I'm sure you knew the rules and never caused a scene or gave an attitude to an immigration officer. I've lost count how many times I've seen a prick at the airline and immigration lines. These types should never take a risk with the rules as any little thing could be used against them when their petulant childish attitude inevitably comes out. Personally, I just like to make sure I have everything in line to avoid any surprises in case I run into an airline worker or immigration officer having a bad day.
Balikbayan Visa Best Posts in Thread: Balikbayan Program
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I am aware of people returning within a few days and receiving a Balikbayan Stamp again, shortest period for me has been a couple weeks (no issue or even a question from BI agent)
Related question might be "If I am on Balikbayan and leave without my wife, can I come back on it if still within the one year period?" The answer is No, it expires as soon as you leave the country, even if you leave the next day.-
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#2 Her new passport was in the delayed batch so we didn't have it when we went to Hong Kong but we did have reservations in her married name and our marriage certificate. I handed the boarding passes, marriage certificate, and both passports to the BI official.
#3 Did not have or need an onward ticket. If I did I would have got one on Expedia and canceled it in Manila so wasn't worried if I did. Didn't need it because either the ticket agent and BI obviously saw we had enough proof of marriage and qualified for Balikbayan OR the ticket agent was distracted by the ticket in her married name and old passport and the BI agent had too much fun giving me a tourist Visa instead of Balikbayan to ask.
As always YMMV-
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Balikbayan Program - Visa - Philippines
From the BoI
1. Who are eligible under Balikbayan Program?
A Balikbayan, who may be either one of the following:
- A Filipino citizen who has been continuously out of the Philippines for a period of at least one (1) year.
- A Filipino overseas worker;
- A former Filipino citizen and his family who had been naturalized in a foreign country and comes or returns to the Philippines.
2. Who are not entitled to the Balikbayan privilege?
Former Filipinos and their immediate family members (spouse and children) who are visa-required nationals (nationals of countries NOT listed under EO 408). They must secure entry visas prior to their travel to the Philippines.
3. What are the privileges of a Balikbayan?
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.
4. Can a foreigner spouse or child of a Balikbayan avail this privilege when traveling to the Philippines alone?
A foreign national spouse and/or child of a Balikbayan may only be given the said privilege if he/she is traveling with his/her Balikbayan spouse or parent.
Cost:
Free
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I have heard of people getting this visa without their spouses flying in with them and some even getting this after they are in the country. This is not how it is supposed to work and if you do go that route you are breaking the law. These people are either lucky to get a immigration officer that hasn't a clue or they have paid a bribe to someone.
There have also been people caught with fake BB stamps on their way out of country. If someone offers you this visa for a price just don't do it. It's not worth getting arrested and thrown in the immigration jail while they figure out what is going on and preparing your deportation papers/putting you on the BoI Blacklist. You must be with your wife while flying in to country. You will have to leave the Philippines after the year is up or apply for the 1-6 month extension. (I was unaware that you could extend this until I read it on the BoI website. Never personally heard of anyone doing it.)-
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Notmyrealname DI Forum Luminary Highly Rated Poster Showcase Reviewer
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Back from the States on tourist Visa, got 59 day at the airport and just did a 6 month extension, another 2 month extension in December and we will try for Balikbayan again in Feb 2018-
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NYC DI Senior Member Showcase Reviewer Blood Donor Veteran Air Force
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My backup plan was to purchase on-the-spot with a credit card a fully refundable return seat three weeks later, then cancel once I got my feet on Philippine soil. I wrote to Delta to explain that they need to add SRRV information to their database. Who knows if they will?
Entering the Philippines Immigration was a non-event. Passport and SRRV card...."Have a nice day, sir." Done.-
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