Philippines:Visa Requirements

PhilippinesLearn the visa requirements for this country. Last check:Last update:

Official Government Website

Philippines Visa Requirements Map

Philippines: Visa Requirements

Visa requirements may change. Always verify the latest information through official government sources.

General Entry Requirements

  • Foreign travelers arriving in the Philippines, except for holders of diplomatic and official passports and other limited exceptions announced, must register for a free eTravel within 72 hours prior to arrival. After registration is complete, a screenshot of the generated QR code must be taken or the code must be downloaded to the device. The QR code must be shown to the airline staff before boarding. The system operates online and requires a new or updated registration for each journey. Incomplete, incorrect or risk-indicating information in the health declaration may lead to referral for additional health checks.
  • For children under the age of fifteen who are not accompanied by a parent or not joining a parent in the Philippines, a Waiver of Exclusion Ground must be obtained. The child's guardian or legal representative must submit a written application to the Commissioner of Immigration, preferably at least 72 hours prior to arrival. The application is accompanied by a copy of the child's valid passport, visa if required, return ticket, the invitation of the parent or sponsor, and the consent statement of the parent or legal guardian. If arrival occurs without prior approval, the process may be completed at the port of entry and a WEG fee of 3,120 Philippine pesos per child may be applied. The Commissioner may waive this fee in appropriate cases.

Visa-Free Entry Requirements

  • The traveler's passport must be valid for at least six months beyond the end of the planned period of stay. Upon entry into the country, a return ticket to the country of origin or an onward ticket to the next country must be available.
  • Under the standard visa-free entry arrangement, the initial period of stay is 30 days. Different periods of stay may apply under specific international agreements or special arrangements. The exact permitted duration is determined based on the arrangement applicable to the traveler and the admission record issued upon entry.
  • In some special visa-free entry arrangements, a confirmed accommodation reservation, proof of sufficient financial means, a valid visa or residence permit for the next country, and the absence of an adverse record at the Bureau of Immigration may be required. Some special arrangements may only be used at designated airports or ports of entry.
  • Visa-free entry does not constitute an automatic right of admission to the country. The immigration officer may examine the passport, the purpose of the journey, the return or onward ticket, accommodation, and the traveler's ability to cover stay expenses, and may request additional documents.
  • The number of blank pages required in the passport, a fixed bank balance, mandatory travel health insurance coverage, and a general list of vaccination certificates are not definitively specified in the central official source.

Electronic Travel Authorization Requirements

  • The electronic travel authorization is the limited-scope MECO ETA system operated by the Manila Economic and Cultural Office. An applicant who has the type of passport accepted by the application portal must fill in all fields in the online form correctly in English unless otherwise stated.
  • The passport must be valid for at least six months after the planned period of stay in the Philippines. The passport information must be exactly identical to the information entered in the application. A discrepancy may result in denial of admission to the country.
  • The applicant is issued a Unique Identification number. In group applications, a single number may be created through the main applicant and the fee for all applications under the same number is paid together. Incomplete or unpaid applications are deleted from the system seven days after the initial data entry.
  • Notifications are sent to the main applicant's email address. The email address cannot be changed after payment is made. After the application and payment are completed, the official processing time is two business days. Although no specific minimum application period has been specified, the application and payment must be completed allowing sufficient time before travel.
  • The approved authorization must be printed on a clean A4 paper. The authorization document of each traveler must be on a separate page. At entry and exit, the passport, the printed electronic travel authorization, and a confirmed return ticket or onward ticket to the next country must be presented. If a visa is required for entry to the next country, a valid visa must also be carried. The departure date on the ticket must be before the end of the permitted period of stay.
  • The authorization document shows the validity dates of the electronic travel authorization and the permitted period of stay. Under this system, the initial permitted period of stay is 30 days. The electronic authorization does not guarantee automatic entry to the country.
  • Children aged fifteen years and under cannot travel under this electronic authorization; for these children, a normal consular visa stamped in the passport must be applied for.
  • The processing fee is non-refundable under any circumstances. The current fee amount, accepted payment methods, photo size, photo file format, number of blank passport pages, and fixed financial sufficiency amount are not definitively specified in the central official source.

E-Visa Application Requirements

  • The applicant must first create an account on the official e-Visa portal, fill in the online application form, upload the documents requested by the system, and pay the application fee. The system requests personal data such as given and family name, date of birth, passport details, contact information, address, purpose of travel, and, if required, employment details.
  • The passport must be valid for at least six months after the planned departure date from the Philippines. Only electronic passports and machine-readable passports are accepted for visa applications. Applications cannot be made with handwritten or non-machine-readable passports.
  • For all 9(a) temporary visitor applications, a properly completed application form, documents showing the genuine purpose of travel, and a confirmed return or onward ticket to the next country are required. The exact list of documents varies depending on the purpose of travel, the applicant's circumstances, and the foreign mission processing the application.
  • For tourist or private visit applications, inward and outward flight reservations, proof of financial sufficiency, documents showing ties to return to the country of residence, travel itinerary, and hotel reservation or other proof of accommodation must be submitted. Financial sufficiency may be demonstrated by bank account statements for the last six months or tax payments, an employment certificate showing salary information, proof of business income, or a sponsor's guarantee letter and the sponsor's financial documents. No universal minimum account balance has been set.
  • For business owners applying for business purposes, inward and outward reservations, an invitation letter from a public or private entity in the Philippines or support from an authorized chamber of commerce, business license or registration certificate, bank account statements for the last six months or tax payment records, and proof of accommodation are required.
  • From an applicant traveling for business as a company employee, an employment certificate showing their position at the executive level or above, inward and outward reservations, an assignment or support letter from the employer, an employment certificate containing salary information, or a guarantee letter from the company or sponsor, and proof of accommodation are required. The business visitor may not receive remuneration for services provided by an entity in the Philippines.
  • For applicants traveling for medical treatment, inward and outward reservations, an acceptance or appointment document from a health or healthcare facility in the Philippines, a medical report explaining the health condition, proof of financial means to cover treatment costs, and an accommodation document are required. As financial proof, bank account statements for the last six months, payslips for the last six months, an employment certificate, pension payments for the last six months, a receipt of prepayment or deposit for treatment, or a sponsor guarantee may be used. Health insurance is only mentioned among supporting documents if available; no mandatory insurance or minimum coverage amount has been set for all e-Visa applications.
  • For applications for film shooting, journalism, sports, performing arts, conferences, or other special purposes, documents specific to the purpose of travel may be requested, such as a request or invitation letter from the relevant institution, curriculum vitae, activity or project description, contract, event program, list of crew, list of equipment, and a letter regarding the re-export of equipment.
  • For a minor applicant traveling without a parent or legal guardian, a consent letter from the parent or guardian must be uploaded. A family member may process on behalf of a spouse, minor child, parent, or sibling who cannot apply on their own. In this case, a document showing the family relationship must be uploaded.
  • The stated processing time for single-entry e-Visa applications is 7–12 business days, and for multiple-entry applications, 15–21 business days. The visa officer may request additional documents, originals of documents, a personal application, or an interview if deemed necessary.
  • The stated method for online payment is direct bank transfer. The application fee is non-refundable. If the fee is not paid within 48 hours, a new application must be made. A fixed fee has not been published; the fee is generated in the system according to the applicant's nationality and application selection.
  • An e-Visa cannot be converted to another visa or residence status, and the permitted period of stay cannot be extended. If the passport linked to the e-Visa is lost or replaced, the current authorization becomes invalid and a new application must be made with the new passport.
  • The number and size of photos, background color, file format, number of blank passport pages, fixed visa validity period, maximum stay period applicable to all applications, and whether the electronic approval must additionally be carried in printed form are not definitively specified in the central official source. The portal may generate personalized document and fee information after the applicant enters their nationality, purpose of travel, and the foreign mission that will process the application. Visa on Arrival Requirements
  • Visa on arrival in the Philippines is not a universal system that general tourists can purchase at the airport without any prior process. The Special Entry Visa Upon Arrival program is applied for investors, business persons, athletes, event participants, speakers, certain international organization officials, and other persons deemed appropriate by the Commissioner of Immigration, who are supported by a government agency, investment institution, trade organization, organizer, or sponsor.
  • The application is made to the Bureau of Immigration Main Office. The sponsor or guarantor organization must submit a letter of request addressed to the Commissioner of Immigration. The letter must contain the applicant's full name as written in the passport, place and date of birth, passport information and validity date, residential address abroad, address in the Philippines, flight details, and the nature and purpose of the visit.
  • The application must be accompanied by, if required, a letter of support from the relevant government agency, a photocopy of the passport's biographical information page, flight details including the reservation number, and a Bureau of Immigration security or registration document. The application file must be prepared in a legal-size folder in the order of the checklist.
  • Affidavits and undertakings must be original and notarized. Documents issued in foreign countries must be submitted as originals, verified by an authorized Philippine foreign mission or the Philippine Department of Foreign Affairs, and documents not in English must be accompanied by an English translation.
  • If the application is made by an authorized representative, a copy of the representative's Bureau of Immigration accreditation document or an original special power of attorney issued for each applicant, along with the representative's valid official identification document, must be submitted. The applicant's original passport is surrendered for scanning and returned after scanning.
  • During processing, a payment order is obtained, the specified immigration fees are paid, an official receipt is secured, and documents are submitted together with the receipts. After approval, the visa and the Bureau of Immigration decision are collected.
  • The fee and period of stay vary depending on the SEVUA sub-program used. The published tariff shows a visa fee of 50 US dollars, an express processing fee of 500 Philippine pesos, and a legal research fee of 10 Philippine pesos for an additional 29-day admission; for certain supported business trips and the single-entry pro-investment program, 25 US dollars and a legal research fee of 10 Philippine pesos; for the multi-entry multinational company program, an application fee of 5,000 Philippine pesos and a legal research fee of 10 Philippine pesos. This tariff bears an update note dated March 6, 2014, and is subject to change without prior notice; the current payment order should be taken as basis.
  • In the single-entry pro-investment authorization, the stated period of stay is 30 days. In the multi-entry multinational company program, the initial period is three months from the date of entry, with the possibility of extension in six-month increments.
  • The minimum passport validity period, photo requirements, number of blank passport pages, general processing time, travel health insurance, and fixed financial sufficiency amount are not definitively specified in the SEVUA central checklist. The Bureau of Immigration may request additional documents during evaluation.

Consular Visa Application Requirements

  • The normal consular visa is issued in the form of a Machine Readable Visa stamped in the passport by the Philippine embassy or consulate. The application must be made using the system and application form of the authorized foreign mission.
  • The passport must be valid for at least six months after the planned departure date from the Philippines. Only electronic passports and machine-readable passports are accepted. Non-machine-readable or handwritten passports are not accepted.
  • The application form must be completed in full and legibly, and signed in accordance with the signature rules of the mission being applied to. The application must be accompanied by documents showing the genuine purpose of travel and a confirmed return ticket or onward ticket to the next country.
  • For tourist or private visit applications, flight reservation, travel itinerary, hotel reservation or other proof of accommodation, financial sufficiency documents, and documents showing ties to the country of residence such as employment, education, business, or property documents may be requested. Bank account statements for the last six months, tax records, employment certificate, company income, or a sponsor's guarantee letter are among the acceptable financial proofs. No universal minimum bank balance has been set.
  • For business trip applications, an invitation from the company or institution in the Philippines, an assignment letter from the applicant's employer, an employment certificate showing position and salary information, business registration, tax or bank records, and accommodation document may be requested. The invitation letter must state the purpose of travel, expected duration of stay, contact details of the inviting institution, and who will cover the expenses.
  • For sponsored applications, the sponsor's identity or passport document, address in the Philippines, relationship with the applicant, financial responsibility undertaking, and bank, income, or employment documents may be requested. The exact sponsor documents vary depending on the mission applied to and the purpose of travel.
  • For minor applicants, a birth certificate, copies of parents' passports, a notarized travel consent letter, and, if necessary, a sponsor or support statement may be requested. Children under the age of fifteen who are not traveling with a parent are additionally subject to WEG procedures.
  • The number of photos, photo size, required number of blank pages in the passport, submission method of the application form, legal residence document, translation and certification format, fee, payment method, processing time, and visa validity vary depending on the embassy or consulate applied to. A single value applicable to all foreign missions is not definitively specified in the central official source.
  • Some missions may require a photo with a white background taken within the last six months, photocopies of the passport's information and amendment pages, a six-month account statement signed and stamped by the bank, and proof of legal residence in the country of application. These requirements apply only within the jurisdiction of the relevant mission and should not be considered universal requirements.
  • The application must be made sufficiently in advance of travel. No single consular processing time has been published centrally. Foreign missions publish their own processing times and early application recommendations. The visa officer may request a personal application, interview, biometric data, or additional documents.
  • The visa does not confer an automatic right of entry. The final admission decision belongs to the Philippine immigration officer at the border.

Transit Visa Requirements

  • A transit visa is a 9(b) visa issued by the consulate for travelers who travel from one country to another via the Philippines and need to enter the Philippines during transit. The transit period is a maximum of 72 hours.
  • The applicant must submit a properly completed visa form, a valid passport, and a copy of the electronic ticket showing flight details. The passport must be valid for at least six months after the planned stay in the Philippines.
  • The flight document must show that the traveler is arriving from another country and will continue from the Philippines to a third country. Upon entry into the country, a return or onward ticket to the next country must be presented to the immigration officer. If the next country requires a visa, the traveler must carry a valid visa or another admission document for that country.
  • The number and size of photos, passport photocopies, accommodation document, proof of financial sufficiency, requirement of personal application or interview, application fee, payment method, and processing time vary by mission. This information is not definitively specified in the central official source.
  • A transit visa does not provide an automatic right of admission to the country. The immigration officer may examine the flight connection, transit duration, admission right to the next country, and the genuine purpose of the journey.
Population
117,724,471(2026 est.)
Official language
Filipino, English; regional auxiliary official languages: regional languages
Government type
Presidential republic
Continent
Asia
Capital
Manila
Currency
Philippine peso
Area
343,448 km²
Phone code
+63

Philippines: Key Destinations

Manila, the capital, is the primary gateway via Ninoy Aquino International Airport. Major cities like Cebu City and Davao City serve as regional hubs for travel across the archipelago.

The Philippines boasts cultural landmarks such as Vigan's colonial streets and natural wonders like Palawan's lagoons and Boracay's beaches. Business districts in Makati and educational centers in Quezon City also attract visitors.

Domestic flights connect Manila to islands in Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao. Many travelers structure trips around a route that includes Luzon's rice terraces, Visayan diving spots, and Mindanao's mountain landscapes.