World Wide Diver
Contributor
We do not advise to use an agent to extend your visa (unless you are spending extended time in a remote area from which travel is hard to get to an Immigration Office). This is because the use of agents is now actively discouraged by the Bureau of Immigration and the process is very simple and straightforward to do yourself.
Here is info that posted earlier about extending tourist visas. Note that fees may have increased slightly.
Tourism Visa on Entry
A free 21 day tourism visa is issued on entry into the Philippines.
This can be extended at your point of entry to 60 days, otherwise a visa can be applied for at any Bureau of Immigration office.
Immigration Officers do advise that you apply in advance for the 60 day extended visa though Philippine Consulates in your home country/country of departure.
First Extension
This application, for 38 days, requires 2 photos and the completion of a visa extension form. (provided by immigrataion). You will need a photopy of your passport ID page, page with your Philippine Immigration entry stamp and (if applicable) previous extension stamps.
The cost is 3030 pesos. 1000 for the actual visa the rest is fees for this, that, and the other.
Further Extensions
Further visas are issued for 60 day extensions, up to a total of stay of 16 months in the Philippines. The cost for each extension is approx is 4300 pesos, again there are fees for this and that. (Head tax, research fee, annual report fee, express fee, reconsideration fee, etc)
The cost for the 60 day tourism extension visas do vary a little depending on your cummulative length of your stay; visas do become slightly cheaper the longer you stay in the Philippines.
For 16 to 24 months, tourism Visa applications need to be approved by the Chief of Immigration Regulation (based in Manila). Applications for a stay beyond 24 months needs approval of the Commissioner. You used to have to go in person to Manila to get this done, but we understand that local officers can now deal with this (the Commissioner recognised that people were travelling great distances and incurring big costs).
Other Info
Anyone who has remained in the Philipines longer than 6 months needs an exit certificate from the Bureau of Immigration. Again, 2 photos and a form to fill in, and 1500 pesos (you can take a risk and pay at the airport when you leave, but this is not advised).
Until recently, there was a strict dress code in immigration offices - long trousers, t-shirt/shirt and shoes/trainers. This has been relaxed (shorts and sandles OK now). Regardless, we advise you still attend smartly dressed to show respect and be respected.
Though an 'express fee' is charged, it can take an hour or more to have your forms processed at very busy times. Like Rhoody said, some offices can/do normally process your application in 20-30 mins (as long as you have all your documents in order).
Finally, please ensure that you have proof of an onward flight out of the PI's when you land. Immigration Officers can/do ask for this information. For your tourist visa extensions, Immigration Offices normally don't ask for this information, though the extension form does ask for it.
Hope this helps.
Here is info that posted earlier about extending tourist visas. Note that fees may have increased slightly.
Tourism Visa on Entry
A free 21 day tourism visa is issued on entry into the Philippines.
This can be extended at your point of entry to 60 days, otherwise a visa can be applied for at any Bureau of Immigration office.
Immigration Officers do advise that you apply in advance for the 60 day extended visa though Philippine Consulates in your home country/country of departure.
First Extension
This application, for 38 days, requires 2 photos and the completion of a visa extension form. (provided by immigrataion). You will need a photopy of your passport ID page, page with your Philippine Immigration entry stamp and (if applicable) previous extension stamps.
The cost is 3030 pesos. 1000 for the actual visa the rest is fees for this, that, and the other.
Further Extensions
Further visas are issued for 60 day extensions, up to a total of stay of 16 months in the Philippines. The cost for each extension is approx is 4300 pesos, again there are fees for this and that. (Head tax, research fee, annual report fee, express fee, reconsideration fee, etc)
The cost for the 60 day tourism extension visas do vary a little depending on your cummulative length of your stay; visas do become slightly cheaper the longer you stay in the Philippines.
For 16 to 24 months, tourism Visa applications need to be approved by the Chief of Immigration Regulation (based in Manila). Applications for a stay beyond 24 months needs approval of the Commissioner. You used to have to go in person to Manila to get this done, but we understand that local officers can now deal with this (the Commissioner recognised that people were travelling great distances and incurring big costs).
Other Info
Anyone who has remained in the Philipines longer than 6 months needs an exit certificate from the Bureau of Immigration. Again, 2 photos and a form to fill in, and 1500 pesos (you can take a risk and pay at the airport when you leave, but this is not advised).
Until recently, there was a strict dress code in immigration offices - long trousers, t-shirt/shirt and shoes/trainers. This has been relaxed (shorts and sandles OK now). Regardless, we advise you still attend smartly dressed to show respect and be respected.
Though an 'express fee' is charged, it can take an hour or more to have your forms processed at very busy times. Like Rhoody said, some offices can/do normally process your application in 20-30 mins (as long as you have all your documents in order).
Finally, please ensure that you have proof of an onward flight out of the PI's when you land. Immigration Officers can/do ask for this information. For your tourist visa extensions, Immigration Offices normally don't ask for this information, though the extension form does ask for it.
Hope this helps.
