GOVPH

As instituted by Republic Act No. 6768 (amended by Republic Act No. 9174), the Balikbayan Program was launched by the Philippine government “under the administration of the Department of Tourism to attract and encourage Overseas Filipinos to come and visit their motherland.”

A visa-free stay of a maximum of one (1) year is extended to the following balikbayans every time they visit the country, regardless of the frequency of their travel:

• A former Filipino citizen holding a foreign passport AND members of his/her family (family shall mean the non-Filipino spouse and minor, unmarried children of the balikbayan, who are not balikbayans in their own right). The family member/s can avail of the privilege on the condition that they enter and exit the Philippines with the balikbayans, and they are citizens of countries covered by the Program;
• A Filipino citizen who has been continuously out of the Philippines for a period of at least one (1) year from the date of last departure and his/her family; and
• A Filipino overseas worker.

Documents to be presented to the Immigration Officer to prove BALIKBAYAN status

Former Filipino balikbayans travelling to the Philippines are advised to bring either of the following as proof of their former Philippine citizenship (Note: these documents should be returned to the balikbayans after assessment):

• Old Philippine passport;
• Copy of Birth Certificate;
• Naturalization papers indicating former Filipino citizenship; or
• Certification issued by the adoptive country that the individual is a former Filipino citizen.

Accompanying family members of the balikbayan can bring appropriate supporting documents to show evidence of relationship:

• For the spouse: copy of Marriage Certificate
• For each child: copy of Birth Certificate (proving kinship to the balikbayan parent)
• For legally adopted children: copy of adoption papers

Filipino citizens who have been continuously out of the country are advised to bring their Philippine passport showing date of last departure.

The balikbayan may also show to the Immigration Officer a printout of the Balikbayan Program page of the Bureau of Immigration website, which can be found HERE.

Extension of Stay

Visitors who are admitted as balikbayan are given an initial stay of one (1) year. Their stay may be extended for an additional one (1), two (2) or six (6) months at the Visa Extension Section of the Bureau of Immigration office. Balikbayans who have stayed in the Philippines after thirty six (36) months may be required to submit additional requirements. For more information, please click HERE.

Countries covered by the Balikbayan Program

Former Filipinos who have acquired citizenship from a country listed below can avail of the one-year visa-free balikbayan stay. If the country of citizenship is not listed, the balikbayan must apply for a Philippine visa.

The non-Filipino spouse and dependent children of a former Filipino can avail of the one-year visa-free balikbayan stay if their passport is issued by a country listed below (if the country of passport is not listed, the spouse or dependent children must apply for a Philippine visa):

Under Foreign Service Circular No. 21-10, foreign nationals whose countries also grant permanent residence and immigration privileges to Filipinos may apply for a Non-Quota Immigrant Visa by Marriage to a Filipino Citizen, as stated in Section 13(a) of the Commonwealth Act No. 613 or Philippine Immigration Act of 1940 (PIA).

A Belgian/Luxembourgish national who is married to a Filipino citizen and wishes to reside permanently in the Philippines may apply for a Non-Quota Immigrant Visa (13A) provided s/he is able to prove that:

• He or she contracted a valid marriage with a Filipino citizen;
• The marriage is recognized under existing Philippine laws;
• There is no record of any derogatory information against the applicant in relevant law enforcement agencies;
• He or she is of good physical and mental health; and
• He or she has sufficient funds to support his/her family.

A Non-Quota Immigrant Visa is a single-entry visa, which is initially valid for one (1) year. It may be renewed in the Philippines for three (3) consecutive years and on the fourth year, the applicant may apply for permanent residence in the Philippines.

The following are the minimum requirements for a Non-Quota Immigrant Visa application:

   1. Three (3) sets of duly accomplished application form;

            -Download FA Form No. 3 HERE

2. One (1) passport-size photograph (4.5cm x 3.5 cm) and one (1) photo (1.5 x 1.5 in) taken within the last six (6) months;

3. Extract from Birth Registration (international version), apostillized by the Belgian/Luxembourg Ministry of Foreign Affairs);

4. Certificate of No Criminal Record (Blanco Register), apostillized by the Belgian/Luxembourg Ministry of Foreign Affairs);

5. Medical Examination Form duly accomplished by a General Medical Practitioner;

                        -Download FA Form No. 11 HERE

6. Laboratory Results and Analysis duly accomplished and attested by the General Medical Practitioner (Note: Every page of the medical examination results should bear the stamp and signature of the authorized medical practitioner);

7. Evidence of financial assets (e.g., latest bank statement, pension statements, pay slips from the last 3 months, proof of investments, employment certificate disclosing one’s salaries and other entitlements, etc.);

8. Affidavit executed by the Filipino spouse indicating the following:

          -That he or she is married to the applicant;

          -Reasons for migration;

          -Other personal details contained in the Philippine passport;

9. DFA-authenticated, PSA-issued Marriage Certificate (if married in the Philippines) OR Extract from Marriage Registration (international version), apostillized by the Belgian/Luxembourg Ministry of Foreign Affairs (if married in Belgium/Luxembourg);

10. Photocopy of flight booking confirmation;

11. Photocopy of applicant’s valid identification card and valid passport; and

12. Photocopy of Filipino spouse’s passport and/or Birth Certificate (if there is/are children, also submit photocopy of their passport(s) – if holder of Philippine passport).

13: Visa fee (non-refundable, to be paid in cash): €

    Note: Submit three (3) sets of all the documents required as listed above, including the originals.

The following are the minimum requirements for a 9(E) Visa application for diplomatic or official passport holders/Foreign Government Officials (FGO):

1. Duly accomplished visa application form (download Visa Application Form here: PDF | PDF Fillable);
2. One (1) passport-size (4.5cm x 3.5cm) photograph taken within the last six (6) months;
3. Passport with validity of at least six (6) months after the intended stay in the Philippines, AND one (1) photocopy of the passport’s data page;
4. Photocopy of identity/residence card;
5. Copy of return/onward airline reservation ticket or flight booking confirmation; and
6. Authority Approval from Manila OR Note Verbale from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs or sending foreign Embassy stating the nature of travel, designation/position of the concerned official and the inclusive dates of travel.

We shall process your request within 7-10 business days, provided that all submitted requirements are complete and valid. 

You may email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. for any queries.