Tourist Visa BI E-SERVICES

Has anyone successfully renewed their tourist visa using the E-service online ? When I fill it out it tells me that i have to use the visa waiver program first ... last time I came in country was April 2022 so that is not correct... am I missing something ??

 

My Brother tried it now. He applied on Friday for a Tourist Visa, on Monday he received an email with the Visa. He went to the Immig. Office to ask if the Visa is ok, they said yes. But better to print it out instead to have it just on the cellphone. You don't need to go to the IO anymore, just apply it online.
The procedure was also very easy. There war just a problem with the "Last Arrival", the had a wrong date in their system but we found that wrong date and could apply. You can pay via GCash, Transfer or some other option (forgot already)

They told to him also, he can't apply for a 6 month Tourist Visa in the Immigration Office anymore because of some new rules or whatever. Just two for month. For 6 Months extension he has to got to Manila.

Its nice now, you don't need to go there anymore.

 

I applied today for my Tourist Visa, few hours later and I received an email with my Visa. I paid with GCash.

I had to pay also for my ACR I-Card that expires in 5 Month. Looks like there System is working

 

Do you avoid the EXPRESS LANE FEE?

 

No.
I don't know if that is true/understood it correctly but as I remember the woman in the IO told me, a 6 Month Extension has always an Express Lane Fee.

Here is a Screenshot of the Payments. Depending of your Payment is a little bit more.

On that site you can als apply for ECC or other Visa stuff (https://e-services.immigration.gov.ph)

View attachment upload_2023-11-10_10-24-9.png

 

I consider it a huge improvement that it is possible nowadays to arrange your visa extention online.

Especially for expats living in remote areas it saves them travel and hotel costs.

Never expected that the Philippines will move in this direction. And obviously it's working.

It started with the Health pass followed by the e-travel system. Both systems eere working and guaranteed a smooth arrival after long flights.

Now they made the next step and offer online visa services. What an improvement.

I would like to emphasize that services of BI in Dumaguete improved a lot as well. Couple of years ago it eas a nightmare and I always used the agency. Today there is no need.

Last two times I went to BI in Dumaguete at 9 am and got my visa around 2 pm. No hazzle, no issues at all. Ther is a pretty friendly and supportive guy outside the office who helps with filling out the forms and is doing a pre-check. Very useful. Then you enter the office, you pay and within a few minutes it's done. If you arrive at early morning you get your extension same day, otherwise next day.

It's more fun in the Philippines. Nowadays.

 

If the attachment represents a visa extension for 2 months incl. ACR card, online is much more expensive compared with what is being charged by BI Dumaguete i.c. 6.138 peso