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Philippines tourist visa: Requirements and application procedure

Updated: March 15, 2021

Philippines Tourist Visa Extension Image

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.

***

PHILIPPINES VISA REQUIREMENTS BY NATIONALITY

Philippines Tourist Visa Requirements by Nationality
Philippines tourist 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

—

Visa EXEMPT nationalities

59 day entry

  1. Brazil
  2. Israel

30-day entry

  1. Andorra
  2. Angola
  3. Antigua and Barbuda
  4. Argentina
  5. Australia
  6. Austria
  7. Bahrain
  8. Barbados
  9. Belgium
  10. Belize
  11. Benin
  12. Bhutan
  13. Bolivia
  14. Botswana
  15. Brunei
  16. Bulgaria
  17. Burkina Faso
  18. Burundi
  19. Cambodia
  20. Cameroon
  21. Canada
  22. Cape Verde
  23. Central African Republic
  24. Chad
  25. Chile
  26. Colombia
  27. Comoros
  28. Congo, Dem. Rep. of
  29. Congo, Rep. of
  30. Costa Rica
  31. Croatia
  32. Cyprus
  33. Czech Republic
  34. Denmark
  35. Djibouti
  36. Dominica
  37. Dominican Republic
  38. Ecuador
  39. El Salvador
  40. Equatorial Guinea
  41. Eritrea
  42. Estonia
  43. Eswatini
  44. Ethiopia
  45. Fiji
  46. Finland
  47. France
  48. Gabon
  49. Gambia
  50. Germany
  51. Ghana
  52. Greece
  53. Grenada
  54. Guatemala
  55. Guinea
  56. Guinea Bissau
  57. Guyana
  58. Haiti
  59. Honduras
  60. Hungary
  61. Iceland
  62. Indonesia
  63. Ireland
  64. Italy
  65. Jamaica
  66. Japan
  67. Kazakhstan
  68. Kenya
  69. Kiribati
  70. Kuwait
  71. Kyrgyzstan
  72. Laos
  73. Latvia
  74. Lesotho
  75. Liberia
  76. Liechtenstein
  77. Lithuania
  78. Luxembourg
  79. Madagascar
  80. Malawi
  81. Malaysia
  82. Maldives
  83. Mali
  84. Malta
  85. Marshall Islands
  86. Mauritania
  87. Mauritius
  88. Mexico
  89. Micronesia
  90. Monaco
  91. Mongolia
  92. Morocco
  93. Mozambique
  94. Myanmar
  95. Namibia
  96. Nepal
  97. Netherlands
  98. New Zealand
  99. Nicaragua
  100. Niger
  101. Norway
  102. Oman
  103. Palau
  104. Panama
  105. Papua New Guinea
  106. Paraguay
  107. Peru
  108. Poland
  109. Portugal
  110. Qatar
  111. Romania
  112. Russia
  113. Rwanda
  114. Saint Kitts and Nevis
  115. Saint Lucia
  116. Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
  117. Samoa
  118. San Marino
  119. Sao Tome and Principe
  120. Saudi Arabia
  121. Senegal
  122. Seychelles
  123. Singapore
  124. Slovakia
  125. Slovenia
  126. Solomon Islands
  127. South Africa
  128. South Korea
  129. Spain
  130. Suriname
  131. Sweden
  132. Switzerland
  133. Tajikistan
  134. Thailand
  135. Togo
  136. Trinidad and Tobago
  137. Tunisia
  138. Turkey
  139. Turkmenistan
  140. Tuvalu
  141. Uganda
  142. United Arab Emirates
  143. United Kingdom
  144. United States of America
  145. Uruguay
  146. Uzbekistan
  147. Vanuatu
  148. Vatican
  149. Venezuela
  150. Vietnam
  151. Zambia
  152. Zimbabwe

14-day entry

  1. Hong Kong
  2. Macau

—

Visa REQUIRED nationalities

59-day entry

  • Single entry visas are valid for 3 months
  • Multiple entry visas are valid for 6 months
  1. Afghanistan
  2. Albania
  3. Algeria
  4. Armenia
  5. Azerbaijan
  6. Bangladesh
  7. Belarus
  8. Bahamas
  9. Bosnia and Herzegovina
  10. China
  11. Cote d’Ivoire
  12. Cuba
  13. Egypt
  14. Georgia
  15. India
  16. Iran
  17. Iraq
  18. Jordan
  19. Lebanon
  20. Libya
  21. Moldova
  22. Montenegro
  23. Nauru
  24. Nigeria
  25. North Korea
  26. North Macedonia
  27. Pakistan
  28. Serbia
  29. Sierra Leone
  30. Somalia
  31. South Sudan
  32. Sri Lanka
  33. Sudan
  34. Syria
  35. Tanzania
  36. Timor-Leste
  37. Tonga
  38. Ukraine
  39. Yemen

—

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
  1. 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
  1. 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.

—

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)
Verifiable Flight Ticket for Visa Application

—

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

—

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.

***

PHILIPPINES TOURIST VISA EXTENSION

Philippines Visa Extension
Philippines tourist visa extension clearance, fee and stamp

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.

Rent an onward ticket at OnwardTicket

—

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

Isla de Gigantes in the Philippines
A small uninhabited island near Isla de Gigantes in the Philippines

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 - Owner and Content Creator at Visa Traveler

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. 

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PLAN YOUR TRAVEL WITH VISA TRAVELER

I highly recommend using these websites to plan your trip. I use these websites myself to apply for my visas, book my flights and hotels and purchase my insurance.

01. Apply for your visa
You can get a verifiable flight itinerary for your visa application from DummyTicket. Flight itineraries from DummyTicket are valid for 2 weeks and work for all visa applications.

02. Book your fight
You can find the cheapest flight tickets using Skyscanner. Skyscanner includes all budget airlines and you are guaranteed to find the cheapest flight to your destination.

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.


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VIEW ALL VISA GUIDES


PLAN YOUR TRAVEL WITH VISA TRAVELER

I highly recommend using these websites to plan your trip. I use these websites myself to apply for my visas, book my flights and hotels and purchase my insurance.

01. Apply for your visa
You can get a verifiable flight itinerary for your visa application from DummyTicket. Flight itineraries from DummyTicket are valid for 2 weeks and works for all visa applications.

02. Book your fight
You can find the cheapest flight tickets using Skyscanner. Skyscanner includes all budget airlines and you are guaranteed to find the cheapest flight to your destination.

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 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 medical insurance for your trip from HeyMondo (for all international trips + 15% discount for visa traveler readers) or VisitorsCoverage (for US trips).

LEGAL DISCLAIMER
We are not affiliated with immigration, embassies or governments of any country. The content in this article is for educational and general informational purposes only, and shall not be understood or construed as, visa, immigration or legal advice. Your use of information provided in this article is solely at your own risk and you expressly agree not to rely upon any information contained in this article as a substitute for professional visa or immigration advice. Under no circumstance shall be held liable or responsible for any errors or omissions in this article or for any damage you may suffer in respect to any actions taken or not taken based on any or all of the information in this article. Please refer to our full disclaimer for further information.

AFFILIATE DISCLOSURE
This post may contain affiliate links, which means we may receive a commission, at no extra cost to you, if you make a purchase through a link. Please refer to our full disclosure for further information.

MORE VISA GUIDES

United Kingdom UK Tourist Visa Image

UNITED KINGDOM

Canada Tourist Visa Image

CANADA

Schengen Visa Image

SCHENGEN

Mexico Tourist Visa Image

MEXICO

Colombia tourist visa image

COLOMBIA

Thailand Tourist Visa Image

THAILAND

VIEW ALL VISA GUIDES

About Me

About Thirumal Motati, founder and travel writer at visa traveler
Hi! I’m Thirumal Motati. I’m on a mission to travel to every country in the world on my “weak” passport. As a digital nomad, I have been traveling full-time for over 6 years. My knowledge and experience have helped many secure their visas and fulfill their travel dreams. Want to learn how to travel the world on a weak passport? Start here

Get your travel medical insurance from HeyMondo
Get verifiable flight ticket for visa application from dummyticket
Rent an onward ticket at OnwardTicket

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