Visa Application

Philippine’s Visa

In the Philippines, visa applications for tourists may or may not be required depending upon the nationality of the candidate.For applicants from countries that do not receive a visa-waiver and for those who wish to stay for a longer period than the visa free duration permissible for their country, it will be necessary to apply for a Philippines tourist visa.

Who Can Apply for a Philippines Tourist Visa?

Anyone can apply for a visa to Philippines. The most likely visit is short-term visa-free travel, often for up to 21 days may be permitted in the Philippines. However, for those who require a longer-term visa, a short-term fifty nine day visa is available.

Despite its title, the Philippines tourist visa is issued in three subcategories and makes provision for those travelling to the Philippines

1. to conduct business activities,
2. entering the country for health reasons as well
3. as tourists and private visitors.

The tourist visa may be issued where a candidate is temporarily relocating to the Philippines in order to recover from illness or from serious injury. If the candidate is recovering from an illness this must not be contagious, nor pose any threat to the inhabitants of the Philippines.

Tourist visas issued for business visitors may be used to invest or to conduct a range of other business activities, however, like all versions of the tourist visa one is not permitted to work in the Philippines in any capacity and if you wish to do so you must apply for a Philippines work visa.

Applying for a Philippines visa – Eligibility Requirements

As a temporary visit visa, the requirements placed upon the applicant focus mainly upon their ability to financially support themselves whilst in the country, to demonstrate their intention to return to their country of residence once their visa has expired and to prove their identity.

Applicants will be required to submit a range of supporting documentation with their application, including:

1. Passport with a minimum validity of six months beyond applicant’s intended date of departure from the Philippines;
2. Duly accomplished Visa Application Form signed by the applicant. If the applicant is a minor, the application must be signed by either parent;
3. One (1) passport-size photograph of the applicant;
4. Photocopy of applicant’s confirmed flight booking, itinerary or airline ticket .
5. A non-refundable visa fee to be paid either in cash or postal money order payable to the “Philippine Consulate General”.
6. The Consulate may require other documents to confirm certain circumstances relating to the applicant’s stay in the Philippines;

Travel agents may lodge the visa application on behalf of the traveler. In such cases, the accomplished visa application form and passport photograph must be noted by a Justice of the Peace and the visa fee payment must be in the form of a postal money order. The travel agent must arrange for the collection of the traveler’s passport.

In cases where distance makes it difficult for the applicant to travel to the Consulate, the visa application may be lodged by mail. In such cases, the accomplished visa application form and passport photograph must be noted by a Justice of the Peace, the visa fee payment must be in the form of a postal money order, and a self-address Registered Post envelope must be provided by the sender.

• Note: If applying by mail, a Justice of the Peace must certify that the signature and photo in the accomplished application form are those of the applicant. The applicant must enclose a self-addressed Express Post or Registered Post envelope which will be used to return the applicant’s passport; • Note: Children below 15 years of age traveling to the Philippines unaccompanied by a parent must secure an Affidavit of Support and Consent from the Consulate. Upon arrival at the airport in the Philippines, the accompanying adult will submit this Affidavit to the immigration authorities and obtain a  Waiver of Exclusion Ground (WEG). Fees will apply.

Visitors wishing to stay beyond the authorized 59 days may apply for an Extension of Stay at any office of the Bureau of Immigration in the Philippines before the 59 days run out. Visa extension fees will apply. Refer to the Bureau of immigration website for information about extending your stay in the Philippines.

Source: (Philippine Consulate)