Philippines Tourist Visa
Table of contents
- Table of contents
- Traveling to Philippines
- Who Needs an Philippines Visa?
- Philippines Tourist Visa Validity
- Philippines Tourist Visa Requirements
- Philippines Visa Application Steps
- Philippines Tourist Visa Fees
- Where to Apply
- Philippines Tourist Visa Processing Time
- Approved Visa Applications
- Philippines Visa Extension
- Philippines Tourist Visa FAQ
Traveling to Philippines
With a diverse population and rich biodiversity, the Philippines is a beloved tourist destination for travelers from many destinations. Outdoor adventures like whitewater rafting, hiking, snorkeling, and visiting natural sites are extremely popular. The Philippines also offers wonderful cultural activities and unique local cuisine. Each year millions of foreign tourists come to the island nation to enjoy the sites and local culture.
Who Needs an Philippines Visa?
Certain foreign nationals require a Temporary Visitor’s visa that serves as a short-term entry travel document for the Philippines. Foreign nationals from the following countries are required to apply for a Philippines visa prior to traveling:
Afghanistan, Albania, Algeria, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Bangladesh, Belarus, Bosnia and Herzegovina, China, Cuba, Egypt, Georgia, India, Iran, Iraq, Jordan, Kosovo, Lebanon, Libya, Moldova, Montenegro, Nauru, Nigeria, North Korea, North Macedonia, Pakistan, Palestinian Territories, Serbia, Sierra Leone, Somalia, South Sudan, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Syria, Timor-Leste, Tonga, Ukraine, and Yemen.
Philippines Tourist Visa Validity
The Temporary Visitor visa is a short-stay visa for any traveler who wants to come to the Philippines for purposes of pleasure, business, study, or other short-term activities.
A Temporary Visitor visa is available as a single-entry or a multiple-entry visa. The single-entry visa is valid for three (3) months. The multiple-entry visa can be issued with a validity period of six (6) months or up to one (1) year. Each entry entitles the visa holder to a stay of up to 30 days in the Philippines.
Philippines Tourist Visa Requirements
To obtain a Philippines tourist visa, applicants must submit certain required documents.
The following documents are required for all foreign nationals applying for a Temporary Visitor visa:
A valid passport
The applicant should hold a passport valid for at least 6 months beyond the date of departure from the Philippines. Passports must be electronic or machine-readable.
Passport copy
Applicants should make at least one (1) photocopy of the main bio data page of their passport. The bio data page contains all primary identification information and the passport holder’s photo.
Personal photo
The applicant is required to submit one recent personal photo, taken within the last 6 months, against a white background. Photos should be 3.5 x 4.5 cm and clear.
Complete application form
The application form must be accurately completed, printed, and signed. The form will be included with the other required documents for submission. Some foreign nationals are able to submit their visa application form online, but should still print out the form for their file.
Proof of bona fide tourist status
This could be in the form of a travel itinerary, a letter from a tour/travel agency, or a hotel accommodation.
Onward/return ticket
Applicants must have a ticket that departs from the Philippines before their tourist visa expires. Tickets must be issued by an official body like a travel agency or airline.
Proof of financial means
Applicants must show via bank statements or other documents that they have the financial means to support themselves for the duration of their stay in the Philippines.
Visa fee payment
The payment method for the visa fee will vary depending on where the applicant submits their visa application documents.
Additional documents may be required depending on where the applicant submits their documents and the complexity of their application.
Philippines Visa Application Steps
Depending on where the applicant submits their tourist visa application, the application process may vary slightly. However, most applicants will take the following steps to apply for their Filipino tourist visa:
- Complete the visa application form
The application form should be completed online and printed, or completed by hand. All forms must be signed. Nationals of eligible countries can complete the visa application online at the Philippine Visa Online Portal.
- Gather the required documents
All documents must be present and accurate for the visa application to be processed.
- Submit visa application for processing
Applications can be submitted by post or in person at the nearest Filipino embassy or consulate. The method of submission will depend on the specific requirements of the foreign mission (embassy or consulate).
- Pay the visa fee
The payment method will vary depending on where the applicant submits their visa application. All fees must be paid for the application to be processed.
Philippines Tourist Visa Fees
The fees for the Philippines tourist visa may vary from one foreign mission to another. Applicants should contact the foreign mission (embassy or consulate) to inquire about the visa cost and ensure they have the correct information before submitting the application and paying the fees.
Where to Apply
Visa applications can be submitted by post or in person at the nearest embassy or consulate. The method of submission will depend on the specific requirements of the embassy or consulate. Some nationalities can submit their visa application form online at the Philippine Visa Online Portal. Once the application form is complete, applicants must print it out and submit it along with the other documents to the nearest embassy or consulate.
Philippines Tourist Visa Processing Time
A Philippines tourist visa is typically processed within one to three (1-3) weeks depending on the foreign mission where the applicant submits their application and the complexity of the case.
Approved Visa Applications
If the visa application is approved, the applicant will be informed and their passport will be returned to them with the sticker visa placed inside their passport on a blank visa page. In some cases, the applicant will retrieve their passport with the sticker visa from the foreign mission. New visa holders are advised to carefully check the information on their visa to ensure it is correct and a match to the information in their passport.
Philippines Visa Extension
In some cases, it may be possible for a tourist visa holder to extend their visa. To do so, they must visit the Bureau of Immigration in the Philippines.
Philippines Tourist Visa FAQ
The visa fee depends on the embassy or consulate where the application is submitted. Applicants must review the fees for their visa before submitting their application.
Single-entry tourist visas are valid for three (3) months. Multiple-entry visas can be valid for six (6) months or up to one (1) year. The maximum duration of stay is 30 days.
In some cases, it may be possible to extend the tourist visa by contacting the Bureau of Immigration in the Philippines.
