Philippines visa-free entry guide

The basics

Under Executive Order No. 408 and later issuances, the Department of Foreign Affairs maintains a list of countries whose nationals may enter the Philippines without a visa. Admission is decided by immigration authorities at the port of entry.

Stay per entry

Initial stay of 30 days for listed nationalities, according to the official eVisaPH policy page

Where you apply

No visa application is described for visa-free entry. Travelers present themselves to immigration authorities on arrival.

Fee

Sources reviewed do not state a fee for visa-free entry

Validity

Not applicable. Sources describe an initial stay rather than a visa with a validity period.

Who it's for

Visa-free entry applies to nationals of countries on the Department of Foreign Affairs list. Check the current list on the official eVisaPH policy page for your own passport.

Sources also describe special categories with different terms. For example, the eVisaPH policy page describes a 7-day visa-free entry for certain holders of Hong Kong British passports and certain mainland Chinese travelers with specified visas, extendable by 14 days.

How to apply

Official sources do not describe an advance application for visa-free entry. Travelers present their passport and onward or return ticket to immigration authorities on arrival.

Travelers who need a visa in advance may apply through a Philippine embassy or consulate, or through the e-Visa portal at evisa.gov.ph where available.

Documents

The official eVisaPH policy page states these two conditions for visa-free entry. Sources reviewed do not say who checks the tickets, or what happens if the ticket date falls outside the initial stay.

• A passport valid for at least six months beyond the contemplated period of stay.
• A return ticket to the country of origin, or a ticket to the next country of destination.

Stay and extensions

According to the Bureau of Immigration FAQ, travelers admitted for an initial 30 days may apply for a visa waiver granting an additional 29 days. After that, they may apply for 1-month, 2-month or 6-month extensions at least one week before their authorized stay expires.

The Bureau of Immigration FAQ states that foreign nationals who stay more than 59 days, including temporary visitors, are required to apply for an ACR I-Card, an alien registration card.

Extension fees for visa-free stays are not stated in the sources reviewed. Some special visa-free categories are described as non-extendable, so check the terms that apply to your category.

Things to confirm

• Whether your nationality is on the current visa-free list and what stay it carries.
• Extension fees and processing times at the Bureau of Immigration (immigration.gov.ph).
• The accepted date of your onward or return ticket. Sources reviewed do not state it.
• Whether any health or registration requirements apply to arrivals today. Check the official Philippine government sites for current advisories.
• Entry is decided by immigration authorities at the port of entry.

Sources

Every claim above comes from these pages. Higher tiers carry more authority. How we tier sources.