One Way Tickets Out of America To the Philippines

[SemperAye 2]

I am an American married to a Filipino Citizen. Can my wife and I buy one way tickets to the Philippines, or will they ask us for round trip or throw-away tickets? We will be staying there for 4 years while I attend school, the plan is to enter on a balikbayan visa, and have the school file for a change to student visa before the first year is up.

Thanx in advance

[Greenbaum 12,259]

I am an American married to a Filipino Citizen. Can my wife and I buy one way tickets to the Philippines, or will they ask us for round trip or throw-away tickets? We will be staying there for 4 years while I attend school, the plan is to enter on a balikbayan visa, and have the school file for a change to student visa before the first year is up.

Thanx in advance

No problem with purchasing one way tickets since you avail yourself to the balikbayan visa.

[SemperAye 2]

No problem with purchasing one way tickets since you avail yourself to the balikbayan visa.

Great thanx.

[Dave&Roza 748]

I am an American married to a Filipino Citizen. Can my wife and I buy one way tickets to the Philippines, or will they ask us for round trip or throw-away tickets? We will be staying there for 4 years while I attend school, the plan is to enter on a balikbayan visa, and have the school file for a change to student visa before the first year is up.

Thanx in advance

If your wife holds an US GC, you might want to look into the details of what she must do to keep the GC, otherwise if you decide to return to the US you will need to file for a spousal visa before she can re-enter.

Dave

[SemperAye 2]

If your wife holds an US GC, you might want to look into the details of what she must do to keep the GC, otherwise if you decide to return to the US you will need to file for a spousal visa before she can re-enter.

Dave

To keep the GC she has to file an intent to return and can only be gone 3 years I believe, but people have done this for much longer and not had issues...but we are not taking the risk. This isn't a problem because she will be a US Citizen VERY soon. Thanx.

[Hank_ 9,174]

I am an American married to a Filipino Citizen. Can my wife and I buy one way tickets to the Philippines, or will they ask us for round trip or throw-away tickets? We will be staying there for 4 years while I attend school, the plan is to enter on a balikbayan visa, and have the school file for a change to student visa before the first year is up.

Thanx in advance

You, as a USC, will need a throw away ticket or a resident visa. The balikbayan stamp is not a visa, but is a privilege (and you do not receive that stamp until you arrive in the Phils so can't show it to the airlines), which you can renew once a year (day short of once a year) . The issue is not when arriving in the Philippines, it is with the airlines, without a round trip ticket, continued travel airfare out of the Philippines (the throw-away ticket) or a resident visa the airline may not even allow you on the airplane.

As for your wife, she is a Filipino citizen, she needs nothing to stay in her home country. BUT if she does not have her U.S. citizenship, she has other issues to address regarding her green card, it is very possible for her to lose her Legal Permanent Resident status. I just read your other post, your wife will soon have her citizenship... looks like you have all the ducks quacking in a row.

Edited April 26, 2015 by Hank_

[Greenbaum 12,259]

You, as a USC, will need a throw away ticket or a resident visa. The balikbayan stamp is not a visa, but is a privilege (and you do not receive that stamp until you arrive in the Phils so can't show it to the airlines), which you can renew once a year (day short of once a year) . The issue is not when arriving in the Philippines, it is with the airlines, without a round trip ticket, continued travel airfare out of the Philippines (the throw-away ticket) or a resident visa the airline may not even allow you on the airplane.

As for your wife, she is a Filipino citizen, she needs nothing to stay in her home country. BUT if she does not have her U.S. citizenship, she has other issues to address regarding her green card, it is very possible for her to lose her Legal Permanent Resident status. I just read your other post, your wife will soon have her citizenship... looks like you have all the ducks quacking in a row.

I have been researching this as of late, and I can't find what the round trip ticketing requirement is other than the Filipino can enter without a return but the USC must have a return or onward ticket. Best if OP calls the Consulate in their area to verify the travel restrictions. If he were to buy a ticket "onward" to HK that would satisfy the US airlines who fall under the Phil Law and he would then be able to enter with the Balikbayan Program. So in spirit I tend to agree with your recommendation.

[Hank_ 9,174]

I would buy a one way ticket onward to HK, only about Php 1200 . In fact I am...

[SemperAye 2]

I have been researching this as of late, and I can't find what the round trip ticketing requirement is other than the Filipino can enter without a return but the USC must have a return or onward ticket. Best if OP calls the Consulate in their area to verify the travel restrictions. If he were to buy a ticket "onward" to HK that would satisfy the US airlines who fall under the Phil Law and he would then be able to enter with the Balikbayan Program. So in spirit I tend to agree with your recommendation.

So if my wife becomes a USC with a US Passport, then she would need a one way ticket to HK as well as I? I mean...how is the airline to tell she is a Filipino by birth other then by her nose hahah. What is to say she isn't 1/2 Filipino and 1/2 American born in the US and flying to the Philippines for vacation....

Edited April 26, 2015 by SemperAye

[manilaraf 28]

So if my wife becomes a USC with a US Passport, then she would need a one way ticket to HK as well as I? I mean...how is the airline to tell she is a Filipino by birth other then by her nose hahah. What is to say she isn't 1/2 Filipino and 1/2 American born in the US and flying to the Philippines for vacation....

I think I've replied to you guys in the past regarding this. I went to med school here and had a balikbayan stamp converted in-country into a student visa.

They'll know she's Filipina by birth because in her soon to come US Passport in the Bio page it will say "PLACE OF BIRTH - PHILIPPINES"

[Greenbaum 12,259]

So if my wife becomes a USC with a US Passport, then she would need a one way ticket to HK as well as I? I mean...how is the airline to tell she is a Filipino by birth other then by her nose hahah. What is to say she isn't 1/2 Filipino and 1/2 American born in the US and flying to the Philippines for vacation....

Nose My wife makes comments about her nose. Doesn't like the Filipino nose wants an American nose.

[Cyberfx1024 7,980]

Nose My wife makes comments about her nose. Doesn't like the Filipino nose wants an American nose.

So does my wife as well. She got kinda upset when our daughter came out with my wife's nose and not mine.

[manilaraf 28]

Nose My wife makes comments about her nose. Doesn't like the Filipino nose wants an American nose.

Don't get me started on the prevalence of skin whitening everything in this country.

After years, I finally got my wife to appreciate her Arianny Celeste-like skin tone.

[Hank_ 9,174]

So if my wife becomes a USC with a US Passport, then she would need a one way ticket to HK as well as I? I mean...how is the airline to tell she is a Filipino by birth other then by her nose hahah. What is to say she isn't 1/2 Filipino and 1/2 American born in the US and flying to the Philippines for vacation....

Nope, she does not need a throw-away. She can complete her dual citizenship, then she will have both passports. Most do this. OR

IF... if she has just gotten her new U.S. passport and hasn't completed dual citizenship, all she needs to do is bring her Philippine passport with her anyway. Either way she is golden.

[MSF 3]

I am an American married to a Filipino Citizen. Can my wife and I buy one way tickets to the Philippines, or will they ask us for round trip or throw-away tickets? We will be staying there for 4 years while I attend school, the plan is to enter on a balikbayan visa, and have the school file for a change to student visa before the first year is up.

Thanx in advance

US Citizen will not be allowed entry to Philippines with one way ticket. Been there.

You must show return ticket during check in at Hong Kong, if you do not have one - they will not check you in.

They also check your return flight at immigration, once you land in Philippines. Its needed only for entry, noone checks when you actually depart.

There are exceptions that apply to various Visas, if you have one, but I assume you will use non-visa entry.

Your partner can enter on Philippine passport.

So buy round trip ticket from Hong Kong, and throw it away.

Departing US for period of 4 years is likely to create issues with your partners legal status in US, unless he/she is a US Citizen.

If he/she is not US Citizen yet, and is in process of getting his/her legal status - you should consult with immigration attorney.

In most cases leaving US more than a year will cause Immigration to see it as abandonment of permanent resident status in the US and they may revoke Permanent Resident status.

Be very careful.

Edited April 28, 2015 by MSF