Six month philippines visa extension tip

[rlogan 2,036]

If anyone is intending on a long stay here I just did the six month visa extension but have some information that will save anyone else a hassle.

They have not published a rule that says you have to get a one-month extension first before you apply for the six month visa, but if you haven't done that they will try to turn you away. The only place you can get the six month extension is Manila, so when I went there during my first month here and traveled to Manila that was the first thing they told me at the information desk. They said people come in every day not knowing that and they are sent away angry. .

I was pretty pissed off and asked to see a supervisor and while waiting, sure enough two more Americanos arrived and were turned back for the same reason. When I got to the visa extension line they told me I could only get the one month extension and would have to come all the way back from Mindanao one month later and get the damned six month extension then. But I asked for the supervisor and she came over. They wanted proof I was living on Mindanao, and fortunately I had a photocopy of my wife's Philippine passport showing our address on Mindanao, along with the entry stamps for both her and the children showing they had one-year visas.

So what they did was give me the one month extension and the six month extension at the same time, for a total of seven months. You don't save any money on visas because you pay for both. But it sure beat coming back to Manila or having to travel to Cebu several times for extensions.

[Hank_ 9,173]

What are you doing messing with 6 month visa and BS like that? You are married to a Filipina simply get the Balikbayan stamp when you pass through customs - that is good for a year.

[rlogan 2,036]

What are you doing messing with 6 month visa and BS like that? You are married to a Filipina simply get the Balikbayan stamp when you pass through customs - that is good for a year.

Because I had this little matter called "work" that kept me in Alaska a month longer than my wife, and also has me coming home sooner. You cannot get that stamp unless you enter with your wife.

I guess we can always count on someone trying to manufacture a put-down on a discussion forum. I just finished telling you that the children had the one-year stamp on their passports and presented photocopies of them to the Bureau of Immigration. So how could you possibly think that I needed to be informed of something I was already in possession of?

[I AM NOT THAT GUY 5,715]

Wow! You are ticked off at Hank because of your lacking of planning? You must still have a hair up your butt from the flight to Manila and back.

[A and T 82]

If you are already married and plan on entering and leaving the Philippines often Just go ahead and get the 13a spousal visa.

[DavenRoxy 1,073]

If you are already married and plan on entering and leaving the Philippines often Just go ahead and get the 13a spousal visa.

Obtaining a 13a is not that simple for folks still living in the US. Aside from the $200 cost each of the first two years, one for probation, one to remove probation, it takes a few trips to the embassy to get it all done. Not something most folks who are only visiting for a month or 3 are willing to do.

I am gonna do some research on getting one while here in the US still, and see if it's worth it. For now, I have never needed more than the 21/30 days allowed when visiting.

[I AM NOT THAT GUY 5,715]

You can always just overstay, and pay the fees on the way out. When there is a long line of folks behind you trying to get to their flights, the customs and immigration folks become very amenable, especially to Americans.

Edited December 23, 2013 by The Postmaster

[I AM NOT THAT GUY 5,715]

Note: If you don't have an entry stamp (yes, it happens) or stay over six months, you will need an Emigration Clearance Certificate, and that is near impossible to get the day of your flight.