Overview- Philippine Tourist Visas
QUICK SUMMARY- Requirements For Visa on Arrival and 9a Tourist Visa
From Bali, Vietnam, to Cambodia, Southeast Asia is filled with beautiful beaches and gorgeous islands. However, when people ask me the best place to stay as a foreigner, my answer never wavers- The Philippines. My reasons center around the Philippines visa policy, one of the world's most liberal, inexpensive, and straightforward long-stay tourist visas.
The monthly visa runs, stressful interactions, and potential bribes with Vietnamese or Thai border guards are gone. A Philippines tourist visa allows you to stay in the country hassle-free for up to 36-months legally. Want to stay longer than 3-years? The Philippines also has one of the easiest to qualify for retirement visas with their SRR visa.
However, the process of acquiring a tourist visa depends on your citizenship. Foreign tourists from countries that offer Filipino citizens reciprocal permanent residency and immigration privileges (see list below) have easier requirements, cheaper visa fees, and longer visa durations. Citizens from countries not on EO 408 list are ineligible for visa on arrival, follow a different application process, pay more in visa fees, and have shorter visa validity.
This post may contain affiliate links. I may get a commission if you purchase something using my link. Please note, there is NO ADDITIONAL COST to you. For more information, please see my disclosure.
QUICK TIPS- PHILIPPINES
Show a mandatory departure ticket. You cannot enter the Philippines on a one-way ticket if you only have a tourist visa or visa on arrival. You will need a flight ticket with a date leaving the country before your visa expires. Save money by showing immigration you have a cheap onward travel ticket for just $14.
Get help with your visa. The Philippines visa process can get complicated. The rules and regulations change frequently. Avoid the hassle of dealing with the immigration bureaucracy by speaking with a Philippines Visa Specialist.
Learn some basic Tagalog phrases. While nearly everyone speaks some English, learning some basic Tagalog is always appreciated by Filipinos. Get a FREE Language Lesson using the same learning technique used by the US State Department, FBI, and overseas military.
Save On Moving Costs. Save up to 40% on your international moving costs. Nomadic FIRE has partnered with 10,000+ pre-screened global moving companies to save you time and money. Fill out our 60-second form and get 5 free quotes from accredited moving companies competing for your business.
Get Free Expat Health Insurance Quotes. Your home insurance will not cover you while abroad. However, you can find affordable international health insurance for less than what you would pay in the United States.
How To Find The Cheapest Flights To The Philippines
Other Guides On Expat Life In The Philippines
Philippines Tourist Visa Category
There are three ways foreign residents can secure a Philippines Tourist Visa. The best method depends on your citizenship.
- 1Philippines Tourist Visa On Arrival
Best for citizens of 157 Visa-Free countries on the Philippines Executive Order 408 List 157 Visa-Free countries - 2Tourist Visa from a Philippine Consulate General or Embassy Abroad
Best for citizens who cannot get a visa on arrival - 3Philippines eVisa Online
Only available to citizens of Taiwan

INSIDER TIP : Be Nice To Immigration Officials- A Philippine visa is an endorsement on a travel document that permits the visa holder to request permission to enter the country. A visa does not give you the right to enter.
The Philippine immigration authorities checking your actual passport at the port of entry when you arrive has the final say on whether you can enter the country. Always smile and be polite when addressing immigration officials.
Countries That Can Enter The Philippines Visa Free: |
---|
Andorra |
Angola |
Antigua and Barbuda |
Argentina |
Australia |
Austria |
Bahamas |
Bahrain |
Barbados |
Belgium |
Belize |
Benin |
Bhutan |
Bolivia |
Botswana |
Brazil* |
Brunei Darussalam |
Bulgaria |
Burkina Faso |
Burundi |
Cambodia |
Cameroon |
Canada |
Cape Verde |
Central African Republic |
Chad |
Chile |
Colombia |
Comoros |
Congo |
Costa Rica |
Cote d’Ivoire |
Croatia |
Cyprus |
Czech Republic |
Democratic Republic of the Congo |
Denmark |
Djibouti |
Dominica |
Dominican Republic |
Ecuador |
El Salvador |
Equatorial Guinea |
Eritrea |
Estonia |
Ethiopia |
Fiji |
Finland |
France |
Gabon |
Gambia |
Germany |
Ghana |
Greece |
Grenada |
Guatemala |
Guinea |
Guinea Bissau |
Guyana |
Haiti |
Honduras |
Hungary |
Iceland |
Indonesia |
Ireland |
Israel* |
Italy |
Jamaica |
Japan |
Kazakhstan |
Kenya |
Kiribati |
Kuwait |
Kyrgyzstan |
Lao People’s Democratic Republic |
Latvia |
Lesotho |
Liberia |
Liechtenstein |
Lithuania |
Luxembourg |
Madagascar |
Malawi |
Malaysia |
Maldives |
Mali |
Malta |
Marshall Islands |
Mauritania |
Mauritius |
Mexico |
Micronesia |
Monaco |
Mongolia |
Morocco |
Mozambique |
Myanmar |
Namibia |
Nepal |
Netherlands |
New Zealand |
Nicaragua |
Niger |
Norway |
Oman |
Palau |
Panama |
Papua New Guinea |
Paraguay |
Peru |
Poland |
Portugal |
Qatar |
Republic of Korea |
Romania |
Russia |
Rwanda |
Saint Kitts and Nevis |
Saint Lucia |
Saint Vincent and the Grenadines |
Samoa |
San Marino |
Sao Tome and Principe |
Saudi Arabia |
Senegal |
Seychelles |
Singapore |
Slovak Republic |
Slovenia |
Solomon Islands |
South Africa |
Spain |
Suriname |
Swaziland |
Sweden |
Switzerland |
Tajikistan |
Thailand |
Togo |
Trinidad and Tobago |
Tunisia |
Turkey |
Turkmenistan |
Tuvalu |
Uganda |
United Arab Emirates |
United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland |
United Republic of Tanzania |
United States of America |
Uruguay |
Uzbekistan |
Vanuatu |
Vatican |
Venezuela |
Vietnam |
Zambia |
Zimbabwe |
*Brazil and Israel remain eligible for 59-day visa-free entry as elaborated under Section D of FSC-21·10. |


Photo Credit- Bureau of Immigration Philippines
*HINT- The United States, United Kingdom, Canada, and Australia are on the approved visa-free list.
Getting A Philippines Tourist Visa On Arrival
For stays of 30 days or less- The Visa On Arrival passport stamp acts as a Philippines Tourist Visa for citizens of the US, UK, and other foreign citizens from the 157 countries under EO 408, allowing them to arrive in the Philippines without a visa.
To clarify, the term Visa on Arrival is commonly used to mean the passport entry stamp given to foreigners entering the country visa-free. However, there is also an official Philippines Visa on Arrival (SEVUA). The SEVUA is a special visa available for visitors of the Philippines in an official capacity. Examples are foreign investors invited by the Board of Investments or foreign athletes competing in a sanctioned athletic event.
I use the term Philippines Visa On Arrival to mean the visa-free entry stamp in this article.


INSIDER TIP : Philippines Visa Waiver Program- The term "visa waiver" is used interchangeably with "visa-exempt" and "visa on arrival." Each phrase refers to the same policy allowing citizens of 157 countries, including the United States and United Kingdom to enter the Philippines without applying for a visa beforehand.
Philippines Tourist Visa On Arrival Requirements
- Be a citizen from one of the 157 countries visa-free countries
- Have a passport valid for at least six months over the intended period of stay in the Philippines
- Purchased an onward travel ticket valid to return to your country of residence or your following country of destination dated to depart the Philippines no more than 30-days after your arrival
- Foreign tourist can extend their visa on arrival following the process below
For stays no longer than 59 days- Non-visa required tourists in the country on their initial 30-day Visa On Arrival can apply for a visa waiver extending their Philippine tourist visa an additional 29-days. The Bureau of Immigration (BI) main office in Intramuros Manila or eligible field or district office are authorized to grant the visa waiver.
Visa On Arrival Extension Requirements
- Complete all the requirements on the visa waiver checklist TVS-C-VE-2016
- Complete the visa on arrival extension application form TVS-CGAF-VE-2016
- Optional extension application form BI FORM 2014-00-005 Rev 0 for any dependent children
How to apply for a 29-day Visa On Arrival Extension
- Download a copy of the application form or pick up a copy at the Public Information and Assistance Unit (PIAU) at BI Main Office
- Submit your passport, the completed application form, and supporting documents to the frontline BI officer.
- Obtain a BI Clearance Certificate proving they are not on any BI derogatory database, list, or records. of the Bureau
- The visa application must clear any negative records with the Verification and Certification Unit to proceed with the extension
- Get the Order of Payment Slip and proceed to Cashier for payment of fees
- Pay the visa fee. Don't forget or lose the official receipt.
- Turn in the official receipt, your passport, visa application form, and supporting documents to the BI Assessment Officer.
- Claim the passport stamped with a 29-day visa extension
Visa On Arrival 29 day Visa Waiver Fee
Visa Fee In Philippine Pesos | |
---|---|
Visa Waiver | 500 |
Visa Waiver Application Fee | 1,000 |
Certification Fee | 500 |
Legal Research Fee (LRF) for each immigration fee except Head Tax and Fines | 30 |
Express Fee | 1,000 |
Total Visa Waiver Cost | 3,030 PHP or ~$58 US Dollars |
Note:
- Fine for Overstaying – (additional) Php 500.00 per month
- Motion for Reconsideration for Overstaying – (additional) Php 500.00
- LFR – Php 10.00
Visa On Arrival Extension Fees After 59 Days
For stays between 59 to 120 days- After 59 days, foreigners can extend their Philippines Tourist visa for an additional 1 or 2 months following the same process as above at a participating BI field, regional, or main office.
BI Offices Type of Office Services Offered Cagayan de Oro District Offices Receiving only Cebu City District Offices Receiving and Implementation Davao City District Offices Receiving and Implementation Iloilo District Offices Full service San Fernando, La Union District Offices Full service Tacloban District Offices Amendment Only Angeles City Field Offices Full service Bacolod City Field Offices Receiving and Implementation Baguio City Field Offices Receiving and Implementation Batangas Field Offices Receiving and Implementation Dagupan Field Offices Full service Santa Rosa Field Offices Full service Vigan Field Offices Receiving for probationary only Zamboanga Field Offices Probationary only
EXTENSION AFTER 4 MONTHS
Extension 6 Months
Visa On Arrival Extension Fees After 2 Months
1- MONTH Visa Fee In Philippine Pesos | 2- MONTH Visa Fee In Philippine Pesos | |
---|---|---|
One month of extension | 500 PHP | 1000 PHP |
Application fee | 300 | 300 |
Alien Certificate of Registration Fee | 1000 | 1000 |
Head Tax (over 16 years old) | 250 | 250 |
Certification Fee | 500 | 500 |
Express Fee | 1, 000 | 1, 000 |
Emigration Clearance Certificate Fee / Certificate of Exemption Fee | 700 | 700 |
Legal Research Fee (LRF) | 50 | 50 |
Visa Sticker Fee | 100 | 100 |
Visa Extension Fee Total | 4,400 PHP / $85 USD | 4,900 PHP / $95 USD |
ACR I-Card for Tourist | $50 | $50 |
Express Fee (for I-card) | 500 | 500 |
Note:
- Fine for Overstaying – 500 PHP per month past visa validity date
- Additional costs for a motion for reconsideration for overstaying visa validity date– 500 PHP + 10 PHP for the LRF
- Re-issuance of ACR for (2nd entry of every entry after 59 days) – 250 PHP and 150 for a minor child
- Application fee is 300 PHP for overstaying
- Fees are correct at the time of publishing but may change without prior notice.
A visa is only one step of what you need to enter the Philippines. You need to also ensure you follow the current protocols to travel to the Philippines.
Long-Stay Visitor Visa Extension (LSVVE)
For stays between up to 36 months (3-years)- To reduce the hassle of multiple trips to the immigration office, after the 2nd extension, the BI offers a 6-month visa extension. A non-visa-required foreigner can stay in the country on a Philippine tourist visa for a total of 3-years before needing to leave the country and start the process again.
Visa Fee In Philippine Pesos | |
---|---|
Extension Fee | 3,010 |
Application Fee | 910 |
ACR | 1,010 |
Head Tax | 250 |
ECC | 710 |
Head Tax | 510 |
Certification Fee | 2,100 |
I-Card | 1,500 |
Express Lane Fee | 1500 |
Express Lane Fee (Cert.) | 1000 |
Express Lane Fee (I-Card) | 500 |
Total Long-Stay Visitor Visa Extension Fee | 11,500 PHP / $222 US Dollar |
|
How long is a Philippines Tourist Visa On Arrival valid?
The initial validity of the Philippines Tourist Visa on arrival depends on your citizenship. For example, 152 countries, including the US and UK, get an initial 30-days for visa on arrival, while Brazil and Israel are eligible for 59-days. Citizens of Hong Kong and Macau are allowed 14 days.
Foreign tourist can extend their Philippines Visa On Arrival by 1, 2, and 6-months for a period of up to 36 months.
To completely eliminate the visa extension process, foreigners can apply for one of the Philippines ' permanent residence visas, such as the Special Retiree Resident Visa (SRRV), 13a, or 13g.
If you would like help understanding your visa options, I can set you up to chat with a Visa Specialist.
RELATED POSTs ON Visas IN The Philippines
Page [tcb_pagination_current_page] of [tcb_pagination_total_pages]
Page [tcb_pagination_current_page] of [tcb_pagination_total_pages]
Page [tcb_pagination_current_page] of [tcb_pagination_total_pages]
Page [tcb_pagination_current_page] of [tcb_pagination_total_pages]
Applying for a 9a Tourist Visa at a Philippine Consulate General or Embassy

For stays of 59 days or less- Foreigners from Visa-Required Countries NOT on the EO 408 list are ineligible for Philippines Visa On Arrival. Instead, these citizens must apply for a 9a Temporary Visitors Visa at the Philippines Embassy or Consulate in their jurisdiction before traveling to the Philippines.
As of April 1 2022, Citizens from visa-required countries no longer need an entry exemption document (EED) to enter the Philippines.

INSIDER TIP :
9a Temporary Visitor Visa For Tourism- You can find the latest updates on how to obtain an EED and a 9a in this article on "Travel To The Philippines Right Now."
The DFA rarely issues EEDs for tourism and leisure purposes under current Philippines travel restriction guidelines.
9a Temporary Visitors Visa Requirements
You will need to provide certain documents that prove your identity and eligibility to enter the Philippines. Items can include your passport, birth certificate, and proof of financial capability. You need to provide additional documentation depending on your specific situation. Application requirements for the 9a vary by citizenship and Embassy. Check the Philippine Embassy or Consulate in your jurisdiction for specifics. Basic requirements for the 9a applications include:
- Visa application form filled in English and submitted in person by the applicant
- Recent passport size photograph with a white background and no eyeglass or sleeveless attire
- Electronic or machine-readable passport valid for at least six months over the intended period of stay in the Philippines and contains at least one blank visa page.
- Photocopy of the passport data and amendment pages
- Proof of financial capability, such as latest bank statement, pay stub, income tax return
- Proof of onward travel to return to your country of legal residence or your following country of destination dated to depart the Philippines no more than 30-days after your arrival.
- Additional requirements may be requested, depending on the initial evaluation results.

INSIDER TIP : 9a Temporary Visitors Visa-While commonly referred to as the Philippines Tourist Visa, you can also request a 9a for business travel, conferences, or medical treatment.
9a Temporary Visitor Visa Extension Requirements
For stays between 59 to 120 days- Visa required tourists entering the Philippines on a 9a Temporary Visitor Visa can extend for an additional 1 or 2 months at a participating BI main, field, or regional office. Follow the requirements below to extend the 9a visa.
- Complete all the requirements on the CHECKLIST OF DOCUMENTARY REQUIREMENTS FOR
TOURIST VISA EXTENSION TVS-C-VE-2016 - Complete the TOURIST VISA EXTENSION extension application form TVS-CGAF-VE-2016
- Optional extension application form BI FORM 2014-00-005 Rev 0 for any dependent children
How to apply for a 9a Visa Extension
- Download a copy of the application form or pick up a copy at the Public Information and Assistance Unit (PIAU) at BI Main Office
- Submit your passport, the completed application form, and supporting documents to the frontline BI officer.
- Obtain a BI Clearance Certificate proving they are not on any BI derogatory database, list, or records. of the Bureau
- The visa application must clear any negative records with the Verification and Certification Unit to proceed with the extension
- Get the Order of Payment Slip and proceed to Cashier for payment of fees
- Pay the visa fees. Don't forget or lose the Official Receipt.
- Turn in the official receipt, your passport, visa application form, and supporting documents to the BI Assessment Officer.
- Claim the passport stamped with the requested extension of stay.
9a Visa Fee Extension after first 59 days
EXTENSION AFTER 4 MONTHS
Extension 6 Months
1- MONTH Visa Fee In Philippine Pesos | 2- MONTH Visa Fee In Philippine Pesos | |
---|---|---|
One month of extension | 500 PHP | 1000 PHP |
Application fee | 300 | 600 |
Alien Certificate of Registration Fee | 1000 | 1000 |
Head Tax (over 16 years old) | 250 | 250 |
Certification Fee | 500 | 500 |
Express Fee | 1, 000 | 1, 500 |
Emigration Clearance Certificate Fee / Certificate of Exemption Fee | 700 | 700 |
Legal Research Fee (LRF) | 50 | 50 |
Visa Sticker Fee | 100 | 100 |
Visa Extension Fee Total | 4,400 PHP / $85 USD | 5,700 PHP / $110 USD |
ACR I-Card for Tourist | $50 | $50 |
Express Fee (for I-card) | 500 | 500 |
|
Long-Stay Visitor Visa Extension (LSVVE) For Visa-Required Foreign Tourists
For stays between up to 24 months (2-years)- To reduce the hassle of multiple trips to the immigration office, visa-required foreigners can use the same LSVVE available to visa-free foreigners to extend their stay 6-months in a single transaction. However, a visa-required national receives a total of 2-years (vs. 3-years for a visa-free tourist) before needing to leave the country and repeat the process.
Visa Fee In Philippine Pesos | |
---|---|
Extension Fee | 3,010 |
Application Fee | 1,810 |
ACR | 1,010 |
Head Tax | 250 |
ECC | 710 |
Head Tax | 510 |
Certification Fee | 2,100 |
I-Card | 2,100 |
Express Lane Fee | 3,000 |
Express Lane Fee (Cert.) | 1000 |
Express Lane Fee (I-Card) | 500 |
Total Long-Stay Visitor Visa Extension Fee | 13,900 PHP / $269 US Dollar |
To completely eliminate the visa extension process, foreigners can apply for one of the Philippines ' permanent residence visas, such as the Special Retiree Resident Visa (SRRV) or Temporary Residence Visa by Marriage (TRV).
How long is a 9a Tourist Visa valid?
9a visas come with a validity of 3, 6, or 12 months. However, validity and a maximum authorized period of stay are different dates. A 6-month 9a still only allows a maximum stay of 59 days unless extended. But, you may exit then reenter the country for another 59 days within the 6-months.
Depending on the Philippine Consulate filing the visa application, you may have a choice of three different 9a visa types:
- Single-entry valid for three months- allows for a maximum of 59 days
- Multiple-entry valid for six months- provides for 59 days per entry
- Multiple-entry valid for 12 months- provides for 59 days per entry
A Philippine BI office can then extend a 9a Tourist Visa by 1, 2, and 6-months for a period of 24 to 36 months, depending on your citizenship.
Applying For A Philippines eVisa Online

At the moment, citizens of Taiwan are the only ones eligible to apply for a Philippines Tourist Visa online (Philippines eVisa). The Philippines eVisa process is simple and can be completed in a few minutes on the Manila Economic and Cultural Office (MECO) website.
A visa applicant submits the Philippines eVisa application on the MECO Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA) system. The visa holder will receive an email once approved.
While there have been discussions of extending the Philippines eVisa and eTA system to other foreign nationals aside from Taiwan, the Bureau of Immigration has not confirmed any future expansion.
Entry Guidelines For Temporary Visitors On A Philippines Tourist Visa (As of February 10th, 2020)
Entry Requirements for Visa-Free Philippines Visa On Arrival:
- Be a foreign tourist from one of 157 countries with reciprocity immigration agreements with the Philippines
- Fully vaccinated and present IATF approved proof of vaccination; OR
- Pass a negative antigen test result taken no more than 24 hours from the departure of their first flight; OR
- Take an antigen test upon arrival at a Philippines airport; AND
- Purchase a valid onward ticket leaving the Philippines no later than 30 days from your arrival date;
- Have a valid passport with an expiration date of at least 6-months from your Philippines entry date;
- Register for the Philippines eARRIVAL card.
- Maintaining travel medical insurance during your time in the Philippines is no longer mandatory but is recommended.
Entry Requirements for Visa-Required 9a:
- Be a foreign tourist NOT on the list of 157 visa-free countries (*Hint India, Pakistan, and China are not on the list);
- Apply for a 9a visa from your Philippines embassy or consulate;
- Fully vaccinated and present IATF approved proof of vaccination; OR
- Pass a negative antigen test result taken no more than 24 hours from the departure of their first flight; OR
- Take an antigen test upon arrival at a Philippines airport; AND
- Register for the Philippines eARRIVAL card.
- Maintaining travel medical insurance during your time in the Philippines is no longer mandatory but is recommended.
- As of April 1, 2022, securing an entry exemption document (EED) is no longer required.

INSIDER TIP : Minor Child- Accompanied minor children below 15 years old are subject to the same entry requirements as their parents.
IATF Approved Proof of Vaccination Status
- World Health Organization International Certificates of Vaccination and Prophylaxis;
- VaxCertPH; or
- Digital vaccination certificate of a foreign country that accepts VaxCertPH under a reciprocal agreement.
Where can I get health insurance that covers the COVID coverage requirement to enter the Philippines?
While you are not required to purchase private health insurance that includes at least $35,000 of COVID-19 treatment coverage, maintaining health insurance coverage while traveling is always recommended.
Click one of the links below for Philippine health coverage with international insurance companies.
Will My Home Country Health Insurance Cover Me?
Most likely no. Most health insurance will not cover you for any injuries sustained outside your home country. You will either need to get travel medical insurance or Expat Medical Insurance.
If you retire abroad, expat health insurance is a more complete option. Expat Medical Insurance is the "normal" insurance you are familiar with to from home. Coverage is built for expats outside the US and insurance premiums are much cheaper than in the US.
Can someone help me with my EED and 9a visa to travel to the Philippines?
Yes. I can help you with a marriage visa, retirement visa, or work visa? I've partnered with a Philippines Visa Specialist with experience relocating embassy personnel and corporate expats since 2011. If you don't want to deal with the hassle and complexity of the visa process, they can help.
My partners are visa specialists certified by the Philippine Retirement Association (PRA) to handle your visa application, document submission, local appointments, and much more. They will simply your immigration process and make getting your visa easier.
FAQs: Guidelines on the Philippines Tourist Visa, 9a Temporary Visa, and Visa on Arrival
for tourist from us on 9a visa (59 vs free 30 day) extension costs are much higher than free 30 day visa ? or this is due to travel agency fees above ?
Hi Sam,
This article lists only the prices the Bureau of Immigration charges for visa extension. If you use an agent, their costs will be on top of these fees. The benefit of using a visa service is that it eliminates the traffic, lines, and hassle of dealing with immigration agents.
If we can help you with your extension, drop me a line.
https://nomadicfire.com/philippines-visa-consultation
Cheers,
Marco
Hi Marco,
Firstly thank you for creating this wonderful website, all your hard work put into it does not go unnoticed.
Apologies if this is answered above but I’m from the UK and would like to travel the Philippines for 2 months. I understand when I arrive, I’ll get 30 days free but in order to extend my visa for another month, I’ll need to apply for an extension whilst in the Philippines (I think).
How can I therefore avoid having to show proof of an onward ticket to get through immigration? Do you recommend I just use Onward Ticket and purchase a ticket that shows I leave within 30 days, and then apply for my extension after this? Or is there any alternative way i.e. applying for an extension before I fly to the Philippines.
Many thanks,
Daniel
Hi Daniel,
Thanks for the kind words. It’s always great to hear that someone appreciates the work.
For the onward ticket, yes, all foreigners, except for those entering with a permanent visa, must have an onward ticket, even if you plan on getting an extension. Heck, even if you plan on moving there full-time and applying for a permanent visa, you need to show an onward ticket. It’s bureaucracy at its finest.
You can read this article I wrote detailing several ways to get around the Onward Ticket Requirement.
1) Rent a temporary onward ticket $
2) Buy a cheap return ticket $$
3) Buy a Flexible Date Ticket $$$
4) Purchase an expensive refundable ticket $$$
5) Make a 24-hour Hold on an airline ticket $
6) Book directly with airlines that offer free cancelations $
7) Risk it [NOT RECOMMENDED]
8) Sign an airline liability waiver [NOT RECOMMENDED]
9) Use a bus or train ticket [NOT RECOMMENDED]
10) Photoshop a Fake Ticket [NOT RECOMMENDED]
Most expats and I simply use #1 and “rent” an onward ticket for $14 to get through immigration.
Let me know if you have any questions.
Marco
Hi Marco, your blog is the first thing I’ve actually found that has provided me with any indication on how to stay in the country longer than 30 days. I will be arriving in feb 2023 and want to stay for around 50 days. Sorry If the answer is in your blog above but I will want to extend Philippine Visa On Arrival for 29 more days (I am from the UK), you said ‘you can request a visa waiver at a Philippines Bureau Immigration office’ do you know: (1) where the offices are located, the link didn’t take me to the list (2) how long it usually takes to process the waiver (3) is the process as complicated as all the steps listed above? if the steps do all apply to extending a tourist on arrival visa then I have clearly misunderstood and will try make sense of it all! Thank you for your blog, I hadn’t found anything up until now explaining if it is possible to stay for longer than 30 days/extend
Hi Alice,
I’m glad you found Nomadic FIRE helpful. The United Kingdom is one of the 157 countries with an easy visa policy in the Philippines. You are allowed 30 days visa-free on arrival, then can extend 29 days on a visa waiver at a Bureau of Immigration office on this list. After 59 days, you can extend up to 6 months for three years.
The visa extension process isn’t complicated but is time-consuming and requires multiple trips to a Bureau of Immigration office.
If you prefer us to handle the process and save you time in traffic and the headaches of dealing with Philippine Bureaucracy, reach out to us.
https://nomadicfire.com/philippines-visa-consultation
Cheers,
Marco
Hi, my name is Gervey. I would like to ask you something regarding immigration matters, if you don’t mind. You seem to know something about immigration. I have a Hungarian girlfriend and my question is how she can get permanent residence in the Philippines. What are her options for herself? I have a doubt about a marriage visa if she can get one, because I heard that the Philippines and Hungary have no reciprocity. I hope you can help me. I’m not sure how she can have permanent residence in the Philippines. One thing I know, she needs to be a U.S citizen when she enters the Philippines, but it’s a long process if I need to petition her first in the U.S. and wait for her to be a U.S citizen, then she can move to the Philippines to fix the Philippine permanent residency. Thank you.
Hi Gervey,
You are correct. Because Hungary does not allow Philippine citizens to immigrate to Hungary, Hungarian nationals are ineligible for Philippine permanent residence visas. Even if you were married, she would not be eligible for a 13a Marriage Visa.
The list of countries eligible for Philippines residency contains most EU countries, but Hungary is not on the list.
https://nomadicfire.com/philippines-13a-visa-marriage#countries
However, she still has a few options available if she wants to stay in the Philippines long-term.
1) 9a/Tourist Visa- She can enter the Philippines Visa on Arrival and apply for extensions for up to 36 months
2) SRRV- If she is above 50 years old and can meet the financial deposit, then the Philippines Retirement Visa is an option
3) SIRV- If she doesn’t meet the minimum age limit of the SRRV, but she can meet the financial investment requirements of the Special Investors Resident Visa.
If you have any questions or concerns, drop me a line.
Cheers,
Marco
Thank you very much for answering my question. I would like to follow up some questions. I would like to ask if she can have the same privilege of permanent resident in Philippines if she will get SIRV-Special Investors Resident Visa like she can work or she can own property like condo? and how old can apply for it? and how much the investment she needs or other fees?
I’m not sure if foreigner can own condo or house and lot in Philippines maybe you can educate me?
Thank you very much.
Hello, Thank you so much for the answer. I really appreciate it. I have another follow up question if she will get the Special Investors Resident Visa if she can still go out of the country indefinite if she needs to stay long? as well if she become permanent resident in the Philippines using u.s passport citizenship or passport?
And If she will get the Special Investor resident visa if she can still apply for Philippine citizenship in case as similar if she will have normal permanent residency?
And I would like to rephrase my other question on the other trend. I would like to ask if she can have the same privilege of permanent resident in Philippines if she will get SIRV-Special Investors Resident Visa like if she can work or she can own property like condo? and how old she suppose to be to apply for it? and how much the investment she needs or other fees?
I’m not sure if foreigner can own condo or house and lot in Philippines maybe you can educate me?
Thank you very much.
Hi Gervey,
You can find many of your answers in my detailed post on How to Apply For the Philippines SIRV.
https://nomadicfire.com/philippines-investor-visa
If you still have additional questions specific to your girlfriend’s situation, we have a one-hour consultation available with our Visa and Immigration specialist certified by the Bureau of Immigration to answer all your questions on which visa is best for her circumstances.
https://nomadicfire.com/philippines-visa-consultation
Cheers,
Marco