How many 6 month extension allowed?

[Colsie]

Hi folks

It's almost visa extension time again and I have already had two 6 month extensions. A while ago I seem to remember that this would mean I could only get 2 month extentions from now on. Is this true or did I dream this up?

Any knowledgeable expats out there that can let me me know the current situation is with length of visa extension would be marvellous. 

Cheers 

[Dave Hounddriver]

4 hours ago, Colsie said:

Any knowledgeable expats out there that can let me me know the current situation is

I cannot tell you the current situation where you are because the 6 month extension has always been something that is decided by the "in charge" at your local BI office.  I know this because I asked the "in charge" at the Dumaguete office a couple of years ago.  At that time we could get the 6-month in Cebu but not Duma.  Then shortly after we could get unlimited 6-month in Duma but only 2 in Cebu.  

So if you do not get the answer you want at your local BI then try another office.

[Jollygoodfellow]

5 hours ago, Colsie said:

A while ago I seem to remember that this would mean I could only get 2 month extentions from now on. Is this true or did I dream this up?

It could be but can not be sure of every office. Someone complaining today on FB, BI page that Manila will now only give 2 months where others are doing 6.

Like Dave says, probably depend on which office but also I think we touched on this topic somewhere before or in posts  so others probably have experience in this.

I only do 2 months as I dont know if I will be alive for the whole six so not worth it for me 

[Colsie]

12 hours ago, Dave Hounddriver said:

I cannot tell you the current situation where you are because the 6 month extension has always been something that is decided by the "in charge" at your local BI office.  I know this because I asked the "in charge" at the Dumaguete office a couple of years ago.  At that time we could get the 6-month in Cebu but not Duma.  Then shortly after we could get unlimited 6-month in Duma but only 2 in Cebu.  

So if you do not get the answer you want at your local BI then try another office.

Thanks Dave, so it's just typical of the Philippines. 

Will try for 6 months and update if I manage to get it and at what BI office I went to. 

[Colsie]

11 hours ago, Jollygoodfellow said:

It could be but can not be sure of every office. Someone complaining today on FB, BI page that Manila will now only give 2 months where others are doing 6.

Like Dave says, probably depend on which office but also I think we touched on this topic somewhere before or in posts  so others probably have experience in this.

I only do 2 months as I dont know if I will be alive for the whole six so not worth it for me 

For me, the less time I travel to the BI office the less chance of catching Covid, so going 1 time instead of 3 might keep me alive, well for 6 months 🤔

Edited September 14, 2021 by Colsie

[Jollygoodfellow]

11 hours ago, Colsie said:

For me, the less time I travel to the BI office the less chance of catching Covid, so going 1 time instead of 3 might keep me alive, well for 6 months 🤔

Maybe but I have not been to a BI office since getting my exit clearance about 2 years ago.

[Mike J]

19 hours ago, Jollygoodfellow said:

Maybe but I have not been to a BI office since getting my exit clearance about 2 years ago.

Use an agent?

[Jollygoodfellow]

3 hours ago, Mike J said:

Use an agent?

Yep

I hate immigration. Too many crazy foreigner's there arguing. In the early days I used to do it myself but travel to Mactan where there was usually no wait.

[graham59]

I think it probably depends upon the BI Office.

I use Dagupan Field Office, and to be fair, it's been a breeze. Lovely friendly staff, helpful, quick and efficient.  

[Colsie]

As usual the Tacloban office was almost empty and processing the visa extention took 10 minutes, tops. 

I just don't like travelling into the city, so travelling into the city to get an agent to do it would be pointless and more expensive. 

I ticked the 3 business day box on the application form instead of the express lane option as I have to come back to the city next week for a hospital appointment and the express lane fee is 2,500 pesos extra for the 6 month extension. 

All in all, my 6 month extention cost 4,440 pesos this time. 

I was also charge an additional annual report fee of 300.