DumagueteInfo Archives

Balikbayan Program – Free Visa

Balikbayan

From the Philippines 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.

Immediate family members (spouse and children) of the Balikbayan, who are nationals of countries falling under EO 408, travelling together with the Balikbayan.

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.

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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

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.