Exit Clearance Visa - with a Balikbayan stamp.

[Steve.r]

I went to Marqee Mall, Clarke today to see about an exit clearance certificate as I have been here in Phils for over six months.

First off, the immigration offices are closed on Saturday, so that was a bad move, but there was an immigration officer sat at a table who was able to give me some advice. He said that because I was holding a Balikbayan visa and leaving the Philippines before my 1 year was up, I did not need a clearance certificate.
Apparently, if you enter the Philippines on a 30 day visa and extend and extend over the six month time, or in my case extended my Balikbayan for another six months then I would need an exit clearance certificate. Luckily though I am exiting before my year is up and don't need it.

I hope that helps anyone who was worried about that.

One more thing. If you extend and extend over the six month period, you automatically get an ACR-I card. Being on a Balikbayan visa you don't get one unless you extend again. The rules are just changing for the ACR-I card but this is what the official said today.

[Arthur Little]

I went to Marqee Mall, Clarke today to see about an exit clearance certificate as I have been here in Phils for over six months.

First off, the immigration offices are closed on Saturday, so that was a bad move, but there was an immigration officer sat at a table who was able to give me some advice. He said that because I was holding a Balikbayan visa and leaving the Philippines before my 1 year was up, I did not need a clearance certificate.
Apparently, if you enter the Philippines on a 30 day visa and extend and extend over the six month time, or in my case extended my Balikbayan for another six months then I would need an exit clearance certificate. Luckily though I am exiting before my year is up and don't need it.

I hope that helps anyone who was worried about that.

One more thing. If you extend and extend over the six month period, you automatically get an ACR-I card. Being on a Balikbayan visa you don't get one unless you extend again. The rules are just changing for the ACR-I card but this is what the official said today.

's certainly reassuring news for many, Steve ...

[fred]

Steve... Remember..A BB stamp is not a visa...It`s a privilege offered to Balikbayans, their spouses and dependants to stay visa free for one year.. No clearance certificate required to exit.

You cannot extend a BB stamp..But!! you can apply for a tourist visa after it expires..

[grahamw48]

Also, it is my understanding that an ACR-1 stamp/sticker/cert is usually required before being able to open a local bank account.