 2 weeks stayed and he told me if I want to stay longer I has to apply an extension visa at any immigration dept in Manila.
I’m planning to go back again to Philippines on October 2016 and afraid I might encounter again the same problem at the airport immigration that they will not issue a BB Visa for me when I have presence either my marriage contract and or birth certificate.
Thanks again Bob !
An immigration officer is never required to give you a BB Privilege, it is completely up to him to decide if that is what he will issue you.
In most cases, I don’t think you will have trouble getting a BB Privilege.
Hi Bob!
My husband and daughter came with me in Philippines last Nov 2015. They both get a BB visa. Now my husband is already working abroad and my daughter is with me. Her BB visa will expire this Nov 2016. My question is do you i can extend her visa or if not what is the best and cheap way i can get her again a visa? Btw My daughter is a Nepali Citizen, 1 yr old.. Thanks in advance!
Hi Elijah – A Balikbayan Visa cannot be “renewed”. You have two choices:
1. You and your daughter could fly out from the country, then return the next day and receive another Balikbayan Visa.
2. Your daughter’s Balikbayan Visa can be converted to a tourist visa. The tourist visa will be good for 30 days then must be extended every 2 months.
Why don’t you apply for dual citizenship for your daughter? Then she could stay in the Philippines as long as she wants with no visa necessary.
Hi again bob!
Thanks for your reply! Sadly Nepal law didnt allow dual citizenship 🙁
Anyway if i try 2nd option how long do you think i can extend her tourist visa..? We are planning to stay here for 3 to 4 yrs.. 🙂
Thanks in advance!
Hi Bob! Thank you for all your helpful posts. My husband and I arrived here last year together with our two little squirts. We got BB stamped on their US passports. Now, it is about to expire this early August.
1. Do they automatically get to have 30 days to legally stay in Phils on a Visa Waiver after the BB expires or do we NEED to visit the Bu. Of Immigration Office?
2. Are you familiar with the 6 mos extension for BB?
Another issue here is living in a remote island and travelling to the mainland is just a pain. I am just trying to have a good productive plan and that we will not have to go back in forth to the B of I in Cebu.
Thanks again!
1. The BB can be converted to a Tourist Visa, but you will need to visit the BI to do that.
2. There is not extension of BB. Not a 6 month extension or any other length. It can be converted to Tourist, or you wil just have to exit the country.
I assume you are a Filipino? If so, have you considered getting dual citizenship for your kids? If you do that, they won’t need any visa.
Thanks Bob!My husband will go to the BI soon. I am actually here in the US taking care of some matters.
Regarding my kids, I already reported their birth, I just have not applied for their Philippine passports yet. I am still a Filipino Citizen.
Do they count as Filipino Citizen by blood even without a Philippine passport?
That will save us alot of money.
Your next step is to get a certificate of Philippine Citizenship.
They are certainly not required to have a Philippine Passport, but it would make traveling easier…. they will have a PH Passport to show when they enter the Philippines and won’t be subject to laws that apply to foreigners.
Thanks for the quick response. I agree with you on having a Philippine passport. I think applying in a Philippine Consulate may take longer but easier way and might end up even cheaper. Getting the certificate costs Php 12,550 compared to applying for a PH passport is only $60. It is indeed FEE-lippines.
It gets a little frustrating when we all know money does not grow from trees.
Have a blessed day to you and your family.
Hi MindanaoBob,
Great info here, Thanks!
I have a question pertaining to my kids. They are now Dual Citizens of USA and Phil. Their USA passports have expired and we are renewing their Phil passports. My question is, do you think I need to renew my kids USA passports? Is that needed for anything?
Btw, we are considering when my kids get older to renounce US citizenship so we are not in a hurry, or even considering, renewing their USA passports if we don’t have to.
Thanks in advance!
If your kids ever want to go to the United States, they will need their u.s. passport.
Hi Bob-
My one year bv expired July 16, can I get an extension and how long can I extend for. I lost my passport but it was returned to me today
Regards,
Dan.
A balikbayan visa cannot be extended. You can convert to a Tourist Visa upon expiration, as long as you are willing to pay the renewal fees.
Hi Bob,
Are there any fees/immigration fees that needs to be paid for the balikbayans or their families prior getting the stamp?
The Balikbayan Privilege/Visa is completely free. There are no fees at all.
Thank you. I was just reading from san francisco consulate site about balikbayan visa and mentioned some immigration fees.
Anyway, I do have another question. I became Canadian a year ago but I did not reinstate my Philippine citizenship. Can I still use my still valid Philippine passport when I enter Philippines.
That being said, does my son, who was born in the US, after I became Canadian, be included in my dual citizenship application?
Thank you so much.
You can no longer legally use your Philippine passport
Yes, if you apply for dual citizenship you can invlude your child on the application as long as he is under 18 years of age.
Hi Bob,
my filipino wife, canadian infant daughter and myself, a canadian, will be travelling to philippines in November. We are trying to find reliable information as to weither or not the canadian portion of this group requires flights leaving the philippines before going to the philippines. The airline says that it is not required for our infant daughter but was unsure about me as a spouse. We are expecting balikbayan visas to be issued and I expect to could be staying for up to a year. If I do require an exit ticket do you know what the cheapest ticket out of the philippines might be?
Hi Tom – For those eligible for a Balikbayan Visa, no ongoing ticket is required. Airlines often don’t know, though, so that can make it confusing. But, no, you are not required to have an ongoing ticket as long as you are traveling with your wife.
Hi, Bob,
We are here on a Balikbayan Stamp. One month so far, and all is well…except for lack
of info regarding ACR-iCard. I understand that I’m exempt, but I went to Cebu Immigration because I needed a Bank, plus was considering a car or motorbike purchase. I was informed Manila would be the only way to get an “Instant Voluntary ACR iCard”. I have managed to get a Bank Account (lucky), and have decided a car might not be needed.
At the end of the BB year when I ask for BB extensions will I at that time be expected to apply for the ACR iCard? I plan to do the two 6-month extension…make a run and
re-enter on the BB. IS Manila the only option for the voluntary iCard, and is there something else important about the Stamp and ACR I may be missing?
Have truly enjoyed reading you the past few years. You have been a big help! Take care. Mike
Hi Michael,
I think you are confused about a few things.. mixing up pieces of different laws/policies, etc. Let me see if I can help clear things up for you.
If you are here on a Balikbayan Stamp you are not required to ever get an ACR I-Card. In the past, you simply could not get an ACR card at all if you were on a Balikbayan stamp. Now, however, while not required to do so, you are still allowed to get one if you want.
You say you were informed that Manila is the only place where you can get an “Instant” voluntary ACR card. Manila is the only place where you can get any type of ACR card instantly, because that is where all ACR cards are made. If you live outside of Manila, you can still apply for an ACR card in most of the larger cities. In smaller places you cannot even apply, but must travel tot he larger cities to apply. The card will be issued from Manila and should be available in your office after waiting for about 2 months or so.
At the end of one year, a Balikbayan stamp cannot be extended for any amount of time. What you can do is go to the Bureau of Immigration and request that your Balikbayan stamp be converted to a tourist visa. You will then be able to stay for a total of another 3 years if you wish. The initial stay will be 30 extra days, but you can extend the visa over and over again just like any tourist visa.If you are on a tourist visa you are expected to apply for an ACR after 59 days. Just like with any ACR application, you can apply in any of the larger cities. In Manila the card will be issued quickly, outside Manila it will take a couple months to get it.
I hope this clears things up for you.
Hi,
Just wanted to share my experience this past week with the possibility it can help.
I was here on a Balikbayan visa and it’s coming to an end this Sept. 11. So went to the main immigration office in Intramuros to extend my visa. I asked if I could get a 6 month ext. coming from a Balikbayan visa and the guy said “YES!”.
So I was able to get a 6 month visa which is great. All in cost was almost 12K PHP. Which automatically included the ACR card. The process was very streamlined and I was impressed with how fast it was. There was a wait of about 1-1/2 hours to process everything, but waiting in lines, checking in, etc. all in was only about 5 minutes of my time.
Vast improvement and I give it 2 thumbs up!
Bob,
Thanks for clarifying things for me (and thx to JC for relating his experience. So…
my ACR iCard won’t happen until I go for extension, even though the banks, MC, car dealers, and maybe LTO tell me I can’t deal with them UNLESS I have the iCard? I wonder why they just don’t say to me: ” you are exempt from needing an iCard due to BB Stamp. What service would you like today?”
Mike
JC,
Can you answer an (apparently) tough question for me? With the Balikbayan Stamp there is not a requirement for the ACR-iCard. However, there are several agencies that want to see your card before you can do anything. This includes: most banks, car dealers, motorbike dealers, and the LTO. Do you explain to them the card is not required of us? – and if so do they understand? I’ve researched like crazy, and the ONLY favorable reference I found was one article that said “you need your ACR-iCard (OR) a Balikbayan Stamp. Can one explain to them that not having one is different from needing one? BPI was touted online as the perfect bank to deal with in my situation, but they wouldn’t budge on the iCard. Any suggestions?
Thx….Mike
Hi Michael – keep in mind that under a Balikbayan Stamp you are not required to get an ACR I-Card, but you can voluntarily get one if you wish. If you do that, then you will have one for the purposes that you mention.
Hi Mike
I have opened several bank accounts in the PI with my wife since I first came to Davao on a Balikbayan Privilege Stamp in 2007 with differing results –
BPI – opened a joint account with my wife. The account has no restrictions in that I transfer money at ease etc., and we both got an ATM card. I required two types of ID for this which would make it a wise move to get a PI drivers license.
BDO – same as above although we don’t use this account much but there are no restrictions.
HSBC – opened the account but there are restrictions on transferring between HSBC accounts within the Philippines (USD to PHP etc.). I can transfer to the account from abroad though with no problem. If I wish to transfer fro USD to PHP within the PI I have to send a secure message but this is usually done within a few hours. If I get a 13a visa all restrictions will be lifted but with the amount ofttimes I enter the Philippines each year the 13a is not an economic option at the moment.
Yesterday someone mentioned about a loan in the PI. I managed to get one, a mortgage, BUT it had to be in the name of my wife. All of the proof of earnings was from my job and bank account details were from my UK account but we got the mortgage nonetheless. I I remember correctly I had to get a letter from my employer as well. That was the BPI bank by the way. One word of warning though is that the interest rate is not cheap, around 10% over 5 years, but it suited us at the time.
Hope this helps.
AJ UK
Hi, AJ!
Very helpful. Thank you. I applied for a bank acct last Thursday. All is okay there, altho it won’t be fully in effect until next Tuesday. I kinda went into panic mode when BPI didn’t deliver as expected. 2 different stories online said BPI would give you all the cash you wanted from the tellers. I have gov’t pension loaded onto a debit card based in the US each month. Able to use it in some department stores, but have worried since Thursday about getting cash. Running around today trying to get cash…BDO said no, but told me their ATM would give 10,000 P 5 times per day. Similar to what BPI told me. Tried BDO atm and maybe timed out my transaction. Couldn’t read the screen. Gave my card back. Went to a BPI ATM and it would not accept my card! Said it didn’t have the new chip technology. Was thinking then I would have to reevaluate my resettlement plans. I found a BDO atm in a mall and did 5 transactions. Now, as long as my bank doesn’t suspect my card’s been stolen, I should be ok. Each transaction was $14.39 USD but perhaps my new Phils account will be able to lessen that expense.
I will look into some sort of bank transfer in the near future.
Thanks for the info on loans. I’m not sure if it will help me or not, but soon after we arrived I bought an electric scooter and got them to structure the payments, thinking I may be able to show to someone sometime to show credit-worthiness.
Thanks! Mike
Hi Bob!
Thanks for so much helpful information!
After three years of living in the U.S. my filipino wife is homesick. She has her green card. We plan to visit Cebu for a year or two using the Balikbayan visa for the first year. My question is: Will staying in the Philippines for a year or two jeopardize her permanent residency status in the U.S.?
Thanks much!
James
Yes, if she is outside the USA for 6 months they will revoke her visa and you will have to start over again. If she becomes a citizen of the US then you can stay here as long as you want without any problem.
With all the news pertaining to President Duterte’s feelings towards the USA, is this affecting Philippine entry by US citizens or causing any changes in Balikbayan visas being granted to US citizens. My wife was told by another Filipino that the Balikbayan visa was no longer being issued and the one month visa is all that is now available. Many of my wife’s friends are canceling trips based on the rumors being circulated in the Filipino communities in the US. We were in Cebu for a couple months in January and February, and had planned on making more frequent trips in the future as long as things are stable. Many here are having concerns based on a combination of the President’s negative feelings towards Americans and his popularity with the Filipino people. They feel this may cause a significant change in the way Filipinos view Americans, resulting in problems for the travelers. I would appreciate your view and any information pertaining to how my next visit may differ from my last visit. Thanks.
There have been no changes to any type of visa in the Philippines, including no changes to the Balikbayan Program. The rumors that you mentioned are completely false.
There has been mention of possible changes, but no plans have been presented, no laws passed or even proposed.
The changes since your last visit? None.
Dear Bob, I have read the entire thread here (going back to 2006) and note that you often have to repeat information you gave recently; you have the patience of a saint.
Obviously there have been many changes in regulations over the ten years and so I wish to summarise what I believe is now the situation I am in and ask if you agree I am correct: I am a UK citizen and came here in September with my Filipina wife (I know that part is correct!); I obtained a BB Visa on entry. I believe an option I now have is to extend my BB before it expires (it seems now that a 6 month extension is permitted and may be permitted several times … I read “An additional requirement will be ask for Balikbayans who have stayed in the Philippines after thirty six (36) months.” ….. this indicates to me that extensions up to 3 years may be possible) and then switch to a Tourist Visa and extend that for a total of 3 years, which seems to give me 6 years before I have to do a Visa run (and return with my wife to get a new BB and start again!). But it sounds too good to be true. A point which confuses me is that you state a throwaway ticket is not required if entering Phil as a BB and that airlines do not understand that fact, but you also state that a BB is NOT guaranteed. If I persuaded an airline to let me fly to Phil without a throwaway ticket and on entry was NOT given a BB but only a Tourist Visa then surely I would be refused entry as I would not have a ticket showing I am leaving Phil again? Btw, I adopted your positive attitude since arriving here (i.e. I am a guest and if I don’t like how things are then I am entitled to pack my bags and leave). It is a very good mindset to have and has helped me to accept everything I have experienced to date (your site and Manual prepared me for most of it anyway ….. I recommend you Manual very highly). Within a week of being here I had taken your advice and used a jeepney, as well as trikes. In fact, on one trike journey a Filipino was going to give up his good seat (the high part) for me but I told him “It is your country and you deserve the best seat”; that got a smile from him and the trike driver. That is part of the positive attitude I learned from you.
Hi, Steve….I’m sure Bob will have the sure answer for you, and I know the regulations can change quickly, but I will give you my take on the extensions: the 6-month extension when the BB is due to expire is a tourist visa; you can get 2 of those. (there is also a way to to get an additional 4 months on the tourist visa) – but then you will have to make a run and return with your wife to avail of a new BB Privilege. Extending in this manner limits you to using the tourist visa once every 2 years.!? In short, the 2 six-month extensions via the tourist visa have no connection to your BB Stamp.
best wishes….Mike
Thanks Mike.So it is 1 year BB > 1 year Tourist extensions (of 6 months each) > EXIT > RETURN with spouse > start cycle again?
That may be the old rules. Doesn’t the below info imply that you can stay for a total of 36 months?
http://www.immigration.gov.ph/faqs/visa-inquiry/balikbayan-previlege
Those who are admitted as Balikbayans are given an initial stay of one (1) year. They may extend their stay for another one (1), two (2) or six (6) months provided that they present their valid passport and filled out the visa extension form and submit it to the Visa Extension Section in the BI Main Office or any BI Offices nationwide. An additional requirement will be ask for Balikbayans who have stayed in the Philippines after thirty six (36) months.
That is it, Steve! 2 out of each 3 years is free, and the tourist visas will cost about $625 total… plus any BI can process the visas. Have a good day!
Mike
Dear Gary: You are very close – The BB Stamp has no relation to a tourist visa. You can avail of a BB Privilege year after year by leaving PI for ANY amount of time and then arriving at PI with spouse. You can basically stay forever with the tourist visa extensions, although after 36 or so months, you will have to make a run and start over. Getting the tourist visa at the end of a free BB year is a method you can use to save the expense of flying you both to another country. I plan to apply for a tourist visa when my year is up, after which I will probably do the BB exclusively.
I wonder if you have any insight regarding my only problem? – getting money from USA direct deposits without it costing me $14.65 for each $200.00 withdrawal?
Good luck
Mike
It has been pointed out to me by a bank and the LTO that my ‘Balikbayan Visa’ stamp does not have any indication that it is a Balikbayan Visa; the stamp in my passport does not show “BB” but has the number 1359. The “arrival date” is shown correctly on the printed part as Sept 5 2016, the flight number has been written in correctly …. but on the written in part it shows “Arrival” as “5 Sep” and below that it shows “Stay until” as “2017” …. so the “stay until” date is correct only if the part above the line and below the line are read together. Is my Visa valid as a Balikbayan? I requested a Balikbayan on entry at NAIA and my Filipino spouse was with me. The young lady immigration officer inspected our marriage certificate and then stamped my passport. Thanks.
I would recommend that you go to the Bureau of Immigration office, let them look at it and give you a ruling on it.
Hello Bob,
I’ve been using a balikbayan visa for a few years now and this year it will expire in Feb 19. There is a planned trip with my family that will be on March 13.
Will I need to file for an extension? I heard balikbayan visas can be extended in the Philippines, do you know how much? Or do I need to file for a tourist visa? Or is it ok if I overstay for a month and will still be ok to leave in March without penalties?
Thabks for your time.
I am sorry but balikbayan Vida expires after 1 year and cannot be extended. You may convert your balikvayan to a tourist visa.
Really? I did further searches and found that it was:
“EXTENSION OF STAY
Visitors who are admitted as balikbayan are given an initial stay of one (1) year. Their stay may be extended for an additional one (1), two (2) or six (6) months at the Visa Extension Section of a Bureau of immigration office. Balikbayans who have stayed in the Philippines after thirty six (36) months may be required to submit additional requirements.”
https://www.philippine-embassy.org.sg/the-philippines-2/travel-to-the-philippines/
But I haven’t found any further details on how much it would cost or possible procedures. I would likely have to further inquire at immigration. And I will update my experience afterwards. But thank you for commenting quickly, I greatly appreciate the advice and will take a tourist visa if extension isn’t possible.
Sam: Bob has it exactly correct. You can extend your stay, but not the Balikbayan Privilege. You must apply for the Tourist Visa if you want an uninterrupted stay when
your BB runs out. You can leave and reenter and request another BB Stamp. Can also reenter and get the free (30 – day ?) tourist visa, which you can extend easily. Good luck!
Mike
Thanks, Michael. You are right. A Balikbayan Visa may not be extended. I tried to help Sam, but there is so much mis-information out there (many times even from official sources) that a lot of times people are actually out to prove you wrong if you don’t tell them what they want to hear. It is sad, but that is a regular occurrence. Anyway, thanks for the backup.
I was not trying to point out that you were wrong Bob, only to simply give information that was possible you didn’t know about. Especially since this information is from an Embassy in Singapore and found it before I read your response. I appreciated your help and would process the tourist visa at the Immigration office. You are making it sound like I am an awful person. Especially when you said, ‘tried to help’ when it did help me out.
Also thanks Micheal for clarifying it to me in detail since I misunderstood or misinterpreted the process and conditions before.
Thank you both for your time and your helpful responses.
Sam, you must not take offence. I agree with you that sometimes Bob’s manner is a bit abrupt BUT everyone has an edge and no-one is perfect. Therefore we have to look at things as a whole. In Bob’s defence (and I do NOT know him personally, so this is very objective) he is a very PATIENT man (he answers the same questions endlessly), he is EXTREMELY positive (it is his positive attitudes that I learned and which have been my main attitude shifter), he has a wealth of FREE information (which would cost us a lot to buy professionally) he is a great FAMILY man and, even when ill, he is a HARD WORKER. We can learn much from him and should be very grateful for his presence. So please, read 99% of what he writes and let the 1% that troubles you just flow over you.
You are spot on Bob that people are very confused by so many sets of information! Now I am wondering if at the end of the one year BB, a person can go to an immigration office and get a tourist visa OR has to leave and re-enter the country to get it.
Yes, that is what I said in my previous comment. At the end of your balikbayan Visa, just go to the Bureau of immigration office and request that it be converted to a tourist visa. Once you do that you can stay up to three more years as long as you do the proper extensions at the proper time.
Hi Bob my 12 month BB visa expires in March, now if I leave and go to Hong Kong for 24 hours, on my arrival back am I again eligible another 12 BB visa? Thank you
Yes. You can get a new BB visa on your return.
Thank you Bob for your rapid and great reply…………
Hi Bob
I just wanna ask if I can go back to the Philippines and study college. But Im not yet citizen here in US. It’s okay or not .. Thank you so much
Yes you can come study in the Philippines. Since you are not a U.S. citizen you may lose your U.S. residency if you are out of the country for an extended time.
Bureau of Immigration website says something else than what you said.
a. A Balikbayan, who may be either one of the following:
i. A Filipino citizen who has been continuously out of the Philippines for a period of at least one (1) year;
ii. A Filipino overseas worker;
iii. A former Filipino citizen and his family who had been naturalized in a foreign country and comes or returns to the Philippines.
If you have been around the Philippines for any length of time you will see and understand that the wording if a law and how a law is enforced are rarely exactly the same.It
Bob.. the wording is that the Phillippino has to be out of the country for a year for them to get their spouses/family members in with the Balikbayan Privilege not that they just can leave the country for a day and come back and get a new one. Do they still need to get an exit clearance when they leave?
Yes, John, I am aware of the wording of the law, but the practice of the law is different. They do not require the person to be out of the country for a year. Just a day is fine, and that is how the law is enforced.
Balikbayan Privilege holders are not required to get an ECC before leaving, provided they leave within the 1 year time frame of the privilege. If you convert to a tourist visa when the BB expires, then the ECC will be necessary.
I am well aware of what the wording is. I am also aware of the practice of how the law is enforced. Believe me, one day is all that is required. Good luck.
Hello,
Thanks for this informative post.
I just have a question in relation to this balikbayan stamp which allows a foreign spouse to stay in the Philippines for 1 year at no fee.
Can you only request for this upon arrival at the airport? Or is it okay to apply for it later on at a BI Office?
I thought that we can only request for it when the 1-month visa-free stay is about to expire so when we arrived at the airport, we just didn’t bother asking. My foreign spouse and myself are on holiday here in the Philippines for 77 days.
Thanks,
Zoe
The balikbayan privilege may only be requested while entering the country. After you have another type of Visa stamp in your passport, such as a tourist visa, you may no longer avail of the balikbsyan privilege, unless you leave the country and return again.
Is there a BI office at naia3 where we can apply for extension of stay? Many thanks for the info Bob.
Hi Bob, if i want to take the BB visa, does my wife has to have her new name in her passport? We just married in Sept. last year and wanted to make her a new passport. We do have all requirements for that, incl. the CFO with her new name, but we cannot get this online appointment from the DFA (Department of Foreign Affairs). Also we do have the NSO marriage paper plus the marriage contract. Must her new name be in the passport? Do you know about that?
I expect that you will be OK even if her old name is in her passport. For a definitive answer, check with the Bureau of Immigration.
Thank you Bob,
I will check there and also i will complain that there are no online slots available at the DFA.
Bob….you have the Patience of a saint !
Thats all i can say after reading comments top to bottom LoL !
LOL, thank you Hector.
I agree with Hector, ‘Saint Bob Of Mindanao’!
LOL, obviously I haven’t done enough to promote my bad side.
Hello Bob, if I take advantage of the Balikbayan visa and end up only staying 31 days can I return in a year and take advantage of it again? in other words is there a limit to how many times I can visit stay a few months and do it again and again Im asking because I am going for 31 days this year and leaving and want to return later next year and stay for several months. Thank you, Ernie
There is no limit, you can get as many balikbayan visas as you qualify for as long as you want to get. If you leave the country for one day you can come back and get another balikbayan Visa the next time you enter. The only thing is your wife must be with you, or your Philippines spouse I should say must be with you. Other than that you’re good to go.
wow you are awesome! thank you very very much! I will be in Butuan City I April cant wait. God Bless Goodnight / Good morning new friend. My wife and I live in Florida USA.
Additional question please, my wife will arrive in the Philippines about 2 weeks prior to my daughter (dual citizen) and me arriving. Would I be able to get the BB stamp off my daughters paperwork?
No, you cannot.
Hi Bob!, I’m a U.S. natural born n’ bred balikbayan of the Philippines. What I would like to know is, Can I fly over to Guam before my 1 year balikbayan stamp is up, stay for a night in Guam, then return to the Philippines for a new Balikbayan stamp?
Yes, you sure can.
i,m confused wth balikbayan advice on different websites i,m a englishman married to a philippine lady she lives in the philippines i intend to go there for a year i also have a child there am i entitled to a balikbayan visa even if my wife is not travelling wth me but i have the marriage certificate and birth certificate of my child
In order to receive the balikbayan privilege your wife must be traveling with you and arrived with you in the Philippines. It doesn’t matter if you have documentation or not if she must be with you. If any website is advising differently, they are simply wrong.
We all know that Sir Bob is correct because he really does know his stuff but let me tell you my experience in September 2016: I went through immigration in Manila with my Filipino wife. I saw a desk for Filipinos and a different one for immigrants….. I told my wife to go to the ‘Filipino desk’ and i went to the ‘immigrant desk’ next door … I asked for a BB Visa…. the official said “Where is your wife?” and I replied “She is at the desk next door”. I was told “You have to both come through this desk together”, so I called her. The official then checked our marriage certificate and then stamped my passport for a BB Visa. So not only did my wife have to enter The Philippines with me …. she had to be standing next to me! Not only does it confirms what Sir Bob has said here so many times that it is the PHYSICAL presence of the spouse that is crucial … NOT ONLY marriage certificates …. but it is also how far your spouse is from you at the time… and about a maximum 12 inches seems to be what they require!
Hi Steve,
Thank you for sharing your experience! And… thanks for your support!
Could you clarify something for me on this Balikbayan Visa. I visited the Philippines in 2016, my Filipino wife and I were married in Cebu. I returned to the US and now have returned to the Philippines with my 2 children (8 & 12). My wife has never been out of the Philippines. Can we all take a trip out of the Philippines for a day or 2, return and get the Balikbayan Visa or is she required to have been out of the country for a year or more for us to qualify for the initial Balikbayan Visa?
Hi Michael, your wife doesn’t need to be out of the country for a year to qualify for balikbayan Visa. She justs need to be out of the country for 24 hours. So a quick trip anywhere outside the country should be enough to qualify you all for 1year balikbayan Visa assuming she is travelling with you this time.
Just to update my post. My wife, kids and I went to Malaysia for a couple days. Upon our return to the Philippines we requested the Balikbayan stamp, the officer only asked to see a copy of our marriage license and then we were given the stamp. My only question is, he just put BB on the stamp plus entry date, is that still good or did it need an expire date?
Hello, I am wondering, I have a working permit and now i have to apply for the visa. Do I have to apply for a working or residence visa which will take months, or I can just use the Balikbayan Stamp? I am married to a national.
That is your choice, no way I could decide that for you.
Hi Bob,what i mean is, if I can work on a Balikbayan stamp if I have a Working Permit.
Thank you
is not clear to me that i can do that. Or if I will have to apply for a different kind of visa that is compatible with the permit.
Thank you in advance
Hi! I have a child (us citizen) that I plan on leaving with my parents for a few months (work reasons). I have not filed for her dual citizenship. Can she stay without me (former Filipino Citizen)? If so, for how long?
If your child is a minor and enters the Philippines with you, request a Balikbayan Privilege for the child when you enter. That will give her a 1 year stay in the Philippines. It does not matter if you leave and she is here, her balikbayan visa will still be in force.
Hi, I am a Filipino Nationality. I am a US Citizen. I want to petition my husband via DCF (Direct Consular filing). I stayed in the Philippines for 7 months (Sept.19 2016 – April 18 2017). I am here in the United States to change my Passport, Driver’s License, and my Social Security Card’s name and will go back to the Philippines to be with my husband and petition him via DCF. Can I do that? I don’t have ACR visa, because I am using my one year balikbayan visa. Please advice. Thank you!
There’s no requirement to leave together. She can leave anytime she wants, you can leave anytime you want within one year. You can leave together or separately, it’s up to you.
Thank you Bob
Hi my name is Sam… i am curently engaged to a filipina working in china at the moment… i am a canadian citizen… but we are getting ready to get married this coming december… we were planning on living in the philippines and work there… i had heard of the balikbayan befire as some people told me i could live in philippines for a year free once married… so in my mind i only had to go to immigration to get the clearance to stay for a year free….now that i read about it more and more it seems that its impossible to get it since were not yet married and you cannot obtain it once your in the country either even if u do get married…. so i am now getting close to the date of our wedding and now the plans i had set are crumblings slowly and im running out of options to stay with my wife there once were married …. any ideas that could help would be appreciated i really dnt wanna leave her side….. is it possible to leave the country toguether after the wedding and comeback and claim the balikbayan even if it hasnt been a year since the last depature ? Since ahe will be coming back this november prior to the wedding…… im lost at the moment …anything would help …thank you so much ahead of time…. Sam
There is nothing difficult at all about this. When you come to the Philippines enter on a tourist visa waiver. You can stay up to 3 years provided you extend your visa at the appropriate times. After you marry, when you are ready, take a trip to a nearby country with your wife. Thailand, Hon Kong, somewhere like that No need to be gone a year, that is the law, but that is not enforced. Even if you are gone a day you should have no trouble. When you re-enter the country your wife should request a Balikbayan stamp for you.
If you are going to marry her anyways and you plan to stay, why not apply for a Permanent Resident Visa after becoming married? This way, if need be, you can leave in your own and come back with or without her. Then you just have to register with BOI every year.
Hello. My Balikbayan status is about to expire. Two quick questions: 1) Can I leave the country and return on the same day to get a new Balikbayan stamp on my passport? 2) If I seek an extension at the Bureau of Immigration, will I retain my Balikbayan status or will I be converted to a tourist visa? Thank you.
As far as I understand it, from reading all of Sir Bob’s advice, (1) You DEFINITELY have to be out of the country overnight. He suggested on a recent podcast (well worth listening to these) to get the last flight out before midnight and the earliest flight back (after midnight). And remember to have a ticket for a trip OUT of The Philippines when you return as this is a requirement. (2) You can take out a Tourist Visa when (before) your BB privilege expires; it is not an actual extension as your BB will have expired. The main thing is do NOT stay in The Philippines on any expired Visa (or waiver) as it could lead to deportation and blacklisting for many years.
One other VERY IMPORTANT point I should have made is that the SPOUSE MUST BE WITH you at the point of entry into The Philippines and you must have your MARRIAGE CERTIFICATE(S) with you. Also, the FILIPINO spouse must be the one to ASK for the BB Privilege for the other spouse; it is not given, it must be asked for (I know of someone who recently re-entered and is not sure if his Filipino wife asked for the BB for him – before he could say “ouch” he was stamped with a Tourist Visa for 30 days).
Having just given some advice on the BB privilege (which I understand is an actual waiver and NOT a Visa), I have my own question: What does getting a Tourist Visa Waiver (of 30 days) entail if one is already in the country (say on a BB privilege)? I assume one has to visit a BI office, but what documents are required and how long does it take. I assume on entry to The Philippines it is just stamped into a passport on arrival and that is it but already being inside the country may be different. Does anyone know from personal experience.
Thank you for your response, Mike. Do you have any idea where the overnight requirement would come from? I looked at the wording of the Balikbayan law and the description of the privilege in the Bureau of Immigration website and there is no mention of this requirement. The website of the Philippine Consulate in New York even specifies that “these benefits are available to the balikbayans every time they enter the Philippines regardless of their frequent travel.” I also called a branch office of the Bureau of Immigration and asked if I could exit the country and return on the same day to obtain a new Balikbayan stamp, and the person I spoke to said yes. While I know that I cannot rely on what I am told over the phone by an employee, I do wonder just how definite this “requirement” is. I already purchased a round trip ticket to Hong Kong for a one day travel, so I am almost willing to see what happens when I go through immigration at the airport, but if there is no question that I will not be allowed to enter on a Balikbayan privilege, then I may just reschedule my flight and pay whatever change penalties are incurred.
I obtained the information about the overnight stay from Bob’s podcast just three days ago.I thought it had to be 24 hours but Bob knows his stuff and overnight must be it. Definitely do NOT risk returning the same day; that is a big NO-NO. I agree that you should NOT take the advice you are given by the BI office – it is YOU who will be the one to lose out. I found advice from people ‘who should know’ to be very poor in my so-called developed home country (declining State more like it) so here, where let us say ‘things are not yet that well organised’, you have to take everything as untrue or uncertain. My advice is to reschedule your flight for an overnight stay (even if that is just staying in the airport) and please report back on how you got along as others will benefit from your actual experience. Good luck.
Thank you for the additional information. I will report back on what I end up doing and how it turns out.
Hello, I am now ready to report back. I knew I was taking a big risk, but I already had a nonrefundable ticket for a day trip to Hong Kong and I really am not able at this time to be out of the country overnight, so I decided to go for it. Before leaving I called three different Bureau of Immigration branches to ask if one was required to be out of the country overnight to obtain a new Balikbayan stamp on the passport and was told no (one did say that an overnight stay was advisable to avoid any questions from an immigration officer). Although I knew that the BI would not be bound by what agents tell me over the phone, I at least learned that an overnight stay out of the country, if one was required, was not widely known among BI officers. I also figured that the worst that could happen on my re-entry to the Philippines was that I would only be allowed to avail of a visa waiver. So I took the first flight out of Manila for Hong Kong and, upon landing in Hong Kong, rushed to the gate of the next flight to Manila (the agent at check-in had allowed me to move my flight up — a lucky break). When I landed in Manila, just little more than five hours after I left earlier in the day, the immigration officer gave my passport a Balikbayan stamp, and it was on the same page that had the stamp showing I exited the country on the same date. What a relief that was! I may have been extremely lucky and I would not recommend returning on the same day if it can be helped as you never know what an immigration officer’s interpretation of the rules may be, but it’s good to know that an overnight stay out of the country is not an absolute requirement to get a Balikbayan status renewed.
I would definitely not advised to go to do this.
I’m about to go out of the country for the same purpose. Did you have to pay Exit clearance in BI or at the airport?
Hello everybody. Me and my husband are trying to get this Balikbayan stamp as an easier option with his stay here in the Phils. I have been here in the Philippines for a year and 2 months now and he is bound to be coming home next month. We planned of going to HK via Clark Airport. My question is.. 1) Is it still possible we still get the stamp even if I stayed here in the Phils for more than a year now? 2) Is the stamp also available to be issued in Clark airport in Pampanga? THANK YOu very much in advance for your response…
hello Bob..just want to ask if possible my foreign fiancee to avail BB we had 2 kids under his name..but were not married yet and he keep coming back to phillippines twice a year to visit us .he always stay with us 1 month but he want to stay with us for few months..but how can avail that BB for him..thanks for ur response..godbless
It is not possible until you are married. Whether you have kids or not is of no matter.
Hi, is the marriage that is required to get a Balikbayan visa a United States marriage certificate between an expat and a Filipina, or is it a Philippines marriage license between the two? Or perhaps you need BOTH countries’ marriage licenses? I can’t seem to find this information anywhere. Thank you.
Please don’t consider this an authoritative answer, because this is the first time I have ever been asked this question, and I am not 100% certain. It would be my belief that either one would be accepted. To get a firm answer you should inquire with the bureau of immigration.
Thank you much, Bob!
I can answer part of that from experience: Your own country’s Marriage Certificate is fine as that is all I have and have received a BB twice now. I have not presented a Philippine Marriage Certificate as I have none BUT it would seem strange if The Philippines did not accept its own certification! I also know that from what I said earlier that BOTH are NOT required. But, as Sir Bob has said many times: When you enter The Philippines you MUST physically be with your Filipino wife (“She is coming later” will not do); SHE (not you) MUST POLITELY ASK for a BB privilege (it is a PRIVILEGE and not a Visa and also not a right); You SHOULD have your Marriage Certificate with you (although some have said they did not have to show it… but never go by what OTHERS did or did not do) … but, actually, the last time we left ours at home by mistake (BIG mistake) but got someone to send us a photo of it and that was accepted at immigration. This is going over what Sir Bob has already written here, but it is a very long thread now, so I will recap a few things for you: You do not have to obtain a ACR card (you CAN if you wish) but may find it impossible to open a bank account without it (I have none and use my wife’s account); you do not have to get an exit clearance (which seems an ordeal for many due to the few locations which issue them) but MUST leave before 12 months in the country (which, of course, you have to do anyway, being on a BB Privilege). I already had one year on a BB and like the lack of hassle. But you may wish to look into getting a Spouse Visa; it is an individual choice.
Thank you for your response, Mike!! It is very appreciated!!!!
If i may share, me and my Aussie husband been staying in the philippines couple of times and at present on BB status: We managed to open a bank account on some banks like METROBANK and BDO on Joint accounts, this way my husband can have his own ATM card and authorized on the account. Thank you four sharing about a spouse visa, we will surely try that because its not all the time we can travel together.
May I ask if your husband has an ACR card – it is not a requirement if on a BB but it can be applied for if the person wishes. My wife’s BDO said I would have to have an ACR card to apply for an account BUT we did not specifically ask about a JOINT account. Btw, I have heard people write about applying for a SPOUSE Visa whilst outside The Philippines (i.e. Australia in your case) as they say it is less hassle than applying within The Philippines. Others may wish to comment on that.
I am here on a Balikbayan visa and have been in the Philippines for 2 months now. I might have to return to the States to take care of a family matter which will take about two weeks and my spouse will be remaining here. Will that affect my Balikbayan status when I return? Will I need to get a different visa?
When you leave the philippines you will lose your balikbayan status. When you reenter the country if your wife is not with you you can not get balikbayan status up on your return.
Hi Bob you seem resourceful on this particular topic.
Do you know if I can obtain a Balikbayan visa with only a Filipino birth certificate? I was born in the UK and have been a British citizen for all my life. My sister was able to get a balikbayan visa upon showing her former Filipino passport & birth certificate a few years ago. The problem is, I never had a Filipino passport, only the birth certificate. Do you think they’d issue me a balikbayan visa with just my birth certificate? Not sure if I can be considered a “former Filipino citizen”.
I think they would give it to you, but am not completely certain.
You said you’re born in the UK. So what birtch certificate do you have? Not sure if they would honor it if neither your passport nor birth cert indicates you are Filipino. Balikbayan is supposedly for previous Filipinos. Correct me if im wrong Bob. 🙂
If you want to go by the letter of the law, you are correct, Honet. However, in practice, it is given to a lot of people when the Immigration agents just think they look Filipino or other anecdotal reasons.
hi sir Bob,
I just wanna ask and seeking for help, I am newly married to a Canadian and I am still here in the Philippines. But he is planning to stay here for one year and we will wait to get my permanent visa going to Canada, so that we can go together. Do you think he can get a one year (balikbayan stamp) if we will meet in like Thailand and after a month, we will come back to the Philippines together. I just want to makes sure, if its possible? and he get a stamp.
thank you so much! I hope you can help us.
Yes, he can.
Thank you for the response, a big relief. ?? Is it okay too even if just couple of days? Meet in thailand then going to philippines? Thanks a lot
Even if you do it the same day, that is fine. I think overnight is better.
No,u must be out of the country at least 1 year.
You are correct that the lost says you must be gone for 1 year. However that is not the way the lies and force here. Being gone overnight is fine and you will get another balikbayan privilege.
Hello Bob. I am a Canadian citizen married to a filipina and last entered Philippines on Jan.1 / 2017. I was successful in obtaining a BB visa on that date. Since Jan. 1 / 2018 I have been using extensions to my tourist visa. The current one is valid until April 1 / 2018. We are emigrating to Canada on Mar. 1 /2018. Do I need an ECC? Or did the 6 month period start on Jan.1 / 2018 in which case I do not need an ECC? Thank you.
I am not completely certain, but I believe you will need an ECC. Check with the Bureau of Immigration to get the correct answer.
Is there a fee to the balikbayan visa?
The balikbayan privilege is 100% free of charge.
When getting the Balikbayang Visa stamped in your passport it is VERY IMPORTANT to make sure you are in the correct line when reporting to the customs officer at the airport. AND go to the officer together and TELL THEM you are with your spouse!
Detail: I am Canadian, married to a Filipina. We live in Canada. When we enter the Philippines at the Manila airport there are two lines, one for native Filipinos’ and one for foreigners. I make sure we both go to the foreigner line together. It is a mistake for the Filipino spouse to go to the Filipino line. Also, tell the officer you are with your spouse. They almost overlooked this fact! If they don’t stamp the Visa in your passport it will be difficult, no doubt, to get it after you enter.
More detail: We normally stay for two months but without the Balikbayang I have to get a 30 day extension after the first 30 days which costs money and takes time at the Immigration building in Manila. My first couple of trips, before my wife got her immigration approved, were done that way. I think the cost was about 5-10K pp and took a couple of hours at the Immigration building plus travel time to/from home.
Does the marriage certificate or birth certificate of a child born abroad need to be authenticated by the Philippine embassy in the country where they were issued? We plan on getting balikbayan visas and then apply for permanent visas. We also have a Report of Marriage and a Report of Birth for our child. No NSO certificates yet as we got them recently,
This is from the San Francisco Philippine embassy:
Any legal document issued in the U.S. must first be acknowledged or authenticated (‘consularized’) by the Philippine Embassy/Consulate General in order for that document to have any legal validity in the Philippines. Each “consularized” document will bear the seal of the Consulate General and the signature of the authenticating officer. The Philippine Consulate General does not assume responsibility for the contents of the document.
Examples of these documents are Special Power of Attorney, General Power of
Attorney, Affidavit, Certification, Deed of Donation, Deed of Sale, Extra-judicial
Settlement of Estate; U.S. Government-issued documents, such as Birth Certificate, Death Certificate, Marriage Certificate, Divorce Decree, etc.; and those issued by private institutions, such as Transcript of Records, Medical Records, Licenses, Certificates of Training, etc.
From what I read so far here the marriage certificates were not authenticated. Maybe the documents need not be authenticated for immigration but only for other government agencies or for private entities like when getting a loan from a bank. But i read on another site that somebody was told by the BI that he needed an FBI clearance that had to be authenticated by the Filippine embassy in the US. This was for an amended 13a visa.
Hey Bob,
Forgive me if this has already been asked, but I haven’t been able to get through this virtual mountain of questions. You mention being able to work on a balikbayan visa if you apply for a work permit. How involved is that; is such a permit difficult to get? We are planning to move permanently to the Philippines in late July, and I am wavering between applying in advance for a 13A visa, or entering on a balikbayan and transitioning later. My concern is that we will have some business concerns over there that may require my involvement and could be construed as gainful employment. Also, I want to be free to engage in paid free lance writing should any such opportunities arise. Bottom line: I don’t want to run afoul of immigration authorities. Your thoughts and input would be appreciated. Thanks!
Hi David,
If you are ever going to get a 13A visa, take my advice and do it in the States. If you apply there you apply one time and it is good for life. If you do it in the Philippines you must go through the process twice (once for a provisional one year 13A, and then another time for a permanent 13A). Why go through the hassle? Also, there is much less hassle doing it in the USA than in the Philippines.
If you are talking “business concerns” as in you will own your own business… i.e. your wife will own the business, you really don’t need a work permit. You are helping your wife. I have never heard of that causing any problem.
If you are doing freelance writing over the internet for foreign companies you will not need a work permit for that. If you will do writing for Philippine publications on a regular basis, you probably would need a work permit for that. I have never needed or applied for a work permit, so I don’t know how much hassle it is. But, this is the Philippines and you can bet that any time you deal with the government it will take a long time and be a hassle. LOL
Thanks, Bob. I take it then that a work permit would be required in the situation you outline whether I had a Balikbayan or 13A? In other words, the right to work doesn’t come automatically with either visa? So the main advantage of a 13A is that you don’t have to make an annual pilgrimage out of the country?
13A includes the right to work.
I was thinking of getting a 13a visa in the US but now I will probably avail of the balikbayan privilege and then I have a year to apply for a 13a visa in the Philippines. My wife and child will also need to apply for permanent residence too. To be honest I am still not sure which is better, getting a 13a visa here or once I am there.
If I do it here I have to fly to San Francisco, apply for social security before I go there, have a physical. The medical form says you need a blood serology without specifying for which diseases. You can get about fifty or more blood serologies. The embassy only answered one email and never answer any other questions. When I called one time I got some answers but then she transferred me to the visa department and they never answer or call you back.
It will cost hundreds or even thousands of dollars to get a physical and blood test plus at least another thousand to go to San Francisco and I still don’t know exactly what blood test they need since nobody at the embassy is talking.
I am not sure if I and my wife or going to need FBI clearances when we apply there but we will probably get them anyway while we are still here. I am still trying to find out if the FBI clearance will be necessary.
Can a balikbayan apply for the balikbayan visa program upon arrival at the airport with the Immigration Officer at the counter? Will appreciate your prompt reply. If possible today.
There is no application. Just tell the immigration officials at the airport that you want to avail of the Balikbayan privilege.
bob ,i am a usa citizen and married to philippine ,we have two kids that are duel citizen we live in philippine for last four years and we are goinng back to usa for two weeks .will i have any trouble getting back to philipppine ,do i have to buy a return ticket back to usa
Depends on what type of visa you have.
Actually, you never need to buy a return ticket, an ongoing ticket will do fine. I can almost always get you just what you need for $30 or less if you use my Throwaway Ticket service. http://throwawayticket.com
Hello, Bob. I am a Philippine passport holder and my husband is from the US. We had already availed of balikbayan visa in January 2019 after we entered the country together. He still has almost year of validity in his visa but now needs to go to Central America and the US for a few weeks without me. Would you know if his existing balikbayan visa is good for multiple entries if I am not travelling with him?
As soon as he leaves the Philippines his balikbayan Visa will no longer be valid.
Hi bob. Im going back to the uk for 3 mths.
I live in bacolod neg occ.
How long before i leave do i need a exit visa and where do i get one from
Hi Ian. Since you are commenting on an article about Balikbayan Visas, I am assuming that you are on a Balikbayan Visa. In that case you do not need an ECC at all.
If you are on some other type of visa you should get your ECC at least 72 hours before departure. I would do it in the last 7 days before departure, but no later than 72 hours in advance.
Hi Bob I’m balikbayan overstaying here in the philippines for almost 6 months with my 2 years old child, what can probably happen when we get out the country? Can we still go back here and get another 1 year balikbayan visa? Can I still apply a dual citizenship when we come back to US? What should I do?
You need to go take care of it, if you don’t do it you will end up blacklisted.
You can convert your Balikbayan Visa to a Tourist Visa and pay the overstaying fines. I would expect you will have about P6k worth of visa costs and penalties of about another P3k. If your child is also in the same difficulty, visa-wise, she will owe a similar amount.
Hi Bob how about my cousin situation?. overstaying here in the philippines almost a month now she’s balikbayan too. She’s just waiting for her husband to come back from a cruise ship at the end of this month. Is she ok to stay here for 2 more weeks?
If she has not correctly followed the law, she should go take care of it.
what if my husband had a balikbayan visa stamp already from our vacation and in few weeks his father get sick and he needs to go back to his country without the spouse when he comes back again to ph does his existing balikbayan visa before is stil valid or what??Thanks
As soon as he leaves the Philippines his Balikbayan Visa is canceled.
Hi Bob, I arrived in the philippines in May this year (2019), have extended my 30 day visa my intention is to stay in the philippines. I married my filipino partner in June, can I apply for a Balikbayan Visa?
Based on your question, I don’t think you understand what a Balikbayan visa is. You can’t “apply” for a Balikbayan visa. It is something that is issued when you enter the country if you qualify and your wife asks that you get one. Since you are married to a Filipino you should consider applying for a 13A Resident visa and you can stay permanently.
Hi Bob, hope you and your family are well, could you please let me know how I go about getting a tourist visa as we have been here for four years now and we have been leaving the Philippines every year and then reentering on a Balikbayan Visa.
Are there forms to fill in etc etc.
Thanks Bob.
Kind regards
you did not tell me what country you are from, but if you are American, British, Australian, or another first world country, the only thing you must do to get a tourist visa is show up at the airport with your passport upon arrival. they will issue you a 30-day visa-free stay, and then you can go and renew that at the bureau of immigration for up to three years. Good luck.