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Category: Balikbayan Benefits and Privileges

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Please be informed that the pronouncement by then Bureau of Immigration Commissioner Andrea Domingo dated 04 June 2001 granting benefits and privileges to all Balikbayans and former Filipinos every time they enter the country to visit regardless of their frequent travel is still in effect.

Family members (spouse and children holding foreign passports) of a Balikbayan (returning Filipino citizen or former Filipino citizen) are entitled to a visa-free entry to the Philippines for a maximum stay of one (1) year from the date of their arrival in the country each time they enter the country. The family members of a Balikbayan shall likewise be admitted as Balikayans on the condition that they (i) travel with the Balikbayan; (ii) pay immigration fees; and (iii) observe and comply with immigration rules and regulations.

A Balikbayan who has acquired the citizenship of a country that falls under the following categories, or his/her family member whose nationality also falls under any of the same, is required to obtain an entry visa:

Category A: Nationals of Afghanistan and Stateless Persons

Category B-1: Nationals of Algeria, Egypt, Iran, Iraq, Jordan, Lebanon, Libya, Palestine, Pakistan, Sudan, Syria, and Yemen

Category B-2: Nationals of East Timor, India, Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK), Nigeria, and Sri Lanka

Category C-1: Nationals of Azerbaijan, Bangladesh, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan

Category C-2: Nationals of Albania, Armenia, Belarus, Belize, Bosnia-Herzegovina, China, Croatia, Cuba, Estonia, Georgia, Latvia, Lithuania, Macedonia, Moldova, Nauru, Russian Federation, Sierra Leone, Slovenia, Tonga, Ukraine, Vanuatu, and Yugoslavia

Holders of Taipei passports, Hong Kong DI and CI, and Malaysian Certificate of Identity