Is it really as simple as leaving the country at or just before 36 months then returning the next day? Constant anxiety
I'm at month 26 now, I'm planning to fly out to Japan for a day around month 34-35 then return to the Philippines again on a tourist visa to reset the 36 month clock(First time resetting). Is it really as simple as that? I was sold on moving to the Philippines because that's what most people seem to do until they get married.
- US passport valid until 2031
- Renewed all my extensions so far either early or on time
- No criminal record/troubles either here in PH or the US, not working either
- I've retained all of my extension's documentation, so I'll be sure to have my ECC setup properly before departing
I keep stressing out about a nightmare scenario where I return the next day at PH immigration and they say something like "Oh really, you were here for 34-35 months before on TOURISM?! I doubt that's why you're returning again after just one day later for just tourism" and they deny me. But from all the research I've gathered, I can't find a single public record or feedback where someone has claimed being denied at PH immigration for resetting the 36 month clock after leaving and returning for one day, unless they had some other issues like they were consistently late on renewing their visa or overstayed or had some issues with the law or something like that.
My plan is to get a hotel reservation for about 5-7 days where I already rent a condo in PH and an onward airplane ticket for that 6th/7th day, a real one-way ticket(Not those onward ticket services) to like Hong Kong or Japan, so then I have proof of accommodation in PH + onward plane ticket, and I'll avoid wording like I live here, just stick to my tourism wording
Another concern I have is if the immigration officer asks me "How long do you plan to stay here for", well the truthful and obvious answer to both myself and the immigration officer is likely 1-3 years, but on paper I have proof of hotel stay for 5-7 days and onward ticket for that 7th day.
Looking for feedback from all, but also primarily from those who've done this exactly like leaving at month 34-35 then returning within 12-24 hours to reset the 36 month clock. Thank you all
