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Balikbayan Privilege

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twj4241
  6/29/2021 20:27 EST

I will be traveling from the United States to the Philippines in a few months with my Philippine wife. We always enter the Philippines using the Balikbayan Privilege as we will be on this trip. We have never stayed more than one year but we plan to spend a couple of years there this trip. I have heard that the Balikbayan Privilege can be extended up to 3 years. Is this true? What must be done to extend the Balikbayan Privilege beyond one year if this is true?
Thank You for your reply!

draks
  6/29/2021 22:34 EST

I don't think you can extend balikbayan privelage. You could after one year get tourist visas for the second year. But I would leave the country together find the cheapest return flight and come back in together, we did this for many years no problems.

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twj4241
  6/30/2021 12:10 EST

Hello Draks,
Thank you for your reply. Your suggestion is a good alternative if I cannot obtain an extension of the Balikbayan Privilege. Any suggestions of the best country to visit briefly. And, maybe someone else is aware of the Balikbayan Privilege extension for 3 years from one year. Thanks again!

tlallen59
  6/30/2021 12:10 EST

What draks says is true. You have to convert it at the end of the year. We always just go to Hong Kong for the weekend and get another year.

twj4241
  6/30/2021 13:15 EST

Thank You tlallen, If it cannot be extended, what do you mean by converted. To a visitor visa or a permanent visa or either one. Hong Kong, sounds like fun. Thanks again!

twj4241
  6/30/2021 13:19 EST

Another question, do I have to purchase a round trip ticket when we leave the US and can the return ticket be to Hong Kong or elsewhere? Thank You!

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surfingcebu
  6/30/2021 13:30 EST

TWJ - as long as you have a ticket out of country within your time period, your good. HK use to be a favourite, BUT since China is running the show more and more , there are safer places to go as a exit ticket. Even Vietnam IMHO is safer .

tlallen59
  6/30/2021 18:23 EST

The only thing you can convert it to is a visitors visa.

tlallen59
  6/30/2021 18:28 EST

twj4241 you do not need a onward ticket if you avail the balikbayan privilege as long as your wife is with you and you have a copy of your marriage certificate on NSO security paper if you were married in the RP. You are required to have that with you but we have never been asked to show it.

tlallen59
  6/30/2021 18:30 EST

twj4241 P.S. I can supply a document that says you do not need a onward ticket. PM me and I will send you a copy if you like.

twj4241
  7/1/2021 12:29 EST

Thank you Surfing Cebu, well, you have a good point against Hong Kong. I will investigate some other places including Vietnam. Thanks again!

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twj4241
  7/1/2021 12:29 EST

Thank you Surfing Cebu, well, you have a good point against Hong Kong. I will investigate some other places including Vietnam. Thanks again!

twj4241
  7/1/2021 12:32 EST

Thank You tlallen59 for the information. It is very helpful.

phonedoctor1
  7/1/2021 16:29 EST

please sene me that document akso thanks
phndoc

tlallen59
  7/1/2021 18:27 EST

phonedoctor1 send me a PM so I have your privet email address and I will put you on the list.

TeeJay4103
  7/1/2021 20:27 EST

We used the Balikbayan privilege for many years before obtaining my SRRV visa.

We found the cheapest round trip flight from the Philippines to be Air Asia to Kuala Lumpur. Malaysia using the Air Asia website to book.

We also found the Cebu Pacific website to offer some good deals to other countries like Singapore and Thailand. The airfare search sites, for us, were never able to beat the price of booking on the chosen air carriers website.
You can also check carriers websites for cheap flight promotions when and if things return to normal.

My wife and I never needed a forwarding or onward ticket. Just have you marriage license with you and go together with your wife to the Immigration officer and request the Balikbayan privilege stamp in your passport.

phonedoctor1
  7/1/2021 23:47 EST

tlallen59
My address is [email protected]. or call me at (217)520-6054. I am fully vaccinated and ready to go as soon as they reopen the airports. I can't wait, my house finally sold and I thought I would be here about a week tying up loose ends, but the same week they closed the airports, so I am stuck here in Illinois. Thank God my parents are still alive or I would not have had a place to go
Doc

twj4241
  7/2/2021 13:00 EST

This is some good information. Thank You TeeJay!

tlallen59
  7/3/2021 07:48 EST

Thought I would post this for everybody's use.

Paminta
  10/6/2021 13:26 EST

I emailed the Philippine Consulate in Vancouver BC, Canada, about return airfare, Quote "Dear Philippine Consulate,
My wife and I are planning a trip to the Philippines, and we are getting conflicting reports of whether or not we are allowed to travel with one way airfare. Under the BI travel requirements, section 11. Who are exempt from the return ticket requirement, #2, Former Filipinos and their dependents (immediate family members);
My wife is a Filipino/Canadian resident, She has both a Philippine and Canadian Passport, I am her husband and will be traveling with her, availing the Balikbayan Privilege upon arrival, and I will be applying for the 13a visa there.
Can you please inform us officially, if we are exempt from the return ticket requirement as stated in Section 11, #2 under the BI travel requirements ?"

the response I get after almost 3 weeks is, and I quote, " You have to present a return ticket."

So I guess the BI travel requirements, section 11. Who are exempt from the return ticket requirement, #2, Former Filipinos and their dependents (immediate family members); does not apply any more???

surfingcebu
  10/6/2021 14:24 EST

Pam ....HA!! You really get the feeling they are welcoming you into the country and making it easy for you right? :-) . I really don't know why they do this sort of stuff and don't behave more in a tourist friendly way. But of course, it would benefit their economy tremendously and the church another power players wouldn't like that I guess? Anyway, I suggest not writing letters at all. Try to phone them. There's also an email that you can use for the Vancouver office that is fairly efficient as well. The problem is twofold one the capacity to converse in English and understand what they are actually saying. Secondly, the capacity to be welcoming at a government level.... really tough for them to make the link on economic prosperity and tourism. Some people in the office really get it and they're super great, others got the job because of cousin Aldolfo back in the village.. I would suggest calling , or better yet drop by. They're at Canada place in Vancouver. Easy to get to Via sky train. It's right where all the cruise ships come in. Also bring all your documentation, your passports, your tickets and anything else. Just a huge big briefcase. They will sort it out of the window. That's probably the best way.

SURF

tlallen59
  10/6/2021 16:26 EST

Just present the document I have provided and the airline will let you on and customs in the Philippines do not ask to see tickets.

Talako
  10/15/2021 00:33 EST

This is the original memo. I have no idea if the superseded it.

Asawa
  10/15/2021 14:45 EST

Wow. That memo seems very definitive (even it if its 9 years old).

Because Airlines are making it difficult to cancel, rebook, or redeem credits, I had a thought about the return flight.

Often you can choose the path/cost of each part of a return ticket. If you decide to get a "disposable return ticket to meet the requirement", consider making the return leg the cheapest (with numerous connections on the most reputable airline) so you minimize cost and maximize the chance you can move, cancel, or refund it.

I also wonder if you could book your flight in parts, so the Entry/Return centers on a desitination near the Philippines (like Hong Kong), so that's only a $300-400 return.... instead of the full return to a much further (and more expensive) destination.

IE: Book a stand-alone trip to Hong Kong. Then book a two-way ticket from hong-kong to PI and back. If you don't plan on returning, that's a much cheaper ticket than San Fransisco, Portland, Los Angeles or Chicago.

Or perhaps any 2nd ticket "anywhere" out of the Philippines within a year of your entry, would do.

I may be overthinking about technicalities that don't matter.

It's always best to do things right if you can afford it and figure out what "is right".

-Asawa

Goslig
  10/16/2021 07:26 EST

You can apply for a 13a Permanent Resident Visa once you get an ACR Card Tourist Visa. You will need an NBI clearance (takes a month) and a notarised sponsorship letter from your Filipina wife. After completing the BI application as they instruct you to (photocopies of your passport, pictures, forms), you will be granted a one year probationary status. Immediately pay your annual fee (do not wait until January & February since that is for the new year). You must pay for a new ACR card showing that you are probationary permanent resident. After your 12 month probation, you apply for your Permanent Resident Visa (13a). You repeat the process.!Another NBI clearance, Another set of application forms completed according to BI instructions, pay for another ACR card (gold) Permanent Resident Visa. Immediately pay you annual fee and again in January or February. You are good to go. You can leave the Philippines for up to a year, but you must renew your visa every January or February or you will be penalised.

Goslig
  10/17/2021 10:57 EST

After checking, the US doesn’t have the required treaty with the Philippines like Canada does. So you cannot avail a 13a Permanent Resident Visa.

bbazor
  10/17/2021 20:43 EST

I really do not know a lot about the 13-A visa because I have an SRRV. However, the USA does have a reciprocity agreement with the Philippines. I know quite a few married Americans that have a 13-A. Take a look here. https://immigration.gov.ph/component/content/category/67-visa-inquiry

abdulmuhib
  10/22/2021 04:31 EST

@Paminta & @tlallen:

There is definitely an exception given for Balak Bayan, no return ticket needed - and in fact at the moment it's the only way to get in easily. My wife was denied entry into the US and CBP threatened child trafficking/separation from her one-year-old and four-year-old for a year if we did not return with her the very next day. I say the very next day because I researched it and, during the pandemic, it can take a year to get a normal visa to the Philippines. The only way to get a balak bayan is to be on the very same flight as the Filipina citizen. This was confirmed when we got to our layover in Tokyo and I went to the airline desk and they said they were communicating with Manila to see if I'd be allowed in. Then I told them I was balak bayan and the relief on their faces was palpable. This was early September. Spouses and children of Filipinos are still being allowed in without return tickets.

abdulmuhib
  10/22/2021 04:37 EST

@twj:

We extended our balak bayan for a year and a half. It just wasn't feasible to fly during the pandemic, and, while there is accommodation made in that they don't fine you for being late during lockdowns, you still have to pay for the extensions - and they aren't cheap. We didn't know how long we were staying, but if flying were safe, we would have been better served by flying out and returning. Perhaps now flying is safer, idk, but it wasn't until recently. The balak bayan extension was allowable for up to three years. It renews as soon as you leave the country, and is again free for another year.

tlallen59
  10/23/2021 11:16 EST

I was always under the impression that after a year if you don't leave and return you have to convert your balikbayan stamp to a tourist visa.

Asawa
  10/23/2021 20:37 EST

Question: I know flying is the most common way of entering/leaving the country, but are there any international super ferries?

I honestly don't know. As someone who lived in Florida for years, I learned there are a number of 3-4 hour ferries for people (not the kinds that take cars) that run out of Cap Canaveral ant Ft. Lauderdale to various islands that are within 300-400 miles like Grand Bahama, Freeport, etc. It's technically leaving and re-entering.

My fear would be that any ferries in the Philippines might be decommissioned ferries from Japan or China (Sold for scrap and put back into service) instead of disassembled. It's just a question.

Are there POE (Port of Entery) ways other than flights to enter/leave?

All else failing, perhaps even chartered. :-)

-Asawa

surfingcebu
  10/24/2021 00:06 EST

Asawa - as far as I know there is no international super fairies travelling outside the Philippine to another country. Put it this way, the economy is in very very very tough shape and they can’t even keep their nations flag ship carrier Philippine Airlines afloat. Bankruptcy. A Canadian company has leased them eight aircraft, they’re taking them back immediately before they are unbolted for parts. In a country in this type of shape there is not too much international travel like they would be in Singapore and such.
And yes , most fairies that carry cars, or decommissioned fairies from China and this sort of thing. I was travelling on one from Batangas to Mindoro. Built 1953- made in China. The doors were 5 1/2 foot tall. I could walk faster than it sailed . Obviously the engine has been overhauled 10 times as well as everything else. But the thing still floats. Unbelievable experience. Zero safety measures. What an experience!

Surf

abdulmuhib
  10/24/2021 09:00 EST

@tlallen: idk. But my Pinay wife handled all of that during the lockdowns, and I confirmed it with her before I posted - we *extended* our balak bayan by paying every 4-6 months for the extension.

abdulmuhib
  10/24/2021 10:04 EST

There are no international super ferries.

There are, however, international super duwende. :D

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