Steve, the simple answer is yes.Originally Posted by stevewool
But.....there are, as always, things to understand and consider.
I'll try to help a little.
As you know Steve you don't need a visa to enter the Philippines. Everyone gets a 30 day visa free period which is easily extendable at the going rate. Such tourist visa's can be extended by way of a visa waiver first, granting an additional stay of 29 days then after that applications for 1 month, 2 month & 6 months extensions. This can continue for up to combined total of 36 months
Since you are married to a Philippine Citizen you'll get a 1 year visa free period stamp in your passport under a privilege of the The Balikbayan Program.
The major advantage being you get is that it doesn't cost you anything for that initial one year stay.
But, that 1 year Balikbayan Visa-free period cannot be extended. It expires after one year.
At that time you basically have three options:-
1. Leave the Country for 24 hours min then return together the next day and get another 1 year Balikbayan visa-free and continue the cycle.
2. Convert it to a regular tourist visa at BI office and follow the renewal intervals as explained above under tourist visa.
As mentioned before this route is limited to a 36 month cycle.
3. Convert to a section 13(a) permanent residency in the Philippines. You eligible for this visa on the basis of your marriage to a Philippine citizen.
Finally, you might find it interesting to consider the Retirement Visa under the "Special Resident Retiree's Visa" (SRRV)
Yes, it's more expensive than the other routes mentioned, but it does have a number of additional benefits.
Anyway, as I recall there's a special category for former Filipinos which costs a lot less than the standard. It's called SRRV Courtesy and is around USD1500
Well worth looking at for someone like yourself.
More later Steve. Got to go out just now.
Quote Reply