Traveling to the Philippines has been made a lot easier.
In a bid to boost the travel competitiveness of the country, the Department of Tourism (DOT), along with allied agencies Bureau of Immigration and Department of Foreign Affairs, has simplified the Philippines entry requirements and visas. This means that any traveler wishing to visit the Philippines can do so without an entry visa if their contemplated length of stay is no more than 21 days. The only requirements for this type of travel are the following:
- A passport or travel document acknowledged as such with 6 months validity beyond the intended length of stay;
- Confirmed ticket for onward travel from the Philippines;
- Clearance from medical screening;
- Proof of yellow fever vaccination if arriving from an infected area.
Get ready with your documents?
Proof of sufficient funds is required when a traveler applies for a visa (tourist or otherwise) in Philippine embassies or consular offices in their home countries.
Visa-exempt travel of up to 21 days is only applicable for nationals whose countries of origin have diplomatic ties with the Philippines. (A complete list of these countries can be found on the website of the Department of Foreign Affairs.) All other nationals are required to procure a visa even if their intended length of stay is less than 21 days. The entry requirements for visa-required travel depend on the purpose of the visit.
Visa exemption for up to 21 days only applies to visits for leisure or brief business (like prospecting for investment opportunities).
In cases of emergency, immigration officers are granted discretion to allow entry to holders of passport with at least two months validity beyond the expected length of stay.
When planning to stay longer, observe the Bureau of Immigration’s rules on granting extensions:
- Visa-exempt travelers need to apply for a visa waiver which will grant them an additional 38 days of valid stay in the country (for a total of 59 days of visa-exempt stay). They can apply for an extension valid for another two months granted that the extensions do not exceed one year.
- Visa-required nationals on the other hand can only be granted one month for every extension. Their additional length of stay should be no more than six months.
To apply for a visa extension, travelers need to fill out a form, attach a photocopy of their passport and latest arrival card, and other pertinent documents to support their request and file the application in the nearest office of the Bureau of Immigration.
If the visa expires on a legal holiday or weekend, application should be done on or before the last business day before the visa expiry date, otherwise penalties may be imposed.
For nationals that require visa to enter the country, they no longer need to appear in person before the nearest Philippine embassy or consular office in their countries of origin. Instead, they can secure entry by processing their visa with the help of their local business chamber or association or any representative legally capable to vouch their entry. The local representative can then file a request with the Bureau of Immigration. If the Bureau approves their application, they will be issued their visa upon arrival in the Philippines.
Overstaying beyond the approved number of days is a serious offense and may result to detention and deportation at the traveler’s expense.
Photo by mroach
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Article by Chris
Chris had a passion to contribute to society especially to fellow travelers like himself. He also had a passion for Southeast Asia and frequently visited. While brainstorming ideas, he decided that a travel blog dedicated to his favorite countries, Thailand and Singapore, could be more beneficial than any guidebook. Only one year later did the blog’s success bring in more writers, more countries, and more readers.
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