Visa Extension Processing and Payment in Surigao City Philippines

1/11/2017

by: Robelyn M. Yambao

Hello guys,
Today, I am going to share with you about visa extension in my hometown. A lot of foreigners are coming to our place because the surfing capital in the Philippines is located in Siargao which is part of Surigao Del Norte. In order to go to that beautiful Island of Siargao, you may need to arrive first at our airport located in Surigao. Then, from my hometown you can take either ship or boat in going to Siargao.
Not only Siargao has tourists attraction but also other Islands that are part of the city and most of the foreigners are beach lovers so, they come here for surfing and wanted to live near by the sea.
But, one problem they are facing is renewing their visa to stay longer in the said island because the office of the Bureau of Immigration can't be found in the Island but in Surigao city. You have no other choice but don't worry because it is easy to process your visa extension here in the city, just prepare your money. :)

How To Go To The Immigration Office In Surigao City

The office is located at the second floor of the Gaisano Capital Surigao. From the main city, just take a multicab and pay the driver P9.00 only. The gaisano mall is next to the Bus Integrated Terminal and airport so, before the cab will reach the said terminal, he gonna drop you off to the said mall.

First Month Extension

When you enter at the office, the officer will give you 2 forms. One is a half size where you put your personal info, tick some boxes and write the number of months you wish to extend here. That is the request form. The other form is a full size paper where you fill out with your appropriate info. You will then give those forms back to the officer together with your passport.
For your first extension, you are allowed only to extend one month then, the next month after this processing, you're good to extend for another two months more as you wish. The total cost you gonna pay in this first processing is P3,030. Below are the particulars of the computation:

Second Month Extension

When your first month extension is about to expire, you can renew it again a week before its expiration date. Here, you can write in the request form a 2-month extension if you wish to stay longer than your first plan. The payment here is bigger than expected for you will pay the ACR I-Card. The total cost will be P7887.50. below is the computation:
Particulars Amount
Alien Certificate of Registration (Adult)- P1000
Visa Sticker Fee- P100
Head tax- P250
Monthly Extension Application Fee- P300
Monthly Extension Fee- P1000
Immigration Clearance Certificate- P 700
Certificate Fee- P500
ACR I-Card fee- P2477.50
Legal Research Fee- P60
Total P 6387.50

Express Lane Fee (I-Card Processing)- P 500
Express Lane Fee- P 500
Express Lane Fee (Certification)- P 500
Total P1500

Note: We processed this just today January 11, 2017 at Bureau of Immigration, Gaisano Capital Surigao.
The ACR I-Card will be released after 3 weeks because they will send the request to the main office in Manila.

The Next Visa Extension After (2) Two Months of stay

So, on the next visa extension after you've experienced those I've mentioned above, you can still extend for another 2 more months. Since, you already have your I-Card then, the next payment will be lesser. Check it below:

What's The Difference between Manila and Surigao branch (BI office)

In Surigao, hassle free and you are allowed to wear shorts and slippers when entering the office because there is no assigned guard since the office is so small and inside of the mall. While in Manila (main office), you are not allowed to enter if wearing sando(sleaveless for guys), shorts and slippers. And you need to leave an ID to the guard before you can enter in the building. Also, when submitting the forms you need to paste a passport size photo in the application form and submit a xerox copy of the front part of your passport and the part where the arrival date was stamped.

That's all for today!
I hope you learned something and I wish you enjoyed your stay in my hometown. See you next time!

Go Back To "Surigao City" Page

32 Comments

Alexie Silverio

7/28/2018 12:28:03 am

Hi there.

I have an inquiry regarding the visa application. My friend is coming from south Africa and he is allowed to enter the country without a visa and stay for 30 days. He is not given any visa on arrival. How will be extened? Please let me know the process for this. Your help will be appreciated.

Robelyn Martinez Yambao

7/28/2018 01:34:30 pm

Hi Alexie,
Thanks. All he needs to do is o follow the date in his passport stamp. If the officer gave a stamp of 30 days from the date of arrival, he is going to renew the stamp before it will expire because there will be fines if he won't renew the stamp before the expiration date. Just go to the nearest BI office and follow the instructions above and also prepare for fees.

William Bourget link

5/2/2019 12:40:12 pm

YOU CAN NOW PROCESS YOUR VISA IN SIARGAO! CONTACT YAM WITH THIS LINK.

https://www.facebook.com/SiargaoVisaExtension/

5/2/2019 12:39:17 pm

Rosalyn consigna

7/31/2018 07:50:20 am

Mam may nag renue po ng visa na Denis ang pangalan nya around July 23 o 24 I'm not sure. She didn't write her sure name. Mag send po ako ng pic sa question and answer po. Naka check in po sya sa hostel namin sa general Luna at ilang besis na namin siningil INI ignore lang kami kala namin punta ng reception sasakay ng motor lalayas na sa madaling araw na ang balik.hanggang sa ginagawa na siya ng story na ninakawan siya may pumasok sa cottage nya at para mapaniwalaan siya at masira pangalan ng hostel namin sinisira nya harang sa kabilang room na walang tao at naka lock pinto.... Nagpa blotter sa pulis pagdating ng pulis Hindi siya pinaniwalaan. .. Dahil ayon sa statement nya naglagay sya ng padlock sa bag na ang combination ay kanang bday. Walang nakakaalam ng kanang bday kundi siya lang.. Ipinadlock ko po ang room nya gamit ng ibang padlock at may padlock din siya na ang bday din ang combination sa pinto. Ano po bang action po ang gagawin ko para ma deport po tong abosadong turistang ito...
Sanay na yata to sa ibang lugar mag drama. May paiyak iyak pa. At kahapon lang may nag punta na imbistigador pulis maayos ang kurtena at net namin tapos kanina umaga pag dating ng pinatawag Kong imbistigador sira na ang net at ang kurtina NASA loob na ng room nya... Tapos ang padlock sa bag nya sinira nya ipinakita sa pulis

7/31/2018 09:51:52 am

Hi Rosalyn,
Thank you for reading my article. For that situation, you should make a photocopy of her biographical data of her passport and the visa stamp of her arrival in the passport. You can do a background check on her and you report her for blotter to the police about your problem with her. If she won't pay for her stay and damages she did in your hotel you can take the papers to the immigration Office in Surigao City to report her for deportation because she is causing trouble in your hotel.

Manfred Springfeldt

12/12/2018 05:01:23 pm

Dear Ladies and Gentlemen,
What are the opening hours yours of your office from 24.-28. December in Surigao ?
Best regards,
Manfred Springfeldt

12/12/2018 08:22:25 pm

Hi Rosalyn,
I would like to know how the opening hours of the immigration office in surigao from 23.-28. december are !!!
best regards,
Manfred Springfeldt

12/18/2018 06:19:53 am

Hi Manfred,
Thanks for visiting my blog site. The opening hours will be the same with opening of the Gaisano mall because they are located inside the mall. Usually offices start at 8am and close at 5pm. They will open Mondays through Fridays even though the mall is open but the Immigration office will be closed during weekends. Best regards!

12/12/2018 08:47:14 pm

Hi Robelyn,
I would like to know how the opening hours of the immigration office in surigao city from 24.-28. december are!
best regarts,
Manfred Springfeldt

Charlotte

1/3/2019 04:09:55 am

Hello Robelin,
Do you know how long it takes? Do we get our passport back on same day? Thanks a lot!

1/3/2019 11:17:47 am

Hi Charlotte,
Yes, you can get your passport same day, you will just to wait. Only few foreigners are having transaction in this branch. Thanks!

Johannes

3/6/2019 06:58:54 pm

Hi Robelyn,
Are you sure about that? Last friday i wanted to extend in dumaguete City and they told me it would take until Monday

Thank you
Johannes

3/7/2019 04:08:32 am

Hi Johannes,
Yes, we've experienced that same day processing here in Surigao City and in Manila main office. I don't know why in Dumaguete is different. Surigao is in Mindanao and Dumaguete is in Visayas, maybe they have diffent protocols. Have a nice day!

Sarah Jean Maniquez

1/24/2019 08:08:14 pm

Hi ma’am Roby ,Im Sarah I would like to asked about an F1 visa ‘ Can you me help please . I’m applying as a student of US Colorado in Community college-of Aurora .My aunt supposedly help me to go there as a purpose to study and then I was sponsored by his husband and at the same as to help my family to over come and help them to cope up in poverty. My aunt is an American citizen . Now it is hard for me to go there because I’m an underage and I’m traveling alone.But i already complete my task .The problem is ,'what requirements did the US embassy do and what did they complained ". Thanks a lot.

1/26/2019 08:54:36 am

Hi Sarah Jean Maniquez,
Thanks for viewing my blog. In order to apply for f1 visa or student visa you must first apply and be accepted by a U.S. institution of higher education that is certified by the Student Exchange and Visitor Program (SEVP).
There are several steps to apply for a visa. The order of these steps and how you complete them may vary by U.S. Embassy or Consulate. Please consult the instructions on the embassy or consulate website https://ph.usembassy.gov/embassy/
Read this information in this website on how to apply: https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/us-visas/study/student-visa.html#howtoapply

A consular officer will interview you to determine your qualifications for a student visa, and may request additional documents, such as evidence of:

* Your academic preparation, such as:
Transcripts, diplomas, degrees, or certificates from schools you attended; and
* Standardized test scores required by your U.S. school;
Your intent to depart the United States upon completion of the course of study; and
* How you will pay all educational, living and travel costs.

Have a nice day to you!

Sheena

2/6/2019 06:35:38 pm

Hi Robelyn!
Your blog is very helpful!
I just have a question. I and my friends are planning to go to Shanghai China, can the Bureau of Immigration in Surigao City provides tourist visa to china?Like can we process it here or we still need to go to Manila/cebu to apply for tourist visa ?and if we can process here,what are the needed requirements and how much is the fee?

Your response is highly appreciated!

2/8/2019 07:12:05 am

Hi Sheena,
Thank you so much! The immigration in the Philippines just give Philippine Visa. Applying for Chinese visa will at the Embassy of China in Manila.Here's my blog for getting a Chinese visa in Manila: https://www.robelynmartinezyambao.com/blog/requirements-in-getting-a-chinese-visa-for-philippines-passport-holders

Spencer

2/9/2019 04:56:28 pm

Hello, thank you for the accurate information. I intend to be we'd to a Filipina this summer. We will marry in the Philippines. We have the paperwork for the marriage sorted. I would like to stay in the phillipines for some extended time. I am unclear about the income history or level I must show. I am not real wealthy and neither is my fiance. Could you clarify that requirement. Also inform us of other steps we could take. How many times can you renew a tourist visa? Are there waivers for me, a US citizen that may benefit me after.the Marriage? Please let me know. And again Thank.you

2/9/2019 07:05:39 pm

Hi Spencer,
Thanks for visiting my site. Congrats for your up coming wedding! You can renew your stay every two months in the Philippines but for the first two months should be one month at a time. On the third month you can renew for two extended months as what I've mentioned above. After your marriage, you are illegible to apply for one year visa as husband of your filipina wife. I don't know about applying for residency especially income requirements but in renewing your visa to stay in Philippines as husband of filipino citizen you can get one year visa without proof of income requirement. Have a nice day!

2/11/2019 10:38:15 pm

I wanted to know how to apply for a 1 year multi entry visa where its good for one year and you can come and go as many times as you like in that year its valid. Thanks

2/12/2019 08:22:34 am

Hi CJ,
Thanks for visiting my site! You can apply for one time one-year visa in PH unless you are married to a Filipina that makes you illegible to apply for that. As a tourist, you can get one month visa to stay in the Philippines but you can renew it for another one month and then, two months then for another 2 months again. Maybe they have 6 months now, just go to the nearest BI office to inquire for new policy. Have a nice day!

Marta

4/23/2019 06:30:17 am

Hi,

Thanks for your time writing this article. It really helps! I would like to extend my visa for my second month and I heard that you can pay less if you ask for don't do it express. Is that correct and doable in Surigao? And how much does it take to have it?

Regards,
Marta

4/23/2019 06:57:11 am

Hi Marta,
Thanks for reading this :) Maybe you can ask for that but I'm not sure because their payment is already fix since you can get your stamp same day.
We never tried it but you can ask them about it, the officers are friendly and only few people are renewing visa at Surigao branch. Have a nice day!

5/2/2019 12:40:45 pm

5/9/2019 07:02:18 am

Hi William Bourget,
Thank you for your information!

stephanie

11/3/2019 06:04:32 pm

Hi,

My friend already have Alien card, he applied in Manila.

then now he came back here and stayed in surigao. In your post for 2months only 2,830... Why immigration is asking for 6,830 for extending?

Did i understand wrong? because when he got his alien card he only paid 7k for 6months.

Surigao immigration is more expensive?

Thank you

11/3/2019 07:27:52 pm

Hi Stephanie,
Thanks for viewing. Surigao and Manila are same in fees. When you enter ph as foreigner, u r allowed to stay only for 30 days before it will expire u need to renew a week before and extend for another month not allowed 2 months immediately then before it will expire again u can renew it this time for 2 months. After that 2 months extension that's the start of 2k fee for another 2 months extension. Based on our experience, we paid 3,030 for one month extension then we paid 7, 887.50 for 2 months extension with card. After u arrived in ph do not renew it after expiration supposed to be one week before due coz there's big fines. Have a nice day!

ROVELYN MIRASOL

5/26/2020 02:43:20 am

Hello i want ask about VISA extention of my partner he is a Greek man from ATHENS GREECE and he need renew again good for 2 months HIS visa this coming May 28, 2020. we are here now in SAN JOSE, DINAGAT ISLANDS. what we need to do now? we are in GCQ. he need to come in the IMMIGRATION OFFICE?

patricia Alahmar

1/2/2021 03:07:04 am

Hi mam Robelyn good evening! Want to ask about the 1 year renewal residency of my husband. He is an Australian citizen. He need to renew again this coming february 5, 2020. Is your office in surigao city open? If not how to renew po. Thanks

patricia

1/2/2021 03:19:56 am

Hi mam Robelyn good evening! Want to ask about the 1 year renewal residency of my husband. He is an Australian citizen. He need to renew again annually this coming february 5, 2021. Is your office in surigao city open this month? If not how to renew po. Thanks

1/2/2021 03:45:39 pm

Hi Patricia,
Please visit Immigration Surigao or call their office. I am not related with them, just sharing my experience here I’m so sorry if I couldn’t answer you :) have a nice day.