How long can a Tourist Visa Holder extend a visa for in the Philippines?
The answer is either 24 months or 36 months depending on the country you come from.
Information from www.immigration.gov.ph states:
Under Immigration Memorandum Circular No. SBM-2013-003, non-visa required national may extend their stay up to thirty six (36) months while visa required national may extend their stay up to twenty four (24) months.
Immigration Memorandum Circular No. SBM 2013-003
23 December 2013
Services
Honorable Secretary of Justice (SOJ) Leila M. de Lima approved Immigration Memorandum Circular No. SBM 2013-003 on 23 December 2013 which was recommended by Bureau of Immigration (BI) Commissioner Siegfred B. Mison. Said issuance provides for the policies and guidelines on the extension and updating of temporary visitor’s visa (TVV).
Allowable Extensions
Foreigners admitted under Section 9 (a) of the Philippine Immigration Act (PIA) of 1940, as amended, or Executive Order No. 408, as amended, may extend their authorized stay every two (2) months for a total stay of not more than:
a) Twenty-four (24) months for visa-required nationals; and
b) Thirty-six (36) months for non-visa required nationals.
The said periods shall be counted from the date of applicant’s latest recorded arrival.
Foreigners with Derogatory Records
Foreigners included in the Bureau’s derogatory list shall be allowed to extend/ update their authorized stay as temporary visitors; Provided that, their inclusion in the derogatory list is not on the ground of having overstayed in the country.
Restrictions on Extension/Updating
The following applications for extension/ updating, accompanied by a sworn written explanation stating valid grounds and/or justifications with supporting documents, shall require the approval of the Commissioner:
a) Extensions of stay beyond the maximum allowable stay prescribed in Section 2 hereof; and
b) Foreigners who have overstayed for more than six (6) months but not exceeding twelve (12) months regardless if their stay is within the maximum allowable period.
Acquisition of Appropriate Visa/Permit
Foreigners may be granted an extension beyond the maximum allowable period provided that they shall secure appropriate visas/ permits during such extension and have not overstayed in any given period.
Overstaying Foreigners
Foreigners who have overstayed for twelve (12) months or less but have been in the country beyond the maximum allowable period already may be permitted to update their stay with order to leave the country within fifteen (15) calendar days therefrom and their names may be included in the Bureau’s blacklist upon the discretion of the Commissioner; Provided that, the Commissioner, in the exercise of sound judgment, may allow such foreigners to update and extend their stay taking into consideration their Filipino lineage, medical condition, minority and other analogous circumstances.
Foreigners who have overstayed for more than twelve (12) months regardless if their stay is within the maximum allowable period or those found to be overstaying by virtue to a complaint or Mission Order regardless of the period shall be referred for deportation.
Payment
In addition to the extension/ updating fees and other charges, the concerned foreigners shall be required to pay all immigration arrears imposed by Republic Act No. 562, as amended.
Good day. Is it okay to extend the tourist visa of Belgian citizen before end of this month (March) 2020 ?
Thanks you, I just worried about the Covid virus?
I haven’t heard of any changes to extensions.
My partner is coming from Spain and he is allowed to extend his visa for 36 months, After that he exit and went to Malaysia and he return here because he likes to stay here in Philippines, why is it that the BI Cebu mactan International Airport asking for a return ticket to Spain? is he not allowed to extend his visa like what he did before? thank you.
Thank you. I appreciate your kind response. God bless!
For a Balikbayan US Citizen and has not yet applied for Dual Citizenship, how long can he stay in the Philippines without penalties? If he has stayed in the Philippines for more than 9 months, can he return to the US to apply for Dual Citizenship and return to the Philippines to stay permanently for good? Any penalties for Balikbayan overstaying for 9 months? How much? Please send reply via email to: clemencecortes@yahoo.com
Thank you.
Clemence Cortes Amador
A Balikbayan gets 12 months on entry.
You say you have stayed 9 months. Do you have 3 months left?
Or have you stayed 21 months, ie: 9 months over the 12.