Philippines Visa Process 2023

Philippines Visa

Irsa GulJune 29, 2023Last Updated: June 29, 2023

0 7 minutes read

Introduction

If you’re planning to visit the Philippines in 2023, it’s essential to know the Philippines visa requirements and application process beforehand to ensure a smooth and hassle-free travel experience. The Philippines offers a range of visa options, including tourist visas, business visas, and student visas, each with specific eligibility criteria and documentation requirements. In this article, we will provide an overview of the Philippines visa process in 2023, including the different types of visas available, the application process, and other important information to help you prepare for your trip.

Who must require a Philippines Visa?

The visa requirements for the Philippines vary depending on the nationality of the traveler and the purpose of the visit. Generally, all foreign nationals who intend to stay in the Philippines for more than 30 days are required to obtain a visa before they arrive in the country.

However, citizens of certain countries may be exempted from the visa requirement for stays of up to 30 days, such as nationals of the United States, Canada, Australia, Japan, and most European countries. It is important to check with the

Types of Philippines Visa

Here are the different types of visas available for the Philippines:

Tourist Visa: This is for those who want to visit the Philippines for leisure, a holiday, or to see friends and family.
Business Visa: This visa is for those who want to travel to the Philippines for business-related purposes such as attending conferences, meetings, or negotiating contracts.
Student Visa: This visa is for foreign students who want to study in the Philippines at an accredited educational institution.
Transit Visa: This visa is for those who are passing through the Philippines to reach their final destination.
Seafarer’s Visa: This visa is for crew members of international vessels who will be making a stop in the Philippines.
Special Visa for Employment Generation: This visa is for foreign nationals who will invest in and generate employment opportunities in the Philippines.
Special Non-Immigrant Visa: This visa is for individuals who do not qualify for any other type of visa but are allowed to stay in the Philippines for a specific purpose or period.

Methods to apply for a Philippines Visa

There are several methods to apply for a Philippines visa, including:

Online Application: You can apply for a Philippines visa online through the Philippine Bureau of Immigration’s (BI) Electronic Visa Application System (eVAS). This option is available for selected types of visas, and applicants must upload their documents and pay the visa fee online.
In-person Application: You can apply for a Philippines visa in person at the nearest Philippine embassy or consulate. You will need to submit the required documents, pay the visa fee, and attend an interview if necessary.
Through a Travel Agency: Some travel agencies can assist with the visa application process for a fee. They can help you prepare your documents and submit your application on your behalf.
Visa on Arrival: Some nationalities may be eligible for a visa on arrival, which allows them to obtain a visa upon arrival at the airport in the Philippines. This option is only available for certain types of visas and for a limited period.

Required Documents

Here are the required documents for temporary and permanent visits to the Philippines:

Temporary Visit

A completed visa application form
A valid passport with at least six months of validity beyond the intended stay
Proof of travel arrangements such as flight bookings
Proof of financial capacities such as bank statements, credit card statements, or proof of employment
A recent passport-sized photograph
Payment of the visa fee

Permanent Visit

A completed visa application form
A valid passport with at least six months of validity beyond the intended stay
Birth certificate or marriage certificate, depending on the relationship to the sponsor
Proof of financial capacities such as bank statements, credit card statements, or proof of employment
Medical certificate issued by a Department of Health-accredited physician
Police clearance certificate issued by the national police authority of the applicant’s country of origin or residence
Other supporting documents as required by the Philippine embassy or consulate, such as proof of relationship to a Filipino citizen or proof of investment in the Philippines
Payment of the visa fee

Application Process

The application process for a Philippines visa involves the following steps:

Determine the type of visa required and gather the necessary documents.
Fill out the visa application form either online or in person.
Submit the visa application form along with the required documents to the Philippine embassy or consulate.
Pay the visa fee.
Attend an interview if required.
Wait for the visa application to be processed.
Collect the visa if approved, or appeal the decision if denied.

Philippines Visa-on-Arrival

Travelers from the following countries are eligible to apply for a Philippines visa on arrival;

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
Palestine
Sierra Leone
Serbia
Somalia
South Sudan
Sri Lanka
Sudan
Syria
Taiwan
Timor-Leste
Tonga
Ukraine
Yemen

Here are the requirements and procedures for a Philippines Visa-on-Arrival (VOA):

Requirements

A passport with at least six months of validity
A return or onward ticket
Proof of accommodation in the Philippines
Proof of financial capacity such as cash or credit cards with a minimum balance of USD 1,000
A VOA application form can be obtained at the port of entry
Two recent passport-sized photographs

Procedure

Upon arrival at the port of entry in the Philippines, proceed to the VOA counter.
Submit the VOA application form, along with the required documents and fee payment.
Wait for the VOA to be processed. This may take up to two hours.
Once the VOA is approved, pay the VOA fee, which varies depending on the length of stay.
Collect the VOA sticker and proceed through immigration.

Philippines eVisa

Here are the requirements and procedures for a Philippines eVisa in bullet points:

Requirements

A valid passport with at least six months of validity beyond the intended stay
A recent passport-sized photograph
A return or onward ticket
Proof of accommodation in the Philippines
Proof of financial capacities such as bank statements or credit card statements
Other supporting documents as required by the specific type of visa

Procedure

Visit the Philippine Bureau of Immigration’s Electronic Visa Application System (eVAS) website and create an account.
Fill out the eVisa application form online, providing all required information and uploading the necessary documents.
Pay the eVisa application fee online using a valid credit card or other accepted payment methods.
Wait for the eVisa application to be processed. This may take several days to a few weeks.
Once the eVisa is approved, the applicant will receive an email confirmation.
Print out the eVisa approval letter and present it at the port of entry in the Philippines, along with the other required documents.
Proceed through immigration and collect the eVisa sticker.

Philippines Visa Costs

Here are the costs associated with obtaining a Philippines visa:

Tourist Visa: USD 30 for a single-entry visa, USD 60 for a multiple-entry visa
Transit Visa: USD 20
Seafarers Visa: USD 10
Student Visa: PHP 8,200 (approximately USD 160) for the first six months, PHP 4,200 (approximately USD 80) for each additional six months
Temporary Visitor Visa Extension: PHP 3,130 (approximately USD 60) per month
Special Work Permit: PHP 9,000 (approximately USD 170)
Pre-arranged Employee Visa: PHP 8,500 (approximately USD 160)
Treaty Trader’s Visa: PHP 9,750 (approximately USD 185)
Treaty Investor’s Visa: PHP 8,250 (approximately USD 155)

Philippines Visa Validity

Here are the validity periods for various types of Philippines visas:

Tourist Visa: 59 days, with possible extensions of up to 16 months
Transit Visa: 7 days
Seafarers Visa: 9 months
Student Visa: Up to 1 year, with possible extensions up to the duration of the course
Temporary Visitor Visa Extension: Up to 16 months
Special Work Permit: Up to 6 months
Pre-arranged Employee Visa: Up to 3 years
Treaty Trader’s Visa: 1 year, with possible extensions of up to 2 years
Treaty Investor’s Visa: Up to 3 years

How to apply for a Philippines Visa Extension?

Here are the requirements and procedures for extending a Philippines visa:

Requirements

A valid passport with the current visa
Proof of financial capacities such as bank statements or credit card statements
Application form for the visa extension
Payment of the visa extension fee

Procedure

Apply for the visa extension at least one week before the current visa expires. This can be done at any Bureau of Immigration (BI) office in the Philippines.
Fill out the visa extension application form, providing all required information.
Present the necessary documents, including the passport and proof of financial capacity, along with the completed application form.
Pay the visa extension fee, which varies depending on the length of the extension.
Wait for the visa extension to be processed. This may take several days to a few weeks.
Once the visa extension is approved, the applicant will receive a new visa sticker to be affixed to the passport.

For More Detail Visit The Official Website of the Bureau of Immigration

Fun Facts About the Philippines

The Philippines is made up of 7,641 islands, making it the second-largest archipelago in the world.
The official languages of the Philippines are Filipino and English, but there are over 170 different languages and dialects spoken throughout the country.
The Philippines is the only predominantly Christian nation in Asia, with over 86% of the population being Roman Catholic.
The world’s largest pearl, known as the “Pearl of Lao Tzu,” was discovered in the Philippines in 1934 and is valued at over $40 million.
The Philippine flag is the only flag in the world that is displayed upside down when the country is at war.
The Philippines is home to the world’s smallest monkey, the tarsier, which is about the size of a human hand.
The San Agustin Church in Manila is the oldest stone church in the Philippines, built-in 1589.
The Jeepney, a colorful and uniquely Filipino mode of public transportation, was originally made from US military jeeps left over from World War II.
The Philippines is one of the most biodiverse countries in the world, with over 52,000 plant and animal species found there.
Palawan Island in the Philippines has been named the “most beautiful island in the world” by numerous travel publications.