Passport & Visa Requirements

Your passport must be current. The expiration date must be longer than 6 months from the date of arrival.

A visa is not required for citizens of most countries.

Except for stateless persons and those from countries with which the Philippines has no diplomatic relations, all visitors may enter the country without a visa and may stay for up to 21 days provided they have a valid passport and a ticket for onward journey. Upon arrival at the Manila International Airport you will go through the Immigration area. Once at the Immigration counter you are required to show your passport, an onward ticket and a Declaration form that you will get while in flight. The Immigration official will then stamp your passport for a 21 day visit. This is a Temporary Visitor's Visa 9 (a) typically referred to as a Tourist Visa.

Visa Extensions

Should you desire to stay longer you may get an extension processed for 38 days the first time, then 59 days at a time afterwards for up to one year. At the one year mark you need to leave the country, even if just for a day. Please check this site for further details on Tourist visas and extensions http://www.gov.ph/faqs/visa.asp.

Visa Extension Costs

Initial 21 day stay. No charge.

38 day extension. (21 days + 38 days = 59 days. Processed at BOI approximately 7 days before your free 21 day visa expires. P3,030

59 day extension. Processed 7 days before previous extension expires. P4,040

The total for the year comes to P23,230. About $516.22 usd.

Leaving the Philippines

If you stay in the Philippines longer than 6 months, as a tourist, you will need permission to leave in the form of an Emigration Clearance Certificate. To obtain the Emigration Clearance Certificate, you have to go to the Bureau of Immigration in person and pay a 500 peso processing fee. You will also need to bring six 2x2 inch photographs with you to the immigration office.

When the time comes to leave the Philippines, you must pay P750.00 at the airport before going to your gate area. The departure fees may change without notice.