How to get into the country?
Starting July, 2013, nationals from 151 countries listed below have visa-free privilege and allowed to stay in the Philippines for up to 30 days. To avail of the visa-free privilege, qualified foreign nationals have to present a valid passport for at least six (6) months beyond the contemplated stay and a return ticket.
Andorra, Angola, Antigua and Barbuda, Argentina, Australia, Austria, Bahamas, Bahrain, Barbados, Belgium, Benin, Bhutan, Bolivia, Botswana, Brazil*, Brunei Darussalam, Bulgaria, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cambodia, Cameroon, Canada, Cape Verde, Central African Republic, Chad, Chile, Colombia, Comoros, Congo, Costa Rica, Cote d’Ivoire, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Denmark, Djibouti, Dominica, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Estonia, Ethiopia, Fiji, Finland, France, Gabon, Gambia, Germany, Ghana, Gibraltar, Greece, Grenada, Guatemala, Guinea, Guinea Bissau, Guyana, Haiti, Honduras, Hungary, Iceland, Indonesia, Ireland, Israel*, Italy, Jamaica, Japan, Kenya, Kiribati, Kuwait, Lao People’s Democratic Republic, Lesotho, Liberia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Madagascar, Malawi, Malaysia, Maldives, Mali, Malta, Marshall Islands, Mauritania, Mauritius, Mexico, Micronesia, Monaco, Mongolia, Morocco, Mozambique, Myanmar, Namibia, Nepal, Netherlands, New Zealand, Nicaragua, Niger, Norway, Oman, Palau, Panama, Papua New Guinea, Paraguay, Peru, Poland, Portugal, Qatar, Republic of Korea, Romania, Russian Federation, Rwanda, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Samoa, San Marino, Sao Tome and Principe, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, Seychelles, Singapore, Slovakia, Solomon Islands, Somalia, South Africa, Spain, Suriname, Swaziland, Sweden, Switzerland , Thailand, Togo, Trinidad and Tobago, Tunisia, Turkey, Tuvalu, Uganda, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, United Republic of Tanzania, United States of America, Uruguay, Venezuela, Vietnam, Zambia, Zimbabwe.
The following can enter the Philippines without a visa for a stay of not more than fifty-nine (59) days:
- Brazil passport holders; and
- Israel passport holders.
The following can enter the Philippines without a visa for a stay of not more than seven (7) days:
- Hong Kong Special Administrative (SAR) passport holders;
- British National Overseas (BNO) passport holders;
- Portuguese Passport holders issued in Macao; and
- Macao Special Administrative Region (SAR) passport holders.
What documents will be required?
Here are the minimum requirements for the application of a temporary visitor’s visa:
- Passport/Travel Document Valid for at least six (6) months over the intended period of stay in the Philippines;
- Duly Accomplished Visa application forms;
- Passport Photos (2 pieces);
- Proof of bona fide status as tourist or businessman;
- Confirmed tickets for return or onward journey to the next port of destination; and
- Payment of Visa Fees.
Note:
(a) Visas are required for Certificates of Identity holders, Travel Documents, Identity Documents, Taiwanese Passports and all stateless persons.
(b) Children of Filipino nationality must hold individual passports.
(c) Children of other nationalities until the age of 15 and unaccompanied by a parent are permitted entry if they have a secure a visa based on an approved Waiver Exclusion Ground (WEG) issued by the Bureau of Immigration. File applications for the requirement at the Consulate (or Consular section at Embassy) two weeks in advance.
Time required issuing a visa:
Time required issuing a visa is an average of 2 days. Visas can be picked up between 16.00 and 17.00 hrs.
How do I apply?
Apply to the Consulate or Consular section at the Embassy or see Contact Addresses section.
Requirements for application:
(a) one application form;
(b) one passport-size photo signed on the back.
(c) a passport valid for at least 6 months beyond the intended period of stay.
(d) proof of means of support during stay, either present a bank statement or letter of employment;
(e) Fee payable in cash or postal order only;
(f) when applying by post use registered, stamped, self-addressed envelope and application be signed by a notary or commissioner of oaths;
(g) the onward or return tickets; (h) business travellers are also require a letter from the sponsoring Filipino company or from their employer, stating the purpose of the visit.
Personal presence is required when applying for a non-immigrant visa.
Applicants for temporary visitor’s visa must be made in person. In the case of a minor under eighteen (18) years of age, he/she might be represented by a person whom the consular officer trusts for the youth’s welfare. The minor, not an infant carried in arms, must appear personally at the Consulate for interview, with the person filing the application for him/her.
Temporary visitor’s applicants should apply at the Philippine Embassy or Consulate that has jurisdiction over their place of residence. Some visas applicants can apply at any Philippine Embassy or Consulate abroad but others are only permitted to apply his/her visa at the Philippine Embassy or Consulate in his country of origin or legal residence.
How would I extend my visa?
You can extend your visa by getting an application form from the Visa Extension Section found at the ground floor of Annex building, Bureau of Immigration.
Simply fill up the form, providing a photocopy of the following: your passport, your visa, your latest arrival card, a valid extension of stay, if any plus other pertinent documents to support your application.
How much time will it take to extend my visa?
If you are a non-restricted citizen, one (1) day is enough by using the express processing lane or one (1) week by using the regular processing lane.
If you categorized as a restricted nationals, you will need three (3) days if you use the express processing lane and one (1) week using the regular processing lane.
Extension of Authorized Period of Stay in the Philippines
In case a visitor holding a temporary visa has exceeded authorized period of stay in the Philippines, he/she needs to report to the Bureau of Immigration to secure an extension of stay after paying the corresponding immigration fees.
LIST OF EMBASSIES & CONSULATES OF THE REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES