What passport has your wife? a Filipino one?Originally Posted by jimeve
Who is a Balikbayan:If the 2nd case is reflecting your Wife's status, the green Philippines Immigration stamp (departure date) should show she leaves the Philippines at least 1 year ago for her to qualify as a Balikbayan.
- Former Filipino citizens holding foreign passports, including spouses and children travelling with them.
- Filipinos who have continuously been out of the Philippines for at least one (1) year.
- Filipino overseas workers.
Balikbayan privilege is still one year but can be extended up to 12 months. It means a continuous stay in the Philippines up to 2 years and you need to request extensions (2 months per 2 months up to 12 months after the initial year) at the nearest Philippines Bureau of Immigration:
Extension of stay for Temporary Visitor admitted as Balikbayan:
Temporary Visitors admitted under RA 6768 or "Balikbayan" classification who were given an initial authorized stay on one (1) year, may be granted an extension of not more than two (2) months for non-restricted nationals and one (1) month for restricted nationals per application. As with 9(a) visa holders, this privilege is limited for a maximum extension of twelve (12) months for non-restricted nationals and six (6) months for restricted nationals per admission.
This stay up to 2 years is in line with the ability for a visitor visa (9a visa) holder to extend the initial 21 days waiver visa stay to be extended till 2 years (change of rule in August 2007).
