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Why waste a day trying to extend your visa?
If you know you want to stay longer before you arrive in the Philippines, you can apply for a visa upon arrival as long as it is less than 59 days and you have a return ticket.
You pay $50 USD for the visa fee and 510 PHP for the express and legal fees.
When you land just report to the immigration counter after clearing C & I.
[QUOTE=Amavida]There is no formal visa for this (well no one has given me one anyway..) The Balikbayan is a privilege extended to you. Just carry a copy of your marriage certificate. You are supposed to have asawa ko in tow when you charge down the (empty) Balikbayan immigration lane at NAIA. I use it when alone even so. I just play dumb & smile/chat frantically about the family, this seems to get around the red tape every time. Sure is nice to skip through immigration so fast!
Cheers,
AV[/QUOTE]Straight up AV - you got a balikbayan visa when you entered alone - didn't know you could do that and must remember to give it a try in the future. Nothing ventured. I find that if you aim for the younger, female immigration officers and like you say play the dumb, thick, foreign yokel (admitedly easy for me) it works a breeze.
I maybe staying 25 days in July. Would it be cheaper/easier to pay the daily fine for the extra 4 days or get the visa extension on arrival? What would others do here?
I go to PI every December/January. I have stayed over 21 days there three times. On two occasions I flirted and joked with the customs officer lady, and both times I did not have to pay penalty and was let through. During my last visit she just looked at me and said "you are lucky you visited 20 days", when in fact my father and I had been there 25 days! LOL. However on my other overstay, the old man customs officer made me pay Of note I am an american born 6 foot mesztiso considered by some to be guapo and can be very charming. God I love visiting there.
Meloveyoulooongtime
[quote=gamahucher]straight up av - you got a balikbayan visa when you entered alone - didn't know you could do that and must remember to give it a try in the future. nothing ventured. i find that if you aim for the younger, female immigration officers and like you say play the dumb, thick, foreign yokel (admitedly easy for me) it works a breeze.[/quote]damn straight gh a further note : everytime i return home to the phils & charge down the balikbayan lane to 'claim the privelege' they have never ever asked to see my marriage certificate. i always have a valid offically notarised copy (not the original) with me. i have even attempted to hand it over to them but they never wish to see it.
maybe they have the info in front of them on a screen but judging by the speed that they approve my passport (and knowing the inefficiency of their info systems) im inclined to think they just let it slide.
maybe im one of very few that are cheeky enough to do this?
maybe they have been instructed to be nice to balikbayan??
i love this place, its so unpredictable :)
hope this little bit of info helps.
av
[*just to be absolutely clear to anyone else reading this - you are supposed to have asawa ko in tow with you when you claim. they will remind you of this. just play dumb you should be fine]
[QUOTE=Fred C Dobbs]I maybe staying 25 days in July. Would it be cheaper/easier to pay the daily fine for the extra 4 days or get the visa extension on arrival? What would others do here?[/QUOTE]Hi Fred, I would just get it in advance or get it at the Immi counter in NAIA, you can then relax & enjoy your trip knowing you are 'legit'.
The thought of paying fines & thereby leaving yourself open to corrupt extortion attempts kinda scares me... you could find your self innocently involved in some minor hassle which could blow up in your face if you don't have the correct paperwork.
K.I.S.S. principle.
Cheers!
AV
I use that method too (despite having been divorced for 5 years and the fact that the ex is now a US citizen). Actually I've done you one better using the Philippines lack of divorce to my benefit.
After entering with only a tourist visa, I overstayed the 21 day limit. As I was leaving the country, I skipped the HUGE line for immigration and went to the Supervisor's Window at the far left side. He did look on his computer, presumably to verify my claim that I was married to a Filipina (true under THEIR law). Took under a minute, got my exit stamp and went on my merry way.
There is MUCH buzz that the 21 day limit will be dropped in favor of a 30 days entry permit but has not happened yet. Indonesia is going in the other direction as they now charge for ANY tourist visa (they gave 60 days free until a couple years ago).
[QUOTE=HornyGeorge]After entering with only a tourist visa, I overstayed the 21 day limit. As I was leaving the country, I skipped the HUGE line for immigration and went to the Supervisor's Window at the far left side. He did look on his computer, presumably to verify my claim that I was married to a Filipina (true under THEIR law). Took under a minute, got my exit stamp and went on my merry way.[/QUOTE]Love your work HG :) Must try that![QUOTE=HornyGeorge]There is MUCH buzz that the 21 day limit will be dropped in favor of a 30 days entry permit but has not happened yet.[/QUOTE]Oh, didn't know about that! My god, they're doing something smart for a change.
Cheers for the info mate!
AV
[QUOTE=HornyGeorge]There is MUCH buzz that the 21 day limit will be dropped in favor of a 30 days entry permit but has not happened yet.[/QUOTE]
My last two trips I overstayed by one day and four days respectively and the immigration officer didn't even bat an eyelash. You would think that the government would keep the 21 day limit in place since it brings in stacks of cash.
I will be traveling in May and I just realized I will be staying for 23 days. Can somebody tell me if daily fines apply? How much would that be per day? I am tempted in playing the dumb but let's say that I go directly to immigration on my arrival how much would they charge me for the 2 days extension and how long would it take seeing that I have a connecting flight. Any opinion?
Thanks
[QUOTE=Gilberto]I will be traveling in May and I just realized I will be staying for 23 days. [/QUOTE]
Normal immigration and you'll get 21 days.
I'd ask the immigration officer when entering the country to give 23 or 24 days.
I think they have the flexibility.
Give it a try.
Cheers!
[QUOTE=Gilberto]I will be traveling in May and I just realized I will be staying for 23 days. Can somebody tell me if daily fines apply? How much would that be per day? I am tempted in playing the dumb but let's say that I go directly to immigration on my arrival how much would they charge me for the 2 days extension and how long would it take seeing that I have a connecting flight. Any opinion?
Thanks[/QUOTE]Do like I will do. I will leave the Phils and travel to Bangkok for 3 days, and then return to Manila. Easy!
Does anybody know of a website that has a map with all the action clearly marked on it for manila? Also, I am going may 10th and will be back early June and my passport expires in may, do i need to renew it before I come back?
Hello fellow mongers,
I have a small problem... I am going to Manilla for 2 days and I am staying at the Pan Pacific. I am going to be more or less guarded during the whole visit so bringing back a pro is not an option.
Can anyone give me advise on where to go if I only have 2-3 hours in an early evening (about 7-10 PM)?
Kirsia
Unless you have a Filipino passport, I have some bad news: "Everyone entering the Philippines must have a passport valid for at least six months beyond the intended period of stay. "
I recommend you contact the nearest Philippine embassy or consulate as soon as possible..not to mention see if your governement can fastrack your passport renewal. Good luck.
X
[QUOTE=Blazepontaine]Does anybody know of a website that has a map with all the action clearly marked on it for manila? Also, I am going may 10th and will be back early June and my passport expires in may, do i need to renew it before I come back?[/QUOTE]