Executive Order 408. 30 Days max

[Snowy79]

18 minutes ago, BrettGC said:

I'm on a 9a and allowed to extend.  It's only the visa on arrival people that can't and that wasn't the question anyway.  Dave asked about visa runs for those already here.  I just confirmed with BI that upon re-entry they will not be able to extend.  

That's my take on it also. To leave you need an Exit Clearance Certificate which will cancel your 9a the minute you pass the gate. 

[Clermont]

I'll chuck this in here, I was looking up PI airline tickets and the other day you needed travel insurance along with all the other rubbish. Today the travel insurance is omitted from their requirement's before boarding, no typo, is something in the wind. 

[Snowy79]

It's the issue that keeps on giving. I just had an update on one of the sites that is constantly asking if extensions are allowed. One guy posted that at 3pm Immigration made a statement that extensions were allowed and he attached a link to a closed forum. It got my hopes up until someone posted a screenshot. It was from a messenger reply saying extensions were allowed and not an official statement. That'll be four messenger screenshots I've seen from Immigration with different answers.  I've messaged Immigration to see if they can release an official statement not a messenger reply.

[Gator]

5 hours ago, BrettGC said:

I'm on a 9a and allowed to extend.  It's only the visa on arrival people that can't and that wasn't the question anyway.  Dave asked about visa runs for those already here.  I just confirmed with BI that upon re-entry they will not be able to extend.  

I stopped by the Cebu BOI office in J Mall this morning to pick up a visa extension form. Asked the officer at the information booth on behalf  a “friend” about a visa run. He said the same - currently upon reentry they will not be allowed to extend.
 

But he added that you can apply for a 9A visa with an entry exemption certificate via your countries respective Philippines embassy / consulate. He added it would likely be granted if you can prove residency and have ties to the community…..he suggested to get a barangay certificate of residency before leaving, notarized copy of lease if renting, copy of Philippine bank statements, OR / CR (if you own a vehicle), etc. and write a letter (affidavit) explaining your situation to submit with your application.  
 

[Mike J]

I am beginning to possibly see some clarity here?  If you apply for a visa prior to entering the country you have in hand a VISA upon entry.  If you arrive as a tourist you have no VISA, and you just get an arrival stamp in your passport.  You have no VISA to extend.  Those people who have been here for awhile and have a VISA can extend up to three years.  That VISA is lost/cancelled at the end of three years.  If they exit and enter without an "existing" visa they are simply a tourist with an entry stamp and will not be allowed to extend.  So basically you can only extend if you apply for the visa from your home country, otherwise there is no VISA to extend.  At least I think that is how it works now.    

Edited February 14, 2022 by Mike J

[gabgab]

Quite a few people who arrived in the Philippines in the past few days without a visa have been extending their stay. There has also not been a single official announcement saying otherwise, and there definitely would have been one if there was such a major shift in policy, yes even in the Philippines. So far anything to the contrary has been just rumors, 'secret leaked emails' from embassies, vloggers creating drama for views and what not. This cult of "extending is not possible" is no different than "the covid vaccine has nanomites in it" by now. Equally obsessed and equally delusional.

Edited February 14, 2022 by jimdones

[Old55]

Pea's expert says nothing has changed but there is confusion online.

[Mike J]

4 minutes ago, Old55 said:

Pea's expert says nothing has changed but there is confusion online.

Sounds like confusion in the BOI offices also. 

[Snowy79]

Just watched an actual confirmation that extensions are allowed. A blogger who arrived on the 10th went to Intramuros to extend and has videoed all his paperwork including costs etc showing a two month extension. The only additional thing on his paperwork was a stamp saying an Exit Clearance Certificate is required after 6 months and must be procured at least one week in advance. 

[graham59]

Which vlogger was that ?