First time traveling to Philippines.

[Mike J]

12 hours ago, BrettGC said:

• Arrive and get your entry stamp or ask to extend the additional 30 days whilst still in the airport.  If you decide to extend at the airport you'll be directed by the immigration officer to an office to do so.  Remember, you can only extend with Philippine currency, they do not accept other currencies.  If you decide not to extend at the airport, you'll have to visit a Bureau of Immigration (BI) office (they're everywhere) on or before the 29th day of your arrival.
• When you go to extend at the end of your 59 days (29 + 30) you go to a BI office, fill out the extension form and you'll also be given an application for your ACR-I card and they'll take some fingerprints/biometrics.  Bring a 2x2 photo with you (not passport sized) to go with your card application.  There's likely to be plenty of places close to the BI office that can do the photo very cheaply.  The card is valid for one year and you won't have to do the photo or biometrics again (this was the case when I did my last card renewal in march) but you will have to do the application form when you re-apply.  
• After you have your ACR-I card you can then extend online but only up to the 1 year point.  After that you have to apply in person or use an agent. 

A very minor clarification.  The initial stay is 30 days, the extension is for 29.

<snip>Foreign nationals who are admitted with an initial stay of thirty (30) days may apply for a visa waiver first, granting an additional stay of twenty nine (29) in the Philippines. Thereafter, you may apply for one (1) month, two (2) months or six (6) months extensions at least one week prior to the expiration of your valid stay.<end snip>

source https://immigration.gov.ph/faqs/

[BrettGC]

2 minutes ago, Mike J said:

A very minor clarification.  The initial stay is 30 days, the extension is for 29.

I always mix it up 

[Mike J]

1 minute ago, BrettGC said:

I always mix it up 

If that is the only thing you get mixed up, you are a long ways ahead of me. 

[BrettGC]

Just now, Mike J said:

If that is the only thing you get mixed up, you are a long ways ahead of me. 

Talk to Captain Cranky (wife) about that 

[Mike J]

3 minutes ago, BrettGC said:

Talk to Captain Cranky (wife) about that 

We are both in SO MUCH TROUBLE if our wives ever meet up.  

[Tommy T.]

14 hours ago, BrettGC said:

To summarise:

• Arrive and get your entry stamp or ask to extend the additional 30 days whilst still in the airport.  If you decide to extend at the airport you'll be directed by the immigration officer to an office to do so.  Remember, you can only extend with Philippine currency, they do not accept other currencies.  If you decide not to extend at the airport, you'll have to visit a Bureau of Immigration (BI) office (they're everywhere) on or before the 29th day of your arrival.
• When you go to extend at the end of your 59 days (29 + 30) you go to a BI office, fill out the extension form and you'll also be given an application for your ACR-I card and they'll take some fingerprints/biometrics.  Bring a 2x2 photo with you (not passport sized) to go with your card application.  There's likely to be plenty of places close to the BI office that can do the photo very cheaply.  The card is valid for one year and you won't have to do the photo or biometrics again (this was the case when I did my last card renewal in march) but you will have to do the application form when you re-apply.  
• After you have your ACR-I card you can then extend online but only up to the 1 year point.  After that you have to apply in person or use an agent. 

Things are evolving with tourist visa extensions so always check regularly for any changed requirements as your extension dates and ACR-I renewals are approaching.

Just for info, the printable forms on the BI website are not up to date so if you're not using an agent, you can't print it from there and pre-fill it in to save time at the office - not a big deal as it only takes about 2 mins to fill in. I've been here just under 3 years and they're on the 3rd iteration of the extension form since I arrived.  

 

It has been a number of years ago (maybe 7 or 8?) when I was doing regular tourist visa renewals. I used an agent - a travel bureau - here in Davao that was located right next door to BI. I just gave them my passport, the fee for renewal plus about P200 and they took care of it all. They held my passport for me and informed me whenever a renewal was due. Then I would go there, sign anything that might be necessary and pay the fee. It could not have been easier. They even assisted when I wanted to leave the country for a trip and accompanied me along the way to get the biometrics and photo taken prior to departure clearance. I think I have only been personally to BI twice in over 10 years.

[BrettGC]

11 minutes ago, Tommy T. said:

It has been a number of years ago (maybe 7 or 8?) when I was doing regular tourist visa renewals. I used an agent - a travel bureau - here in Davao that was located right next door to BI. I just gave them my passport, the fee for renewal plus about P200 and they took care of it all. They held my passport for me and informed me whenever a renewal was due. Then I would go there, sign anything that might be necessary and pay the fee. It could not have been easier. They even assisted when I wanted to leave the country for a trip and accompanied me along the way to get the biometrics and photo taken prior to departure clearance. I think I have only been personally to BI twice in over 10 years.

I thought doing exactly that and pre-signing a couple of extension forms since we live somewhat remotely but AM likes the trip to Dumaguete or Bacolod every couple of months and I have to admit it is nice to get out of town and see civilisation every now and then. I did mention to her after the 13a is approved we wouldn't have to do it anymore and her response was "Good, more money for our trips to Duma or Bacolod" 

[racinkc1]

On 9/29/2024 at 3:17 AM, BrettGC said:

To summarise:

• Arrive and get your entry stamp or ask to extend the additional 30 days whilst still in the airport.  If you decide to extend at the airport you'll be directed by the immigration officer to an office to do so.  Remember, you can only extend with Philippine currency, they do not accept other currencies.  If you decide not to extend at the airport, you'll have to visit a Bureau of Immigration (BI) office (they're everywhere) on or before the 29th day of your arrival.
• When you go to extend at the end of your 59 days (29 + 30) you go to a BI office, fill out the extension form and you'll also be given an application for your ACR-I card and they'll take some fingerprints/biometrics.  Bring a 2x2 photo with you (not passport sized) to go with your card application.  There's likely to be plenty of places close to the BI office that can do the photo very cheaply.  The card is valid for one year and you won't have to do the photo or biometrics again (this was the case when I did my last card renewal in march) but you will have to do the application form when you re-apply.  
• After you have your ACR-I card you can then extend online but only up to the 1 year point.  After that you have to apply in person or use an agent. 

Things are evolving with tourist visa extensions so always check regularly for any changed requirements as your extension dates and ACR-I renewals are approaching.

Just for info, the printable forms on the BI website are not up to date so if you're not using an agent, you can't print it from there and pre-fill it in to save time at the office - not a big deal as it only takes about 2 mins to fill in. I've been here just under 3 years and they're on the 3rd iteration of the extension form since I arrived.  

 

Thank you for this. I probably wont extend at the airport and will just want to get into the country. One question, does the e-travel site ask for the onward flight ticket?

 

[racinkc1]

On 9/29/2024 at 3:46 PM, Mike J said:

A very minor clarification.  The initial stay is 30 days, the extension is for 29.

<snip>Foreign nationals who are admitted with an initial stay of thirty (30) days may apply for a visa waiver first, granting an additional stay of twenty nine (29) in the Philippines. Thereafter, you may apply for one (1) month, two (2) months or six (6) months extensions at least one week prior to the expiration of your valid stay.<end snip>

source https://immigration.gov.ph/faqs/

Im actually just worried about getting into the country successfuly. Ill probably use a visa service my first time extending to simplify things. Question, does the e travel site require the onward ticket flight?

[Mike J]

35 minutes ago, racinkc1 said:

Im actually just worried about getting into the country successfuly. Ill probably use a visa service my first time extending to simplify things. Question, does the e travel site require the onward ticket flight?

You should not have any trouble.  Here is a list of data that eTravel says it collects.  It does not appear that the ongoing flight info has to be entered.

<snip>

The eTravel collects the following data from its users to facilitate the specific transaction applied for

Email Address;
First Name;
Middle Name;
Last Name;
Suffix;
Passport Number;
Sex;
Birth Date;
Civil Status;
Nationality;
Mobile Number;
Address;
Date of Arrival;
Airport/Seaport;
Type of Traveller;
Purpose;
Country of Origin;
Name of Airline/Vessel;
Passenger Type;
Flight Number;
Date of COVID-19 Vaccine First Dose;
Name of Vaccine for First Dose;
Date of COVID-19 Vaccine Second Dose;
Name of Vaccine for Second Dose;
Date of COVID-19 Vaccine Additional/Booster Dose;
Name of Vaccine for Additional/Booster Dose;
Date of COVID-19 Vaccine Second Booster Dose; and
Name of Vaccine for Second Booster Dose;

<end snip>