OK, I'd like some clarification from anyone who has experience sorting out an overstay.
Length of overstay: 3 years and 4 months.
I'm not going to get into why or how it happened. It's just the reality I have to deal with.
I'm trying to put together an actual breakdown of all the paperwork needed and the exact fees.
I just can't find any official government links, apart from a few forms where it isn't clear what they're for. There's no step-by-step process and no actual fee amounts. I also tried searching PH expat groups for “overstay,” but Facebook search is close to useless; 95% of the results have nothing to do with overstaying.
I plan to go to Manila within the next 30 days and handle it all there, but I also know it's usually very hard to get solid information at the BI (Bureau of Immigration) office. So I'm trying to get some info here first...
Does anyone have official links? Or know the whole process and the exact breakdown of costs?
I'd appreciate any thoughts or advice, thanks!
You're going to get roasted in the comments. I'd suggest turning them off once you get the answer you want. With a 40-month overstay, I'd hire a Philippine immigration lawyer before going to BI. Under the published voluntary-departure rules, visa-exempt foreigners, Americans included, who have overstayed more than 36 but less than 60 months have a possible way to leave without being blacklisted, provided their total stay since their last arrival is also under 60 months. Other conditions apply, and BI decides eligibility. If the total stay is 60 months or more, that exception doesn't apply and blacklisting becomes a concern. BI's published overstay fine is ₱500 per month, so ₱20,000 for 40 months. Unpaid visa-extension fees and other charges are extra. BI has to calculate the total, and lawyer's fees are separate. Should you have your bags packed at home? Be ready to depart, but have a lawyer review your case first. Detention and deportation are possible. If you're detained you may not be able to go home for your things, so arrange for someone you trust to handle them.
I know someone who was in about the same spot, and it cost him a lot. He wasn't deported, but he had to leave the country, and he wasn't blacklisted because he paid all the fines and everything. I think it cost him around 250k to 300k all in
Please come back and update the group on what happened once it's sorted. I'd really like to know 🙏🏻
There's a woman on Facebook, Carrie Laine Abad, who finds and helps homeless foreigners. She sorts out big overstays and the like. I'm sure she can share the information you need
Talk to an accredited agent They'll sort out the cost and freeze it so it stops going up And arrange a voluntary deportation so you avoid blacklisting
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