What is a Philippine Visa?

A Philippine Visa is an endorsement made on a travel document by a consular officer at a Philippine Embassy or Consulate abroad denoting that the visa application has been properly examined and that the bearer is permitted to proceed to the Philippines and request permission from the Philippine Immigration authorities at the ports of entries to enter the country. The visa thus issued is not a guarantee that the holder will be automatically admitted into the country, because the admission of foreign nationals into the Philippines is a function of the immigration authorities at the port of entry.

Guidelines on the Entry of Temporary Visitors to the Philippines

Nationals from countries listed below who are traveling to the Philippines for business and tourism purposes are allowed to enter the Philippines without visas for a stay not exceeding twenty-one (21) days, provided they hold valid tickets for their return journey to port of origin or next port of destination and their passports valid for a period of at least six (6) months beyond the contemplated period of stay.

However, Immigration Officers at ports of entry may exercise their discretion to admit holders of passports valid for at least sixty (60) days beyond the intended period of stay. Nationals from the following countries are allowed to enter the Philippines without a visa for a period of stay of twenty-one (21) days or less:

*The following are allowed to enter the Philippines without a visa for a stay not exceeding fifty-nine (59) days:

1. Holders of Brazil passports; and
2. Holders of Israel passports

The following are allowed to enter the Philippines without a visa for a stay not exceeding seven (7) days:

3. Holders of Hong Kong Special Administrative (SAR) passports
4. Holders of British National Overseas (BNO) passports
5. Holders of Portuguese Passports issued in Macao
6. Holders of Macao Special Administrative Region (SAR) passports

Important Note:

Nationals who are subjects of deportation/blacklist orders of the Department and the Bureau of Immigration shall not be admitted to the Philippines. Further inquiries may be addressed to the Visa Division (Telephone numbers: 834-4854, 834-3707, and 834-4810), Department of Foreign Affairs, 2330 Roxas Boulevard, Pasay City or to any Philippine Embassy or Consulate abroad.

Definition of a Foreign Tourist (Temporary Visitor)

A “foreign tourist” is defined as a person without distinction as to race, gender, language or religion, who is
proceeding o the Philippines for a legitimate, nonimmigrant purpose such as sightseeing, sports, health, family
reasons, training or study (excluding enrolment in schools for the purpose of obtaining a title or degree), religious pilgrimage, business, cultural and scientific purposes.

Standard Procedure/Minimum Requirements for Applying a Temporary Visitor’s Visa

Application for a temporary visitor’s visa must be made in person. In the case of a minor under eighteen (18)
years of age, the application may be made for him by a person who, in the opinion of the consular officer, is
responsible for his/her welfare. The minor, not an infant in arms, shall be required to appear at the Consulate for
interview, together with the person making the application for him/her.

Applicants for temporary visitor’s visa should normally apply at the Philippine Embassy or Consulate that has
jurisdiction over their place of residence. While some visa applicants may apply at any Philippine Embassy or
Consulate abroad, others are only allowed to apply his/her visa at the Philippine Embassy or Consulate in his
country of origin or legal residence.

The following are the minimum requirements for applying a temporary visitor’s visa:

1. Passport/Travel Document Valid for at least six (6) months beyond the intended period of stay in the Philippines;
2. Duly Accomplished Visa application forms;
3. Passport Photos (2 pieces);
4. Proof of bona fide status as tourist or businessman;
5. Confirmed tickets for return or onward journey to the next port of destination; and
6. Payment of Visa Fees

Other Visa/Entry Requirements for Foreign Nationals:

• Minor children below 15 yrs. old Traveling to the Philippines Unaccompanied by or not joining a Parent in the Philippines

A Waiver of Exclusion Ground (WEG) Under Section 29(a)(12) of the Philippine Immigration Act of 1940, as
amended is required for children below 15 yrs. old who are traveling to the Philippines unaccompanied by or not
joining his/her parent/s to the Philippines.

The WEG Order will be issued by the Bureau of Immigration (BI) at the port of entry upon submission by the
WEG applicant of the following requirements:

1. Affidavit of consent by either parent or legally appointed guardian of the child, naming therein the person
who will be accompanying the child to the Philippines and with whom the child will stay while in the
country. The said Affidavit must be duly notarized by a local notary public or the consular officer at the
Philippine Embassy or Consulate in the applicant’s country or residence;
2. Clear photocopy of the data page of the child’s passport;
3. Clear photocopy of the data page of the passport of the accompanying adult or guardian; and
4. Payment of immigration fees (currently, P3,120 per child).

• Foreign Nationals on Board Privately-Owned Yachts or Sailboats

A temporary visitor’s visa is required for foreign nationals who are traveling to the Philippines on board privatelyowned yachts and sailboats. When applying the visa, the applicants will be required to provide the following particulars of the yacht/sailboat and its crewmembers:

1. Crewlist;
2. Nationality/Citizenship;
3. Passport details of the crew;
4. Vessel to be used for entry: type, name, registration, call sign, and other particulars;
5. Estimated date of entry into the Philippine territory;
6. Port/Area of entry (Philippine waters);
7. Estimated period of stay in the Philippines;
8. Character reference/shipping agent in the Philippines (if any); and
9. Purpose of visit

Upon entry into the Philippines, the crew of the yacht and sailboats are required to register immediately with the nearest Coast Guard Station and submit the yacht/sailboats to Customs, Immigration and Quarantine
inspections.

• Foreign Newsmen, Journalists and Cinema/Television Groups

Foreign newsmen and journalists visiting the Philippines in pursuit of their profession are required to apply for a
temporary visitor’s visa. The following are additional requirements for visa application of foreign newsmen,
journalist, cinema/television groups:

1. Curriculum vitae of newsmen/journalists;
2. Shortlist of work credits;
3. Copy of one (1) sample article written by the applicant;
4. Background of media organization, including target market/audience, circulation, format; and
5. Administrative arrangements for the work in the Philippines, as follows: