The New Balikbayan privilidge

[Pauldo]

So my wife can show her current Filipino passport and hide her current Brit passport and she won't have to do battle with the f***wits at immigration who don't actually know the new laws, and probably won't for several years?

Or am I being cynical

[ginapeterb]

Originally posted by Pauldo@Dec 21 2005, 08:14 AM
So my wife can show her current Filipino passport and hide her current Brit passport and she won't have to do battle with the f***wits at immigration who don't actually know the new laws, and probably won't for several years?

Or am I being cynical

Quoted post

hmm Paul, your wife may show her Filipino passport of course, but it means that you and your dependant child would be entitled to balikbayan visa privilidge, so if you wanted to stay for longer than 21 days, you are no longer required to visit the Phiilippine Embassy in L ondon to obtain a visitors visa in excess of the 21 days, i.e. the 59 day visa, which I had last year, you mut of course inform immigration at your port of arrival that you wish to avail yourself ot this privilidge, as it is called, (sounds like they think they are doing us a favour) but having said that, it just m eans that the foreign spouse...doesnt have to have a tourist visa, to visit his wifes country, which I think is much better than the procedure before.

Ok its worth knowing isnt it

[Pauldo]

Originally posted by ginapeterb@Dec 21 2005, 10:07 AM
hmm Paul, your wife may show her Filipino passport of course, but it means that you and your dependant child would be entitled to balikbayan visa privilidge, so if you wanted to stay for longer than 21 days, you are no longer required to visit the Phiilippine Embassy in L ondon to obtain a visitors visa in excess of the 21 days, i.e. the 59 day visa, which I had last year, you mut of course inform immigration at your port of arrival that you wish to avail yourself ot this privilidge, as it is called, (sounds like they think they are doing us a favour) but having said that, it just m eans that the foreign spouse...doesnt have to have a tourist visa, to visit his wifes country, which I think is much better than the procedure before.

Ok its worth knowing isnt it

Quoted post

Pete, I meant she won't have to try to persuade the numpties on immigration that she is entitled to a Balikbayan visa, as a 'former' Filipino citizen. If she just uses her Filipino passport it'll cut down on the potential 'challenges' that immigration could present, and that's worth its weight in gold I reckon.

Of course, if we go with her and she uses her Brit passport, we don't get the super-visa, just the three weeker. That's why I persuaded her to renew her PI passport instead of just tossing it in the garbage. :o I know it will have its uses some day.

I'm off to the PI on the 31st. That should be interesting, haven't been for nearly two years. Wonder what progress has been made.........

[deepete]

It looks like she can travel on her British passport and take her old P.I. passport as proof that she is filipino by birth.

I have never had a problem when we have travelled together, always get the balikbayan stamp, cos once my wife starts rabbitting at the immigration officer I dont think there could be any doubt that she is anything else but filipino

[walesrob]

Originally posted by deepete@Dec 21 2005, 05:23 PM

I have never had a problem when we have travelled together, always get the balikbayan stamp

Quoted post

Yeah me too....we both handed our passports together and I got a 1 year stamp, didn't need any certificates, etc.

[ginapeterb]

Originally posted by walesrob@Dec 21 2005, 06:08 PM
Yeah me too....we both handed our passports together and I got a 1 year stamp, didn't need any certificates, etc.

Quoted post

I agree with you Paul, well it looks like Rob has already got this, so it works !

[Pauldo]

Originally posted by ginapeterb@Dec 21 2005, 08:08 PM
I agree with you Paul, well it looks like Rob has already got this, so it works !

Quoted post

Pete, I dream of needing a Balikbayan stamp.
I'm only going for five days this time :( Collect the mom in law, say hi to some old friends, and off home again. Barely time to get sunburnt.

An extra few days stay saw the ticket price rise by an astronomical £300 for some reason. I reckon we got the very last of the el cheapo Emirates flights for that early January period.