Palawan Philippines photo by Rhys-Mckay

Philippines Visas & Entry Requirements (Inc. COVID-19 Rules & Restrictions)

How To Enter The Philippines ? Quick Answers

  • Do I need special permission to enter the Philippines? Everyone is required to complete an electronic travel declaration online no earlier than 72 hours before arrival and upon exiting the country from April 15th 2023.
  • Do I need a visa to enter the Philippines? The majority of nationalities are visa exempt for 30 days. If you are a citizen of any of the countries NOT listed here, you require a visa.
  • Do I need proof of onward travel? Yes, the Filipino authorities reserve the right to request proof of exiting the country. For more information, read about onward travel out of the Philippines here
  • Do I need proof of COVID-19 vaccination? No, there is no requirement for a COVID-19 vaccination to enter the Philippines.
  • Do I need travel insurance? No. Read about some of the most popular travel insurers here.

Philippines Visa Summary

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The Philippines offers visa exemption for the vast majority of passport holders for up to 30 days. This period can be extended once for an additional 29 days and 1-2 months each time after that.

For longer stays, you can obtain multiple extensions through the Bureau of Immigration, totalling up to 16 months! This applies to both visa-exempt travellers and those that require a visa.

Citizens from Brazil or Israel can initially stay up to 59 days visa-free in the Philippines.


Philippines: COVID-19 Requirements

COVID-19 Vaccination Status

  • Vaccinated travellers: No proof of vaccination is required.
  • Non-vaccinated travellers: No proof of vaccination is required.

Entry Requirements & Documents

  • A passport with at least six months validity from the intended period of stay in the Philippines
  • A valid visa (if applicable)
  • E-Travel registration

Travel Insurance Requirements

  • Insurance is not a requirement for foreigners to enter the Philippines. However, just in case of emergencies, you may want to have a policy.

Philippines: Visa Exemption

The majority of passport holders are visa exempt. If your country is listed here, you can enter the Philippines without a visa. A maximum of 30 days is permitted with the right to extend.

For citizens from Brazil and Israel, a visa-free stay of up to 59 days is allowed.


Philippines: Type of Visas

Online Temporary Visitor Visa (9a):

  • What is a Temporary Visitor Visa? This single-entry and multi-entry visa is for any passport holder that would like to stay in the Philippines for up to 59 days.
  • How to apply: Apply through the official visa government website (initial submission) AND the consulate/embassy (final application).
  • Cost: approx. 3,030PHP (subject to change)

Good To Know!

Non-machine readable passports will not be accepted for visa applications. The responsible visa officer may ask for additional documentation if necessary.

What do you need to apply? 

  • A passport with at least six months validity from the intended period of stay in the Philippines
  • Electronic passport photo (min. 600 x 600 pixels to max. 1,200 x 1,200-pixel size.)
  • Other supporting documents
  • To know your point of entry

Please Note:

The online portal currently only accepts applications for the 9a Temporary Visitors Visa. In order to submit this application, you will need access to a printer, scanner and camera. Submitting this initial application doesn’t mean your visa is already in progress. After you submit your application, you will need to contact your embassy or consulate to begin the next stage of the visa application.


The Philippines: Extending your Visa

Visa-Exempt Citizens (Initial 30 Days):

If you entered the country visa-free, you are allowed to extend your visit by an additional 29 days (bringing it to 59 days total). More details can be found on the official immigration website.

Cost: approx. 3,030PHP (subject to change)

Any Citizens (Beyond 59 Days):

If you want to increase your stay beyond 59 days, you can further extend by 1-2 months each time. Detailed information on the extension process and associated fees can be found here.

You can continue to extend your stay until you reach the maximum permitted stay of 16 months!

Cost: Ranging from approx. 4,400PHP for one month per adult for visa-exempt tourists, to 5,700PHP for two months per adult for non-visa-exempt travellers (subject to change). Find a detailed cost breakdown here.

One-Time 6 Month Visa Extension (LSVVE):

You can request a Long Stay Visitor Visa Extension (LSVVE) if you already know that you are planning to stay up to six months in the Philippines and want to avoid the monthly extensions. Required documents and instructions can be found here.

Cost: approx. 11,500PHP (visa-exempt travellers) and approx. 13,900PHP (travellers who require visas).


Border Runs from the Philippines

If your time in the Philippines is coming to an end, the above visa extension options are recommended. Of course, there is also the option to do a ‘border run’. There are several border crossings close to the Philippines. Find more information about border runs here.

How many times can you re-enter the Philippines via a border run? Currently, there is no law against border runs. You can attempt this process as often as you need.


The Philippines: Overstaying your Visa

Penalties for Overstaying in The Philippines

Overstaying a visa in any country is a serious offence. From fines to detention and a ban on future entry, it is highly advisable to leave the Philippines by the date shown on your visa.

Please note, these can change at any time. Depending on the officer that is responsible for your case, they could also vary!

  • Approx. 500PHP per month that you’ve overstayed
  • Detention
  • Ban from future entries (in the worst-case scenario you could be banned from ever returning!)
Louis Wilhelm bio pic
Louis Wilhelm

Life on Earth has way too many facets and adventures readily available to be wasting time working in an office 50 hours a week! With this mindset, Louis eventually quit his poor work/life balance job and headed off to Southeast Asia. Passionate about languages, wildlife and the beauty of this planet, he has been on the road ever since. Taking notes on his journey to support like-minded people on similar adventures and also capturing amazing memories with his camera, has become the missing piece of the puzzle.

Find him on: Instagram

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