Tourist Visa information

Tourist Visa Information

Here you will find Information regarding

Philippines visitor visa 9(a)
New 6 month tourist visa extension
Philippines tourist visa extensions and costs
Tourist ACR-I card (Emigration Clearance Certificate still required)
Other helpful Philippines information. Such as; electricity in the Philippines, links to information about permanent visas, anti trafficking in women laws, Balikbayan programme, departure tax, travel tax, links to hotels and transport in the Philippines.

Last updated 17th June 2013

General information about entering the Philippines.

Including, which countries citizens are allowed to enter the Philippines without a visa for 21 days and which countries can't.

http://www.immigration.gov.ph/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=16&Itemid=37

New 6 month Visa extension

I am still trying to fathom what it is all about. I have 3 announcements. Copies of which you can read for your self by clicking on each file name.

Announcement RADJR-2013-002 RADJR-2013-007

You may understand it differently but from reading these three pages, the way I understand it is this

It is not a visa you can apply for in advance outside the Philippines. It is only a visa extension
It is a visa extension for 6 months
You can only apply for it in Manila. It can't be applied for at a regional office
Once granted, you will get a sticker in you passport instead of stamp
The sticker costs P100
The cost of the extension will be same as the next 3 normal two monthly extensions. That is, if you have already been in the Philippines for 8 months. It costs 3 x P2830. Plus P100 for the sticker. If you are applying for it after 59 days in the Philippines. It will be P4830 plus P2830 plus P4240 plus USD $50 for an ACR-I card plus P500 express lane fee for the ACR-I card. Plus, if your extension covers January and/or February, there will be a P310 report fee added.
All other extension rules remain unchanged. That is, you can apply for the extension 30 days prior to expiry of your existing extension. You can still only stay a maximum of 2 years as a tourist or 3 years if you entered as a Balikbayan for the first year.
Starting date for arranging your first 6 month visa extension is June 2013

Living in the Philippines as a tourist

How to do
- Best to arrange a 59 day (9a) visa in advance before you arrive in the Philippines, however it is possible to arrive without a visa and get a 21 day visa waiver.
- Then arrange extensions.
- If you arrive without a visa, the first extension will be at 21 days. It is for 38 days and takes you up to 59 days.
- If you arrive on a 59 day visa. Your first extension will be on expiry of the 59 days.
- After 59 days, extensions are every 2 months until you have been in the Philippines for 2 years
- At the extension from 59 days to 4 months, you are required to arrange an ACR-I card. ACR stands for Alien Certificate of Registration.
- Extensions up to 16 months can be done at any office of the bureau of immigration. After 16 months, you need permission from head office to stay in the Philippines. Some people have reported that this is usually as simple as a fax from your local office of the bureau of immigration
- Even though you are supposed to leave at the end of 2 years, I have heard of people staying longer.
- At the end of 2 years, you leave the Philippines and go for a shopping trip to Hong Kong or travel to some other destination. Then re enter the Philippines and start the 2 year process over again.
- Regardless of when you do decide to leave, if you have been in the Philippines continuously for 6 months, you need permission to leave in the form of an Emigration Clearance Certificate. No Emigration Clearance Certificate when you try to pass immigration at the airport and you will not be flying that day.
- Here is a link showing the location of all offices of the Bureau of Immigration so you can find the one closest to you
http://www.immigration.gov.ph/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=128&Itemid=72
- Extensions and the emigration clearance certificate can be arranged up to one month in advance. If your extension comes due on a weekend or public holiday, you have to arrange the extension before the weekend, not after.

Fees

Extensions
The actual extension fees are here
http://www.immigration.gov.ph/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=282&Itemid=51
http://immigration.gov.ph/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=118&Itemid=43

However, here is a simplified version, given to me by Paul from Cebu Expat Services

http://www.cebuexpatservices.com

Two additiona to the above fee schedule.

If you arrive before November, your extension in January or February will have a P310 report fee added to the cost. This is the same fee paid by permanent residents.
If you are 60 or over and qualify as a Balikbayan because you are married to a Filipina, you can extend 6 months at a time after you finish your first year visa free as a Balikbayan. The first 6 month extension is P 7,697 plus USD $50 for the ACR-I card and plus P500 express lane fee for the ACR-I card

The tourist ACR-I card is arranged at the extension from 59 days to 4 months. It costs USD $50 plus P500 express lane fee. It is supposed to only be good for a year. So you would expect that you would need another one at 14 months but so far, no one I know has needed to arrange a second ACR-I card.

Emigration Clearance Certificate
Supposed to be P1010 but in Cebu, people are still paying the old rate of P510

Over Stay
P510 motion for consideration plus P500 per month overstay plus all the extension fees you should have paid plus every single express lane fee you would have paid plus a letter of explanation for the overstay plus if beyond 10 days, an interview with a senior immigration official to personally explain the overstay plus if a long enough overstay, a deportation and blacklisting.

Terminal Fee on departure
Depends on the airport, for example
NAIA terminals 1, 2 or 3 was P750, now P550
Clark was P600 now P450
Cebu is P550

Travel Tax
If you stay in the Philippines longer than 12 months, you will have to pay travel tax on departure. This is a separate cost on top of the terminal fee. The travel tax depends on class of travel. It is P1620 for economy and P2700 for first class.
Read about travel tax here
http://www.tieza.com.ph/pages-what-is-travel-tax.php

Please note

You are required to hold an onward or return ticket when you enter the Philippines and be able to produce it on demand at the Bureau of Immigration when arranging extensions. The return date is irrelevant. Just so long as you have a valid ticket to depart the Philippines.

PERMANENT VISA

INFORMATION

For basic information about the Quota visa, Student visa, Special Investor's resident visa, Immigrant visas and others, click on this link:

http://www.immigration.gov.ph/

CHAN ROBLE

LAW FIRM LINKS

Usually, a foreigner married to a current or former Filipino citizen, is allowed to enter the Philippines, without a visa and stay for up to a year. The foreigner and their Filipino spouse have to arrive in the Philippines together and just in case, they should have their marriage certificate with them to prove that they are husband and wife. Children of the marriage are allowed to enter for a year too. So, have the birth certificates for the children too, just in case. This arrangement is possible because of the Balikbayan programme.

The details of the Balikbayan programme are contained in Republican Act 6768 and it's amendment, Republican Act 9174. To learn more about the Balikbayan programme, click on this link:

http://www.chanrobles.com/republicactno9174.html

Some people have said in the past that you do not need an onward ticket if you enter the Philippines as a Balikbayan. On 10th August 2010, I wrote to the Bureau of Immigration and asked if an onward ticket is a requirement for a Balikbayan. The answer was yes. Their full reply is below.

Dear Mr. Sibbick,

We would like to inform you that the Balikbayan admission is under the category of temporary visitor (tourist) and as such are required to present valid travel documents including a return ticket or an onward ticket or even a round trip ticket prior admission in the Philippines .

The said ticket does not necessarily need to be confirmed but its presentation proves that the tourist has the intention to leave the country.

Have a nice day.

However, in 2012, there was an announcement from the head of immigration that Balikbayans do not need an onward ticket as they are former Filipinos. This to me does not cover the spouse of a former Filipino. So, the issue is again confused. My suggestion is. if you are the spouse of a former Filipino, make sure you have an onward or return ticket.

Republican Act 9208 regarding anti trafficking of women. This also includes prostitution and pornography.

http://www.chanrobles.com/republicactno9208.html

Republican Act 6955 declaring illegal the business of mail order brides.

http://www.chanrobles.com/republicactno6955.html

Republican Act 6425. Death to drug traffickers! Even if you are carrying only what would be considered personal use in other countries, you may still be arrested as a drug trafficker.

http://www.chanrobles.com/republicactno6425.htm

Republican Act 7658 prohibiting the employment of children below 15 years

http://www.chanrobles.com/republicactno7658.htm

Republican Act 7610 providing protection for children against abuse and exploitation.

http://www.chanrobles.com/republicactno7610.html

Republican Act 7811 declaring sexual harassment unlawful.

http://www.chanrobles.com/republicacts/republicactno7877.html

Republican Act 9262 defining violence against women and children and providing protective measures for victims of abuse.

http://www.chanrobles.com/republicactno9262.htm

Republican Act 8353 defining the crime of rape. This is the anti rape law which in some circumstances proscribes the death penalty.

http://www.chanrobles.com/republicactno8353.htm

Republican Act 9775 regarding possession and making of child pornography

http://www.lawphil.net/statutes/repacts/ra2009/ra_9775_2009.html

Republican Act 9995 Anti Photo and Video voyeurism act of 2009

http://www.lawphil.net/statutes/repacts/ra2010/ra_9995_2010.html

Republican Act 10364 an act expanding on Republican Act 9208, regarding Anti Trafficking in women

http://www.lawphil.net/statutes/repacts/ra2013/ra_10364_2013.html

OTHER

INFORMATION

There are now 2 ACR-I cards for foreigners in the Philippines. ACR-I stands for Alien Certificate of Registration - Immigration. Foreigners who have been issued ACR-I cards are required to have the cards with them at all times. There is one for permanent residents and one for temporary residents. The permanent resident card is good for 5 years. The temporary resident ACR-I card is obtained when arranging an extension from 59 days to 4 months and is supposed to only be good for a year. Visitors in the Philippines for less than 59 days do not require an ACR-I card. The ACR-I card links are here

Alien Certificate of registration, ACR-I CARD (permanent resident)

Alien Certificate of registration. ACR-I CARD (visitor)

For information about the airports in Manila and Cebu and their different terminals, read my blog article, here:

Airport blog article (needs updating. do rely on the information you read)

Information about how to access your money by ATM in the Philippines, read my blog article here:

ATM blog article

Mike and Lorena's information for disabled travellers

http://www.cebuonwheels.com

My list of hotel links is here:

My list of links, with helpful information for tourists, is here:

Tourist information links

My list of links for shipping companies, airlines and van hire companies, operating in the Philippines, is here:

Transport links

My list of links for places to shop and places to eat, is here:

Malls, restaurants_and food_links

I don't agree with sex tourism but obviously some people reading this page are coming to the Philippines for that purpose. Procuring the services of a prostitute is illegal so if you are thinking of coming for a "fun" time, make sure you are very clear about the law and it's consequences by reading this http://www.chanrobles.com/republicactno9208.html One US marine who was thinking with the wrong head, was jailed for 40 years! He is free now, as the testimony was recanted but it is possible to go to prison for that long. I have read through a number of forums offering information about adult nightlife in the Philippines. These two seem the most sensible in how they are presented and moderated. Before you click however, please remember, these really are adult links and are not for kids:

http://www.piatnight.com/forums

http://www.philippines-addicts.com/forum

Philippines department of tourism website

http://www.wowphilippines.com.ph

DEPARTURE TAX

AND TRAVEL TAX

On your way home, make sure you keep some pisos for when you get to the airport.

Most travellers departing the Philippines have to pay a departure tax. In Manila, it s P550 , Cebu is P550 and DMIA in Clark is now P450.

From 1st August 2012, domestic terminal fee is added to your ticket price for flights from Manila. From 1st March 2013 domestic terminal fee is added to the ticket price for flights from Mactan Cebu. Expect to pay up to P200 from other domestic airports within the Philippines.

If you have a Filipino citizen with you, they will most probably have to pay a travel tax, which is usually P1,620 but varies according to the class of travel. In some circumstances, foreigners have to pay the travel tax too. You can read all about the travel tax here:

http://www.tieza.com.ph/pages-what-is-travel-tax.php

http://www.tieza.com.ph/pages-what-are-the-travel-tax-rates.php

Are you coming back? Consider taking some extra pesos with you for next time! I like to have between P1,000 and P3,000 when I depart the Philippines. This helps me to have a hassle free arrival next time, as I have money for taxis, snacks etc. I don't have to worry about where I have to get pesos until after I am comfortably settled!

FAQ from BI website

How can aliens admitted under E.O. 408 (non-visa required nationals admitted for 21 days) extend their stay in the Philippines beyond 21 days?

Aliens admitted under E.O. 408 (non-visa required nationals admitted for 21 days) may extend their stay in the Philippines beyond 21 days by applying for a visa waiver at his nearest Immigration Office before the expiration of the 21-day period. This will entitle him to stay in the country for more than 59 days, he should secure extension of stay and register with the Bureau of Immigration, and pay the necessary Immigration fees.

What is the maximum extension of stay that can be granted?

Foreigners holding temporary visitors visa pursuant to Philippine Immigration Act of 1940 and aliens admitted under E.O. 408 may extend their stay in the Philippines every 2 months for a total stay of 16 months. Extension of stay after16 months, up to 24 months need the approval of the Chief of the Immigration Regulation Division. Extension of stay after 24 months need the approval of the Commissioner. (MCL Memorandum dated 31 July 2007)

If a visa expires on a weekend and /or holiday when will be the deadline to apply for extension of stay and pay the corresponding fees?

Effective 17 September 2007, applications for extension of tourist visas as well as payment thereof, shall be made on or before the expiry dates of the alien's lawful stay, otherwise, payments shall include those for penalties and motion for reconsideration. If the expiry date of the alien's lawful stay falls on a Saturday or Sunday or a legal holiday, the application for extension of tourist visa and the full payment thereof shall be made on or before the last business/working day immediately preceding the expiry date of the alien's lawful stay, otherwise, payments shall also include those for penalties and motion for reconsideration. (MCL Memorandum dated 10 September 2007)

I am a minor traveling without my parents. Am I allowed to visit the Philippines alone?

Except for those who have already acquired lawful residence in the Philippines and those who have been issued reentry permit, Section 29 of the Philippine Immigration Act states that children under fifteen (15) years of age, unaccompanied by or not coming to a parent are classified as excludable. In order for them to be admitted into the Philippines they must secure Waiver of Exclusion Ground (WEG) from the Bureau of Immigration, upon proper coordination with the Department of Foreign Affairs.

I am a missionary and I would like to render community services in the Philippines. How can I do this legally?

You may secure a prearranged employment visa for missionaries under Section 9 (g) and Section 20. This visa is issued to an alien who is actively and exclusively in religious-oriented work in the Philippines.

CEBU EXPAT SERVICES

TOURIST VISA

EXTENSION SERVICE

in Cebu City

If like me, your drinking time is valuable to you and you would rather be doing something, other than hanging around the Bureau of Immigration, then you might be interested in the following.

Paul, who has Cebu Expat Services, can arrange your visa extension for you.

You don't need to leave your hotel, Paul will come to you!

This is how it works.

Paul will come to your home or hotel in Cebu City or close by and collect your passport plus the extension fees.
Paul will arrange for the extension to be completed.
After the extension has been completed, Paul will deliver your passport back to you.

Extensions can be arranged up to one month in advance.

If you are interested, the website is here

http://www.cebuexpatservices.com

New to the Philippines and would like to know about the electricity?

Electricity in the Philippines is 220 volts at 60hz.

There are some exceptions to this. The better hotels will have 110 volt outlets for their North American guests and the former homes of many Americans will have been fitted with some 110 volt outlets as well as 220 volt outlets.

The chargers for most laptops, cell phones, shavers and many travel items will work with 220 volts outlets. This is because they are really 12 volts or some other small voltage and have inbuilt transformers.

To check if your electrical item will work in the Philippines without a transformer, look on the power supply. If it says 110 volt to 240 volt 50hz /60hz or something similar, it will work in the Philippines.

Next problem is your plug. If you are from North America, your plug will probably look like the ones on the left. If that is the case and the voltage range matches, you can plug straight in.

If your plug is not from North America, you will need an adaptor. To the left is the front and rear picture of two plug adaptors. The top plug will handle Australian and Japanese plugs. The bottom plug will adapt to just about any plug in the world.

If you are thinking about buying an adaptor before you visit the Philippines, consider this first. The top adaptor sells for less than P20 (about us 50c) and the bottom adaptor sells for less than P50 (about USD $1). Just drop by your nearest hardware store in the Philippines such as ACE hardware or the hardware section of a Gaisano department store.

If your electrical item does not say what voltage it works with and you are from North America, do not plug it into any outlet in the Philippines unless it is marked 110 volts. Otherwise, you should seek a transformer first. These are available from as little as P200 in hardware stores for low wattage transformers. There are much higher rated transformers with multiple outlets also available but these cost thousands of pisos.

Residents of Australia and other countries with voltage similar to 220 volts, should still only need an adaptor. Australia is 240 volts 50hz. I have bought many electrical items from Australia to the Philippines such as electric planer, drop saw, electric drill, microwave oven and more. I was told that the electric motors are likely to burn out quicker because of the 60hz. However I have had satisfactory use from all the equipment.

If you would like to discuss your electrical concerns further, send me an email.

You can use the google search feature to search my website for what you are seeking. Eg. if you would like to see a picture of a banca boat, type in banca, click the option for BigJimsPhilippinesExperience.com then click on search.

Alternatively, you could click on one of the links below, to go to the part of my website which interests you the most.

Index of my Philippines Pictures

New photo gallery. Add your own pics!

My Blog discussing life in the Philippines

Index of my free Philippines videos

Useful Philippines Links

Tourist visa information