Philippines Visa Extension: How to Extend Your Stay in the Philippines

The Philippines has the most liberal visa policy in Southeast Asia when it comes to extensions. Regular bimonthly extensions are allowed up to 36 months in total.

Philippines visa extension can be done in person at the BI office, with the help of an agent or online. An extension for 6 months is also possible.

If you are not in the Philippines yet, check out this Philippines Visa Guide to learn about visa options for tourists, their eligibility and requirements.

***

How many days can you extend?

Brazil and Israel nationals

Brazilian and Israeli nationals can extend for 1 or 2 months. They can continue to extend their stay this way as long as they want for up to 36 months in total. 

Visa-exempt nationals

If you entered the Philippines on a 30-day visa-exemption (VISA-FREE), you first have to extend for 29 days for a total allowed stay of 59 days. 

After that, you can extend for 1 or 2 months and repeat the process as long as you want but not longer than 36 months within the country in total.

3 years is the maximum allowed stay for visa-exempt nationalities.

NOTE: Visa-Exemption is sometimes referred to as EO408 after the Executive Order that governs the list of visa-free countries. 

Visa-required nationals

If you entered using a Philippines tourist visa, your initially allowed stay is either 30 days or 59 days (depending on the duration of stay on your visa). 

If your allowed stay is 30 days, you must first extend it for 29 days for a total allowed stay of 59 days. Then you can extend for 1 or 2 months for up to 24 months in total. 

If your allowed stay is 59 days, then you can extend for 1 or 2 months continuously for as long as you want but not longer than 24 months inside the Philippines.

2 years is the maximum allowed stay for visa-required nationalities.

Indian and Chinese nationals

Indian and Chinese nationals who entered the Philippines with a US, UK, Canada, Australia, Schengen, Japan or Singapore visa are allowed to extend once for 7 days. The total allowed stay is 21 days for Indians and 14 days for Chinese nationals that entered using a substitute visa mentioned above.

***

How many extensions are permitted?

The number of extensions permitted depends on the limit of the total allowed stay. You can extend 1 month or 2 months each time continuously until you reach your 2 or 3-year stay limit. 

So in practice, you can extend your visa every 2 months up to:

• 3 years for visa-exempt nationalities
• 2 years for visa-required nationalities

***

How much is the extension fee?

Figuring out how much you have to pay for your visa extension in the Philippines is not the simplest task. Fees are made up of various charges, express fees which you cannot avoid, certificate fees, legal research fees, etc.

Another thing to note is that most of what makes up the visa extension fee are fixed costs. The cost of a 2-month extension is NOT twice as a 1-month extension. A 2-month extension is a value for money compared to a 1-month extension.

The prices quoted below are the totals you would pay after adding up all fees. Note that they may be slightly different as exchange rates fluctuate.

29-day extension

If you entered on a 30-day visa exemption or a 30-day tourist visa, then your first extension would be for 29 days. This extension will bring the total days in the country to 59.

The fee for the 29-day extension is 3,030 PHP.

First extension past 59 days

If you are a Brazil or Israeli national or entered on a 59-day visa, or extended for 29 days earlier, then this would be your first extension past 59 days.

All foreigners staying more than 59 days in the Philippines need to obtain an ACR I-CARD which costs 50 USD + 500 PHP (express fee that you cannot avoid paying) and makes the first extension disproportionately more expensive. Thankfully, the ACR I-CARD is a one-off payment.

The following prices are the totals for adults. Kids under 16 pay less and those under 14 pay even less.

	1-month extension	2 months extension
Visa-Exempt	4,400 PHP (Extension) Plus 50 USD + 500 PHP (ACR I-CARD)	4,900 PHP (extension) Plus 50 USD + 500 PHP (ACR I-CARD)
Visa-Required	4,400 PHP (Extension) Plus 50 USD + 500 PHP (ACR I-CARD)	5,700 PHP (extension) Plus 50 USD + 500 PHP (ACR I-CARD)

Second extension past 59 days

Below are the extension fees if this is your second extension past 59 days. Again, the prices are for adults. Kids under 16 pay less and those under 14 pay even less.

	1-month extension	2 months extension
Visa-Exempt	2,430 PHP	2,930 PHP
Visa-Required	2,430 PHP	3,730 PHP

Extensions beyond 6 months of stay

The extension fee changes if you continue to extend beyond 6 months. Below are the extension fees you will pay on the 7th month of your extension.

	1-month extension	2 months extension
Visa-Exempt	3,840 PHP	4,340 PHP
Visa-Required	3,840 PHP	5,140 PHP

NOTE: If you continue to stay more than 1 year, you may also have to new your ACR I-CARD which has only 1-year validity. You may renew your ACR I-CARD separately or as part of one of your extensions beyond one year.

7-day extension for Indians and Chinese

Indians and Chinese that entered with a substitute visa such as the US, UK, Canada, etc. are allowed to extend once for addtional 7 days, bringing the total days in the country to 21.

The fee for the 7-day extension is 2,330 PHP.

***

When to apply for your extension?

In-person extensions at the BI offices are processed within a couple of hours. That said, there can be issues such as insufficient documentation, etc. that might make you lose a day or two. So, it’s better to apply at least 1 week before your current stay permit expires.

***

What documents are required for extension?

For visa-exempt nationals on your first visa extension (up to 59 days), if you are to do it in person, bring:

1. Checklist TVS-C-VE-2016
2. Application Form TVS-CGAF-VE-2016
3. Additional Information about your children (if needed)

For in-person extensions past 59 days or 7-day extension for Indian and Chinese with substitute visa, bring:

1. Checklist TVS-C-VE-2016
2. Application Form IRD04.QF.004
3. Additional Information about your children (if needed)

***

Where can you extend your visa?

There are 4 ways to extend your Philippine visa:

1. On arrival at Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) in Manila. Go to the 24/7 One Stop Shop in Terminal 3 which is a government immigration office dealing with extensions (among other things). There you can extend your stay as soon as you first land in the Philippines!
2. Through the eServices Online Portal (but not every extension can be done online).
3. With the paid help of a visa agent.
4. In person at an Immigration Office.

Below, I will cover extending online and in-person extensions at an Immigration Office.

***

When can you extend online?

Not all extensions can be done online. It depends on how long you’ve stayed inside the Philippines already. Consult the table below:

Type of extension	Can it be done online?
29 days extension for visa-exempt nationals	Yes
1st extension above 59 days	No
2nd extension above 59 days but under 6 months	Yes
1st extension above 6 months of stay	No
2nd extension above 6 months but under 12 months	Yes
After 12 months of stay	No
7-day extension for Indian and Chinese with substitute visa	No

***

How to extend your Philippines visa online?

How to extend visa-exempt status from 30 to 59 days (29-day extension)?

If you have entered the Philippines on a 30-day Visa Exemption, you can apply for first 29 day extension online at the eServices Immigration website.

Step 1: Create an account.

Step 2: Click on “Visa Waiver”.

Step 3: Fill out your details and passport information.

Step 4: See a breakdown of the extension fee and click submit. You will be taken to a payment portal.

Step 5: Pay the extension fee.

Step 6: After the extension is processed, you will receive the extension acknowledgement to your registered email address.

How to extend 1 or 2 months past 59 days?

Not every extension is doable online. You need to extend in person if:

• This is your first extension past 59 days.

OR 

• This is your first extension past 6 months.

You must have an ACR I-CARD to extend your Philippine visa online. You will pay for and receive one when you first extend past 59 days.

Step 1: Create an account on the eServices Immigration Portal if you haven’t already.

Step 2: Click on “Tourist Visa Extension”.

Step 3: Fill out your travel and passport information as well as a residential address in the Philippines. Also, add your ACR I-Card Number.

Step 4: See the breakdown of the extension fee and click submit. You will be taken to a payment portal.

Step 5: Choose a payment method and pay.

Step 6: After the extension is processed, you will receive it at your registered email address.

***

How to extend your Philippines visa in Manila?

The extension office in Manila is the Head Office of the Bureau of Immigration in Intramuros. It is open only on working days between 7:00 and 17:30.

Dress so that your shoulders and knees are covered or you won’t be allowed inside the building.

To extend, follow these steps:

Step 1: Go to the BI Head Office. The closest LRT stations are Carriedo Station and the Central Terminal

Step 2: If you haven’t filled out the required forms, you can get copies and complete them there.

Step 3: Say that you want to extend your visa and give the forms. You will be given a ticket number and your documents back.

Step 4: Go to counters 23-25 and watch the screens for your ticket number. Your number will be displayed together with the number of the counter you must go to.

Step 5: Go to the appointed counter, give the forms and your passport, and receive:

1. A clearance certificate
2. A slip for the visa extension fee
3. A slip for the express lane fee

“Express” is the default option. You may try to talk the officials into doing it the ordinary way to save 1000 PHP but they are known to refuse. Ordinary extensions can take up to a week so you will have to go to the office again.

Step 6: Go to counters 26-27 and give the fee slips and cash. Payment by card is not possible. You should receive a receipt – keep it.

Step 7: Processing time is 1 hour (sometimes less) in which you can go outside and grab a cup of coffee or lunch.

Step 8: When you return, go to counter 30 and wait for your name to appear on the screen.

Step 9: Once your name is displayed, hand over your clearance certificate and fee receipt at counter 30. They will give you your passport back with an official receipt of the extension. Verify everything is correct before you leave.

In total, the whole process can take anywhere between 20 minutes and 2 hours for the 29-day extension for visa-exempt individuals. Other extensions may take longer.

***

How to extend your Philippines visa in Cebu?

Visa extensions in Cebu City are done at the Bureau of Immigration inside the Gaisano Mactan Island Mall or the Bureau of Immigration inside GMall (2nd floor).

The latter is a bigger office and way busier. I advise you to go to the office in Gaisano Mactan Mall in Lapu-Lapu City for a smoother experience. It’s open on working days between 8 AM and 4 PM.

Step 1: Go to the office prepared with all the forms and documents. Be mindful of the dress code – shoulders and knees covered. Immigration is on the right as you enter the Mall.

Step 2: Show your documents for verification and receive a numbered ticket.

Step 3: Wait for your number to be called. Give your forms and your passport to the “Receiving” window #1. You should receive:

1. A clearance certificate
2. A slip for the visa extension fee
3. A slip for the express lane fee

“Express” is the default option. You may try to talk the officials into doing it the ordinary way to save 1000 PHP but they are known to refuse. Ordinary extensions can take up to a week and you will have to go to the office again.

Step 4: Wait to be called and go to pay the visa fees at the “Cashier” window #4. Depending on how busy it is, this step may take up to 1-2 hours. Payment is in cash only. You should receive a receipt. Don’t lose it as it’s what you need to retrieve your passport!

Step 5: Wait until called again. This may take minutes or hours depending on workload and the visa extension you’re applying for. Show your receipt and go to “Releasing” Window #6.

Step 6: Sign the ledger and receive your passport, official receipt and the certification letter that you’re not on the watch list. Verify everything is correct before you leave.

If you go early in the morning to apply for the 29-day visa exemption, the whole process should take an hour. For other extensions, it may take up to a few days.

***

Extension of stay for holders of Hong Kong and Macau passports

If you hold a Hong Kong SAR or a Macau SAR passport, you’re visa-exempt for 14 days.

If you wish to extend, you have two options:

1. Extend for 7 days, bringing the total allowed days to 21. This extension costs 2,430 PHP. You may then extend again for 38 additional days, bringing the total to 59. This second extension costs 4,140 PHP.
2. Extend for 45 days outright which brings the total to 59 days. This costs 4,570 PHP in total.

Those extensions can be done online at the eServices Immigration Portal. The first time you extend, you can choose the short one or the long one. If you try to extend a second time after only adding 7 days the first time, the system will automatically add 38 more days to bring the total to 59.

***

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does it cost to extend a Philippine tourist visa by 1 year?

For this calculation, I will assume you are a visa-exempt national.

For 1 year:

• The first 30 days are free.
• The next 29 days cost 3,030 PHP.
• The following 2 months cost 5,400 PHP + 50 USD.
• The following 2 months cost 2,930 PHP
• The last 6 months cost 3 x (4,340) = 13,020 PHP

In total, staying 1 year in the Philippines costs 24,380 PHP + 50 USD or around 466 USD.

What happens if you overstay your visa?

The fine for overstaying is 500 PHP per month, plus all applicable visa fees that you would have paid to stay legally. If you overstayed beyond the maximum allowable period (6 months), you’ll pay an additional 500 PHP to get a Motion for Reconsideration on Updating and Extension of authorized Stay.

This fine will likely be the only consequence if you submit paperwork to remedy your visa status voluntarily. You may face much more serious penalties if caught with an expired visa.