Today, a new policy for tourist stays in the Philippines was announced by the Bureau of Immigration. Effective immediately, tourists can now renew their visas every two months for a period of up to 16 months, instead of the 12 months that had been the policy up to now! Additionally, the tourist visa can be extended even further, up to 24 months if the further extension is approved by BOI Immigration Regulation Division. The Commissioner of Immigration will have the final say on 24 month extensions of tourist visas.
This is really good news, as many people actually live here on tourist visas, and have to leave the country every 12 months, but now can stay longer, up to 24 months in total before having to leave and return again to start the process over again. In the past, a holder of a Balikbayan visa could stay for one year, and then convert to a tourist visa to gain an additional years stay. I do not yet know, but it would seem that a Balikbayan Visa holder could now stay for up to 3 years on one entrance – 12 months on the Balikbayan Visa, conversion to a tourist visa that could be extended for up to 2 additional years.
The article that I read in the Manila Times goes on to say that the 2 year stay applies to “all temporary visitors.” Does that mean that a Balikbayan Visa would now be good for 2 years and then could be converted to two more years on a tourist visa? I don’t know the answer to that, but that is how it sounds in the article. So, those who are married to a Philippine Citizen (or former Citizen) could effectively stay in country for up to 4 years before a renewal would be required.
It’s really nice to see the Philippines making moves to accommodate tourists, make their stays easier, and let them stay longer. Let’s hope that the foreigners who come show their just thanks to the Philippine government for this great new policy!
Hi Bob, that is good news, makes life so much easier, I have seen a very interesting document regarding house and lot ownership i would want to share with everyone here, its good because its actually about my house, and the wording is quite of interest to your readers, will be posting when I arrive back in London later on this week.
Hi Pete – Yes, I think that it is extremely good news! It doesn't affect me, because I have a resident visa, but for thousands of people this will be a really great thing! I think it will be good for the Philippine economy too. 🙂
Hi Bob – Certainly is good news. 😀
Was the article in the print version of the Manila Times? Can't find it in the electronic version. Of course, the BI website and other government websites lag behind the newspapers so don't expect to see anything posted there for at least a week or two. 😕
Am also wondering whether new fees were mentioned in the article? Have never experienced a government benefit being given out with one hand (from any government!) without mention of the other hand being outstretched, palm up! 😆
Hi Paul – I am sorry for my oversight! I neglected to link to the article where I read about the change! I have since added a link to the article, so you can now go read the article and get the further details.
I am sure that the fees that are charged now for renewals will continue to be charged for the additional renewals that will be given. There will probably also be a fee for getting special permission to extend up to 24 months. I don't know how much that will be, though.
Thanks, Bob. Wouldn't you know it – I didn't read yesterday's paper and that's where it is! 😳
Hi Paul – Happy to oblige! I should have included a link in the first place, it just slipped my mind!
thats good news , because thats how i planned to stay in davao, work in alaska 4 months out of the year then stay in davao 8 months ,its nice to know i could stay longer if i choose to .
Hi ken – not often that the government (any government) does something so good, so we ought to rejoice a little bit! 😆
Hi Bob
That certainly is good news, there is as yet no mention of it on the Philippine Embassy or British Embassy sites. Can you find out how it will affect us Balikbayans who return to The Phills with our wives?
Best regards
Malcolm
Hi Malcolm – So far I have no further info, but I will watch out for it! It will take a while before this new policy filters it's way to the Embassy sites.
Great news I wonder when i ask today at my renewal the news has got through to the front line staff…wish me luck
Hi John – If you find out anything good, please let us know! 🙂
hi bob does that still mean we need return ticket or onward ticket to leave the philippines on arrival
Hi mal – As far as I know there have been no changes in the policy regarding onward tickets. Any time you are on a tourist visa you must have an onward ticket to leave the Philippines.
Yes, you need onward ticket, but its easy and not so costly. Go to Air Asia website, and buy a ticket to Kuala Lumpur 8 months ahead (you can print the ticket out from your printer, so you don't need have to deal with hassle of going to ticketing office.). The total price including tax should be about U$30. You are of course throwing this money away, but its small and you can consider it a part of the visa cost.
thats great info i intend to stay in philippines long term 2 years plus on tourist visa i take it after 8 months you just do the same again??? also i am from the U K i have managed to get 12 months medical insurance but they will only cover me for one year is united kingdom medical insuranve ok will philippine hospital exept this insurance if i get hurt i need to be covered as this of course is very important i have an army pension of $2670 a month and i am looking for appartment in manila fully furnished between 15000 and 18000 pesos a month i have been offered an appartment in the swagmans hotel ermita for 24.000 pesos a month which includes everything electricity water etc etc fully furnished with the hotel security included do you where or if i can get cheaper and better appartments i would likke to live in the malate or ermita area or anywhere down baywalk thankyou for info you give me i think your site here is brill thanks
mal
Hi mal – I am not certain that I understand what you are writing. You said "after 8 months you just do the same again?" But, I don't know what "8 months" you are talking about. The procedure is that you enter the country, at 21 days you renew your tourist visa to bring it up to 59 days. After that, every 59 days you renew, up to 16 months. If you with to go to 24 months, you get permission from the Commissioner of the BoI, and then can continue renewing until 24 months has elapsed. After that, you leave the country for as short or as long a period as you desire. When you enter the country again, you start the whole process over.
Philippine Hospitals don't accept insurance. You pay them, then you deal with your insurance company to get reimbursed. That's just how it works here.
I feel that your budget for an apartment may be a little low for Manila, but I live down south, and don't have a firm handle on Manila prices. Maybe Dave Starr could answer that, as he lives in the area, or somebody else up that way.
hi bob the 8 months i was taliking about was in response about booking onward flights like JAE mentioned above booking onward flights ahead like booking a flight to kuala lumper then after 8 months i would have to book another onward flight thanks for the info about medical insurance i undestand that now are prices expensive if i go sick or get hurt at least the insurance reimbursed any monies paid also i have had a few mails about appartments in manila from 12000 to 18000 pesos so i am looking into that i will move to angeles city if they are too expensive as i know you can get very good appartment for about 10000 pesos thanks
mal
hi bob can you give me advice i was talikg to girl on internet from manila seemed a lovely girl but when i told her i was coming to manila long term she wated to have a relationship but of course i said no as i have my asawa i only wanted to be friendly well anyways she said she would tell imagration that im bad and would stop me gaining entry this has got me worried as i have semi retired and look forward to my life in philippines surely i hope she cant just contact them and tell them about me its crazy but i am so worried just normal chat to girl then this happens what can i do if she has thanks for any info you can give me mike
Hi mike – Unfortunately, if the girl wants to get you blacklisted from coming to the Philippines, it is not hard to do. If she indeed decides to file a report with the Bureau of Immigration, she can indeed have you blacklisted. It can be done without any input from you too. If something like this happens, I would recommend hiring a Philippine lawyer and see if they can appeal it.
Hi Bob. Great site. very Informative. My question is: Are there BOI offices in every province or must you renew every 2 months at your original point of entry?? Thanlks…Bill Watkins
Hi Bill Watkins – No, you don't need to return to your port of entry, there are BoI offices in all of the larger cities.
Hi Bob.
Is it possible to get a balikbyan visa at port of entry, in our case that would be Manila.
My vife is a philippina of birth, but now a Danish citicen. RP do not have an embassy or any other oficial representaition here. The closest would be in Norway.
Hi Preben – Actually, the port of entry is the only place where you CAN get a Balikbayan visa. You can't get that at an Embassy. It is not guaranteed at the port of entry, but if you and your wife are together, you have a good shot at getting it.