Balakbayan Stamp

[BB Family 299]

Does any one know if balakbayan stamp can be given to step children of the Filipina if were all traveling together? Every where I look it only says spouse and kids, I just want to make sure that includes step- children. Thanks. 

[seekingthetruth 1,249]

47 minutes ago, BB Family said:

Does any one know if balakbayan stamp can be given to step children of the Filipina if were all traveling together? Every where I look it only says spouse and kids, I just want to make sure that includes step- children. Thanks. 

I assume the step-children are American citizens.  How long will they stay in Philippines?

[BB Family 299]

Yes the children in question are US Citizens. We plan to stay in Philippines for 1 year. 

[seekingthetruth 1,249]

14 hours ago, BB Family said:

Yes the children in question are US Citizens. We plan to stay in Philippines for 1 year. 

 

Your situation is unusual and I asked about it on a Philippine Expat forum I am active in.  Low and behold, we have one member who has done it!

 

I and others have found Balikbayan entry to be rather loose, but your situation is unique, so be prepared with documents.

 

Passports, of course.  For the wife, both passports if she has them.

Your marriage certificate to your Filipina wife

Appropriate document showing dissolution of marriage to the kid's mother (divorce / death)

and / or Proof of custody if possible

Kid's birth certificates.

 

Do you know about onward ticket requirements?  Let me know if you want me to elaborate on that.

 

[BB Family 299]

1 hour ago, seekingthetruth said:

 

Your situation is unusual and I asked about it on a Philippine Expat forum I am active in.  Low and behold, we have one member who has done it!

 

I and others have found Balikbayan entry to be rather loose, but your situation is unique, so be prepared with documents.

 

Passports, of course.  For the wife, both passports if she has them.

Your marriage certificate to your Filipina wife

Appropriate document showing dissolution of marriage to the kid's mother (divorce / death)

and / or Proof of custody if possible

Kid's birth certificates.

 

Do you know about onward ticket requirements?  Let me know if you want me to elaborate on that.

 

That’s good to know. I will have all the documents with us that you mentioned. I have full/sole legal and physical custody of the children. To further elaborate on my situation, I’m in the military and will be stationed in Korea. So the family would be moving to Philippines for that 1 year. We would all travel together from US to Philippines. We’d stay together in the foreigner line to all received the BB stamp (I know I won’t need it, mainly just for the kids). Then after they are settled I’ll leave to do my military duties in Korea. After about one year we’d all travel back to USA together. I’m not sure how onward tickets would work in that scenario.

[seekingthetruth 1,249]

7 hours ago, BB Family said:

That’s good to know. I will have all the documents with us that you mentioned. I have full/sole legal and physical custody of the children. To further elaborate on my situation, I’m in the military and will be stationed in Korea. So the family would be moving to Philippines for that 1 year. We would all travel together from US to Philippines. We’d stay together in the foreigner line to all received the BB stamp (I know I won’t need it, mainly just for the kids). Then after they are settled I’ll leave to do my military duties in Korea. After about one year we’d all travel back to USA together. I’m not sure how onward tickets would work in that scenario.

 

Sounds good!

 

Regarding onward tickets, that is more about the airline than immigration.  Many airlines are strict on the requirement that a passenger has a return ticket or onward ticket out of the Philippines within 30 days.  Many don't know about Balikbayan privileges.  Some have notes in their system but a supervisor has to been called in to find and approve the waiver.

 

I assume you will have one and your wife does not need one, but for the kids?  You will all have one way tickets?  There are actually "rent a ticket" services where for 10-12 USD they will loan you an onward  ticket.  Or, you can seek out a cheap "throwaway" ticket on one of the Philippine airlines.  You might find some cheap ones on sale.  Even if you are not asked for it, it is cheap insurance.

 

Last resort, if you don't have one and they insist on it, you can buy one on Expedia, show it on your phone, and refund it within 24 hours.

 

Thank you for your service!  Enjoy your time in Korea and the Philippines!  No chance for your family to be with you in Korea?

[BB Family 299]

2 minutes ago, seekingthetruth said:

 

Sounds good!

 

Regarding onward tickets, that is more about the airline than immigration.  Many airlines are strict on the requirement that a passenger has a return ticket or onward ticket out of the Philippines within 30 days.  Many don't know about Balikbayan privileges.  Some have notes in their system but a supervisor has to been called in to find and approve the waiver.

 

I assume you will have one and your wife does not need one, but for the kids?  You will all have one way tickets?  There are actually "rent a ticket" services where for 10-12 USD they will loan you an onward  ticket.  Or, you can seek out a cheap "throwaway" ticket on one of the Philippine airlines.  You might find some cheap ones on sale.  Even if you are not asked for it, it is cheap insurance.

 

Last resort, if you don't have one and they insist on it, you can buy one on Expedia, show it on your phone, and refund it within 24 hours.

 

Thank you for your service!  Enjoy your time in Korea and the Philippines!  No chance for your family to be with you in Korea?

Thanks for the tips and advice. 

As for the family joining me in Korea, it's going to be dependent restricted, so they can't go with me. 

[seekingthetruth 1,249]

Just FYI, another comment from a good friend...

 

One of our friends was in this situation.  They moved to the Philippines with their two minor children and the fathers minor son a few years back.  There was no issue with him receiving balikbayan status as a stepchild.  He lived in the Philippines for over five years.  However, once he turned eighteen the government required him to leave apply for visitors visa upon return.  Instead, he returned to the states for college and found a job where he is currently living.