Balikbayan Visa

[Hank_ 9,174]

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.

Most foreigners never pay the Travel Tax... most, it is when the foreigner stays a year or longer that they have to pay the travel tax. Same holds true for returning Filipinos, if they stay a year or longer they will have to pay the travel tax. If you stay is one day under a year then no 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.

Thanks Hank...that's what I'm looking for...avoiding the travel tax.

[Torete 121]

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.

Yes, I'm referring to the P1620 TT fee. With the BBS, not only will my wife avoid paying it, but myself and our children will also.

Yes, we know we have to pay the terminal fees...we get hit with them at each airport we traverse through...that's understandable.

You may have unknowingly paid the TT if it were part of your ticket purchase. Ours never were, hence I've paid the TT the last time I/we visited.

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

Thank you...trying to cover our bases for a future visit.

[Torete 121]

Thank you to everyone for their input...it's appreciated!

[manilaraf 28]

No, when I was solely a USC, I never had to pay the travel tax. It was never included in my ticket purchase.

If you're a PHL Citizen buying tickets here in the PHL either directly through the airline physically, through a travel agent, or online with a PHL airline (PAL, 5J, etc) using a PHL-based credit card, yes it will likely be included in the cost of your ticket.

However, I've always used a foreign airline (non-PHL like Cathay, Korean, Northwest-Delta), using my US-based BoA credit card via online purchase and in the itemization of costs & fees, it's not included.

For example, this past August 2013, the wife and I flew to Hong Kong using both our PHL Passports. I bought the tickets online using my BoA credit card via Cebu Pacific. I made sure to check if the PHL Travel Tax was included. It wasn't. All taxes and fees were for Hong Kong. When we were checking in, we were told to head over to the Travel Tax counter before we'd have our boarding passes issued.

Were you told at the airport by the airline or other personnel that you had to pay the travel tax? Or are you a Dual US-PHL citizen like I am? Were you staying for more than a year at the time?

Edited January 3, 2015 by manilaraf