Visa

[Torete 121]

1. You and your wife can use the balikbayan privilege regardless of whether she's traveling on a Philippines passport or on a U.S. passport.

2. When your wife becomes a naturalized U.S. citizen, she automatically gives up her Philippines citizenship.

3. Your wife can reacquire her Philippines citizenship.

Thank you Tahoma,

1/ Yes, but she wouldn't need to avail herself of it since she'd still be a citizen of the Philippines and can stay in country as long as she wants no? (As far as Philippines IO's are concerned)

2/ Yes.

3/ Yes, and she will apply for that.

I appreciate your input.

[Tahoma 2,292]

Thank you Tahoma,

1/ Yes, but she wouldn't need to avail herself of it since she'd still be a citizen of the Philippines and can stay in country as long as she wants no? (As far as Philippines IO's are concerned)

2/ Yes.

3/ Yes, and she will apply for that.

I appreciate your input.

1. Yes, you are right about that: since she would traveling on a Philippines passport, she wouldn't need to use the balikbayan privilege. As a Philippines citizen, she could stay in the Philippines for as long as she wanted. Sorry for the confusion. My previous answer was just an attempt to simplify things a bit.

[Hank_ 9,174]

Hi Sweet Cakes,

Thank you...I took a look at the link you provided but I'm still unclear if it's applicable to me. If I'm reading it correctly, it says that the Balik Bayan stamp is available for direct relatives of Filipino citizens, (I'm her husband, does that qualify me?) and former Filipinos who have changed their citizenship to another country.

My wife has yet to naturalize so her entry isn't an issue since she enters on her Philippines passport. Having said that, when she naturalizes, my understanding is she can continue to maintain her Philippines citizenship hence lengthy stays for her won't be an issue. (But that's another topic)

If I'm then a "direct relative" then I will avail myself of the stamp on our next trip...provided we decide that I'll stay longer than 30 days.

Let me know.

Regards.

You are about as direct a relative as it gets.... you are her husband So no issue getting the BB stamp

[Torete 121]

1. Yes, you are right about that: since she would traveling on a Philippines passport, she wouldn't need to use the balikbayan privilege. As a Philippines citizen, she could stay in the Philippines for as long as she wanted. Sorry for the confusion. My previous answer was just an attempt to simplify things a bit.

Thanks, I really do appreciate your sage advice!

I'm more comfortable now knowing that I can avail myself of the stamp should we decide to stay longer. The previous 21 day privilege wasn't cost effective...I wish I'd know about the stamp sooner.

Truly, I hope others are reading this thread and are now aware of it as well.

Regards.

[Hank_ 9,174]

It is now an automatic 30 days

[Torete 121]

You are about as direct a relative as it gets.... you are her husband So no issue getting the BB stamp

Great! I don't know why, but when I saw "direct relative" I was thinking more along the lines of a blood relative...brother, sister, mother etc.

Feel very good that I can save some pesos on visa renewal fees by getting the BBS.

Regards,

Torete

[Torete 121]

It is now an automatic 30 days

Yep yep...having 30 days from 21 authorized will make a difference for us on subsequent trips. Now I just need to convince the boss why he should let me be gone for at least 30 days. :-)

Edited May 31, 2014 by Torete

[Tahoma 2,292]

Thanks, I really do appreciate your sage advice!

I'm more comfortable now knowing that I can avail myself of the stamp should we decide to stay longer. The previous 21 day privilege wasn't cost effective...I wish I'd know about the stamp sooner.

Truly, I hope others are reading this thread and are now aware of it as well.

Regards.

As a side note, you and your wife should take along a copy of your marriage certificate. Technically, the Philippines border official can ask to see it in order to give you a balikbayan stamp. However, they have never asked to see our marriage certificate, and I've never heard of them asking anyone for a marriage certificate.

[sweet cakes 326]

Good information...thanks. I guess we'll address the issue of dual-citizenship, (maintaining her Philippine citizenship) when the time comes that she decides to naturalize. Then she'll enjoy the best of both worlds and what they offer.

Hopefully this thread will help others.

Regards.

You're welcome, Torete! Happy to help. Enjoy your PH vacay!

Btw, when you have a chance, . It will be easier in the future for those trying to help you with your concerns in reference to where you are in the immigration process.

[Tahoma 2,292]

You're welcome, Torete! Happy to help. Enjoy your PH vacay!

^^^ I second that! Enjoy!

[Torete 121]

As a side note, you and your wife should take along a copy of your marriage certificate. Technically, the Philippines border official can ask to see it in order to give you a balikbayan stamp. However, they have never asked to see our marriage certificate, and I've never heard of them asking anyone for a marriage certificate.

Agree. Better safe than sorry to bring it plus I don't think it'll impact our carry-on baggage allowance. :-)

[Torete 121]

You're welcome, Torete! Happy to help. Enjoy your PH vacay!

Btw, when you have a chance, . It will be easier in the future for those trying to help you with your concerns in reference to where you are in the immigration process.

Thank you...looking forward to it. Guilty as charged...semi-long lurker than my sign-up date. I'd have to expend energy :-) to fill our timeline accurately. We're at the ROC stage...would it help at this juncture?

I/we should have done that in the beginning to help others. Having said that, to others viewing this thread, sweet cakes makes a good point...filling in your timeline will help others...sorry.

Regards.

[Torete 121]

^^^ I second that! Enjoy!

Thanks kindly!! Hoy, Mindanao in July...Init!!!