Tuesday, June 16, 2015

Frequently Asked Questions in Getting a Tourist Visa Extension

Prior to my last post about news on getting a long stay visa, I wanted to share to you simple and detailed ways on how to get a tourist visa and getting a tourist visa extension.

While searching the internet for detailed information about getting a tourist visa extension in the Philippines, I found a great video here:



This video is I think a very reliable one since it is a video made by a Filipina who is married to an American man. They are currently living in the Philippines and made the video to help other foreigners for an easier way to move to the country. They are doing this because her husband had lots of problems when they are in the process of moving. Though this video will tackle about moving to the Philippines, I will only talk about getting your visa and getting a tourist visa extension.

Getting a Tourist Visa

Question: Do you have to get a pre-approved visa before coming to the Philippines?

Answer: No

At the airport, you will be given 21 day automatic tourist visa. If you stay longer than this, you can renew it to a 38-day extension.

What do you need to bring?
If you will be applying for a 38 day tourist visa extension, you’ll need the ff.
a. You need to have a passport valid for at least 6 months with enough unused pages for visa stamps
b. a return ticket or a throw away ticket to show to the bureau of immigration officers

Question: What is a throw away ticket?

It is a proof that you have a plan to exit the Philippines after a certain number of days.

Question: Where do you buy this and how much?

You can purchase one online through a budget airline such as Cebu Pacific air.

Question: Where are the cheapest flights?

The cheapest flights are in Macau, Hong kong, Malaysia which should not cost more than $60.

Question: Do I need to have a throw away ticket if I have a turn-around ticket to US?

If you have a turn-around ticket back to the US or from the country you are from, don’t worry about getting a throw away ticket.

Getting a 38 day visa extension

To get a 38 day visa extension, go to the Bureau of Immigration office near you 7-10 days before your 21 day visa expires and bring with you the following:
  • Photocopies of your passport P3000 to 4000
  • Follow the dress code(don’t wear slipper and shorts)
  • Accomplished Tourist Visa Extension form

Reminder: avoid getting your visa expired to avoid additional fees

You can repeat this process every 38 days if you don’t have other visas like work student or residence

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Wednesday, June 10, 2015

Tourist Visa Extension Philippines: Bureau of Immigration Unveils Long Stay Visa

source:www.internations.org
Last June 15,2013, through a report from gmanetwork.com , foreign nationals are now allowed to avail a long stay visa which allows foreign nationals a 6 month visa extension in the Philippines.

According to the report, the Philippines’ Bureau of Immigration implemented the long stay Visa to reduce the long lines decreasing the volume of the crowd applying for a visa extension.

The Long Stay Visitor Extension, lets foreigners to prolong their stay without having a hassle of going frequently to the Bureau of Immigration’s main office.

If you are Going to Apply for a Tourist Visa Extension, you can refer to this list below:


1.       Signed, completed Consolidated General Application Form(CGAF).

2. Photocopy of applicant’s passport bio-page and latest admission or tourist visa implementation with valid authorized stay;

3. BI Clearance Certificate or derogatory record’s verification indicating the ground of inclusion in the Bureau’s derogatory list other than having overstayed in the Philippines; and

4. Sworn written explanation addressed to the Commissioner stating valid grounds and/or justifications with supporting documents:

 4.1 For extension of stay beyond twenty-four (24) months for visa-required nationals or thirty-six months (36) for non-visa required nationals (maximum allowable period); and 4.2 For extension of stay of foreigners who have overstayed for more than six (6) months regardless if their stay is within the maximum allowable period.

So, that’s all! Hope this post helped you!

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