• Appointment Link
• Schedule of Fees and Forms
• Consular Outreach Mission
• Issuance of Passport
• Discontinuance of Extension of Validity of Green Passports
• Travel Document
• Issuance of Visa
• Requirements for the Retention & Re-Acquisition of Phil. Citizenship
• Notarial and other Legal Services
• Authentication/Apostille
• NBI Clearance
• Driving Experience
• Bringing Pets to the Philippines
• Certificate of Legal Capacity to Contract Marriage (For Canadians who will get married in the Philippines)
• Guidance for the conduct of Video Conference Hearing (VCH)
• Registration of Nationals
• Report of Marriage, Birth and Death (Civil Registry)
• Report of Birth
• Report of Marriage
• Report of Death
• Mortuary Certificate
• Shipment of Remains
• Shipment of Cremated Remains/Ashes
• Petition for Correction of Clerical Error in Civil Registry Documents
• Overseas Voting Registration
• Collection of Income Tax
• Balikbayan Visa - Free Privilege
• eTravel System
• Bringing of Medicines

Consular Services

Balikbayan Privilege

The Balikbayan Program as instituted by Republic Act 6768 and amended by Republic Act 9174 was launched by the Philippine Government to attract and encourage overseas Filipinos to come and visit their motherland. As a balikbayan, you can enjoy additional entry and stay privileges for you and your family members.

You are considered a Balikbayan if you meet any one of these three criteria:

1. A Filipino citizen who has been continuously out of the Philippines for a period of at least one (1) year;
2. A Filipino overseas worker; and
3. A former Filipino citizen who had been naturalized in one of the countries listed in the attached page and who comes or returns to the Philippines.

ONE YEAR VISA-FREE BALIKBAYAN STAY

The Philippines' Balikbayan Program allows a one-year visa-free stay for former Filipinos who have acquired citizenship from visa-free countries.

The visa-free stay privilege may be extended to the balikbayan’s non-Filipino spouse and children, provided that:

• The family members enter the Philippines with the balikbayan; and
• They are citizens of the visa-free countries under Executive Order no. 408.

Former Filipino balikbayans traveling to the Philippines should declare before the Immigration Officer at the port of entry that they are availing of the privilege, and to bring either their old Philippine passport or copy of their Philippine Birth Certificate as proof of their former Philippine citizenship.

They may extend their stay for another one (1), two (2) or six (6) months provided they apply for an extension of stay at the Bureau of Immigration (BI) Main Office or any BI field office nationwide.

Nationals who are subjects of deportation/blacklist orders of the Department of Foreign Affairs and the Bureau of Immigration shall not be admitted to the Philippines.

Other privileges that the Balikbayan can avail themselves of under Republic Act 9174 “Balikbayan Law” are:

• Exemption from travel tax.
• Duty-free shopping privilege of up to US$2,000.00, provided that shopping must be done within two (2) days upon arrival and purchases must be made personally by the balikbayan.

What do I need to present to the Philippine Immigration Officer to avail myself of the visa-free privilege for Balikbayan?

Returning Balikbayans or former Filipinos may enter the Philippines without a visa and stay for a period of one (1) year, provided that they have the following:

1. Passport valid for 6 months beyond the intended stay in the Philippines;
2. Proof of former Philippine citizenship (e.g., old Philippine passport or PSA-authenticated birth certificate). Please note that a foreign passport indicating “Philippines” as your place of birth is not sufficient proof of your previous Filipino citizenship.

Accompanying family members of the balikbayan should also bring appropriate supporting documents to show evidence of their relationship:

1. For the spouse: Copy of marriage certificate
2. For each child: Copy of their birth certificate indicating the balikbayan as a parent
3. For adopted children: Copy of adoption papers

Page Last Updated: November 27 2023 09:11:15