Do I need a visa to visit the Philippines?

Citizens of 157 countries can enter the Philippines visa-free for up to 30 days. This includes all EU countries, USA, UK, Canada, Australia, Japan, South Korea, and most ASEAN nations. Citizens of countries not on the visa-free list must obtain a visa from a Philippine embassy or consulate before travel.

Can I extend my stay in the Philippines beyond 30 days?

Yes. The Philippines has one of the most generous visa extension systems in the world. Tourists can extend their stay at any Bureau of Immigration office, with extensions possible for up to 36 months (3 years) total. Each extension is typically for 1-2 months and costs PHP 3,000-5,000.

How much does a Philippines visa cost?

The Philippines tourist visa (9(a)) costs approximately $40-60 USD for single entry at Philippine embassies. Visa extensions within the country cost PHP 3,030-4,610 depending on duration. An ACR I-Card (required after 59 days) costs PHP 3,600. The Express Lane fee is PHP 500.

What documents do I need for a Philippines visa?

For a Philippines tourist visa, you need: a passport valid for at least 6 months beyond your stay, a completed visa application form, passport-sized photos, proof of return/onward travel, proof of accommodation, proof of sufficient funds, and a cover letter explaining the purpose of your visit.

Philippines Visa Requirements 2026 -- Complete Guide by Nationality

The Philippines welcomes visitors from 157 countries visa-free for up to 30 days, with one of the most flexible visa extension systems in the world -- allowing stays of up to 36 months.

Quick Overview -- Who Needs a Visa?

Visa-Free

157 Countries

30 days stay, extendable up to 36 months at Bureau of Immigration.

Visa Required

Restricted Nationalities

Must apply at Philippine embassy/consulate before travel.

Special Entry

APEC / Treaty

ABTC holders get 59 days. Special agreements with select countries.

Visa-Free Countries (157 Countries -- 30 Days)

Citizens of the following countries can enter the Philippines without a visa and stay for up to 30 days. A return or onward ticket is required.

Europe (All EU + EEA + Others)

Albania, Andorra, Austria, Belgium, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Kosovo, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Moldova, Monaco, Montenegro, Netherlands, North Macedonia, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Russia, San Marino, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Turkey, Ukraine, United Kingdom, Vatican City

Americas

Antigua and Barbuda, Argentina, Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Bolivia, Brazil, Canada, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Dominica, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, Grenada, Guatemala, Guyana, Haiti, Honduras, Jamaica, Mexico, Nicaragua, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Suriname, Trinidad and Tobago, United States, Uruguay, Venezuela

Asia & Oceania

Australia, Bahrain, Brunei, Cambodia, Fiji, Hong Kong SAR, India, Indonesia, Israel, Japan, Kazakhstan, Kuwait, Laos, Macao SAR, Malaysia, Maldives, Marshall Islands, Micronesia, Mongolia, Myanmar, Nepal, New Zealand, Oman, Palau, Papua New Guinea, Qatar, Samoa, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, Solomon Islands, South Korea, Sri Lanka, Taiwan, Tajikistan, Thailand, Timor-Leste, Tonga, Tuvalu, United Arab Emirates, Uzbekistan, Vanuatu, Vietnam

Africa & Middle East

Benin, Botswana, Burkina Faso, Cape Verde, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Chad, Comoros, Congo, Cote d'Ivoire, Democratic Republic of Congo, Djibouti, Egypt, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Eswatini, Ethiopia, Gabon, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Jordan, Kenya, Lesotho, Madagascar, Malawi, Mali, Mauritania, Mauritius, Morocco, Mozambique, Namibia, Niger, Nigeria, Rwanda, Sao Tome and Principe, Senegal, Seychelles, Sierra Leone, South Africa, South Sudan, Sudan, Tanzania, Togo, Tunisia, Uganda, Zambia, Zimbabwe

Important: Even visa-free visitors must hold a passport valid for at least 6 months and a return or onward ticket. Immigration officers may ask for proof of accommodation and sufficient funds.

Countries That Require a Visa

Nationals of the following countries must obtain a visa from a Philippine embassy or consulate before travelling. This list is maintained by the Bureau of Immigration and the Department of Foreign Affairs.

Visa required: Afghanistan, Algeria, Bangladesh, China (PRC), Iran, Iraq, Jordan (diplomatic/official only visa-free), Lebanon, Libya, North Korea, Pakistan, Palestine, Somalia, Syria, Yemen

Note: Citizens of China and India with valid visas from Australia, Canada, Japan, the United States, the UK, or Schengen countries may be eligible for visa-free entry for 14 days under the Philippines' conditional visa-free programme.

Tourist Visa (9(a)) -- For Visa-Required Nationalities

If your country is not on the visa-free list, you must apply for a 9(a) temporary visitor's visa at a Philippine embassy or consulate.

Required Documents

Valid passport (at least 6 months validity beyond intended stay)
Completed visa application form (DFA Form)
Two recent passport-size photos (white background)
Proof of return or onward travel (flight booking)
Proof of accommodation (hotel booking or invitation letter)
Proof of sufficient funds (bank statements, last 3 months)
Cover letter explaining purpose and duration of visit
Employment certificate or business registration
Visa fee payment (approx. $40-60 USD, varies by embassy)

Processing Time

Standard processing takes 3-7 working days at most Philippine embassies. Some embassies offer expedited processing for an additional fee. Apply at least 2-4 weeks before your planned travel date.

Visa Extensions -- Stay Up to 36 Months

The Philippines has one of the most generous visa extension systems in the world. Whether you entered visa-free or on a tourist visa, you can extend your stay at any Bureau of Immigration (BI) office across the country.

Extension	Duration	Approximate Cost	Notes
1st Extension	29 days (Day 30-59)	PHP 3,030	Apply before initial 30 days expire
2nd Extension	1-2 months	PHP 3,030-4,610	ACR I-Card required (PHP 3,600 extra)
Subsequent	1-6 months each	PHP 3,030-8,540	Can extend repeatedly
Maximum Stay	36 months total	Varies	Must exit and re-enter after 36 months

For full details on extending your stay, see our Philippines Visa Extension Guide.

Entry Requirements for All Visitors

Regardless of whether you need a visa, all visitors to the Philippines must meet these requirements:

Valid passport: At least 6 months validity beyond your stay
Return/onward ticket: Proof of departure from the Philippines
eTravel registration: Complete the eTravel form within 72 hours of departure
Sufficient funds: Immigration may ask for proof (no fixed amount, but $50/day is a guideline)
No travel ban: Check the Bureau of Immigration blacklist

Key Facts

157 visa-free countries
30 days initial visa-free stay
36 months max extension
Bureau of Immigration handles extensions
eTravel registration required
6 months passport validity needed

Visa Guides

E-Visa System Visa on Arrival Business Visa (9(d)) Work Visa (9(g)) Student Visa (9(f)) Transit Visa Visa Costs & Fees Visa Extension Visa Rejection & Appeal Dual Citizenship (RA 9225)

Bureau of Immigration

Main Office: Magallanes Drive, Intramuros, Manila 1002

Phone: +63 2 8524 3769

Website: immigration.gov.ph

Hours: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM