
Philippines tourist visa requirements are fairly clear and easy to understand. Most nationalities are visa-exempt for stays up to 30 days.
There are a handful of countries that require a pre-approved visa from the consulate. The visa rules for these countries are quite strict. Visa can only be applied in the country of passport or legal residence. Financial proof or bank statements are mandatory.
India and China passport holders can enter the Philippines for 7-14 days with a valid visa from the US, UK, Canada, Australia, Schengen, Japan or Singapore.
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PHILIPPINES VISA REQUIREMENTS BY NATIONALITY

Minimum passport validity required to enter the Philippines
Passport must be valid for at least 6 months at the time of entering the Philippines
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Visa EXEMPT nationalities
59 day entry
- Brazil
- Israel
30-day entry
- Andorra
- Angola
- Antigua and Barbuda
- Argentina
- Australia
- Austria
- Bahrain
- Barbados
- Belgium
- Belize
- Benin
- Bhutan
- Bolivia
- Botswana
- Brunei
- Bulgaria
- Burkina Faso
- Burundi
- Cambodia
- Cameroon
- Canada
- Cape Verde
- Central African Republic
- Chad
- Chile
- Colombia
- Comoros
- Congo, Dem. Rep. of
- Congo, Rep. of
- Costa Rica
- Croatia
- Cyprus
- Czech Republic
- Denmark
- Djibouti
- Dominica
- Dominican Republic
- Ecuador
- El Salvador
- Equatorial Guinea
- Eritrea
- Estonia
- Eswatini
- Ethiopia
- Fiji
- Finland
- France
- Gabon
- Gambia
- Germany
- Ghana
- Greece
- Grenada
- Guatemala
- Guinea
- Guinea Bissau
- Guyana
- Haiti
- Honduras
- Hungary
- Iceland
- Indonesia
- Ireland
- Italy
- Jamaica
- Japan
- Kazakhstan
- Kenya
- Kiribati
- Kuwait
- Kyrgyzstan
- Laos
- Latvia
- 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
- Romania
- Russia
- 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
- Slovenia
- Solomon Islands
- South Africa
- South Korea
- Spain
- Suriname
- Sweden
- Switzerland
- Tajikistan
- Thailand
- Togo
- Trinidad and Tobago
- Tunisia
- Turkey
- Turkmenistan
- Tuvalu
- Uganda
- United Arab Emirates
- United Kingdom
- United States of America
- Uruguay
- Uzbekistan
- Vanuatu
- Vatican
- Venezuela
- Vietnam
- Zambia
- Zimbabwe
14-day entry
- Hong Kong
- Macau
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Visa REQUIRED nationalities
59-day entry
- Single entry visas are valid for 3 months
- Multiple entry visas are valid for 6 months
- Afghanistan
- Albania
- Algeria
- Armenia
- Azerbaijan
- Bangladesh
- Belarus
- Bahamas
- Bosnia and Herzegovina
- China
- Cote d’Ivoire
- Cuba
- Egypt
- Georgia
- India
- Iran
- Iraq
- Jordan
- Lebanon
- Libya
- Moldova
- Montenegro
- Nauru
- Nigeria
- North Korea
- North Macedonia
- Pakistan
- Serbia
- Sierra Leone
- Somalia
- South Sudan
- Sri Lanka
- Sudan
- Syria
- Tanzania
- Timor-Leste
- Tonga
- Ukraine
- Yemen
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Visa EXEMPT with visa from the US, UK, Canada, Australia, Schengen, Japan or Singapore
14 day entry
- Must hold a valid used/unused multiple-entry visa (tourist/work) or permanent residence from the US, UK, Canada, Australia, Schengen, Japan or Singapore
- The visa must be valid for the entire duration of stay
- India
7 day entry
- Must hold a valid used/unused multiple-entry visa (tourist/work) or permanent residence from the US, Canada, Australia, Schengen or Japan
- The visa must be valid for the entire duration of stay
- China
***
PHILIPPINES TOURIST VISA APPLICATION PROCESS
Application
Philippines tourist visa can only be applied in the country of passport or legal residence. Philippines visa cannot be applied in a third country while traveling.
Philippines tourist visa can only be applied in person. Check your nearest consulate website to see if you need to schedule an appointment first. You can request to return the approved visa and passport via mail. You may need to attach a self-addressed envelope with your application. Check with your nearest consulate for more details.
Single-entry tourist visas are valid for 3 months. But you can only stay a maximum of 59 days on it.
Multiple-entry tourist visas are valid for 6 months. Each entry, you are allowed to stay for a maximum of 59 days.
Visa EXEMPT passport holders can also apply for a pre-approved visa at the consulate for stays more than 30 days and less than 59 days.
For stays beyond 59 days, an application of extension must be made at the Bureau of Immigration (BI). The head office of the Bureau of Immigration is in Manila.
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Documents required
The following documents are required.
- Filled and signed application form (you can find one on your nearest consulate website)
- Original passport
- Copy of your passport Id page
- Visa or residence permit (if applying in a country that is not your country of passport)
- Roundtrip airline tickets
- Hotel bookings
- Bank statements
- Employment proofs
- One recent passport photo (refer to your nearest consulate website for exact photo requirements)
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Visa fee
Visa fee depends on the application and the country where you are applying.
Single entry tourist visas: $30-40 USD
Multiple entry tourist visas: $40-60 USD
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Processing time
Philippines visa processing time is usually 2 – 10 working days. For some specific countries, applications are sent to Manila for verification. It might take longer to process such applications.
No refunds are allowed if the visa is not approved before the departure date. Make sure to apply for the visa at least 3 months in advance to avoid interruptions to your travel plans.
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PHILIPPINES TOURIST VISA EXTENSION

Visa EXEMPT passport holders are initially allowed to stay for 30 days. After these initial 30 days, you can extend your stay for additional 29 days. The fee for 29-day extension is currently PHP 3,030. Check the Bureau of Immigration (BI) website for detailed procedure on how to extend your visa for additional 29 days.
After those 29 days of extension, you can extend your visa for 1 or 2 months continuously up to 36 months. The fee depends on minor or adult, visa REQUIRED or EXEMPT, within the first 6 months or not. Refer to the Bureau of Immigration (BI) website for detailed procedure and fee requirements to extend your stay beyond the 59 days.
Visa REQUIRED passport holders with a pre-approved visa from the consulate can request a 59-day entry at the port of entry. You can extend your stay for 1 or 2 months continuously up to 24 months. Refer to Bureau of Immigration (BI) website for more information.
Visa REQUIRED India and China passport holders who have entered the Philippines with a valid visa/PR from the US, UK (applicable to India passports only), Canada, Australia, Schengen, Japan or Singapore can apply for a “one time only” 7-day extension at the BI office. The fee for the 7-day extension is PHP 1,430 plus PHP 1,000 express lane fee.
Procedure for the visa extension at the BI main office in Manila
- The Bureau of Immigration (BI) main office is on Magallanes Dr, Intramuros in Manila
- The best way to get there is by Uber / Grab or ride LRT to Carriedo station
- When you enter the main building, head over to the information desk
- Say that you want to extend your visa and handover the completed Application Form (TVS-CGAF-VE-2016) and Checklist (TVS-C-VE-2016)
- Your documents will be verified and will be given a ticket number
- Head over to counters 23-25 and watch the screens for your ticket number
- Your ticket number and its corresponding counter number will be displayed
- Head over to the counter, hand over the documents (application form and checklist) and passport
- You will be given a clearance certificate, a slip for visa extension fee and a slip for express lane fee
- Head over to counters 26-27, handover the fee slips and cash
- You will be given a receipt for the fee paid
- You can pick up your passport after one hour from the time of payment
- You can go to the Starbucks in front of the building to use the restrooms and get a coffee
- Careful with your belongings, wallet and cell phone when walking outside the building
- Return back to the main office in one hour
- Wait near counter 30 and watch the screen for your name
- When your name is displayed, head over to counter 30, hand over your clearance certificate and fee receipts to pick up your passport
- Check for the extension sticker in your passport and verify all the details are correct before exiting the building
***
ENTRY AND EXIT PROCEDURE AT THE AIRPORT
Entering the Philippines
Immigration is quite fast at international airports in the Philippines. There are counters specific to Filipinos, ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) and foreign passport holders.
Make sure to fill the arrival card before heading to the immigration. If the airline staff hasn’t provided you with an arrival card, you can grab one from the immigration area at the airport.
If you are a visa REQUIRED passport holder, you will be asked if you have a visa. The officer will verify the visa, stamps your passport and marks an exit date. You must exit the Philippines within the exit date.
The immigration officers usually do not ask for return or onward ticket. But it’s a good practice to carry a copy of your return ticket and accommodation booking. If you are traveling on a one-way ticket, make sure to have proof of onward ticket.
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Exiting the Philippines
You will go through passport control on exit. Exit formalities are fairly quick as there a specific counters for the Philippines, ASEAN, and foreign passport holders.
Make sure to grab and fill the departure card before heading to the immigration. You can find departure cards at airline check-in counters and near the immigration area.
You will not be asked any questions unless you have overstayed your visa.
***
SUMMARY

Philippines visa requirements are clear and easy to understand. The Philippines has a liberal visa exemption and extension policy. And hence a favorable place for travelers and expats alike.
A handful of countries require a pre-approved visa from the consulate. Visa rules for these countries are quite strict. Employment and financial proofs are mandatory. Visa can only be applied in the country of passport or legal residence. If you follow all the rules thoroughly, securing a visa for the Philippines is quite simple.
WRITTEN BY THIRUMAL MOTATI

Thirumal Motati is a world traveler and digital nomad from India. He is on a mission to travel to every country in the world on his Indian passport. He believes that his weak passport cannot stop him from traveling the world. Through this blog, he inspires many to take up the life of travel despite their weak passports. His guidance has helped many secure their visas and fulfill their travel dreams.
PLAN YOUR TRAVEL WITH VISA TRAVELER
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01. Apply for your visa
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03. Book your hotel
You can book your hotel from Booking.com. Booking.com has pretty much every hotel, hostel and guesthouse from every destination.
04. Get your onward ticket
If traveling on a one-way ticket, you can get your proof of onward flight from Expedia. Expedia offers free cancellation on tickets booked within 24 hours. Or use OnwardTicket to get a proof of onward ticket in just 2 minutes.
05. Purchase your insurance
You can purchase travel insurance for your trip from WorldNomads. With WorldNomads, you can purchase and extend your travel insurance from anywhere.
Disclaimer: Some of the links on this page are affiliate links. I get a small commission if you click on them and make a booking or purchase, but at no additional cost to you. These commissions help support this blog.