My Tourist Visa Expired During the Luzon Enhanced Community Quarantine LOCKDOWN
The policy says that if your visa expires during the lockdown, you have 30 days to update it ONCE the Enhanced Community Quarantine is lifted. As of June 1st, we transitioned to the General Community Quarantine. Therefore, the clock started ticking for me.
Had to Get a “Travel Pass” to go to Immigration in Olongapo
On June 2nd, we had to go to the Barangay to apply for a travel pass. It cost 50 pesos and we picked up the paperwork the next day. All the pass says is that I don’t have any criminal cases in the Barangay. It says nothing about Covid-19, health checks, etc. There were NO health check in order to get the “Travel Pass”.
The Trip to Olongapo
On June 4th, I ventured out in the Lamborghini, headed toward Olongapo Immigration Office. The checkpoint dividing Subic and Olongapo is still in place but the procedures were lax. I had my paperwork in hand but the Police didn’t stop us. Things had definitely changed.
I made it to immigration at around 12:30 PM and it had a sign saying they would reopen at 1:00 PM. There was one lady in front of me but by the time they opened there were about 10 of us foreigners at the office.
After a short wait I was submitting my paperwork. Unfortunately for my dumb ass, I didn’t bring enough money and had to hit the ATM machine over at SM City and come back.
Overall, it only took me an hour at immigration once I got my act together. It was a pleasant trip and I was able to get everything caught up until August. Big shout out to the folks working at Olongapo Immigration. I always have a positive experience when I go there.
I’m riding a tourist visa and came back into the country in March after a quick trip to Thailand. Make a note that I had to fill out two of the same extension forms; One to get caught up and one for the two months that will take me to August. I also had to renew my ACR card because it had expired during this lockdown.
How Much Does it Cost to Renew a Tourist Visa in the Philippines?
Here’s the cost breakdown for the first renewal to get caught up from April until June (2-month extension):
| Particulars | Pesos |
|---|---|
| ACR Re-Issuance (Adult) | 250 |
| Head Tax | 250 |
| Visa Waiver | 500 |
| Emigration Clearance Certificate | 700 |
| Monthly Extension Fee | 500 |
| Visa Waiver Application Fee | 1,000 |
| Monthly Extension Application Fee | 300 |
| Certificate Fee | 500 |
| ACR I-Card Fee | 2,513.50 |
| Legal Research Fee | 80 |
| Total Charges | 6,593.50 |
| Particulars | Pesos |
|---|---|
| Express Lane Fee (I-Card Processing) | 500 |
| Express Lane Fee | 1,000 |
| Express Lane Fee (Certification) | 500 |
| Total Charges | 2,000 |
Here’s the cost breakdown for the second renewal to get caught up from June until August (2-Month Extension):
| Particulars | Pesos |
|---|---|
| Monthly Extension Application Fee | 300 |
| Monthly Extension Fee | 1,000 |
| Certificate Fee | 500 |
| Legal Research Fee | 30 |
| Total Charges | 1,830 |
| Particulars | Pesos |
|---|---|
| Express Lane Fee | 500 |
| Express Lane Fee (Certification) | 500 |
| Total Charges | 1,000 |
All in to get caught up until August cost me 11,423.50 Pesos.
I’m not complaining.
The good thing about the Philippines is that it’s pretty easy to deal with immigration. Just show up on time before your visa expires and pay the fees. Other countries require you to exit the country after a short period of time, renew your visa outside the country, provide bullshit paperwork, provide documentation from your landlord, jump through hoops, etc. Not here. Just report to immigration with your ass and your passport (in most cases when extending a tourist visa). Too easy.
