All qualified foreign nationals are required to lodge their visa applications at the Online Visa Application System (OVAS) through www.visa.gov.ph, subject to compliance with the usual visa requirements and procedures.

Reminders:
1. Please indicate all your names as appearing in your passport
2. Download the filled out online application form, review and make sure all details are correct.
3. Put your signature on the downloaded application form and upload it in the system together with the clear copy of the passport data page.

GENERAL INFORMATION

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 entry to enter the country.

The visa issued however, is not a guarantee that the holder will be automatically admitted into the country. The admission of foreign nationals into the Philippines is a function of the immigration authorities at the port of entry.

For the latest travel advisory, you may also visit the Department of Foreign Affairs website (www.dfa.gov.ph) or the Bureau of Immigration's social media accounts (www.facebook.com/officialbureauofimmigration) and Bureau of Immigration’s website (https://immigration.gov.ph).

Application for a temporary visitor's visa must be made in person. If the application involves a minor under eighteen (18) years of age, the application may be made for him/her 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.

All visa applications are subject to evaluation and approval by the Visa Officer. The Embassy will not hasten the visa processing to accommodate the applicant’s flight schedule.

Other documents/papers may also be required by the Visa Officer in support of the visa application.

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 for their visa at the Philippine Embassy or Consulate in their country of origin or legal residence.

Visa processing takes at least 5 working days (excluding weekends and holidays) starting from the submission of documentary requirements to the Embassy.

Information on the status of a visa application are held in strict confidence and will not be released until it is either approved or disapproved. Such information will be given only to the visa applicant or the authorized representative on the date indicated in the receipt.

TRAVEL ADVISORY

Standard Requirements for Philippine Non-Immigrant Visa Application:

Nationals from Morocco, Guinea, Mali, Mauritania, Senegal do not need visa to enter the Philippines for a maximum stay of 30 days. Those who wish to stay longer can apply for a temporary visa for a maximum stay of 59 days.

BASIC REQUIREMENTS:

a) Personal appearance
b) Printed copy of visa application form from the Online Visa Application System (OVAS)
c) Original and copy of passport that is at least (6) months valid beyond the intended stay in the Philippines.
d) One (1) photo 1.77” x 1.37” (3.5 cm x 4.5 cm) taken within the last 6 months, front view with white background, no eyeglasses or sleeveless attire.
e) Original and photocopy of residence ID/National ID
f) Roundtrip flight itinerary.
g) Copy of hotel booking confirmation
h) For Minors not travelling with a parent/guardian (additional requirement):
• Letter of permission from a parent/guardian

Additional requirements for submission depending on the purpose of temporary stay include the following:

I. 9(a-1) Visa for Business Visitors
A. For Business Owners:
• Invitation letter from a Philippine government/private entity or endorsement from a chamber of commerce (recognized by the host government) in the country where the business is located
• Proof of business operations/ income
o Business permit/license or registration
o Bank statement for the last six (6) months or tax payments
B. For Employees:
• Certificate of Employment in a managerial level or higher
• Invitation letter from a Philippine government/private entity
• Endorsement letter from the applicant’s company
• Employment certificate with remuneration or letter of guarantee from the company/sponsor

II. 9(a-2) Visa for Tourism or Leisure Visitors
• Proof of financial capacity (any of the following):
o Bank statement for the last six (6) months
o Employment certificate with remuneration
o Proof of business income
o Letter of guarantee from the sponsor with proof of financial capacity
• Documents proving ties to the home country/country of residence (any of the following):
o Employment Certificate
o Property documents

III. 9(a-3) Visa for Medical treatment visitors
• Acceptance letter or confirmation of treatment or appointment from a Philippine medical or wellness institution
• Proof of medical condition, such as medical abstract from the sending medical or wellness institution
• Proof of financial means (any of the following)
o Bank statement for the last six (6) months
o Pay slips for the last six (6) months or employment certificate with remuneration (for employees)
o Pension statements for the last six (6) months (for retirees)
o Receipt/confirmation of advance payment or deposit made for the treatment
o Letter of guarantee from the sponsor with proof of financial capacity
• Hotel insurance policy (if any)
• For escort:
o Letter from the sending medical or wellness institution assigning the foreign national to escort the patient

IV. 9(a-4) Visa for Yachtsmen/Sailors
• Letter from the owner/captain indicating the following:
o Port or area of entry
o Date of entry and period of stay
o List of crew and passengers
o Particulars of the vessel
• Type
• Name
• Registration
• Call sign
• Boat insurance policy
• Cargo manifest
• Character reference/shipping agent in the Philippines (if any)

V. 9(a-5) Visa for Filmmaking Visitors
• Letter of request addressed to the International Press Center
• Background of film outfit
• Curriculum Vitae of the filmmaker, including a shortlist of work credits
• Synopsis/storyline of the film
• Itinerary of activities
• List of members of the crew with designations (if any)
• Employment certificate or contract from the film outfit
• List of equipment with certification from the film outfit that said equipment wil be re-exported at the end of the trip to the Philippines

VI. 9(a-6) Visa for Journalism Visitors
• Letter of request addressed to the International Press Center
• Background of media organization, or of contracting media organization (for freelance journalists)
• Curriculum Vitae of newsman/journalist, including a shortlist of work credits
• Copy of one published article/work of journalist
• Synopsis/storyline/purpose of the news
• Itinerary of activities
• List of members of the crew with designations (if any)
• Employment certificate or contract from media company
• List of equipment with certification from the media organization that said equipment will be re-exported at the end of the trip to the Philippines

VII. 9(a-7) Visa for Athletic and Performing Arts Visitors
• Letter of request from the applicant’s team, group, or organization
• Invitation letter from the organizer of the event
• Endorsement letter from the Philippine Sports Commission, Philippine Olympic Committee, Games and Amusement Board, or a national sporting association duly recognized by the PSC/POC/GAB (for athletes)
• Endorsement letter from the Local Government Unit where the venue of the event is located (for performers)
• Contract or agreement with the organizer, including promotional materials
• Itinerary of activities
• Proof of financial means or letter of guarantee from the sponsor
• List of members of the crew with designations (if applicable)
• Employment certificate of crew members (if applicable)
• List of equipment with certification from the group that said equipment will be re-exported at the end of the trip to the Philippines (if applicable)

VIII. 9(a-8) Visa for visitors with other purposes
• Proof of financial capacity
• Documents relative to the purpose of visit

9(e) FOREIGN GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS (FGO)

For accredited officers of a foreign government recognized by the Philippines, who is a citizen of the country whose government he/she represents, and who is proceeding to the Philippines on official business for his/her government; and for officials of international non-governmental organizations.

Requirements:

a) Official written notification of the impending assignment or travel to the Philippines of the foreign government official transmitted to the FSP via Note Verbale stating the following:
• The particulars of the visa applicant;
• Official designation in the mission/consular office in the Philippines;
• Expected departure date from the country of origin;
• Expected duration of assignment in the Philippines;
• Complete name and designation of the official to be replaced by the visa applicant (or if visa applicant is an additional official being deployed in the sending state’s mission/consular office in the Philippines); and
• For qualified dependents: that the visa applicant is travelling to the Philippines to join and live with the principal for the duration of the principal’s assignment.
b) Duly accomplished visa application form (FA Form No.2) with photograph.
c) Clear photocopy of the visa applicant’s diplomatic/service/official/regular passport valid for at least six (6) months; and
d) Supporting documents to establish families, marital union, employee-employer relations, etc. as may be deemed necessary, in order to properly ascertain the appropriate visa type per existing rules and regulations.

Note: Authority to issue 9e visa has to be received from the Philippine Department of Foreign Affairs before visa can be issued.

VISA POLICY FOR INDIAN NATIONALS

Indian nationals with valid American, Japanese, Australian, Canadian, Schengen, Singapore, or UK (AJACSSUK) visa or permanent residence permit from the AJACSSUK-issuing states may avail of visa-free privilege for arrival at any port of entry (major international airports and secondary international hubs (SIHs), as well as in seaports by passengers on board cruise ships/vessels).

1. Indian nationals may be granted visa-free entry for stay not exceeding fourteen (14) days, provided that they have the following:
a) Passport should be valid at least six (6) months beyond the authorized period of stay.
b) Return or onward ticket to the next country of destination.
c) No derogatory record with the Bureau of Immigration (BI), the National Intelligence Coordinating Agency (NICA), and the International Police (Interpol).
2. The 14-day visa free entry may be extended by an additional seven (7) days for a maximum of twenty-one (21) days stay.
3. This type of admission is non-convertible to other visa categories.
4. The purpose of their visit to the Philippines shall be strictly for tourism.
5. For a stay longer than 14 days, they may apply for a visa at the Philippine Consulate General or any Foreign Service Post (FSP) in a country that requires entry visas to Indian nationals.

VISA POLICY FOR HONG KONG AND MACAU NATIONALS

1. Holders of Hong Kong and Macau passport may be granted visa-free entry for a stay not exceeding fourteen (14) days, provided that they have the following:
a) Passport should be valid at least six (6) months beyond the authorized period of stay.
a) Return or onward ticket to the next country of destination.
b) No derogatory record with the Bureau of Immigration (BI), the National Intelligence Coordinating Agency (NICA), and the International Police (Interpol).
2. For a stay longer than 14 days, they may apply for a visa at the Philippine Consulate General or any Foreign Service Post (FSP) in a country that requires entry visas to Hong kong and Macau nationals.

VISA POLICY FOR CHINESE NATIONALS (PROC)

Nationals from the People’s Republic of China (PROC) with valid American, Japanese, Australian, Canadian, or Schengen (AJACS) visa may avail of visa-free privilege for arrival at any port of entry (major international airports and secondary international hubs (SIHs), as well as in seaports by passengers on board cruise ships/vessels).

1. PROC nationals may be granted visa-free entry for a stay not exceeding seven (7) days, provided that they have the following:
c) Passport should be valid at least six (6) months beyond the authorized period of stay.
d) Return or onward ticket to the next country of destination.
e) No derogatory record with the Bureau of Immigration (BI), the National Intelligence Coordinating Agency (NICA), and the International Police (Interpol).
2. The 7-day visa free entry may be extended by an additional fourteen (14) days for a maximum of twenty-one (21) days stay.
3. This type of admission is non-convertible to other visa categories.
4. The purpose of their visit to the Philippines shall be strictly for tourism.
5. For a stay longer than 14 days, they may apply for a visa at the Philippine Consulate General or any Foreign Service Post (FSP) in a country that requires entry visas to PROC nationals.
6. Chinese Nationals applying for 9(a) Tourist Visa are also required to submit Chinese Social Insurance Record Certificates. These certificates must be registered for at least six (6) months at the time of submission of the visa application.
7. Chinese nationals currently enrolled in primary, secondary, or college education who will be required to submit proof of enrollment, and retirees above 55 years old, are exempt from the said requirement.

BALIKBAYAN PROGRAM

The Philippines has instituted the Balikbayan Program (through Republic Act 6768), under the administration of the Department of Tourism to attract and encourage overseas Filipinos to come and visit their country of birth.

Under this program, Balikbayans including their spouse and unmarried children, can avail of Visa-free entry with an initial stay of one year for foreign passport holders except for restricted nationals. They may extend their stay for another one (1), two (2) or six (6) months provided that they present their valid passport and filled out the visa extension form and submit it to the visa extension Section in the BI Main Office or any BI office nationwide. An additional requirement will be asked for Balikbayans who have stayed in the Philippines after thirty six (36) months.

To avail of the visa-free entry, the foreign spouse and/or child of the overseas Filipino/former Filipino must observe the following requirements:

1. Must travel together with the Filipino or former Filipino spouse or parent;
2. Must travel with a valid passport with a period of validity at least six months beyond the contemplated stay in the Philippines;
3. Must be able to show proof of blood relation to the overseas Filipino/former Filipino spouse or parent (i.e. PSA Marriage Contract/Report of Marriage, Report of Birth/Apostilled Foreign Birth Certificate with English translation, etc.) to the satisfaction of the immigration authorities at the port of entry.

The overseas Filipino/former Filipino must be able to show proof of current/past Philippine citizenship (i.e. valid/expired Philippine passport or PSA Birth Certificate) to the satisfaction of the immigration port authorities.

Important Note

• The term “balikbayan” shall mean:
a) a Filipino citizen who has been continuously out of the Philippines for a period of at least one (1) year;
b) a Filipino overseas worker;
c) a former Filipino citizen
• The term “family” shall mean the spouse and the children of the balikbayan who are not balikbayans in their own right travelling with the latter to the Philippines.
• Family members of balikbayans holding passports that require entry visa to the Philippines are not entitled to the Balikbayan privilege.
• Furthermore, nationals who are subjects of deportation/blacklist orders of the Philippine Bureau of Immigration are not covered by the Balikbayan privilege.

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 travelling 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

VISA FEES:

Single Entry: 360/480 MAD
Multiple Entry valid for 6 months: 720/960 MAD
Multiple Entry valid for 1 year: 1,080/1,440 MAD