PH Tourist Visa Extension

Foreign nationals who wish to extend their stay in the Philippines beyond the period granted upon entry can apply for a TVV extension. The Bureau of Immigration has outlined a clear process for this, which includes:

• Requirements: A valid passport, an authorized stay that is not yet expired, a Special Security Registration Number (SSRN), or a valid Alien Certificate of Registration Identification Card (ACR I-CARD).
• Procedures: Eligible applicants must register personal information on the Bureau of Immigration E-Services website, fill out an electronic form, pay prescribed fees online, and await confirmation and official receipts via email.

The Following Nationals May Visit the Philippines Visa-Free

New Requirements for Online Visa Extension:

• Initial 29-Day Extension: The first 29-day extension, which is technically a visa waiver, is now available online through the Bureau of Immigration’s e-Services portal
• Subsequent Extensions: After the initial 59 days, you can apply for additional 1 or 2-month visa extensions via the same online portal

Restrictions:

They’ve recently changed who can renew their visas online.  The following groups are not  eligible to renew their tourist visas online:

• The following groups are not eligible for OAPS:
  • Indian nationals with visa-free entry for up to 14 days.
  • PROC nationals with visa-free entry for up to 7 days.
  • Hong Kong SAR and Macau SAR passport holders with specific conditions.
  • Holders of British National Overseas and Macau-Portuguese passports.
  • Those with downgraded immigrant or non-immigrant visas.
  • Minor children born in the Philippines who failed to register under the Alien Registration Act.

In addition, if you’ve been here longer than a year you can’t renew online anymore. If you have any derogatory record they may not let you renew online either.

Philippines Visa Extension Fees

I. 29-Day Visa Waiver Extension

II. After 59 Days of Stay

A. First Time After 59 Days (2-Month Extension)

Costs:

| Total for 1 Month Extension | 3,030.00 |
| Total for 2 Month Extension | 8,500.00 | With New ACR Card

This was transcribed from a picture I took at the Lapu Lapu BI Office last month

Please note that the rules and regulations change frequently, so it’s advisable to get assistance from a Philippines Visa Specialist or check the Bureau of Immigration’s official resources for the most current information. Whether you’re planning a short visit or a long-term stay, staying informed about the latest visa policies will ensure a smooth experience in the Philippines

Official Memorandum for new requirements to extend tourist visas online

It’s Getting Harder to Extend Your Tourist Visa

Back in the day you could keep extending your tourist visa for up to 36 months, take a vacation in Thailand, come back, and keep extending your tourist visa. I’m sorry to say those days have come to an end.  The Philippines has joined, Thailand, Vietnam, and other ASEAN countries making it more difficult to stay on a tourist visa.

Per Memorandum IRD-2024-024

Bureau of Immigration agents are ordered to scrutinize tourist visa extensions more than before. They want to make sure you’re a genuine tourist so they’ll ask questions like:

• where you plan to go,
• how you’ll get there,
• how you’ll pay for your trip,
• etc.
• They’ll also check your documents to make sure they are authentic.

The Philippines is joining the rest of the world in an immigration crackdown. This has been a long time coming. First, they took away the 6-month extensions and made it more difficult to extend the TVV online, now they’ll be scrutinizing applications more, and soon they’ll make it impossible to extend your tourist visa for extended periods

This is why I recommend you get off the tourist visa if you plan on living here. As of now, the only two practical options are the SRRV or the 13a Marriage Visa. You can read my article on which is best for you.

How About The Digital Nomad Visa?

President Marcos has issued an order to study a digital nomad visa.  There is currently a proposal in the works and it could include:

• Visa Duration and Renewal: The visa will allow digital nomads to stay in the Philippines for an initial period of 12 months, with the possibility of extending for another 12 months.
• Eligibility Requirements:
  • Proof of remote work or freelance engagement.
  • A valid passport.
  • A clean criminal record.
  • Health insurance coverage.
  • Proof of income that demonstrates the ability to sustain oneself financially while in the country.
• Taxation: Visa holders will be exempt from paying local income taxes in the Philippines, as they will continue to pay taxes in their home countries.

As of now it hasn’t been finalized and is therefore not an option.

Special Resident Retiree’s Visa (SRRV)

The SRRV is a non-immigrant visa for foreign nationals who consider the Philippines as a second home or investment destination. It offers multiple-entry and exit privileges and exempts holders from the ACR-I Card and travel tax if they have not stayed in the Philippines for more than a year from the last date of entry¹.

There are different SRRV options available:

• SRRV Classic: Allows the use of the visa deposit for active investments such as purchasing a condominium unit or long-term lease of property, with a deposit of $10,000 with a pension or $20,000 without a pension.
• SRRV Courtesy: For former Filipinos and retired officers of international organizations, requiring a deposit of $1,500¹.
• SRRV Expanded Courtesy: For retired armed forces officers with existing military ties with the Philippine government, requiring a monthly pension of at least $1,000 and a visa deposit of $1,500

It’s important to note that the SRRV Smile program, which previously allowed applicants as young as 35 with a $20,000 deposit, has been suspended indefinitely and is unlikely to be reinstated.

A key issue prompting the suspension was the discovery that a substantial number of SRRV holders were Chinese nationals aged between 35 and 49, raising national security concerns. This led to a reevaluation of the program to ensure its integrity and alignment with its original intent of attracting genuine retirees.

Special Resident Retiree’s Visa (SRRV) Costs:

• Application Fee:
  • $1,400 for the principal applicant
  • $300 for each dependent
• Annual Fee:
  • $360 for up to three family members
  • $100 per additional dependent
• Visa Deposit Requirements:
  • SRRV Classic: $10,000 (with pension) or $20,000 (without pension)n
  • SRRV Courtesy & Expanded Courtesy: $1,500 deposit

​To extend or renew your Special Resident Retiree’s Visa (SRRV) in the Philippines, you can follow these steps:

1. Communication: Contact the nearest Philippine Retirement Authority (PRA) office via email or telephone to signify your intention to renew/update your PRA ID card
2. Payment: The PRA office will check your file and provide you with instructions, including payment details for the annual renewal fee. The fee is approximately USD 360 per YEAR
3. Collection: You can either collect your new PRA ID card in person when it’s ready or have it couriered to your home in the Philippines or internationally.

13a Marriage Visa

Key Points:

• The 13a visa grants permanent residency to foreign spouses of Filipino citizens.
• The visa itself does not expire after the probationary period, but the ACR I-Card must be renewed every 5 years.
• If initially granted, the 13a visa is probationary for one year. After this period, the visa holder must apply for conversion to permanent residency.
• Renewal of the ACR I-Card is mandatory and requires submission of documents and payment of fees at a BI office.

Key Requirements for 13a Visa Holders:

1. Annual Report (AR) – Every January to March, all foreign nationals with permanent resident visas (including 13a holders) must report in person at a BI office and pay a fee.
2. ACR I-Card Renewal – While the visa itself is permanent, the ACR I-Card must be renewed every 5 years.
3. Probationary to Permanent – The first year of the 13a visa is probationary, after which it must be converted to a permanent visa.

Failure to comply with the Annual Report (AR) can lead to:

• Fines and penalties
• Possible visa cancellation
• Issues when traveling in and out of the Philippines

13a Marriage Visa Costs:

• Application Fees: Vary by location and whether applying inside or outside the Philippines
  • Inside PH (probationary 13a): ₱10,000+ (~$177+)
  • Conversion to Permanent: Additional ₱10,000 (~$177)
• ACR I-Card Renewal: ₱3,000+ (~$53) every 5 years
• Annual Report: ₱310 (~$5.50) due every year

There is NO deposit required for a 13a visa. Some embassies may charge different processing fees for applications outside the Philippines.