Visa extension request on-site in the Philippines

Hello everyone,

My partner and I would like to travel to the Philippines at the end of August for a 4-month stay. We can’t apply for a tourist visa in advance because (from what I understand) we’d need to provide proof of hotel reservations for the entire stay. But planning a 4-month trip so far ahead isn’t something we want to do.

So my question is about extensions once we’re there:

After the initial 29-day extension request, we’d like to apply for another 2-month extension. Do you know if the same supporting documents are required for this one (pre-booked hotel, 2000 € in the bank account per month requested)?

Or can we go ahead without risk and request the extension without these documents?

Thank you so much for reading, and for this forum existing. Take care,

Boris

Hi there,

Just so you know, when you arrive at the international airport, it's possible to get a three-month visa. Before going through immigration, when you're facing the booths, there's a door on the right-hand wall at the very beginning. You ask there, and they'll take care of everything. Since you won't have any pesos, an officer will accompany you to the exchange counter so you can pay for your visa—which, of course, isn’t free. Have a great trip!

My last stay in January was just a first extension of 29 days for 3000 pesos, then a new 60-day extension with a mandatory ACR card for 8000 pesos. Seems like this is new.

Thanks so much for taking the time!

Do you also know if:

Can you do this at all immigration offices (Bohol, for example)? And do you need to plan ahead (is it a long process to get the visa approval or extension?)

In Cebu, I go to the Lapu-Lapu office, next to Gaisano Mactan. Depending on the crowd—which is rare—it takes between 15 mins and 1 hour, max. Avoid the immigration office at Gmall in Cebu City, it’s a corruption hotspot. Otherwise, there’s the Intramuros immigration office in Manila, and Puerto Princesa at Robinson Mall. I don’t know Bohol, but you’ll find info online.

Thanks so much!

Sorry to bother you again if you can ^^

For the onward ticket, can I arrive at the end of August with a return ticket for December? Would that cause any issues at boarding as long as I have a return ticket? Even if it’s not within the 30 days of the first automatic visa...

Also, I’m planning to apply for a 29-day visa extension upon arrival. Can I immediately apply for an additional 2-month extension in Manila right after? (Like how the temporary ID is done there... to avoid having to go back.)

That way, I can relax for the rest of the trip.

Thanks again for your time!

Not possible right away—I had to come back a few weeks later. You can do it at your next stop. Make sure there’s an immigration office there.

Oh no Thanks a lot because I thought I could do everything at once ^^

So I’ll apply for a 29-day extension when I arrive. Then three weeks later, I’ll be in Bohol (where I can extend the visa, but I think you can only do the ACR CARDE in Manila, right?)

I got the ACR at the Lapu Lapu office, ready to pick up after 4 weeks.

Okay I wrote to the Manly BI office to find out which offices can issue this card. Thanks again

You're not going to Cebu? As long as you’ve done and paid for the 60-day extension, if you’re not planning to return to the Philippines, you don’t care about having the card. What matters is the payment receipt and the extension date

Hi, About visas, I’d like to know if we can apply for the 59-day visa **before** leaving (without needing an extension on-site) and if this can be done online (you read everything and its opposite on the web...). Thanks for your help!

No idea, never used the net.

Does that mean you have to go to the embassy in person (there isn’t one in my city) or that you mail your passport?... no trust 😨

No. I do everything in the Philippines