Waver on 3 year exit requirement?

[ducecoop]

I am guessing I already know the answer to this question but I thought I would ask the experts to be sure.

I am an American living now in the Philippines for over 5 years. I am on a tourist visa. 

In 2016 I did my 3 year exit as required to Singapore.

Before Feb. 2019 I need to go again.

The problem is my health is so bad that I am not sure I can endure the exit especially alone (I don't even go to the corner sari sari alone)

so my question is, if there is any kind of waver or penalty fee that would allow me to avoided this exit?

Any suggestions would be appreciated.

Thanks

DAVE

[Dave Hounddriver]

The only thing that comes to mind is:  There used to be an exception where the BI would not require you to leave if a doctor gave a letter to certify you were not fit for travel.  If that would apply to you then my first step would be to ask a doctor what he thinks.

[ducecoop]

Thanks. I can get a letter from my doctor I think easy. 

My next visa extension is mid Aug so I can ask them then if that is acceptable.

If my only need "health wise" is to be escorted do they just insist you pay the fee for a fellow traveler?

[GeoffH]

Assuming you can't get an exemption for the moment...

 

If your health is bad then you probably don't want to be doing a stop in Cebu or Manila, you can fly direct to Singapore from Davao.

 

And Singapore is easy to get around and has excellent medical facilities in case the worst case scenario does arise and you need treatment.

 

 

[Dave Hounddriver]

6 minutes ago, ducecoop said:

If my only need "health wise" is to be escorted do they just insist you pay the fee for a fellow traveler?

That is a question best asked of the airline.  A long time ago there were airlines that used to allow an attendant to travel free when medically required.  I have not seen that happen for 9 years so may have changed.

The airlines are all quite good at providing wheelchair service though.  If you make arrangements in advance they will wheel you around and through the queues, but when you get to the other end you are on your own.

[hk blues]

Hong Kong would be an even shorter, and cheaper hop if you had to take a companion.  No drawbacks as far as I can see for a visa run

[GeoffH]

4 minutes ago, hk blues said:

Hong Kong would be an even shorter, and cheaper hop if you had to take a companion.  No drawbacks as far as I can see for a visa run

Yes it's cheaper and quicker but I thought Hong Kong from Davao required a change of planes in either Cebu or Manila?

[Rooster]

1 hour ago, ducecoop said:

I am guessing I already know the answer to this question but I thought I would ask the experts to be sure.

I am an American living now in the Philippines for over 5 years. I am on a tourist visa. 

In 2016 I did my 3 year exit as required to Singapore.

Before Feb. 2019 I need to go again.

The problem is my health is so bad that I am not sure I can endure the exit especially alone (I don't even go to the corner sari sari alone)

so my question is, if there is any kind of waver or penalty fee that would allow me to avoided this exit?

Any suggestions would be appreciated.

Thanks

DAVE

Request a waiver to Philippine  Immigration Memorandum Circular No. SBM 2013-003, Allowable Extensions b) based on Health and Humanitarian reasons. Suggest you start ASAP as it requires BI Commissioner approval.

https://www.in-philippines.com/tourist-visa-holders-can-stay-for-3-years-in-philippines/

Allowable Extensions

Foreigners admitted under Section 9 (a) of the Philippine Immigration Act (PIA) of 1940, as amended, or Executive Order No. 408, as amended, may extend their authorized stay every two (2) months for a total stay of not more than:
a) Twenty-four (24) months for visa-required nationals; and
b) Thirty-six (36) months for non-visa required nationals.

Restrictions on Extension/Updating

The following applications for extension/ updating, accompanied by a sworn written explanation stating valid grounds and/or justifications with supporting documents, shall require the approval of the Commissioner:
a) Extensions of stay beyond the maximum allowable stay prescribed in Section 2 hereof

 

 

Edited July 22, 2018 by Rooster

[Dave Hounddriver]

19 minutes ago, Rooster said:

Suggest you start ASAP

I suggest it will be extremely difficult to find any doctor who will write a letter to say the man will not be able to travel in Feb 2019 as that is so far in the future,  possible but extremely difficult.

In addition, past experience with that exception (where a friend had cancer and could not leave his bed), illustrated that the exception was only valid for 2 months and then another letter was required to say he was still unable to travel and each exception cost a fair bit of money.  If this is going to be going on for a very long time I suggest the op find a companion to take him out of the country and bring him back  OR switch to an SRRV.

@ducecoop can you read the private message I sent?  If all else fails I am thinking there may be another expat tourist doing a visa run who could go with you.  Lots of time for all of us to ask around if you think this may be the answer.

 

[Ram1957]

2 hours ago, ducecoop said:

I am guessing I already know the answer to this question but I thought I would ask the experts to be sure.

I am an American living now in the Philippines for over 5 years. I am on a tourist visa. 

In 2016 I did my 3 year exit as required to Singapore.

Before Feb. 2019 I need to go again.

The problem is my health is so bad that I am not sure I can endure the exit especially alone (I don't even go to the corner sari sari alone)

so my question is, if there is any kind of waver or penalty fee that would allow me to avoided this exit?

Any suggestions would be appreciated.

Thanks

DAVE

Dave,

I'm currently going through this process for my brother. First you need to get a Medical Clearance from your doctor and then have a lawyer do an affidavit based on the medical clearance. This has to be done no earlier than one month before your visa expires. Manila is the approving office. I have to turn my brother's paperwork in next month. Have no idea on what cost will be until Manila approves the extension. And this needs to be done every two months.