Balikbayan Visa

[Torete 121]

Anyone successfully obtain this visa? It may be requested/obtained while passing through Immigration at NAIA?

Thoughts? Comments?

Thanks.

[Tintin and Mike 127]

I didn't have to when I was still Filipino citizen (stayed for 5 weeks) or even when I naturalized (stayed for 4 weeks). Just show the passport and they'll stamp it

[Torete 121]

I didn't have to when I was still Filipino citizen (stayed for 5 weeks) or even when I naturalized (stayed for 4 weeks). Just show the passport and they'll stamp it

Thanks TM. Were you away from the Philippines longer than one year?

I failed to add/ask:

Were you traveling with your USC spouse? Was there any difficulty in them obtaining the visa/stamp?

Also, do you know if you can avail of the stamp at NAIA Immigration desk? As I understand, (from what I've

read on a consulate's website) the travel tax can be avoided by all family members as long as they're traveling

with the Filipino citizen.

Thanks.

[Tintin and Mike 127]

Thanks TM. Were you away from the Philippines longer than one year?

I failed to add/ask:

Were you traveling with your USC spouse? Was there any difficulty in them obtaining the visa/stamp?

Also, do you know if you can avail of the stamp at NAIA Immigration desk? As I understand, (from what I've

read on a consulate's website) the travel tax can be avoided by all family members as long as they're traveling

with the Filipino citizen.

Thanks.

I'm the USC

I have not or us traveled to the Philippines since he got here in Dec 2012. We have pending ROC, just submitted this week. We plan to go back once he's naturalized already too with our 2 babies

Why do you need the balikbayan visa anyways? How long your wife (I'm assuming is the immigrant) or both of you plan to stay?

I never have to pay travel tax as it's already included when I bought any tickets (as Filipino or USC)

[Torete 121]

I'm the USC

I have not or us traveled to the Philippines since he got here in Dec 2012. We have pending ROC, just submitted this week. We plan to go back once he's naturalized already too with our 2 babies

Why do you need the balikbayan visa anyways? How long your wife (I'm assuming is the immigrant) or both of you plan to stay?

I never have to pay travel tax as it's already included when I bought any tickets (as Filipino or USC)

All times we've traveled back to the Philippines, the travel tax wasn't included in the price of our tickets. We didn't avail of the Balikbayan visa. If I understand the benefits of claiming this visa/stamp, myself (USC) and all our children would be exempt from paying the tax upon departure from the Philippines. We will stay 64 days (34 days beyond the authorized stay for USC's) and don't want to pay for an extension AND the travel tax.

Perhaps I'm misunderstanding the program?

Edited January 2, 2015 by Torete

[Greenbaum 12,262]

Anyone successfully obtain this visa? It may be requested/obtained while passing through Immigration at NAIA?

Thoughts? Comments?

Thanks.

That topic was just discussed two weeks ago. Do a search in the upper right corner. Also, if you do a Google search the results will show information from government sources.

[Torete 121]

That topic was just discussed two weeks ago. Do a search in the upper right corner. Also, if you do a Google search the results will show information from government sources.

GB,

I did the search. Must be getting lazy...it's winter. Just thought someone might chime in.

www.philippineconsulatela.org/balikbayan.htm

In part:

The Balikbayan privilege is extendible to legitimate members of the family...

[Greenbaum 12,262]

GB,

I did the search. Must be getting lazy...it's winter. Just thought someone might chime in.

www.philippineconsulatela.org/balikbayan.htm

In part:

The Balikbayan privilege is extendible to legitimate members of the family...

The problem is there are not to many who stick around on VJ to help the "new ones" so not many that can chime in on that topic. Here is what I have on this subject.

Either a Filipino or former Filipino

citizen may avail of the Balikbayan program when they enter the Philippines. If they are former Filipino (natuarlized citizen of another country), that means that they will be able to obtain a one year visa. If they are a dual citizen then they enter using their Filipino passport and then also husband and children can avail the Balikbayan Visa. There are a few other perks concerning duty free shopping.

It also includes a one year visa for their spouses and children who may be

accompanying them as they enter.

Enter the country with you wife and simply ask the official at the airport for a "Balikbayan" stamp in your passport. You may want to carry your marriage license and birth certificate with you in case you are asked for it.

This link details the BB privilege requirements

http://www.philippineconsulatela.org/balikbayan.htm

[Torete 121]

The problem is there are not to many who stick around on VJ to help the "new ones" so not many that can chime in on that topic. Here is what I have on this subject.

Either a Filipino or former Filipino

citizen may avail of the Balikbayan program when they enter the Philippines. If they are former Filipino (natuarlized citizen of another country), that means that they will be able to obtain a one year visa. If they are a dual citizen then they enter using their Filipino passport and then also husband and children can avail the Balikbayan Visa. There are a few other perks concerning duty free shopping.

It also includes a one year visa for their spouses and children who may be

accompanying them as they enter.

Enter the country with you wife and simply ask the official at the airport for a "Balikbayan" stamp in your passport. You may want to carry your marriage license and birth certificate with you in case you are asked for it.

This link details the BB privilege requirements

http://www.philippineconsulatela.org/balikbayan.htm

GB,

Thanks for the good information, it's pretty much what I found. Longer time VJ member here than I'd care to admit to. :-)

Which is part of the thrust of my question. The documentation I found is that it exempts the Philippino citizen, and their eligible family members from paying the Travel Tax as long as they're traveling with the Philippino citizen...agree? That's in addition to the benefits/perks you've mentioned.

My question about where the visa stamp may be obtained has been answered...at NAIA...thanks VJ chirpers.

Last time we traveled, I had to pay the Travel Tax since we DIDN'T avail of the Balikbayan stamp plus I had to pay to extend my visa beyond the authorized 30 days.

[Hank_ 9,174]

Anyone successfully obtain this visa? It may be requested/obtained while passing through Immigration at NAIA?

Thoughts? Comments?

Thanks.

It is easily obtained as you clear customs as long as you are traveling with your Filipino spouse, a simply stamp in your passport. The Balikbayan stamp avails you to a year stay without further visa issues. Stay one day short of a year to avoid the travel tax.

[Torete 121]

It is easily obtained as you clear customs as long as you are traveling with your Filipino spouse, a simply stamp in your passport. The Balikbayan stamp avails you to a year stay without further visa issues. Stay one day short of a year to avoid the travel tax.

And along with the Filipino citizen, (my spouse) and our children, we avail of the same privilege on not having to pay the travel tax. Agree?

[Hank_ 9,174]

And along with the Filipino citizen, (my spouse) and our children, we avail of the same privilege on not having to pay the travel tax. Agree?

Only if you stay is one day short of a year.

[manilaraf 28]

Torete, just for clarification, how much is this travel tax you're referring to?

Is it the P1620 that all Filipino citizens traveling abroad must pay? Or is it the P550 Terminal Fee that everyone must pay?

Before I became a Dual US-PHL Citizen, I never had to pay the Travel Tax, so as a USC, I'm not sure why you have to pay in your case, unless you're mistaking the Terminal Fee as the Travel Tax.

[sevenrider860 9]

Anyone successfully obtain this visa? It may be requested/obtained while passing through Immigration at NAIA?

Thoughts? Comments?

Thanks.

When I travelled with my wife (Naturalized US Citizen) it was automatically given to myself and my children, no specific request was required.

[sevenrider860 9]

Torete, just for clarification, how much is this travel tax you're referring to?

Is it the P1620 that all Filipino citizens traveling abroad must pay? Or is it the P550 Terminal Fee that everyone must pay?

Before I became a Dual US-PHL Citizen, I never had to pay the Travel Tax, so as a USC, I'm not sure why you have to pay in your case, unless you're mistaking the Terminal Fee as the Travel Tax.

THE FOLLOWING ARE SUBJECT TO THE PHILIPPINE TRAVEL TAX:

1. Citizens of the Philippines

2. Taxable Foreign Passport Holders

3. Non-immigrant foreign passport holders who have stayed in the Philippines for more than one (1) year

Edited January 3, 2015 by sevenrider860