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Friday, March 29, 2024

‘Not everyone with PH bloodline qualifies for Balikbayan privilege’

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The Bureau of Immigration reminded the public on the scope of the Balikbayan Program intended for former Filipinos visiting the Philippines.

This emerged after a budding celebrity, who holds an American passport, made a scene at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport after he was given a 30-day stay instead of one-year granted to Filipino balikbayans.

The unnamed local celebrity reportedly made a scene at the immigration area of the NAIA 1 last Jan. 3, who arrived for a vacation in the Philippines.

The celebrity, who the agency refused to name, is an American passport holder reportedly shouted expletives when he was only given a 30-day stay.  

He was allegedly furious at immigration for “giving him a hard time, despite him being a celebrity, with people wanting to take pictures with him.”

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Immigration Spokesperson Dana Krizia Sandoval clarified that those who have Philippine lineage would not necessarily qualify for the Balikbayan Privilege.

“The privilege is for former Filipinos, and their immediate family members who are traveling with them only,” clarified Sandoval.  

“If these family members are not traveling with the Filipino or former Filipino, they are not qualified for the one-year visa-free privilege,” she added.

 “Under Republic Act No. 6768, the one-year Balikbayan visa privilege is exclusively given to former Filipinos naturalized abroad, and their spouse and children who are travelling with them,” BI Commissioner Jaime Morente said.

The BI said that those admitted as Balikbayans were given an initial stay of one year, which they might extend for another one, two, or six months. 

Those who do not qualify, but are within the list of 157 countries eligible for visa-free entry pursuant to Executive Order No. 408, get an automatic 30-day visa upon their arrival.

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