Extended Visa options

[Russ_UK]

Hi, on my next visit to the Philippines I will be staying for about 2 weeks in Coron & 2 weeks in Sabang - so I will need to get an extended visa.
What are my options ?
Can I get one at arrivals at the airport, or can I get it in either Coron or Sabang ?
What is the easiest & quickest way - and are prices the same ?

Thanks in advance for any help

 

[DevonDiver]

You can get visa extensions at the Main Immigration office in Manila (Intramuros) or at any sub-office. Not sure about PG or Coron, but there's definitely an office in Puerto Princesa, Palawan. The sub-offices are much, much quicker and easier than the main office in Manila.

You get 21 days. Then need to extend that to 2 months total. The extension starts the day you get it, not the day your initial visa expires. Further extensions of 2 months duration are available ongoing... but the 3rd extension (beyond the first 2 months) is expensive as you need to pay for an ID card, extra processing (?) etc.

Prices vary depending on 'which' visa extension it is (1st, 2nd, 3rd etc). In theory, they should cost the same regardless of office

.... but Visa Extensions "...Are More Fun in the Philippines!".... so you'll never know for sure. LOL

 

[Russ_UK]

Thanks for you reply, I wont be going any where near to Puerto Princesa, so I need to get it sorted out either on arrival (on a Sunday) at the airport, then I am only staying for one night in Manila - near to the U.S. Embassy, & will have to leave at noon on the Monday for the flight to Coron. My only other choice I think is if it can be obtained in PG ? Or does anyone have address for a sub-office near to the U.S. Embassy that can do a very quick visa extension ?

I want more fun in the Philippines lol

 

[DevonDiver]

The main office at Intramuros is very close to the US Embassy area.

Not sure how it'd work to get the extension immediately on arrival... they typically only extend from the day you apply, rather than the end of your existing visa. That may well be enough for you anyway...as you're only staying 4 weeks.

Go to the office early AM. It can be a lengthy process!!

Bureau of Immigration National Operations Center (BINOC)
Magallanes Drive, Intramuros, Manila
+632 524-3769 | +632 524-3824 | +632 523-4870
1-800-100- ALIEN (24/7 Toll Free)
For immigration inquiries, send it at: binoc_immigration@hotmail.ph

Here's the website:

The Bureau of Immigration, Philippines Official Website - BI Main Office

TOURIST (NON-RESTRICTED) ADMITTED INITIALLY FOR 21 DAYS MAY BE EXTENDED FOR ANOTHER 38 DAYS

PARTICULARS	AMOUNTS
Visa Waiver	P 500.00
Visa Waiver application Fee	P 1,000.00
Certification Fee	P 500.00
Legal Research Fee (LRF) for each immigration fee Expect Head Tax and Fines	P 30.00
Express Fee	P 1,000.00
Total	P 3,030.00

​

​

Non-immigrant (A)
9(A) Pleasure, business or health
Procedures in the Processing of Applications for Extension of Visitor’s Visa Under Section 9a.


Applications for visitor’s visa under Section 9a shall observe the following procedures, to wit:


Receiving of application with complete documentary requirements;
Verification of travel and derogatory records, assessment of filing, implementation and other fees and generation of Order of Payment Slip;
Releasing of OPS to applicant;
Payment to collecting officer and issuance of Official receipt;
Approval of Extension;
Updating of records, visa implementation and document archiving; and
Release of Passport.
Checklist of Requiremenets for Temporary Visitors Visa


Valid passport of applicant: and
Tourist Visa Extension form duly accomplished (BI Form No. MCL 07-02)
Bureau of Immigration (BI) Clearance Certificate.


An alien who is admitted as a non-immigrant cannot remain in the Philippines permanently. To obtain permanent admission, a non-immigrant alien must depart voluntarily to a foreign country and procure from the appropriate Philippine consul the proper visa and thereafter undergo examination by the officers of the Bureau of Immigration at a Philippine port of entry for determination of his admissibility in accordance with the requirements of this Act.

 

[Russ_UK]

Thanks again, very useful & helpful info

 

[blue steal]

Some tips, dress well. Shorts, t-shirt, sandals not good. Slacks, nice shirt, shoes, better/faster service.
Plus there is an express service, costs a bit more, but will save some time.
Enjoy your stay.

 

[Kupu]

I am a bit surprised to hear that visa renewals are being given from the date of renewal rather than date of initial entry into the country. Possibly the Bureau of Immigration has started squeezing a bit more cash out of the process recently, but in the past renewals have always been cumulative, with no penalty on days allowed to stay for early renewal.

In your shoes, I would visit Sabang first, and use either a travel agent or your dive shop there to handle the renewal process. I expect turnaround time might still be a bit quicker there than Coron. Passport should be processed for extension and returned within a couple days. It is commonly done and not expensive to use an agent for renewal. Much better to spend the day diving instead of sitting at the Bureau of Immigration...

 

[rob1967]

I think you can apply for a longer visa through the Philippines Consulate in your home country, a few weeks prior to departure. Or, you can do as I did a couple of times, just pay the fee for overstaying your visa when you depart the airport at the end of your stay. Either way, I think the cost is the equivalent of about $70.

 

[jbb]

I think you can apply for a longer visa through the Philippines Consulate in your home country, a few weeks prior to departure. Or, you can do as I did a couple of times, just pay the fee for overstaying your visa when you depart the airport at the end of your stay. Either way, I think the cost is the equivalent of about $70.

I would be interested if anyone beside yourself has done the later option - just paying for the overstay upon departure. This about the cheapest and most expedient option if you aren't penalized for future stays. I have processed a visa before traveling here in the U.S. and it will run up to $150 because I use a Visa expediter who adds a fee then paying for express post both ways (gotta send my passport down to San Fransisco to the nearest Philippine consulate) on top of the visa fee itself which was about $55 at the time.

 

[blue steal]

Or you could just marry a filipina and stay as long as you want.