Posted here because no section for Philippine visa

[fred]

Not sure how I get it, but for the last 3 visits I've been given the 1 year Balikbayan visa.

Bear in mind that we're not yet married, and also the middle visit I was entering the country on my own and was asked if I wanted it. I can only presume it was because the immigration officer had seen my previous visa

Be a bit careful of accepting these dodgy BB stamps Simon.. We have had a few guys being stopped and questioned about them trying to exit and missing their flights.. Worse case scenario they could deport and blacklist you etc..

[SimonH]

Be a bit careful of accepting these dodgy BB stamps Simon.. We have had a few guys being stopped and questioned about them trying to exit and missing their flights.. Worse case scenario they could deport and blacklist you etc..

Thanks Fred,

Didn't realise there was anything dodgy about them. The first time it happened I didn't even realise until I checked my passport a week or two into the holiday as I remembered the standard visa was only valid for 30 days and we were there for 5 weeks. It's not as if I've ever asked for it, in fact when I was offered it in September last year I declined it as I was only staying for 2 weeks.
Maybe the reason I've never been questioned is that we've always left as a family and approached immigration together

[fred]

Thanks Fred,

Didn't realise there was anything dodgy about them. The first time it happened I didn't even realise until I checked my passport a week or two into the holiday as I remembered the standard visa was only valid for 30 days and we were there for 5 weeks. It's not as if I've ever asked for it, in fact when I was offered it in September last year I declined it as I was only staying for 2 weeks.
Maybe the reason I've never been questioned is that we've always left as a family and approached immigration together

Ive had them stamped when not travelling with the Mrs in the past..Just my son when he was about 6 years old..Not supposed to happen but at least I could have told them later that I had entered with the Mrs had there been an issue later..
A lot of single guys have been offered these long after they arrived for 15k..They thought they were paying fixers to give them a legit one year visa..(which do not exist) They tell me that they had a scary time at the airport a year later.. Lesson learned.

Best just to read this IMO...
http://www.immigration.gov.ph/faqs/v...ayan-previlege