Balikbayan Privilege Question

[Tukaram (Tim)]

I have heard a lot of married expats say they use the BB visa instead of a 13a.  Now that I am married I was considering using the BB visa to get a year, and during that year maybe get the 13a.  But at least save on tourist visa extensions.

 

But reading the BB visa page on the immigration site raises some question as to whether we can  use it. 

 

 

1. Who are eligible under Balikbayan Program?

a. A Balikbayan, who may be either one of the following:

i.   A Filipino citizen who has been continuously out of the Philippines for a period of at least one (1) year;

ii.  A Filipino overseas worker;

iii. A former Filipino citizen and his family who had been naturalized in a foreign country and comes or returns to the Philippines.

b. Immediate family members (spouse and children) of the Balikbayan, who are nationals of countries falling under EO 408, travelling together with the Balikbayan.

This makes it look like she cannot just leave for a weekend and come back... as I have been told is all we need to do.  Anyone have any direct experience with the BB visa? 

Source: http://immigration.gov.ph/index.php/faqs/visa-inquiry/balikbayan-previlege
 

 

[Dave Hounddriver]

Like you, I have a lot of friends who use this option.  A couple years back there was a letter from BI saying that the length of time out of country was not a requirement.  So many go for a few days or so and come back on a BB.

 

As BI changes their rules at whim, I would just try it and expect it to work.

[RBM]

I have heard a lot of married expats say they use the BB visa instead of a 13a.  Now that I am married I was considering using the BB visa to get a year, and during that year maybe get the 13a.  But at least save on tourist visa extensions.

 

But reading the BB visa page on the immigration site raises some question as to whether we can  use it. 

 

 

1. Who are eligible under Balikbayan Program?

a. A Balikbayan, who may be either one of the following:

i.   A Filipino citizen who has been continuously out of the Philippines for a period of at least one (1) year;

ii.  A Filipino overseas worker;

iii. A former Filipino citizen and his family who had been naturalized in a foreign country and comes or returns to the Philippines.

b. Immediate family members (spouse and children) of the Balikbayan, who are nationals of countries falling under EO 408, travelling together with the Balikbayan.

This makes it look like she cannot just leave for a weekend and come back... as I have been told is all we need to do.  Anyone have any direct experience with the BB visa? 

Source: http://immigration.gov.ph/index.php/faqs/visa-inquiry/balikbayan-previlege

Tim I read many times on a different forum the necessity of staying out of the Philippines 1 year no longer applies.

A. Friend of mine whom lives here recently went to Hong Kong with his wife and returned the following day. They availed of the B B privilege. He said far less restrictions than other types of visas.

[Jack Peterson]

A. Friend of mine whom lives here recently went to Hong Kong with his wife and returned the following day. They availed of the B B privilege. He said far less restrictions than other types of visas.

 

 

 I am in no way, being Negative here but for the Newcomers and those, that are not clear on the issue, Can we all Remember, the BB stamp, is a Privilege to Enter the PI, based on your Arrival, with a Legal Wife/Husband.  It is not and Should not, be thought of as a Visa. To do so, can lead to a lot of confusion.

 

 

JP :tiphat:  :tiphat:

[MikeB]

As indicated, the statute has not been changed from the 1 year out of country requirement. The only thing I have seen that contradicts that is a widely-distributed memorandum from a former BI Commissioner in 2001 during GMA's first term saying the returning former Filipino citizen is to be given BB status regardless of time (or frequency) out of country. Is this current policy? Official, unofficial? I have read of people who I believe to be 100% credible who report they were denied even though they had used it before and had the required documents. I did it once in June 2012 on a 3 day trip to HK and had no problem. I had an onward ticket but wasn't asked. Chances are you will get it but nobody can say with absolute certainty. The BB program is managed by the Dept of Tourism, I think they have some weight and maybe that's why nothing has been changed. It's a loophole may as well take advantage of it while you can.

[Jack Peterson]

 

 I am in no way, being Negative here but for the Newcomers and those, that are not clear on the issue, Can we all Remember, the BB stamp, is a Privilege to Enter the PI, based on your Arrival, with a Legal Wife/Husband.  It is not and Should not, be thought of as a Visa. To do so, can lead to a lot of confusion.    

 

OOOOOOOOOOps, double hit here, Mike can you knock one of them off. :unsure:

 

 

JP :tiphat:

 

 oeeeeeeeeeeet triple Hit. HELP MIKE, :1 (103):  Pleeeeeeeeeze

[Jack Peterson]

oeeeeeeeeeeet triple Hit. HELP MIKE,   Pleeeeeeeeeze

 

Well folks a little Digression if I may, seems where Smart Bro, don't send anything one time, others, they send what they feel like.

sorry for the Added Entries. Pity the like it got, didn't get to all 3 though :dance:

 

 

JP :tiphat:  :unsure:

 

So back to the PLOT!

 

(just added a little post script)

Edited July 25, 2014 by Jack Peterson

[Tukaram (Tim)]

Ok... so we give it a try.  If works - great.  If it doesn't work - well she will get to see Singapore anyway ha h ha

 

 

But it still has to wait until I get back from the US.  Going in October for my daughter's wedding.    :tiphat:

[Call me bubba]

have read in this forum and on others BLOGS,

that you allow the ("woman")wife to approach the BI officer/counter.

 allow her to present BOTH passports and allow her to do the talking,

 this approach is a near 100%  success rate,(calling JJR maybe he can further clarify)

[FlyAway]

have read in this forum and on others BLOGS,

that you allow the ("woman")wife to approach the BI officer/counter.

 allow her to present BOTH passports and allow her to do the talking,

 this approach is a near 100%  success rate,(calling JJR maybe he can further clarify)

I have heard of this quite a bit about having the wife approach the counter. My wife always pushes me forward with the passports. Last year was the first time she used her new US passport. When I got up to the counter and presented the passports, the officer asked if she was a Philippine Citizen and if we wanted the Balikbayan stamp. She would need see either her Philippine passport or the letter showing her dual citizenship. Wife did have a copy of the letter and Philippine passport but told the officer we were staying 3 weeks so she could just do the standard "Chop."

 

Personally I wanted to at least get the BB Stamp just because it shows a pattern of visits. I think that is why the officer asked the question in the first place seeing multiple BB stamps in my passport.