Travelling to the Philippines

Visa-Free Stay Regulations for Former Filipinos in the Philippines

2006-12-18

Press Release No. ABM-2-2006*Following a number of queries from the Filipino-Canadian community regarding the implementation of Balikbayan program, the Philippine Consulate General in Toronto would like to share the following:

“Per verbal consultation with the Bureau of Immigration (BI) Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA), former Filipino nationals should declare before the Philippine Immigration Officer at the port of entry of their intention to avail themselves of the Balikbayan benefits and privileges. The Balikbayan applicant should present documents prescribed under the existing Balikbayan Program in order for the Immigration Officers to assess and determine their admissibility as a Balikbayan. A foreign passport holder born in the Philippines does not automatically mean that he/she is a former Filipino citizen. It is therefore necessary for a former Filipino to present proof of former citizenship (eg Old Philippine passport, birth certificate or naturalization papers) to avail himself of the Balikbayan privilege.”

(_originally Posted January 19, 2006_)

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