December 9, 2023

Visa Information

Spanish citizens and other foreign nationals (allowed under E.O. 408) who are traveling to the Philippines for tourism or business purposes may be allowed to enter the Philippines for 30 days or less provided they comply with the following requirements as of 31st March 2022.  Kindly note that the visa and entry policies of the Philippines may change before June 2022.  Please refer to the official website of the Bureau of Immigration and the Department of Foreign Affairs for the latest updates on visa and immigration rules and regulations.

Foreign nationals entering the Philippines: Highlights of IATF Resolution 168

  1. A pre-departure test (RT-PCR or antigen) is no longer required ONLY IF the passenger (Filipino or foreigner), who is 18 years old and above, is fully vaccinated AND has a booster shot. Otherwise they should have a pre-departure test.
  2. For those between 12-17 years, a pre-departure test (RT-PCR or antigen) is no longer required IF the passenger is fully vaccinated. Those below 12 years are also exempted if their accompanying parents are fully vaccinated and boosted.
  3. All official NATIONAL certificates of vaccination will be accepted. Mutual recognition or reciprocity of vaccine certificatess has been removed.
  4. The insurance requirement has also been removed;
  5. The return tickets for foreign nationals is now based on their visa classification (if with visa e.g 59 days for 9a) or in accordance with visa free entry rules (i.e 30 days); Spanish nationals may enter the Philippines visa-free to stay for 30 days or less.
  6. The other IATF requirements/rules remain the same.
  7. The full text of Resolution 168 can be downloaded here.

Foreign nationals entering the Philippines Visa-Free:

  1. They are former Filipino citizens with Balikbayan privilege under Republic Act 9174, including their spouse and/or children traveling with them to the Philippines; PROVIDED, they are not restricted nationals; or
    They are citizen/national of countries allowed to stay not exceeding thirty (30) days per Executive Order No. 408, s. 1960, as amended;
  2. Fully vaccinated, except for minor children below 12 years of age travelling with their fully-vaccinated foreign parent/s;
  3. Possess acceptable proof of vaccination;
  4. With negative RT-PCR test taken within forty-eight (48) hours, or a negative laboratory based Antigen Test taken within twenty-four (24) hours, prior to departure from country of origin/first port of embarkation, excluding layovers, PROVIDED, the passenger has not left the airport premises or was not admitted into the transit country;
  5. With valid return ticket to port or origin or next port of destination not later than 30 days from date of arrival in the country;
  6. With passport valid for at least six (6) months at the time of entry;
  7. With travel insurance for COVID-19 treatment costs, with a minimum coverage of USD35,000.00 for the duration of stay in the Philippines; and
  8. Seven (7) days of self-monitoring for symptoms (date of arrival being the first day).

Foreign children traveling with Filipino nationals:

  1. Unvaccinated foreign children below 12 years of age, traveling with Filipino parent/s, shall follow health and quarantine protocols of Filipino parent/s traveling with them;
  2. Foreign children from 12 years to 17 years of age, traveling with Filipino parent/s shall follow health and quarantine requirements relative to their vaccination status.  Foreign or Filipino parents should accompany their unvaccinated minor children during facility-based quarantine.

Foreign nationals entering through 9A visa:

  1. Starting 01 April 2022, foreign nationals coming from visa-required countries shall secure a security clearance from NICA endorsed by the Embassy through the DFA and must meet the following requirements:
    1. Fully vaccinated, except for minor children below 12 years of age traveling with their fully-vaccinated parent/s;
    2. Possess acceptable proof of vaccination;
    3. With negative RT-PCR test taken within forty-eight (48) hours or a laboratory-based antigen test taken 24 hours prior to departure from country of origin/first port of embarkation, excluding layovers, PROVIDED, the passenger has not left the airport premises or was not admitted into the transit country; and
    4. Seven (7) days of self-monitoring for symptoms (date of arrival being the first day).
  2. Foreign spouses and children of Filipino citizens who: (i) are not nationals of EO 408 countries, whether or not travelling with said Filipino citizen; or (ii) are from visa-required countries; or (iii) who are restricted nationals may enter the country, provided once they have been issued a 9(a) visa and they meet the following requirements:
    1. Fully vaccinated, except for minor children below 12 years of age travelling with their fully-vaccinated parent/s;
    2. Possess acceptable proof of vaccination;
    3. With negative RT-PCR test taken within forty-eight (48) hours, or a negative laboratory based Antigen Test taken within twenty-four (24) hours prior to departure from country of origin/first port of embarkation, excluding layovers, PROVIDED, the passenger has not left the airport premises or was not admitted into the transit country; AND
    4. With valid return ticket to port of origin or next port of destination not later than 30 days from date of arrival in the country;
    5. With passport valid for at least six (6) months at the time of entry;
    6. With travel insurance for COVID-19 treatment costs, with a minimum coverage of USD 35,000.00 for the duration of stay in the Philippines; and
    7. Seven (7) days self-monitoring for symptoms (date of arrival being the first day).

Fully vaccinated foreign nationals covered under this Section who fail to present acceptable proof of vaccination shall be subjected to: (1)facility-based quarantine until release of negative RT-PCR test taken on the 5th day; and (2) home quarantine until the 14th day (date of arrival being the first day).

Foreign nationals with other types of Visas:

Foreign nationals with valid and existing visas, other than 9A visas may be allowed entry subject to the following:

  1. Fully vaccinated;
  2. Possess acceptable proof of vaccination;
  3. Seven (7) days self-monitoring for symptoms (date of arrival being the first day);
  4. Not fully vaccinated individuals under this category shall be denied entry; and
  5. Fully-vaccinated foreign nationals covered under this Section who fail to present acceptable proof of vaccination shall be subject to: (1) facility-based quarantine until release of negative RT-PCR test taken on the 5th day; and (2) home quarantine until the 14thday (date of arrival being the first day)
  6. With negative RT-PCR test taken within forty-eight (48) hours, or a negative laboratory based Antigen Test taken within twenty-four (24) hours, prior to departure from country of origin/first port of embarkation, excluding layovers, PROVIDED, the passenger has not left the airport premises or was not admitted into the transit country.

Visa Issuance

The granting of a Philippine visa is in effect only a form of pre-entry clearance. Immigration Officers have the authority to grant or deny admission upon arrival in a port of entry in the Philippines. Visa holders are subject to normal immigration control at the port of entry.

Validity of Visa

The period of validity of a visa indicates the time within which entry into the Philippines may be affected. It does not refer to the length of stay in the Philippines. In the case of non-immigrant visa holders whose stay in the Philippines will exceed fifty-nine (59) days, they must secure an extension of stay with the Bureau of Immigration and Deportation (Magallanes Drive, Port Area, Manila) and pay the necessary immigration fees.

Follow this link to the new Online Visa Application System (OVAS)

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