Immigration Bureau to fine airlines for tourists without return tickets

I have never been asked to show an "onward ticket" in any Country.

One time, in Brisbane, the check-in "Tik-Tart" asked to see my onward ticket which I did not have. I had lived in Singers for 3 years then.
I signed a Waiver for the Emirates BNE manager to confirm any costs in S'ingers would be met by me. It was too late to buy a ticket at BNE airport.
I was then allowed to board and of course not asked for sight of a ticket at Changi.
The S'porians look more for the appearance of having the means to purchase an onward ticket I was told.

"I too would like to find an official source for this information" ?

I would like to find an official source for ANY information that is strictly adhered to, by officials, in PI.......

Tom

The announcement was made by the Bureau of Immigration during the last week of July. The "thread-starter" post contains a link to the GMA news story covering the official announcement and I believe the BoI web site has now been updated with this new requirement. In fact KLM was enforcing this back in 2010 when I checked-in at Cardiff - fortunately I had checked and bought a $25 Tiger throw-away for a flight to Singapore leaving 20 days from my arrival date, even though I had an open return.

The problem was that there were too many tourists arriving with either no ticket for onward travel or one that's for a date beyond the initial 21-day period. As some round-trip tickets are for a fixed period (no changes to the return date/flight permitted) whilst others are "open", the BoI has decided to place the onus on the airlines to ensure that their passengers have the correct ticketing. Airlines will be heavily-fined and be required to carry the passenger back to the origin airport on the returning flight if he/she doesn't have a valid ticket.

As you're moving to the Philippines soon Tom, you should obtain your 13(a) in the UK first. You will not then be required to produce an onwards ticket either at check-in or at the Immigration desk upon arrival. Either that or have Tex produce your original Marriage Certificate and apply for a Balikbayan Privilege - but you will need a cheap throw-away valid within the first 21 days.

Got the ball rolling in London 2007 but required making permanent a year later in "Write our own fee's" BoI in Cebu.

Though "PERMANENT" I need a new card next year.


Tom

If you applied in London then you will have a permanent 13a visa.
The I card needs to be renewed every 5 years though..

Ta Januarius,

I needed to go to Cebu to get my first card, valid 12 months, and again 12 months later when I was issued with a 5 year card.

The "Special" offered in London is very well worth taking up as there is no BS and the whole process is "clean".

The CEBU first visit was a joke with the "hand in my pocket" feeling I abhor.

I got all the "Fee's" I was charged, other than the legitimate ones, refunded when I realised the Toad was on the take as no receipts were issued.
Asking repeatedly "Are you asking me to bribe you" aloud * did work.

Last visit was "clean" and NO extra's.!

Tom

ps : * VERY loudly.

The GMA news article linked from the initial post states "Immigration Bureau to fine airlines for tourists without return tickets" which is standard practice for many countries these days.

There is no mention that the return ticket must be within the original permitted duration, and I am unable to find anything on the BOI website.

If this was the case then the British foreign office website, and the IATA (Timatic web) source, as used by check-in staff, and linked to by many of the major airlines (including my KLM link above) need to be updated.

My check in for KLM flight to Manila in May this year went something like this:

Lady: Do you have a visa:
Me: I Don't need one for 18 days.
Lady (checking computer): Are you sure?
Lady: Ah yes . . . here it is . . . but only 7 days.
Me: No read further down, it says 21 days.
Lady: Oh yes, here it is.
Me: and I can extend to 59 days.
Lady: Yes I can see that.

SO Wonderful to deal with professionals.! ?

Tom

If you can get a fixed return that's outside the 21 day period, then I would buy it. Then go to the Tiger Airways web site and book a one way from Clark to Singapore within the 21 day period, which was about $25 last time I checked. That's the throw-away you produce and probably a lot cheaper than paying for a more flexible long-haul ticket. Of course, if you're stay is between 21 and 59 days, then you'll save even more by getting a 9(a) Visa from the Philippine Embassy. It's a bit cheaper than the cost of the 38 day extension and you won't need the Tiger ticket.

In reality, the return ticket doesn't need to be within the permitted duration but you do need to show a ticket out of the country that is valid within that period. That can be a cheap throw-away with the cheapest being a Tiger ticket from Clark to Singapore.

I have seen no proof that an exit ticket is required within "the period", at least not for a short stay with a single extension from 21 up to 59 days.

If this is the case then it goes against both the Iata travel rules which the airline check in staff must work to, and also against the British FCO website guidance, both of which I linked to earlier.

If you have any reliable information source which confirms the requirement, please post a link.

Perhaps Tiger Airlines fly with half empty planes because of this accursed rumour!

I understand your frustration but this is the Philippines - where it's more fun! The Bureau of Immigration and Deportations - to give it its full name - doesn't answer to either IATA or to the British Government but to the Department of Justice in Manila. However according to a family BoI contact here in Davao, this requirement is being enforced.

Why don't you save yourself the hassle of (a) having to have an exit ticket within 21 days and (b) a few hours at a BoI office and get yourself a 9(a) Visa in advance, if your stay will be less than 60 days. You'll also save a few Pounds.

Does anybody have any insight to the announcement that KLM crew make at the start of descent into Manila.

Something like:

(They have been making this announcement for years, but again, no mention of ticket validity period)

Is this purely in order to protect themselves against stowaways, and evil fiends who managed to sneak on board without a valid return ticket, or is it a genuine KLM sponsored service that will ensure that such passengers are stamped into the country by a friendly immigration officer.

The ground crew will only assist you to buy an onwards ticket on KLM or one of its partner airlines (Sky Team alliance).

A further twist on the Tiger tale.

I am flying from Bangkok to the Philippines next month, and have already purchased return Tiger Airways tickets.

The Tiger Airways website at http://www.tigerairways.com/sg/en/ph_immigration_req.php states the following:

It is the third section "Passengers travelling as tourists" that seems total garbage.

It says that as a tourist I can stay for one month, but need an invitation that has been authenticated by a Philippine consulate!

If this is the Tiger Airways policy, will I be denied boarding?

Even if it is considered to apply to outward bound PI nationals it seems totally false, I travelled around Asia with my Ex on many occasions for a couple of months at a time, and never had any problem leaving the country, though I always showed our pile of tickets.

What is going on with these idiots, why does everybody have a different story?