New "LONG-STAY VISITOR VISA EXTENSION (LSVVE)"

[DevonDiver]

Philippines Immigration are soon to implement a new 'Long-Stay Visitor Visa Extension' (LSVVE). It will be a 6-month renewable visa, to replace the current 2-month version.

The Bureau of Immigration, Philippines Official Website - BI Launches Long-Stay Visa

BI LAUNCHES LONG-STAY VISA

14 June 2013Foreigners intending to stay longer in the country may now avail of a six-month, long-stay tourist visa that will be launched next week by the Bureau of Immigration (BI). BI Commissioner Ricardo A. David, Jr. also announced the introduction of a new visa sticker that will replace the wet stamp used by the Bureau in implementing extensions of stay in the passports of foreign tourists. David said the Long Stay Visitor Visa Extension (LSVVE) project was launched to spur tourist arrivals in the country by giving foreigners the privilege to prolong their stay here without the need to frequent the BI office. Presently, the BI grants foreign tourists a maximum stay of two months each time they apply for visa extensions. “Through this long stay visa, we expect lesser crowding in our offices due to the decreased volume of visa extension applicants,” David said. As for the new visa sticker, the BI chief said it will prevent the proliferation of fake visa extension stamps that has victimized many foreigners. He disclosed that the sticker has security and tracking features that cannot be copied. “It will also speed up transaction in our visa section, allow more efficient tracking of records and faster detection of forged and tampered stamps,” The BI chief added. According to David, the projects were initiated after meetings were meetings between the BI and Department of Tourism and Department of Foreign Affairs were held on what policy reforms can be initiated to further attract more foreign visitors to the country.

The Bureau of Immigration, Philippines Official Website - IMPLEMENTATION OF THE LONG-STAY VISITOR VISA EXTENSION (LSVVE)

IMPLEMENTATION OF THE LONG-STAY VISITOR VISA EXTENSION (LSVVE)

MEMORANDUM ORDER No. RADJR-2013-007 Pursuant to Memorandum Circular No. RADJR-2013-002, the following guidelines are hereby issued in connection with the implementation of the LSVVE:1. Applicability – The LSVVE shall apply to all nationals. 2. Extension of Tourist Visa – Subsequent LSVVEs may be applied for during the last thirty (30) days of the previously issued LSVVE, or upon the expiry of a regular visa extention. 3. Restriction on Extensions – The approval of the Commissioner shall be required for visa extensions when the number of months applied for would exceed the 16-month limit. Foreign nationals with an accumulated total stay near the 16-month cap from the date of their latest arrival should be informed of the preceding restriction should they apply for additional visa extensions. No LSVVE shall be issued to visa-required nationals whose stay exceeds twenty-four (24) months and thirty-six (36) months for non visa-required nationals. 4. Payment and Fees – An additional One Hundred Pesos (Php 100.00) as cost of the sticker visa shall accrue for the account of the Bureau of Treasury. Applicable visa extension fees shall still be collected based on the schedule of fees for the entire six (6) month period.5. Implementation – The initial implementation on the LSVVE shall be limited to the BI Main Office in Intramuros, Manila until further notice.​

BUREAU OF IMMIGRATION MEMORANDUM CIRCULAR NO. RADJR 2013-002


- Only available from the main B.I. Office (Intramuros) "until further notice" (not helpful if you're visiting Cebu etc and don't plan to visit Manila)

- 2 extension (12 months) will take you to the cut-off, where a further renewal (+ 6 months) goes beyond the 16 month limit. I have no idea what the process at that stage will be. It does mention 24 and 36 month extensions... but these seem impossible???

- Expect chaos and rampant bureaucracy - whilst this looks very convenient, it may be the opposite.

- No idea what the charges will be....(it isn't clear from any of the info on the B.I. website).