Balikbayan problem

[RobH]

I have been living in Phil for nearly 2 years now, and have a fillipina wife. I intended originally to get a SRRV but at my age I don't want to spend 20,000 USD to get it, so We go the balikbuyan route and the wife likes a trip out.

Now with the lack of flights and the problem of finding a country that will let us in. What are the alternatives, any ideas?

Edited July 1, 2020 by Jollygoodfellow
Fixed Title

[Jollygoodfellow]

14 minutes ago, RobH said:

I have been living in Phil for nearly 2 years now, and have a fillipina wife. I intended originally to get a SRRV but at my age I don't want to spend 20,000 USD to get it, so We go the balikbuyan route and the wife likes a trip out.

Now with the lack of flights and the problem of finding a country that will let us in. What are the alternatives, any ideas?

Stay on a tourist visa until everything goes back to normal. 

[RobH]

Thank for that. does  that mean a trip to manilla ? is there a fixer I could use? Its just a complete pain to travel for me, literally.

 

[Old55]

6 minutes ago, RobH said:

Thank for that. does  that mean a trip to manilla ? is there a fixer I could use? Its just a complete pain to travel for me, literally.

 

Ask a local travel agent that question.  

[OnMyWay]

9 minutes ago, RobH said:

Thank for that. does  that mean a trip to manilla ? is there a fixer I could use? Its just a complete pain to travel for me, literally.

 

I'm sure you can convert to a tourist visa at almost all BI offices, so you can do it at Olongapo or Angeles.

No fixers, but some travel agencies have visa services.  Check around your area.

Also, BI is responsive on their Facebook page and can specifically answer most questions.  Message them.

https://www.facebook.com/immigration.helpline.ph/

 

[RobH]

Thanks to all. I will get on this as soon as I can.

 

[Jollygoodfellow]

3 hours ago, RobH said:

is there a fixer I could use?

There is no such thing these days. Only accredited agents with permits are allowed to enter the BI to do visas for clients. 

[JJReyes]

I believe you can extend your balikbayan visa for an additional six months stay. Because of the lockdown due to Covid 19, there are temporary, special rules even for those on tourist visas.  For example, your tourist visa is automatically extended until restrictions on international travel are lifted.  You have 30 days thereafter to leave the country or get a visa extension. Check with a BI office.  

[Dave Hounddriver]

1 hour ago, Jollygoodfellow said:

There is no such thing these days. Only accredited agents with permits are allowed to enter the BI to do visas for clients. 

I am sure you are correct.  However, as I remember long ago  , it was the BI personel who WERE the fixers.  Not saying any of them fat buggers still are though.   

[Mike J]

2 hours ago, JJReyes said:

I believe you can extend your balikbayan visa for an additional six months stay. Because of the lockdown due to Covid 19, there are temporary, special rules even for those on tourist visas.  For example, your tourist visa is automatically extended until restrictions on international travel are lifted.  You have 30 days thereafter to leave the country or get a visa extension. Check with a BI office.  

But the balikbayan privilege is not a visa, I agree with JGF that you would need to go the tourist visa route.  After all, if the BOI is now (mostly) open and able to issue and renew visas.   Why would they extend a balikbayan date when they can, and should in my opinion, sell a tourist visa and gain needed revenue?