Hi All, I am English (British born and bred) man, married to a Filipino lady (who has dual nationality), and I want to be able to travel to and from the Philippines freely, without the need to carry our UK & Philippine's wedding certificates, or my wife being present at entry / leaving, and stay for more than 30 days at a time.. Come the end of the year, we would have been married 2 years, (been together for 12 years), and both of us live and work in the UK, and at present we do not have plans to move to / live in the Philippines, but maybe in two years time that will change. As I understand it, I can have an VISA that will allow me to stay for extended periods, i.e. longer than 30 days), or I can apply for dual nationality, even though I am not a permanent resident. BUT all the info I have found so far seems to contradict itself ?? !! ?? Has anyone else done this? Where should I be looking to apply etc? Cheers all Bodders
You cannot apply for a Filipino dual-nationality if that's what you're thinking. The Philippines follow Jus Sanguinis (citizenship by blood) and not Jus Soli (citizenship by birth). The best that you could have is a permanent visa resident. http://www.immigration.gov.ph/faqs/visa-inquiry/permanent-resident-visa
Thank you for you quick reply... At the moment, I will not be applying for residency at the moment, I am more after a way to be able to go back and forth to the Philippians, without having a maximum length of stay, until we have sorted out where to live / work etc. I was talking to another English spouse in the Philippians, who had done it, but the website he gave me is no longer working , and the official sites seem to go around in circles.. But I will read the to links you have sent, just in case there is something I can follow up ... All the best Bodders
The only Visa that will allow you stay more than 30 days is a Visit Visa issued by the Philippine Embassy in London which grants you an initial stay of 59 days. A residency Visa (13a) would require you to be physically in the country for a minimum of nine months in any twelve month period and automatically cancelled if this condition is not met.
When you travel in with your Mrs,request a free Balikbayan stamp...That stamp will give you a one year visa free stay. Take along your marriage certificate and you will be good to go.
Bootsonthe Ground, DavidAlma... Thanks guys... But will that give me several entries into the Philippians with/without her for a whole year after getting it, or just that one trip?
Balikbayan stamp is good for one year on a single entry..If you leave without her and then return alone you will be back on a 30 day visa free stay..After that 30 days you will need to secure a 29 day tourist visa and so on.. If you leave and return with her,you can again request a new BB stamp.
Everyone has advised you about the 29/30 day free visa if you wish to stay longer, just google the nearest BI office to where you stay in the Philippines you can then extend for 30/59 days each time for up to 12 months, these visa extensions allow you to leave and return until they expire.
