Philippine Visa for USC

[MI.PI 7]

Is there a special visa that a USC can apply for, being married to a filipina, that will allow him to stay in the Philippines for a longer period of time, say 3 to 4 months? He has a 1-year multiple entry visa and used it the last time we were in the Philippines. He was allowed to stay for 59 days but had to request for another extension of 59 days because we were there for more than 2 months. We plan to spend some time in the Philippines during the winter months in the US and we just want to know if there is a way for him to stay longer (at least 3 months) without having to go through immigration everytime to request for an extension. Anyone has any information about this? Would appreciate replies. Thank you.

[Scott and Mhay 57]

Yeah, just take your marriage certificate with you and he will get a 1 year one (you have to arrive together)... balikbayan visa.

Consular Information Bulletin on the New Balikbayan Visa Privilege

1. What is the Balikbayan Visa Privilege?

2. Who may avail of the Balikbayan Visa Privilege?

3. What are the conditions to avail of the Balikbayan Visa Privilege?

4. What steps should be followed to avail of the Balikbayan Visa Privilege?

5. What documentation are required to enter the Philippines under the Balikbayan Visa Privilege?

- for former Philippine citizens

- for the foreign spouse and foreign minor unmarried children

No visa shall be required for a maximum stay of one (1) year for the following Balikbayans, every time they enter the Philippines to visit, regardless of the frequency of their travel:

1. Former Philippine citizens (including Filipinos who have become naturalized U.S. citizens, and citizens of the Bahamas, Bermuda and other countries within the jurisdiction of the Embassy of Washington, D.C.);

2. Foreign spouses and minor foreign unmarried children of Filipinos and former Filipino citizens.

The balikbayan privilege is extended to former Philippine citizens, the foreign spouse and the foreign minor unmarried children of Philippine citizens, provided that:

1. they are nationals of Andorra, Angola, Antigua and Barbuda, Argentina, Australia, Austria, Bahamas, Bahrain, Barbados, Belgium, Benin, Bhutan, Bolivia, Botswana, Brazil, Brunei Darussalam, Bulgaria, Burkina Faso, Cambodia, Cameroon, Canada, Cape Verde, Central African Republic, Chad, Chile, Colombia, Comoros, Costa Rica, Cote d’Ivoire, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Denmark, Djibouti, Dominica, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Fiji, Finland, France, Gabon, Germany, Ghana, Gibraltar, Greece, Grenada, Guatemala, Guinea, Guinea Bissau, Guyana, Honduras, Hungary, Iceland, Indonesia, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Jamaica, Japan, Kenya, Kuwait, Lao People’s Democratic Republic, Lesotho, Liberia, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Madagascar, Malawi, Malaysia, Maldives, Mali, Malta, Marshall Islands, Mauritania, Mauritius, Mexico, Micronesia, Monaco, Mongolia, Morocco, Mozambique, Myanmar, Namibia, Nepal, Netherlands, New Zealand, Nicaragua, Niger, Norway, Oman, Palau, Panama, Papua New Guinea, Paraguay, Peru, Poland, Portugal, Qatar, Republic of Korea, Romania, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, San Marino, Sao Tome and Principe, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, Seychelles, Singapore, Slovakia, Solomon Islands, South Africa, Spain, Suriname, Swaziland, Sweden, Switzerland, Thailand, Togo, Trinidad and Tobago, Turkey, Tuvalu, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, United Republic of Tanzania, United States of America, Uruguay, Venezuela, or Vietnam; and

2. they are traveling together to the Philippines with the balikbayan spouse.

The former Philippine citizen shall declare before a Philippine Immigration Officer at the port of entry that he/she is availing of the balikbayan privilege and shall present his/her valid passport in addition to any of the following documents:

1. cancelled Philippine passport;

2. birth certificate; 3. naturalization papers to show former Philippine citizenship; or

4. certification from the adopted country.

The accompanying foreign spouse and foreign minor unmarried children of Filipinos and former Filipino citizens shall declare before a Philippine Immigration Officer at the port of entry that he/she is accompanied by a Filipino or former Filipino spouse or parent and that he/she is availing of the balikbayan privilege, and shall present his/her valid passport in addition to the following:

1. Foreign spouse: Valid passport and Marriage certificate

2. Foreign Minor unmarried children: Birth certificate

3. Adopted children: Adoption papers

For further verification please call the Philippine Embassy at 202-467-9300 or 202-467-9324 for more information.

[Markieboy 104]

Is there a special visa that a USC can apply for, being married to a filipina, that will allow him to stay in the Philippines for a longer period of time, say 3 to 4 months? He has a 1-year multiple entry visa and used it the last time we were in the Philippines. He was allowed to stay for 59 days but had to request for another extension of 59 days because we were there for more than 2 months. We plan to spend some time in the Philippines during the winter months in the US and we just want to know if there is a way for him to stay longer (at least 3 months) without having to go through immigration everytime to request for an extension. Anyone has any information about this? Would appreciate replies. Thank you.

According to the Philippine Consulate General's office, "no visa required for balikbayans and their alien spouses and their children for tourism purposes for a stay of one year or less in the Philippines. A Balikbayan is a) a Filipino citizen who has been continuously out of the Philippines for a period of at least one year; b) Filipino overseas worker; c) former Filipino."

When a USC travels with his/her Filipino spouse back to the Philippines, the USC is the alien spouse of the balikbayan (Filipino citizen). At least that's how I understand it.

My father (a USC), when traveling to the Philippines with my mother (a USC), would always give both passports (his and my mom's) to the immigration officer. My father, being a former Filipino, is considered a balikbayan. Both of them received a balikbayan stamp in their passports. They never had to pay for any visa.

The Philippine Consulate General's office that has jurisdiction over Detroit, Michigan is located in Chicago. You can call and verify what is on their website.

Philippine Consulate General

30 North Michigan Avenue

Suite 2100

Chicago, IL 60602

Phone: (312) 332-6458

I hope that helps some.

Edited March 12, 2010 by Markieboy

[Scott and Mhay 57]

Yeah the info I posted didnt say they had to pay...just tell the immigration officer when they go through.

Edited March 12, 2010 by Scott and Mhay

[Markieboy 104]

Yeah the info I posted didnt say they had to pay...just tell the immigration officer when they go through.

That's correct! Just say that you're a balikbayan and traveling with your spouse.

The immigration officer will stamp your passport with a balikbayan visa.

[MI.PI 7]

Thank you so much Scott and Mhay, and Markieboy for your replies...Those are very helpful info