The visa policy of the Philippines is governed by Commonwealth Act No. 613, also known as the Philippine Immigration Act, and by subsequent legislation amending it.
The Act is jointly enforced by the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) and the Bureau of Immigration (BI). Visitors from 157 countries are permitted visa-free entry for periods ranging from 14 to 59 days.
Generally, foreign nationals who wish to enter the Philippines require a visa unless the visitor is:
The Philippine visa waiver program is governed by Executive Order No. 408, signed by President Carlos P. Garcia on November 9, 1960, and by subsequent executive issuances amending it. While visas are issued by the Bureau of Immigration, the program itself is administered by the Department of Foreign Affairs, which maintains a list of countries eligible to participate in the program.
In principle, nationals of countries which maintain diplomatic relations with the Philippines and whose nationals are not classified as restricted nationals by the DFA are allowed to enter the Philippines without a visa.
On July 1, 2013, the Bureau of Immigration began implementing an extended visa waiver for covered nationals from 21 to 30 days, which the Philippine government hoped would boost tourism
In March 2015, it was proposed to extend the visa exemption to citizens of China and India.
On May 19, 2025, the Department of Foreign Affairs announced the Philippines' new visa exemption policies for Indian nationals, which will grant 14 days visa-free entry for all Indian tourists and an enhanced 30 days conditional visa-free entry for Indian tourists with valid visas or permanent residencies from select countries. The new visa exemption rules took effect on June 8, 2025, following the official announcement from the Philippine Embassy in India on June 7, 2025.
On July 1, 2025, the Philippines introduced visa exemption policy for Taiwanese nationals traveling to the country for a short term touristic visit, following the announcement from Manila Economic and Cultural Office on June 19, 2025.
Eligible nationals availing of visa-free entry must possess passports valid for at least six months beyond their contemplated period of stay.
Visa-exempt foreign nationals may extend their stay two months per extension but not exceeding the maximum period of 2 years. Foreign nationals who require a visa may extend their stay one month per extension but not exceeding the maximum period of six months and must have a ticket valid for onward travel.
Citizens of the following countries and territories do not require a visa for the Philippines:
<sub>T1 - Temporary policy until January 15, 2027.</sub><br/> <sub>T2 - Temporary policy until June 30, 2026.</sub><br/> <sub>1 - Extension of visa-free stay is not possible.</sub><br/> <sub>2 - May enter via Ninoy Aquino International Airport or MactanâÂÂCebu International Airport.</sub><br/> <sub>3 - For Chinese citizens with People's Republic of China passports, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region passports or Macao Special Administrative Region passports only.</sub><br /> <sub>4 - For tourism purposes only.</sub><br/> <sub>5 - For permanent residents of Macao only.</sub><br/> <sub>6 - For British Nationals (Overseas) only.</sub>
Holders of diplomatic, official or service passports of the following countries enjoy an extended length of stay when compared to ordinary passports:
<sub>1 - 3 months</sub><br/> <sub>2 - 90 days</sub><br/> <sub>3 - 2 months</sub><br/> <sub>4 - 59 days</sub>
Holders of diplomatic, official or service passports of the following countries may enter without a visa while ordinary passport holders require one:
<sub>D - diplomatic passports</sub><br/> <sub>O - official passports</sub><br/> <sub>S - service passports</sub>
Nationals of China traveling as tourists and holding a valid visa issued by Australia, Canada, Japan, Schengen countries, Singapore or United States may enter and stay without a visa for up to 7 days.
Nationals of India traveling as tourists and holding a valid tourist, business or resident visa issued by Australia, Canada, Japan, Schengen countries, Singapore, United Kingdom or United States may enter and stay without a visa for up to 30 days. They may enter from any port of entry.
Citizens of Taiwan may apply for Electronic Travel Authorizations issued by Manila Economic and Cultural Office by paying 1500 NTD online. The validity of this multiple entry ETA allows visitors to stay in Philippines for no more than 30 days.
Citizens of China residing in Mainland, Hong Kong and Macao may obtain tourist and business eVisas good for single entry via VFS Global website by paying 380 CNY application fee along with 98 CNY service fee since November 3, 2025. Visitors with valid eVisas may enter via Ninoy Aquino International Airport (in Manila) or MactanâÂÂCebu International Airport (in Cebu) and may stay in the Philippines for a maximum of 14 days.
Citizens of the following countries may obtain eVisas good for single entry (valid for 3 months) or multiple entry (valid for 6 months or 1 year) through the official Philippine eVisa website. The cost of eVisa (which include application and service fees) may vary, depending on the applicant's nationality and preferred eVisa type. Holders of valid eVisas from these countries may stay in the Philippines for up to 59 days per visit.
<sub>* - Foreign residents of the United Arab Emirates (regardless of nationality) may also obtain eVisas through the official Philippine eVisa website. They are required to show their valid Emirati residence visas upon eVisa application.</sub>
Citizens of the following countries must obtain a visa from embassies or consulates of the Philippines, prior to travel:
<sub>1 - May obtain a single or multiple-entry visa online.</sub>
Holders of passports issued by the following countries who possess an APEC Business Travel Card (ABTC) containing the "PHL" code on the reverse that it is valid for travel to Philippines can enter visa-free for business trips for up to 59 days.
ABTCs are issued to nationals of:
The Philippine Immigration Act prescribes fourteen different visas grouped into two broad categories:
Some visas have been introduced by subsequent legislation or proclamation of the President which are not classified by the Philippine Immigration Act as either being a Section 9 or Section 13 visa. These visas are called special visas and are issued to groups such as retirees, investors and entrepreneurs.