Balikbayan Visa Best Posts in Thread: Switching to Tourist Visa

I can understand staff in Manila or at airports working overtime but what do they have to do with our local office issuing a normal tourist visa extension or a switch from a BB to a tourist Visa? Absolutely nothing! It is all done internally.

There is a computer check to see if you are on the "bad boy" list but other than that the only staff involved are locals so there is absolutely no reason for them to take 1 week now when the same staff could do it in 1 day before this. Its a work slowdown protest because they were used to getting unwarranted bonuses with our "express money" and now they are not. Anyone who has been here on a tourist visa for a few years knows it.

 

I have heard that too, and yet, the door and windows are glass and I have been there when the office is closed and never seen anyone working overtime behind those doors. Since they are only open 5 days a week, 8 to 5, with holidays off. And since no one was there when the office was not open, when did they work that overtime?

 

Bring your passport and pesos, fill out application while waiting your turn. It really is very simple.

 

Funny thing is, in a similar situation I did not. There was a time, in days gone by, when I was getting paid more than I was entitled to due to a screw up by the boss's secretary. This went on long enough that I had a friend of a friend whisper in her ear to stop paying so much. Reason: It was on my conscience that I was paid more than I am entitled to. Sounds like a conscience is a weakness for BI workers and best done without. Note that I am still an imperfect human. I did not offer to pay back the overpayment.

 

I'm sure you need two photographs 2x2, 2x copies of the forms. make sure you fill them in with BLACK INK.

 

Some that I have talked to tell me its a pain in the butt and some say its as simple as walking into the BI office and handing over your passport and asking for an extension as a tourist. Your mileage will vary depending on the BI office and the "mood of the day" so just pop in and ask them before your BB expires. I also know some who waited until AFTER the BB expired and went in to convert. THAT was a problem, usually involving paying someone for their "assistance"