Live in the Philippines

Live in the Philippines helps expats with visas, moving and other services regarding the Philippines.

Reminder for foreigners living here

Immigration, Tourist Visa / by

Just wanted to make a quick reminder to any foreigners who are living in the Philippines with any kind of Resident Visa.  You must go to the Bureau of Immigration and complete your annual check in any time during January or February.

If you do not complete your check-in before the end of February, you will be illegal here, your Visa no longer in force.  After February, you can still go to the Bureau and Check In, but you will need to pay a fine at that point.  It is not a huge fine, but much better to complete your check in within the prescribed time and remain legal!

While this procedure applies to permanent residents, foreigners who hold Resident Visas and Special Retirement Visas, it is a good idea for any person who is staying here to check the status of their visa.  If you are here on a tourist visa, you are required to go and renew that before your first 30 days in-country are completed, and thereafter you must renew it every 59 days.  Remember the dates that you need to renew to avoid penalties, and potential trouble.  If you were to get caught over-staying you will face penalties, even the possibility of not being welcome to return to the Philippines in the future.

I have yet to check-in, but I will be doing so sometime in February.  Maybe I’ll see you at the Bureau of Immigration office?

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Hi Bob, great reminders. I am just preparing some write ups (checklist of requirements for permanent visa applications) to be published within the next days…

  2. Bob, I have alot to learn about the Philippines. However, you should be waived from having to check-in as I consider you a national treasure. As some of the the guests have noted that you know more about their country (especially Mindinao) than they do.

  3. Hi Klaus – That's great to hear! Having a checklist will be a real asset for people planning to come here! And, you have the inside info that will make your list very complete and valuable!

    Hi Ed Griffin – Well, thank you for your kind words! I don't think that I will ever be exempted, but that's OK with me!

  5. Hi Bob (HI) – Happy that the post shed a little extra light in your direction. Yes, even SRRV holders must check in!

  7. a bit off topic but I went to the BI in Davao while I was visiting this week as my visa extension shortly expires, I was in and out within the hour and no bribe was requested !!!

  9. hi bob.. im glad you like it here in the philippines.. althought a lot of filipinos goes oversea for work… its good to know that foreigners like you guys really do like it here… at least not everyone is trying to get out of the country 🙂

  10. Hi Bob – Do we have to pay anything for this annual check in? What papers do we need to submit and are there any forms to fill-in? Is the check in only applicable after we have been resident in the Phils for a year? We will be moving to the Phils in December this year as residents – so we're wondering whether we need to check in by January 2009 or 2010?

  12. Hi Bob, I sent you an email re: the BOI registration. wann't sure if you how often or, enven if you checked back to posts more than several days old.

    A direct quote from the PRA web site:

    "Moreover,the SRRV offers benefits which includes exemption Exit Clearance, Re-entry Fee and Annual Registration with the Bureau of Immigration.

    This info was also confirmed by an email from and agent with the PLRA.

    Frank

  13. Hi Athena – That's funny, isn't it? Some people trying their best to get out, while others are trying to get in!!!

    Hi Marilou – John in Bohol is correct. They just verify your address, you pay P310 and you are on your way. In the past I have always brought my ACR with me, but that doesn't exist any longer, since we have the new "ACR I-Cards" and this will be my first year to check in with that.

    Hi John in Bohol – Thanks for jumping in with the answer.

    Hi Francisco San Giorgio – I did get your e-mail and just didn't have a chance to respond yet. Actually, there was a time when SRRV holders did have to check-in. I have found websites this morning that say they don't have to check in and I've found some that say they do have to check in! I have an e-mail in to somebody with some expertise on the matter, and will post the information that I receive when I get it. Thanks for bringing this to my attention. I am thinking that this is something recently changed. Thanks again.

  14. OK, I just got clarification on the check-in of the SRRV holders.

    SRRV holders must still pay the P310 fee. However, they can pay multiple years at a time, if they wish. For example, when they go check in, they could give P930, and thus be able to skip 2 year's check in. If they elected to pay P310 at their check in, they would be required to check in again the next year, and so forth.

    So, check-ins are required, but may be paid in advance and skipped.

  15. Hi to all of you and sorry, I am late to comment Bob's article: Bring your passport (photocopy of all pages), your I-card (photocopy of both sides), fill up the annual report form (just a few questions), pay the PHP 310.00 fee and be happy to enjoy life in the Philippines for the next 12 months. Attention: no matter, when "you check in" (means to say, when your "permanent stay status" starts, you have to show yourself at the immigration office for the annual report every January or February. Bad example: one of our clients got his permanent status in December, but he failed to report in January as well as February the following year…

  16. Hi Klaus – Thanks for jumping in with a bunch of answers. On this subject, you are very well informed. I appreciate the help.

  17. Bob, When I applied for the SRRVisa in Februarry 2005, the benefits of not having to pay Re-entry Fee, Exit Clearance and Annual Registration with the BOI were some of the reasons I choose to go that route. Also, a holder of a SRRVisa does not have to have the ACR Card or the I-card. These things are covered by the ID Card that the PLRA issues upon the approval of the SRRV.
    There is a yearly renewal of the visa by sending a copy of your passport and 100USD or 500PHP (I choose to send the 100USD last March for obvious reasons). There were no other costs other than the 80PHP for the LBC to Manila
    At the time of my "oath Taking" in Makati is when I was imformed also that I could apply for Phililppine Citizenship with no danger of losing my US Citizenship. The Agent at the time explained to me that, althought there was a clause renouncing all other alligances, the US did not consider the clause as a true intention to give up US Citizenship. Therefore, Unless I appeared before a US Consular and presented written documentation and a verbal statement, my US Citizenship would remain intact. This confirmed what I had read on the US Immigration site that states that the US Supreme Court ruled that US Citezenship could not be invoulentarily taken except in cases of Treason, serving in a foreign military against the US and (I believe) serving in a foreign government office. (don't hold me to the letter on the last)

    Frank

  18. Hi Frank – firstly, I don't see any obvious reason why you would pay $100 if you could have paid P500, maybe I am overlooking something. P500 is only about $13, actually a little less.

    Regarding the citizenship issue, I don't want to get dragged into an argument on this. The Philippine law requires that you renounce your former citizenship. if the USA does not allow you to renounce, it is my opinion that you have not met the requirements of the Philippine law. I do know, though that there are lawyers who will argue on your side, and others will argue on mine. Because of this, we cannot resolve the issue. I know that you CAN get the Philippine citizenship, but I question it's authenticity and legality since you would not meet the requirements laid out by the Philippine law. Also, I don't see any advantages to obtaining Philippine citizenship. I consider it a matter of personal choice, and if you choose it, more power to you. I don't see any reason why i should consider it, though. I was actually planning to write a column about this next week.

    Good luck to you.

  19. Bob, sorry….. a typ-o Should have read 10USD not 100.

    As for the citizenship issue; you're right there is no need for any argument over that. I'm sure we all have different reasons, besides the obvious, for moving lock, stock and barrel to this part of the world. I'm sure you would agree that private sectors of each of our lives are not up for discussion here.

    I would also like to let you know that I had been a lurker to your blog for sometime and always found your post most interesting, informative and entertainiing, if nothing else.

    Frank

  21. Hi Bob,

    Do you have any idea how much the amount in order to get a permanent resident visa?

    Smylen

  22. Hi Smylen – when I got my resident visa, about 8 years ago, it cost me $100 for the application process and about another $100 in processing fees here in the Philippines. I am sure prices have increased in 8 years, but this would give some guideline.

  23. Hello Bob,

    Thank you Bob. But as far as I've heard that foreigner need savings account not less than $75,000.00. 🙄 Is this true?

    Thanks a lot.

    Smylen

  24. Hi Smylen – No, that is incorrect. You only need a cash deposit for a Special Retirement Visa, not for a 13(g) like I have. If you are married to a Filipino, you can get a regular resident visa and there is no need for any cash deposit.

  27. Hi Bob!
    Your site came up while I was looking for SRRV materials. I am a bank officer and I have actual experience in dealing with SRRV accounts. PRA has actually lowered the deposit requirement from $75,000 to $50,000 for those who are 35 to 49 yrs. old, $35,000 for those between 50 to 60yrs old and $20,000 for those above 60 yrs old.T he processing for SRRV in Cebu is made a lot easier because they have put up a pilot office at Waterfront Hotel in Lahug, so no need to go to the PRA office in Manila. Interest rates for PRA accounts are actually quite high and one can easily have the interest converted to Peso and deposited in a Peso Checking or ATM account every 30days for some extra Peso spending money. Renewal of the SRRV is at $10.00/year and you can process a one time renewal for a maximum of three years.
    I’ll be happy to answer whatever questions you and your friends may have regarding the banking aspect of the program.You can e-mail your questions to me at [email protected] and I’ll get back to you within 24hours.
    And thank you so much for choosing the Philippines!

  28. Hi Mayen – Thank you very much for stopping by my site and leaving the information that you said. It is kind of you to offer such advice for those considering the SRRV.

  31. I dont understand what's the purpose of the microchip on the ACR card if they never scan it or do the Immigration scan it every time you make a yearly payment of 310 pesos just to keep you honest? Any insight on this subject will be appreciated. Thanks guys.

  32. Hi Eddy – I don't know why they do that. Maybe there are plans to use the micro-chip in the future, but I don't know any official information about it.

  33. My fiancee has had to return home to Medlillen, Cebu… as her farther is seriously ill and other family problems.

    I have been in hospital …..and now her visa has expired.

    Is there any way we can get “an extention” to her Uk visa.
    What would be the best alternative to get her back to UK.
    I will be grateful for any advise.
    Mickey.