Balikbayan Law

Republic Act No. 6768 was enacted in November 1989 to attract and encourage overseas Filipinos to visit the Philippines as a “Balikbayan”.

I. Who is Balikbayan

II.Benefits

I. Who is Balikbayan

A “balikbayan” refers to:

1. Former Filipino citizens holding foreign passports, including spouses and children traveling with them

2. Filipinos who have been continuously out of the Philippines for at least one (1) year

3. Filipino overseas contract worker

II. Benefits

A “balikbayan” is entitled to the following benefits:

1. Travel tax exemption as provided under Presidential Decree 1183, Executive Order No. 283, and other allied laws

2. Visa-free entry to the Philippines for a period of one (1) year for foreign passport holders

3. Duty-free shopping privileges of up to US $2,000.00 (US $ 1, 000.00 as arriving Balikbayan and US $1,000.00 as arriving passenger), with the following limitations:

a. Shopping must be done within two (2) days upon arrival
b. Duty-free shopping privilege can be availed of only once a year

c. Purchases must be made personally by the balikbayan