Moving to Manila July 2018

[Mr. Moore]

There are several ways for a Man Married to Filipino  to stay here, The less paper work is to just fly to china, with you wife, stay a day, and return together get another free 12 months at the airport, less paper work, less hassle and about one hour   or less to complete,  Just be sure to take you marriage certificate  and all papers return  together,My wife takes care of the paper work i just stand in line and smile.

[mogo51]

5 hours ago, Jack Peterson said:

Yeah but Free for 1 year  Although if you count the cost of taking the wife away to get it on your Return I wonder which is cheaper,

Of course in Ron's situation Pre is with him there in Thailand so she will be returning 

Yes Jack that is my thinking.

[robert k]

Were I married I think I would prefer the BB even with the travel costs. I would be spending the money on flights, possibly a room and maybe a couple of good meals? Compared to spending the money on the privilege of waiting in an Immigration office at least twice in a year for the same cost? If I added a little to the 1 years visa cost I could make a real vacation of it, or get some electronics shopping done.

Not to mention there are some gotchas in the tourist visa, like you have to keep the BoI updated as to your residence. There are penalties for not doing so on a visa.

On BB you are closer to free as a bird. There are no mistakes to make on BB besides overstaying the BB and not going to immigration to get a visa. Simple and streamlined IS attractive.

 

[Angel1403]

Great information here....thank you everyone, very useful. 

I think we will go the Balikbayan route meantime. 

From reading the posts it would appear that our Balikbayan options are :-

1) stay up to a year, fly out of country with wife and return a day or so later and start the Balikbayan process again, or

2) stay up to a year then extend the max up to 36 months, leave country with wife before 36 months and return and start Balikbayan process again?

I'm assuming option 1 is less complicated as no 9a Visa to process?

Cheers ?

[Jollygoodfellow]

23 minutes ago, Angel1403 said:

2) stay up to a year then extend the max up to 36 months, leave country with wife before 36 months and return and start Balikbayan process again?

After the one year you become a tourist meaning you have to do extensions by reporting to the BI and paying fees usually every 2 to 6 months.

[Jack Peterson]

21 minutes ago, Angel1403 said:

1) stay up to a year, fly out of country with wife and return a day or so later and start the Balikbayan process again,

Easy done but my friend keep in mind please, that the BB stamp is issued on behalve of the Philippine Tourist board as a Priveledge to attract Filipinos back Home with their Spouses/ Family. If the Immigration can see a pattern and that this privilege is maybe being abused, they have the discretion to refuse the Stamp best vary your dates on a Run. There have been cases of this happening over the last year or so

 

 Just saying

[Angel1403]

1 minute ago, Jollygoodfellow said:

After the one year you become a tourist meaning you have to do extensions by reporting to the BI and paying fees usually every 2 to 6 months.

Ah ok so as Robert K said.....the 1 year Balikbayan is less "hassle" as in no reporting to BI every few months.

Thanks for info

[Angel1403]

4 minutes ago, Jack Peterson said:

Easy done but my friend keep in mind please, that the BB stamp is issued on behalve of the Philippine Tourist board as a Priveledge to attract Filipinos back Home with their Spouses/ Family. If the Immigration can see a pattern and that this privilege is maybe being abused, they have the discretion to refuse the Stamp best vary your dates on a Run. There have been cases of this happening over the last year or so

 

 Just saying

Ah ok thanks for the info.....good advice re vary the date.....and I will consider the extension route up to 36 month before flying out of Country then back in for Balikbayan privilege. 

However I would hope most immigration officers would be happy/willing  to grant the Balikbayan privilege. 

Cheers ?

[Jack Peterson]

4 minutes ago, Angel1403 said:

However I would hope most immigration officers would be happy/willing  to grant the Balikbayan privilege. 

 When you meet a Willing Happy Immigration Officer can you send their Photo and details so we can all head their way, They are a breed unknown to many

Edited February 6, 2017 by Jack Peterson

[Jollygoodfellow]

15 minutes ago, Angel1403 said:

Ah ok so as Robert K said.....the 1 year Balikbayan is less "hassle" as in no reporting to BI every few months.

Thanks for info

Yes but after the first one year if you dont leave and come back with your wife by your side you become a tourist and do extensions for the next 36 months. I might be wrong but I think you are missing the point as to a balikbayan is a one year only privilege.