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| The BI announced that arriving balikbayan and their accompanying spouse and children are exempt from presenting an outbound ticket. |
The Bureau of Immigration (BI) announced that entering balikbayans, as well as their spouses and children, are excused from providing an outbound ticket.
According to BI Commissioner Jaime Morente, the exemption is in accordance with a recent Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF) resolution exempting former Filipinos from the requirement.
“This adjusted policy allows those arriving under a balikbayan status to better enjoy their one-year visa-free privilege,” Morente explained.
Balikbayan, as defined by the BI, are former Filipinos who have obtained citizenship in any of the 157 countries listed in Executive Order No. 408, as amended in 1960. Balikbayan have a one-year visa-free immigration period, which they can extend to their spouse and children if they travel to the Philippines with them.
Family members of Filipinos who do not live in one of the visa-free nations, on the other hand, must get an entry visa before arriving. —Tacloban News Update (Source: BI)