Marriage in Fils and Visa

[MarkR]

Hi,

I am marrying my filipino g/f in september in her hometown of Butuan in Mindanao, having visited her twice in the last 12 months.

After the embassy malarky (yes I have an appointment!) and then flying back to Butuan to register for the marriage license, we intend to go on a pre-wedding honeymoon, maybe to Hong Kong for a week. So it seems to me I will only be in the fils for 1.5weeks then another 2.5 weeks when we get back - so less than 21 days in any one visit. So I am thinking I can get away without applying either here in UK or in Phils for a stay extension? Can anyone see any problem with my cunning plan?

If we dont go to Hong Kong then it is likely to be Boracay so I will then need to get a stay extension. I remember seeing on this forum that you could apply for an extension once in the Fils but I cant find the details now. Could someone tell me where you have to go to apply if I leave it until arrival? Is it at the airport?

Cheers,
Mark.

[Terpe]

Hi there Mark,

You're correct that a 21 day visa is given on arrival to Philippines.
Plus, when you leave Philippines the 21 days visa starts again at arrival upon your return.

If you are sure you will not be leaving the Philippines during your stay it may be better/easier to secure a 59 day visa at the Embassy here in UK before you leave.
If you're undecided, it is, as you say, easy to secure a 38 day extension to your existing entry visa at your nearest/any immigration office.

I suggest you consider using an agency (eg Swagman travel or similar) and by paying them a small fee (around P500) they will get the extension for you.
Naturally you can do it yourself if you wish, but the agent will certainly will save you a whole lot of time and the potential red-tape frustrations.

The current costs for the extension are:-

Aliens initially admitted for 21days may be extended for another 38 days

Visa Waiver Application Fee....P1000.00
Visa Waiver.........................P500.00
Legal Research Fee...............P20.00
Express Fee.........................P500.00
BI-Clearance........................P1010.00
TOTAL................................P3030.00


Best of luck for your upcoming wedding.

[MarkR]

Thanks Terpe? for the advice (and mention of Swagman, I hadn't come across them before). As it happens I have just booked the flights from Manila to Hong Kong (and back) so at least I save myself a trip down to war torn London on Friday afternoon for the visa! Oh yes, Ann is now mega excited too, think she is more excited by Hong Kong than marrying me ;-)

Mark.

[Terpe]

..................Oh yes, Ann is now mega excited too, think she is more excited by Hong Kong than marrying me ;-)

Mark.

I doubt that she is...
Have a great holiday in Hong Kong.............it's a great place to spend time together.
Good Luck Mark

[briancol]

hi,just last week i booked and paid for my flight the the Phills,only problem ive just realised ive booked for 22 days instead of the 21 visa free,i arrive in cebu on 5th Nov & leave on the 26th Nov,would i need a visa for that extra day? my wife is Philippine & ive read that i dont need a visa if im married to a Philippine if so whats the procedure there,do i just take a copy of my marriage certificate with me? & show it to customs when i arrive at the airport? thanks.

[Terpe]

hi,just last week i booked and paid for my flight the the Phills,only problem ive just realised ive booked for 22 days instead of the 21 visa free,i arrive in cebu on 5th Nov & leave on the 26th Nov,would i need a visa for that extra day? my wife is Philippine & ive read that i dont need a visa if im married to a Philippine if so whats the procedure there,do i just take a copy of my marriage certificate with me? & show it to customs when i arrive at the airport? thanks.

Without changes to your flight you've got three choices really:-

1. Obtain a 59 day visa before you leave for Phils
2. Obtain a 38 day extension after arrival to Philippines at an Immigration office. (not
sure if this is possible at Cebu airport directly upon arrival)
3. Pay an overstay fine of approx P500 + the cost of a visa extension. You will need to
do this at an Immigration Office - Not the airport.

I know what I'd do

[briancol]

last time i went there i needed a visa but when i asked the travel agent here in the uk,they said i wouldnt even b allowed to board the plane without a visa.

[sars_notd_virus]

my husband paid it in the airport,he overstay for a week.

[briancol]

my husband paid it in the airport,he overstay for a week.

thanks for that,but did he pay when entering the Phill or when he was leaving? thanks.

[Terpe]

my husband paid it in the airport,he overstay for a week.

I trust you sars, but when was that?
I thought they changed the rules recently? I may be wrong (usually am)

[Maria B]

hello mark,

or u may phone them if u happen to be in cebu (if u pick the cebu-hongkong direct flight via Cathay Pacific or Cebu Pacific)or when ur in Butuan.

CENTRAL VISAYAS

Bureau of Immigration Cebu District Office
P. Burgos St., Tribunal, Mandaue City 6014
Mr. Casimiro P. Madarang III - Acting Regional Director and Alien Control Officer
ROMEO L. JUNIA - Technical Assistant to the Commissioner for Region 7
Tel. # (032) 345-6442-4 Fax:345-6441
Airport - (032) 340-1473/3400-751

Also please check their official website:
BI Support Offices
http://immigration.gov.ph/index.php?...=128&Itemid=73

Updated extension visa fees
http://immigration.gov.ph/index.php?...=118&Itemid=43

in my case...i always depend on my dad my husband visited me 12x in Cebu for 3years (2006-2008& in every extension, i just give his passport to my dad & pay Php1,500 for 59 days extension. Passport will be given back straight away. (Blessed to have a Dad who works 45 years of experience in travels-Just hesistant to give his info in the forum if it's allowed or not)

Wishing u all the best and congratulations to your upcoming wedding

[KeithD]

my husband paid it in the airport,he overstay for a week.

Why risk arrest and a future visa issue for the sake of £20?

[sars_notd_virus]

thanks for that,but did he pay when entering the Phill or when he was leaving? thanks.

my husband need one week extension , so when he arrived he went to the immigration booth in NAIA and they gave him a quote on how much he will pay before he exits the Philippines. he then paid it in the immigration booth(NAIA) when he was leaving .

I trust you sars, but when was that?
I thought they changed the rules recently? I may be wrong (usually am)

thanks terpe, it was january 2010.. I was with him upstairs inside the departure area(NAIA)..waiting for him to give me a sign that everything goes well, he then gives me a thumbs up means everything was settled.
I dont care if they changed the rules , am sure we will be doing a different route when we plan to extend our stay the next time we visit the PH.

[sars_notd_virus]

Why risk arrest and a future visa issue for the sake of £20?

No risk, it was planned a week before he leaves the UK , I seek the advice of my uncle who works in NAIA on what to do if he extends a week stay to the PH.

[andy222]

I have a place in butuan going there in september. Good luck mark.