Philippine Standard Time

Visa FAQs

GENERAL INQUIRY

Am I required to apply for a Philippine temporary visitor’s visa?

Go to the top of the Visa webpage and select the country that issued your passport in the drop-down menu to determine if you are required to apply for a Philippine temporary visitor’s visa.

Can I apply for a Philippine visa online?

The online visa application system is currently available for foreign nationals applying for a temporary visitor’s visa. Visit https://www.visa.gov.ph to lodge your application. For other visa types, you may wish to visit the nearest Philippine Embassy or Consulate for details.

Where can I apply for a Philippine visa?

You may inquire at the Philippine Foreign Service Post nearest to your place of residence here.

What are the requirements for a Philippine temporary visitor’s visa?

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

  1. Passport/travel document valid for a least six (6) months beyond the intended period of stay in the Philippines;
  2. Duly accomplished visa application forms;
  3. 2 pieces of passport-sized photos;
  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 documentary requirements may be requested based on your purpose of visit or visa subtype to be applied for, which can be found in the Visa webpage and https://www.visa.gov.ph/.

Can I extend my authorized period of stay in the Philippines?

Foreign nationals exceeding their authorized stay in the Philippines should proceed to the Bureau of Immigration (https://immigration.gov.ph/) to apply for an extension.

What is the procedure and requirements for visa applications endorsed by government entities, private companies, and international organizations?

Visit the following pages if your visa application is endorsed by any of the following:

  1. Philippine government entity
  2. Private entity
  3. Foreign government entity
  4. Accredited international organization
What are the requirements for visa-free entry to the Philippines?

Foreign nationals allowed to enter the Philippines without a visa for a maximum period of stay of thirty (30) days should meet all of the following requirements:

  1. The applicant is travelling to the Philippines for business or tourism;
  2. Valid tickets for return to port of origin or next port of destination;
  3. Passport valid for at least six (6) months beyond the contemplated period of stay; and
  4. The applicant is not subject of deportation/blacklist order of the Department and the Bureau of Immigration.

Visit the Visa webpage and select the country that issued your passport in the drop-down menu to determine if you are required to apply for a Philippine visa.

I will enter the Philippines to transit to another country. Am I required to apply for a visa?

If the foreign national will pass through Philippine immigration during transit in the Philippines, a transit visa will be required. Please proceed to the Philippine Foreign Service Post nearest to your place of residence for inquiries on applying for a transit visa. You may check the Philippine Foreign Service Post nearest to your place of residence here.

I intend to go to the Philippines to seek gainful employment. Can I convert my tourist visa to a work visa?

Foreign nationals entering the Philippines for employment may secure a pre-arranged employment visa through the following options:

  1. File a petition through a Philippine-based employer in the Bureau of Immigration for the issuance of pre-arranged employment visa, after which the visa will be issued at the Philippine Foreign Service Post located in the applicant’s country of origin or place of legal residence; or
  2. Apply for a temporary visitor’s visa abroad and convert it into a pre-arranged employment visa at the Bureau of Immigration upon arrival in the Philippines.

You may check the Philippine Foreign Service Post nearest to your place of residence here.

I am a foreign student enrolled at a Philippine university. How can I secure a student visa?

Foreign students may secure a student visa through the following options:

  1. The Philippine-based university shall submit the application for a student visa of the applicant together with the requirement at the Visa Division of the Office of Consular Affairs, Department of Foreign Affairs in Manila, after which the visa shall be issued at the Philippine Foreign Service Post located in the applicant’s country of origin or place of legal residence; or
  2. Apply for a temporary visitor’s visa abroad and convert it into a student visa at the Bureau of Immigration upon arrival in the Philippines.

You may check the Philippine Foreign Service Post nearest to your place of residence here.

I am a family member (spouse and/or child) of a Filipino national. Am I still required to apply for a Philippine visa?

Visa-free nationals who are family members (spouse and children holding foreign passports) of a Filipino citizen may enter the Philippines without a visa for a period of one (1) year under the Balikbayan Program, provided that they should be travelling with the Filipino national.

Visa-required nationals should still apply for a temporary visitor’s visa prior to entering the Philippines. Visit the Visa webpage and select the country that issued your passport in the drop-down menu to determine if you are required to apply for a visa.

How do I apply for an APEC Business Travel Card (ABTC)?

Qualified business persons may apply for an ABTC by visit this link: https://dfa-oca.ph/visa/visa-guidelines/apec-business-travel-card/

Can I use my ABTC to enter the country without a visa?

Holders of valid ABTCs may enter the Philippines without a visa with streamlined privileges, provided that the purpose of their visit is business.

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