Balikbayan Visa

[DaleB 0]

Can anyone tell me about the Balikbayan Visa what one needs to get one obviously I am married to a Filipino and we plan on going back there in the fall of this year to stay for awhile your help with this matter is greatly appreciated

[Ryan H 3,812]

Moved from Off Topic to Philippines regional forum.

[I AM NOT THAT GUY 5,715]

BALIKBAYAN ONE-YEAR VISA-FREE STAY

Balikbayans – any overseas Filipino returning to the Philippines, including former Filipinos who have acquired foreign citizenship – can stay in the Philippines without a visa for a period of one year. The balikbayan visa-free stay privilege is extended to the balikbayan’s non-Filipino spouse and children, provided they enter the Philippines with the balikbayan.

Former Filipino balikbayans traveling to the Philippines are advised to bring either their old Philippine passport or copy of Philippine birth certificate as proof of their former Philippine citizenship. Accompanying family members of the balikbayan can bring appropriate supporting documents:

For the spouse: copy of marriage certificate

For each child: copy of birth certificate

For adopted children: copy of adoption papers

Philippine Law (R.A. 9174) provides benefits to baikbayans:

Tax-exempt maximum purchases in the amount of USD 1,500, or the equivalent in Philippine and other currency, at Philippine Government–operated duty free shops

Exemption from Travel Tax, provided that their stay in the Philippines is one year or less. If their stay in the Philippines exceeds one year, Travel tax will apply to them.

Additional requirement not listed - The Filipino must have been away from the Philippines continuously for at least the one year prior to returning to the Philippines.

Edited April 7, 2013 by The Patriot

[sts 2]

when you go through immigration at the airport with you wife. have her go through first and tell the immigration officer you would like a BALIKBAYAN visa thats it. thats what I did they gave it to me with no problem. we were out of philippines for only 4 days to hong kong and back....

[actob99 156]

Agreed. Go through immigration with your wife with same officer. I just did in Feb and I didn't have to ask, was written on my stamp that I was good for 1 year.

[Iraqvet 68]

Good for 1 year, same here.

[A and T 82]

When you get to the immigration line at the airport, have your wife with you, a copy of your marriage cert and ask the immigration guy for the balikbayan visa. If they give you any trouble, have no fear, if that fails for any reason you can still go to the BI office in Manila and apply for a 13a spousal visa. If you plan to stay more than one year this might be better way to go in the long run.

[The Nature Boy 4,224]

Can anyone tell me about the Balikbayan Visa what one needs to get one obviously I am married to a Filipino and we plan on going back there in the fall of this year to stay for awhile your help with this matter is greatly appreciated

I am thinking of going back for a long time also. The wording that throws me is,, if the wife has U.S. citizenship ( or words to that effect). Mine does not. from what I understand if yo uship your househould goods over there, there is no import duty if you have the Balikbayan or the 13A.

Anyone else here visits the livingincebu website. Lots and lots of Ex-pats there in country with loads of info

[Hank_ 9,174]

Yup I have been on there a few times.

[actob99 156]

The wording that throws me is,, if the wife has U.S. citizenship ( or words to that effect). Mine does not.

When we went in Feb all my wife had was her EAD/AP combo card and marriage cert, no issues.

[mai95 4]

When we went in Feb all my wife had was her EAD/AP combo card and marriage cert, no issues.

Had no problem with mine, actually did not need it, they gave it to me without even asking, as we all went through immigration together.

1 year, no additional paperwork, just passport