21-Day Entry Visa

[Hank_ 9,174]

Why not just get a 59 day entry visa? Sounds like the easy thing to do.

BTW-Don't want to be rude, but you don't look like a foreigner! lol

Why do people think you need an extension?

It's only 23 days. No need to apply for a visa. Americans participate in the Visa Upon Arrival Program. Which is valid for 59 days before needing to apply for a visa.

the visa upon arrival program is 21 days, not 59 days.

ENTRY/EXIT REQUIREMENTS FOR U.S. CITIZENS: U.S. citizens may enter the Philippines for purposes of tourism without a visa if they present their U.S. passport, valid for at least six months after their date of entry into the Philippines, and a return ticket to the United States or an onward ticket to another country. Upon arrival, immigration authorities will annotate your passport with an entry visa valid for 21 days. If you plan to stay longer than 21 days, you must apply for an extension at the Philippine Bureau of Immigration and Deportation's main office at Magallanes Drive, Intramuros, Manila, or at any of its provincial offices. If you are coming to the Philippines for purposes other than tourism, please check the Embassy of the Philippines website and/or the Philippine Bureau of Immigration for visa requirements. You may be denied entry or be given a fine if your purpose for entry is other than tourism and you do not possess the correct visa.

Persons who overstay their visas are subject to fines and detention by Philippine immigration authorities. Please remain aware of your visa status while in the Philippines and strictly follow immigration laws and regulations. Travelers departing the country from international airports must pay a Passenger Service Charge in Philippine Pesos. Visit the Embassy of the Philippines web site for the most current visa information.

Edited January 9, 2013 by Hank_

[DaRoq 36]

For those interested, here is the memorandum regarding Visa upon arrival to no visa required temporary visitors. This appears to be what Hank_ is referring to. It's also much cheaper than the usual extension/waiver. I will print the memo and bring with.

MEMORANDUM CIRCULAR NO. MCL--08--003

Pursuant to Section 18 of Memorandum Circular No. MCL-005 and in the interest of public service, and effective immediately, no visa required temporary visitor arriving in the Philippines who wishes to stay here for more than Twenty-one (21) but less than (59) may apply for a visa upon arrival at the airport of entry instead of securing a visa waiver in the Bureau's main office or any of its field offices upon payment of $50.00 visa fee plus P500.00 Express Fee and P10.00 Legal Research Fee.

The Chief of the Immigration Regulation Division is hereby instructed to inform all Bureau personnel and all relevant government agencies to proper dissimination of the memorandum circular.

MARCELINO C. LIBANAN

Commissioner

The actual VUAP pertains to visitors from visa-required countries. That seems to be so much more of a hassle.

[Hank_ 9,174]

The 59 day is a visa extension ... for a fee. The 21 day visa is granted to any USC entering the Philippines without additional payment.

[DaRoq 36]

That's what I was referring to, not Hank.

And thank you. The BI site is terrible to navigate. But the information was there, and you found it!

"

VISA UPON ARRIVAL TO NO VISA REQUIRED TEMPORARY VISITORS

MEMORANDUM CIRCULAR NO. MCL--08--003

Pursuant to Section 18 of Memorandum Circular No. MCL-005 and in the interest of public service, and effective immediately, no visa required temporary visitor arriving in the Philippines who wishes to stay here for more than Twenty-one (21) but less than (59) may apply for a visa upon arrival at the airport of entry instead of securing a visa waiver in the Bureau's main office or any of its field offices upon payment of $50.00 visa fee plus P500.00 Express Fee and P10.00 Legal Research Fee."

http://immigration.gov.ph/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=258&Itemid=98

As you can see, instead of securing a visa waiver, you can avail of the VUAP. Which is clearly 59 days. Not 21.

Thanks, brother. I'm sure your lead-in to this discovery will help many VJ'ers in the future. Credit where credit is due..

[Hank_ 9,174]

If you read earlier posts you will find where I posted that I get the 59 day extension at the airport already.... nothing new. And before you brought it up I recommended to the OP that he get the extended visa at the airport while at the window.