Frequently Asked Questions General Information
| General Information |
I would like to visit the Philippines, am I required to apply for an entry visa?If you are classified as a non-restricted national and your country has diplomatic ties/bilateral agreement with the Philippines, you are not required to secure an entry visa.
Guidelines on Entry Visas of Temporary Visitors to the PhilippinesA. Nationals from countries listed below are allowed to enter the Philippines without visas for a stay not exceeding twenty-one (21) days, provided they hold valid tickets for their return journey to port of origin or next port of destination. Department regulations require that passports are valid for a period of not less than six (6) months beyond the contemplated period of stay. However, Immigration Officers at ports of entry may exercise their discretion to admit holders of passports valid for at least sixty (60) days beyond the intended period of stay. B. Nationals from the following countries are allowed to enter the Philippines without a visa:
*The following are allowed to enter the Philippines without a visa for a stay not exceeding fifty-nine (59) days: 1. Holders of Brazil passports; and 2. Holders of Israel passports The following are allowed to enter the Philippines without a visa for a stay not exceeding seven (7) days: 3. Holders of Hong Kong Special Administrative (SAR) passports 4. Holders of British National Overseas (BNO) passports 5. Holders of Portuguese Passports issued in Macao 6. Holders of Macao Special Administrative Region (SAR) passports IMPORTANT NOTE:Nationals who are subjects of deportation/blacklist orders of the Department and the Bureau of Immigration shall not be admitted to the Philippines. Further inquiries may be addressed to the Visa Division (Telephone numbers: 834-4854, 834-3707, and 834-4810), Department of Foreign Affairs, 2330 Roxas Boulevard, Pasay City or to any Philippine Embassy or Consulate abroad.How would I extend my visa?You may get an application form from the Visa Extension Section located at the ground floor Annex building, Bureau of Immigration.Fill up the form, provide a photocopy of your passport, visa, latest arrival card, valid extension of stay, if any and other pertinent documents which will support your application. How long will it take me to extend my visa?For non-restricted citizens, one (1) day using the express processing lane and one (1) week using the regular processing lane.For restricted nationals, it will take three (3) days using the express processing lane and one (1) week using the regular processing lane. What is the maximum extension of stay that can be granted to me?For non-restricted nationals, the Chief of Visa Extension Section may grant you two (2) months for every extension but not to exceed the maximum period of one year.For restricted nationals, the Chief of Visa Extension Section may grant one (1) month for every extension but not to exceed a maximum period of six (6) months. For restricted nationals, the Commissioner and the Associate Commissioners have the right to approve the length of stay based on the merits of your application. After a year of stay in the country, the Commissioner and the Associate Commissioners will again be the ones to approve your stay based on the merits on your application. Will it be necessary for me to appear personally for the extension of my visa?You may or may not appear provided, you will ask assistance from any of the accredited travel agencies or law firms of the Bureau.But if it is necessary, you will appear before the Chief of Visa Extension section or any of the Commissioners for the clarification of your application. How many days should I allot for the filing of my extension to avoid overstaying?You should file your application seven (7) days before the expiration of your approved stay |
