UPDATED VISA APPLICATION GUIDELINES:

The admission of foreigners for entry to the Philippines is governed by the Philippine Immigration Act of 1940 (Commonwealth Act No.613), along with related regulations administered and enforced by agents of the Philippine Bureau of Immigration.

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 entries to enter the country.

The decision on whether a foreign traveler will be allowed entry into the Philippines rests solely upon the Philippine immigration authorities at various ports of entry, as the admission of foreign nationals is a function of the Philippine Bureau of Immigration and not the visa-issuing consular officer.

Thus, possession of a validly issued visa from a Philippine consular office is not a guarantee that the foreign traveler will be admitted into the Philippines.

After thoroughly preparing the requirements, applicants are to personally appear at the Embassy (during office hours; please note that the Embassy is closed during the observance of Philippine and Bruneian holidays) to submit their documents. 

GENERAL REMINDERS:

• The Visa fee is non-refundable in case an application is denied. Ensure that all the requirements are prepared before your application.
• It is the applicant’s responsibility to ensure that sufficient time is allowed for visa application and processing.
• Due to the high volume of applications for consular services received by the Embassy, and to ensure the integrity of the Embassy’s visa services, requests to expedite the release of visas cannot be entertained.
• Multiple-entry visa applications may be entertained in highly meritorious circumstances, but prior authority needs to be received from the Department of Foreign Affairs, which takes approximately SIX (6) to EIGHT (8) weeks. The applicant’s passport will not be retained by the Embassy and will only be presented once the authority has been issued, after which the visa will be released.
• Visa applicants 13 years old and above must appear in person at the Embassy for the visa interview; those below 13 years old need not appear personally for the visa application.
• Inconsistencies, unclear manifestations, insufficient supporting documents, misrepresentation, misdeclaration, providing false information in your visa application, and/or disregard and contempt towards the Philippine Embassy’s officials and representatives will lead to your visa being DENIED and to your inclusion in the VISA BLACKLIST of the Philippine Department of Foreign Affairs.
• Proper attire is observed at the Philippine Embassy. Clients are advised to dress appropriately when entering the chancery premises.

VISA-RELATED FORMS 

• To Download the Non-Immigrant Visa Application Form: CLICK HERE.
  
• To View the List of Requirements for Brunei Permanent Residents (I.C.I. Holders): CLICK HERE. 
• To View the List of Requirements for Other Visa-Required Nationalities (India, Bangladesh, Pakistan, etc.): CLICK HERE. 
• To Download the Draft Template Letter for Visa Application: CLICK HERE.
• For Visa-Required nationals whose accommodation and travel will be sponsored.: CLICK HERE.

VISA-FREE ENTRY FOR TEMPORARY VISITS 

The following are the countries whose nationals may enter the Philippines without a visa for a stay not exceeding thirty (30) days, provided these foreign nationals are holders of a passport valid for at least six (6) months, beyond the period of stay in the Philippines and return or outward bound tickets to country of origin or next country of destination:

TYPES OF NON-IMMIGRANT VISAS

a) 9(a) Temporary Visitor’s Visa
b) 9(b) Transit/Transient Visa
c) 9(c) For Seamen and Crew Members
d) 9(e) For Accredited Foreign Government Officials, their families and attendants

9(a) TEMPORARY VISITOR’S VISA

The Temporary Visitor’s Visa is issued to foreigners who will go to the Philippines for pleasure as tourists, and/or to visit relatives and friends, or for recreation and amusement purposes.

It is also issued to foreigners who are of commercial, industrial, or professional character or any other legitimate activity of a temporary nature. Examples of such temporary visitors are foreigners entering to attend international conferences or negotiate contracts, attending scientific, educational, or business meetings, convocation or conventions, traveling salesmen, factory or agricultural experts, consulting engineers, newspaper correspondents, writers, artists, lecturers, and theatrical performers.

9 (b) TRANSIT/TRANSIENT VISA

A transient is a person passing in transit to a destination outside the Philippines. To qualify as a transient, the foreigner must be traveling from one country to another via the Philippines. The transit period is limited to seventy-two (72) hours or three (3) days.

REQUIREMENTS

1. Duly accomplished visa application form (Form No. 2A(1);
2. Passport valid for at least six (6) months beyond the authorized period of stay in the Philippines;
3. Two (2) colored passport-size photos, taken within six months before the date of application;
4. Confirmed return or onward air ticket;
5. Must be a resident of Brunei;
6. Must not be in the DFA Blacklist; and
7. Payment of visa fees

9 (c) SEAMEN AND CREW MEMBERS

The term “seaman” refers to any foreigner who, in good faith, has signed on the articles of a vessel arriving at a port of the Philippines from any place outside thereof, employed in any capacity on board such vessel, and seeking to enter the Philippines solely in pursuit of his calling as a seaman, to depart with the vessel or reship on another vessel that is bound for a foreign port or place or one coming to the Philippines to join a vessel in this country.

 REQUIREMENTS

1. Duly accomplished visa application form (Form No. 2A(1);
2. Duly accomplished Form No. 61 (for crew list visa);
3. Passport valid for at least six (6) months beyond the authorized period of stay in the Philippines and seaman’s book;
4. Two (2) colored passport-size photos, taken within six months before the date of application;
5. Letter from Shipping Company;
6. Must not be in the DFA Blacklist.

9 (e) FOREIGN GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS

Issued to a holder of a diplomatic/official passport, who is an accredited officer/official of a foreign government recognized by the Philippines, and proceeding to the Philippines on official business.

REQUIREMENTS

1. Duly accomplished Non-Immigrant Visa Application Form 2A(1)
2. Valid Passport; and
3. Note Verbale/Official letter from the concerned government

ENTRY OF FOREIGN TRAVELERS BELOW FIFTEEN YEARS OF AGE

Foreign minor children under fifteen years of age, traveling to the Philippines unaccompanied by or not coming to a parent, are NOT ALLOWED to enter the Philippines under Section 29(a)(12) of the Philippine Immigration Act of 1940.

To be admitted and excluded from this provision, either parent of the child (or the child's legal guardian) must execute a legal document giving consent that the child will be traveling to the Philippines either alone, or accompanied by a duly appointed travel companion, along with information on the child's place of residence while in the Philippines, and with whom the child will be staying (if applicable).

This affidavit will then be submitted to Philippine port authorities upon arrival in the Philippines to secure a Waiver of Exclusion Ground (WEG) for the minor child, regardless if the child needs an entry visa or not.