mikek1

Its is getting very close to our permanent move. Again I know this subject has been aired before but could someone please clarify.


I have read on this forum that airlines may not let us travel on a one way ticket. I find this hard to believe as we visit the Philippines twice a year, have a house, car, and bank accounts there .Further , even though my wife is Filipino, she has a Dutch Passport, but always gets a balikbayen stamp when entering the Philippines, which allows us 1 years stay.


It would be a shame to purchase a 'throwaway' ticket when its not necessary.Incidentally, we will be travelling with our 2 pet cats in the airline cabin (we have all the correct paperwork, and the BAI Philippine import certificate) which obviously should be indicate that we would not be returning for some time.




Mikek1

scot47

Sometimes return tickets are cheaper than singles. Or the same price.

mikemike

You do not need an onward ticket if you have permanent residence status in the Philippines. for you that is an ACR card with either 13a or SRRV.

As your wife maybe a returning Filipina she gets a fantastic discounted SRRV and you would get the same deal sponsored by her.


What returning arrangements are you making?

Stokkevn

I have traveled here on my own on a single ticket, but I do know people who have had to buy an onward flight at the airport because the airline would not let them check in without it. I flew Philippine Airlines when I did that, I think my friend was fling KLM.

Pet cats, I can see those pythons circling the house now, just awaiting their arrival.

David Mashael

I thought it was cobra's.

Stokkevn

Round here it is the pythons that will even take the feral cats and there is not much that will normally tackle them.

Gazza-d

In theory you don't need a return or onward ticket if obtaining a BB, the problem is convincing the airline of this. Their knowledge on the subject can be very sketchy. Your wire won't need one as she is filipino with her place of birth likely to be in her foreign passport.

Bealinehx

If you are travelling as a Balik Bayan send an email to Home. Explain your travel circumstances and they will usually reply within 48 hours with a definitive reply. If the reply states that you do not require a return/onward ticket print the reply and present at check in if challenged.

Bazza070958

I recently moved here (August 24th)under the "Tourist Visa" arrangement and flew PAL Business Single. I was asked at Heathrow by the check-in if I had an onward ticket and again at Immigration in Manila. Luckily I had a single onward ticket to Hong Kong for £32 with Air Asia. I'm not saying I couldn't have convinced them that I was on "holiday" but ...... I just thought better than any hassle I might get in Manila. Pays yer money etc !!!

grahamuk2

From what you (OP) have described, you are still a tourist, regardless of the status/passport of your wife (and Balikbayan is a privilege given to you at the discretion of the immigration officer... not a right, so tread carefully).

You are required to have an onward ticket when entering the Phils. Immigration are not interested in your car or bank accounts.

The airlines face heavy fines for carrying passengers to a country without the correct documentation... and that includes the correct ticket, so it's not fair to criticise them.

Stokkevn

Just had a look on Skyscanner for prices for a friend. Single on 22 Nov Heathrow to Manila with Cathay Pacific £492 and a LHR-MNL-LHR return ( return flight on 27th Dec ) £362. Cheaper to get return, which I have noticed before, but not by that much.

mikek1

Well we arrived in the Philippines. Checked in at airport and no one batted a eyelid.To the extent we were 15kgs over our 60kj baggage allowance, did not even question us. We were carrying with us 2 pet cats, they were more intrested in playing with the cats.
On arrival at Manila, we were given the usual balibayan stamp (even though neither of us hold Filipino passports!!). We went through customs and walked straight through with the cats.
So much for all the scaremongering, or we must look like saints.

Stokkevn

Well done ( every time my wife and I came here on hols we got a 1 year stamp, despite both having a British passport ), I was less worried about the single ticket ( as I have done this before on my own ) than the introduction of docile UK pet cats to the local predators, keep an eye on them, they have never seen a snake before.

Gazza-d

You are unlikely to be stopped in Manila it's the check-in when you leave your own country where it's most likely to be a problem, or any stop along the way like HK or Singapore. Regarding the BB it is for returning former filipinos. Resident filipinos need to be out of the country for 1 year to qualify for BB so the type of passport held is immaterial.

MiLoBGC

Had issues in both Heathrow and Hong Kong about no onward ticket and had to cave into buying one, but when landing in Manila never been asked (some Chinese girls next to me at immegration were quizzed last week).

After one trip to HK to see friends which was quite welcome, I will thus not be using my cheap single to Singapore and 'tearing it up'........ fingers crossed the whole process goes smoothly for a 'single' guy (with local friends to help thankfully).