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How to apply and obtain a Philippines Visa?
The Commonwealth Act Nr. 63, often known as the Philippines Immigration Act, governs the Philippines’ visa policy. The Department of Foreign Affairs and the Bureau of Immigration are in charge of enforcing the rule.
Visa-free visitors to the Philippines must have a passport that is valid for at least six months beyond their planned stay.
In the Philippines, most nations are allowed to stay for up to 30 days. While in the Philippines, visa extensions are feasible, but these processes come at a fee.
Philippines Visa on Arrival
After arriving in the Philippines, visitors can apply for a visa at the border.
The Philippines’ visa on arrival program permits eligible nationalities to stay in the country for up to 59 days. Travelers must fill out an application for a visa.
Requirements
- Valid Passport
- Visa fee
Personal information (such as the visitor’s full name, address, and date of birth), passport details (such as number and expiration date), and travel intentions must also be entered on a brief application form (such as dates and locations).
Following documents are required at the border:
- Must provide proof of onward travel or a return ticket
- Must carry proof that you have enough money to finance the trip
How to apply online visa (ETA –Philippines)?
The Electronic Travel Authorization for the Philippines (eTA Philippines) is a web-based travel authorization system that is currently only available to Taiwanese people.
The eTA for the Philippines makes obtaining a tourist visa to visit the nation much easier. Applicants can fill out the Philippines eTA application from the convenience of their own home or office.
Those who have a passport that is valid for at least six months beyond their anticipated stay in the Philippines are eligible for the eTA Philippines (electronic internet visa to the Philippines).
Once your e-Visa for the Philippines has been approved, print it in A4 format and bring it with you when you arrive.
At a port of entry, the tourist must exhibit the Philippines e-Visa as well as a valid Taiwan passport to immigration agents.
Documents required to obtain Visa to Philippines
- Valid passport/travel document for at least six (6) months beyond the expected stay in the Philippines.
- Forms for applying for a visa that has been duly completed
- Photographs for passports (2 copies)
- Proof of genuine tourist or business status is required.
- Tickets for the return or onward voyage to the next port of destination have been confirmed.
- Payment of all applicable visa fees
Types of Visa
The Philippines visas are classified into two categories:
1. Non-immigrant visas for the Philippines which can be obtained for temporary visits for purposes of tourism, transit, business, study, or employment.
2. Immigrant visas for the Philippines: these are intended for foreign nationals who wish to live in the country permanently. The Philippine Immigration Act specifies fourteen distinct visas, which are divided into two groups:
- Section 9 visas for non-immigrant visas, non-immigrant visas, which are issued for short-term visits such as tourist, business, transit, study, or work.
- Section 13 visas (immigrant visas for foreign nationals who seek to make the Philippines their permanent home.
3. Quota immigrant visas: are awarded to applicants who have sufficient financial resources and demonstrate exceptional professional talents or abilities that will benefit the country. Each year, a maximum of 50 quota immigrant visas are awarded.
4. Special resident: A retiree visa is a non-immigrant visa that allows you to travel several times and stay indefinitely. Foreigners must pay a deposit based on their age and retirement pension to be eligible for this visa program. According to the visa policy following types of visas are available:
Non Immigrant visa
- 9 (A)Pleasure, business, or health
- 9 (B)Transit
- 9 (C)Seaman on a ship docking in a port of entry in the country
- 9 (D)Foreign business traveler
- 9 (F)Students
- 9 (G)Pre-arranged employees and their dependents
Immigrant visa
- 13 (A) A Filipino citizen’s spouse or unmarried kid (under 21)
- 13 (B) Children born to mothers who have been granted permanent residency in the Philippines during a temporary journey abroad
- 13 (C) Children born after the accompanying parents’ visas have been issued
- 13 (D) Women who lost their Filipino citizenship after marrying a foreigner, as well as their unmarried children
- 13(E) Permanent residents returning to the Philippines to resume permanent residency after a temporary stay abroad
- 13 (F) A foreigner’s spouse and or unmarried children who were admitted to the nation for permanent residence before the Philippine Immigration Act was approved
- 13 (G) Naturalized Filipinos and their dependents who seek to live permanently in the Philippines after being naturalized in a foreign nation
Special Category of Visa
- SIRV: This is a Resident Visa for Special Investors. This is a non-immigrant visa for foreign nationals and their dependents who own shares in Philippine firms in the manufacturing or service sectors, who are involved in projects under the Investment Priority Plan, or who are listed on the Philippine Stock Exchange. The BI issues this visa in collaboration with the Board of Investments.
- SVEG : For the purpose of generating employment, a special visa is required for this category, however, This is a non-immigrant visa for foreign citizens and their dependents who operate in a legal business or commercial venture with at least ten Filipino employees.
- SRRV: Visa for Special Retired Residents. This is a non-immigrant visa that foreign nationals and their family can apply for if they want to retire in the Philippines.
- SNIV : Non-Immigrant Visa (Special). Non-immigrant visas are provided to foreign nationals and their dependents who work for a multinational corporation’s regional, area, and/or regional operational headquarters.
- SEVOBU: Offshore Banking Unit needs a special employment visa. This is a non-immigrant visa for foreign nationals and their dependents who work for foreign banks’ Philippine offshore units.
Other prerequisites for an immigrant visa include the birth certificates of their children and a marriage certificate for those considering coming to the Philippines with their family. Notarization is required for these papers.
Tourist visa
A Philippines tourist visa is a travel permit issued by a consular officer at a Philippine Embassy or Consulate to a foreign passport bearer.
A visiting visa (sometimes known as a tourist permit) is required for nationals of numerous countries to enter the Philippines. A tourist visa holder can enter the Philippines at any port of entry and produce their documents. The issuance of a visa, however, does not imply that the holder would be automatically admitted to the country. The immigration officers at the border make the final decision.
Cost of Visa
The cost of a visa to the Philippines is approximately $37 USD.
Processing time of visa
A Philippines visa application can take anything from two to ten business days to be processed.
Place to visit in the Philippine
1. Manila
Manila, the Philippines’ capital, is the country’s heart and soul. In the midst of the concrete buzz of the city, gleaming towers soar throughout the Asian metropolis. Manila is one of the best destinations to visit in the Philippines, with contemporary parks, malls, and hotels that provide excellent service.

Manila
2. Bohol
Bohol is home to the world-famous Chocolate Hills. These unusual geological formations resemble chocolate hills, especially when they become brown during the dry season. The 1,200 hills attract visitors, making it one of the Philippines’ most popular tourist destinations.

Bohol
3. El Nido
El Nido, the entryway to the wonderfully gorgeous Bacuit archipelago, is one of the first spots you’ll come across while considering where to travel in the Philippines.

El Nido
4. Coron Island
Coron Island is a part of the Busuanga and Calamian Islands, and it serves as a base for visiting all of the adjacent islands, making it one of the best Philippines vacation spots for adventurers.

Coron Island
5. Mactan Island
Mactan Island is the place to go if you want to unwind in style! It is one of the best spots to visit in the Philippines for couples, with various resorts. It provides everything for honeymooners, including good diving areas, access to Cebu City’s shopping malls, and island hopping cruises.

Mactan Island
I would like to obtain a tourist visa for the Philippines. How much does it cost to file for a tourist visa ? How much are the total cost of everything to obtain a Visa ? And what all papers does a person need to file ?