Philippines Visa for US Citizens- Entry Requirements and How to Apply

Great information, thank you! I have a very specific question. Does the American born infant of a Filipino mother and American father need a passport to enter the Phillipines?

Hi Meghan,

I spoke with the Philippines Visa Expert to confirm. Yes, an American-born infant of a Filipino mother and American father still needs a passport to enter the Philippines.

Hi Marco, my name is Steve and live in Las Vegas and am a US citizen. I leave for the Philippines on May 12 returning June 19th. My U.S. passport is all I need. Yes or no. No visa. Thank you

Hi Steven,

Las Vegas is my old stomping grounds. Welcome to the Philippines. To be specific, there are several entry requirements for US citizens arriving in the Philippines.

#5 is one that many Americans miss. You need proof of onward travel dated no more than 30 days from arrival, which in your case would be June 11th. Even if you plan on staying until June 19th, you need to show a flight out by June 11th. Stupid buracracy, I know. One recommendation is to get a "rented flight ticket" for $14 from this website.

Additionally, US citizens get 30 days visa-free. Since you are staying more than 30 days, you will need to get a visa extension (technically a visa waiver extension, but everyone calls it a visa extension).

Enjoy your stay.

Cheers,

Marco

How does the $14 onward ticket work? What are you paying for? I dont understand most flights are a few hundred minimum.

Any information would be appreciated, thanks.

Hi Oliver,

You can read more about how onward flight tickets work here.

But the summary is

Onward ticket providers allow you to "rent" proof of onward travel confirming you have a flight out of the country. You can confidently present your proof of onward travel to the airline check-in agent or immigration when you arrive in the country. A rented or disposable onward flight ticket is a 100% legitimate, verifiable flight reservation made in your name.

Here is a link to the company most people use to rent their onward departure ticket.

Cheers,

Marco

Hello; I’ll be 69 when I move to the Philippines. I’m a US army veteran. From what I’ve read it looks like I’ll need to make a deposit in a Philippine bank account. The problem is that I would have to be in the Philippines for at least 30 days before I can get a Philippine bank account. I want to have the ssrv and whatever else I need, set up before I go or soon after I arrive. Thanks for everything.

Hi C.O.G.,

A few things to clarify

1) You can start to gather the required documents before you arrive, but the SRRV application doesn't happen until you get in-country.
2) You can make the required deposit from outside the US. You don't need a Philippine bank account. You need to wire the funds to the PRA (Philippines Retirement Authority) account.
3) If you want someone to manage the paperwork and deal with the bureaucracy and headaches of working with the Bureau of Immigration and the PRA, I have an accredited Visa specialist who can assist.

Cheers,

Marco

Hi..I recently came across your website and would.like to thank you for providing such a detailed info on visa policies for visit to different countries...

Can you plz tell me just one thing..Regarding entry to phillipines, (after getting visa waiver for 29 days after the visa exempt.peroid of 30 days), one can extend his visa for 1 , 2 or 6 months..so is this a multiple entry visa...?..I mean, if a person extends his visa for 6.months and then goes back to US after 3 months and then comes back, so will the visa be considered valid for remaining 3 months or will the visa exempt 30 days start again..?.

And what about initial visa exempt 30 days and visa waived 29 days..are they also multiple entry technically..?

(I am an American National)

Regards..

Hi James,

Philippine Tourist Visas are single entry. Once you leave, you forfeit any remaining months left on your extension and would need to start the process over (30 days visa exempt, then 29 day waiver, etc.). If you have a permanent visa, like the retirement visa or marriage visa, those are multi-entry and you can come and go as you please.

Cheers,

Marco

I’m flying into the Philippines in a few days. I’m staying for 42 days. Can I apply for a Visa on arrival?

Hi Roger, If you are a US citizen, then you can enter the Philippines visa exempt for 30 days. You then need to apply for a 29-day extension (technically called a visa waiver) either at a local Bureau of Immigration office (there is also one in Terminal 3 of the Manila airport) or using the BOI online tool.

I’m US citizen formerly Filipino citizen. I’m going to the Philippines for vacation more than 30 days what do I have yo prepare?

Hi Wilma, can I assume your US passport shows the Philippines as your Place of Birth? If so, you get a one-year Balikbayan visa on arrival (technically called Balikbayan Privilege, but same thing). No additional documentation is required. I would politely point out your are a Balikbayan to the Immigration Officer. I arrived one time, the Officer wasn't paying attention and only gave me a 30-day stamp.

If I only stay for 29 days do I still need a visa ?