• Minor children below 15 yrs. old Traveling to the Philippines Unaccompanied by or not Joining a Parent in the Philippines

A Waiver of Exclusion Ground (WEG) Under Section 29(a)(12) of the Philippine Immigration Act of 1940, as amended is required for children below 15 yrs. old who are travelling to the Philippines unaccompanied by or not joining his/her parent/s to the Philippines. 

1.    Affidavit of consent by either parent or legally appointed guardian of the child, naming therein the person who will be accompanying the child to the Philippines and with whom the child will stay while in the country.  The said Affidavit must be duly notarized by a local notary public or the consular officer at the Philippine Embassy or Consulate in the applicant's country or residence;

2.    Clear photocopy of the data page of the child's passport;

3.    Clear photocopy of the data page of the passport of the accompanying adult or guardian; and

4.    Payment of immigration fees (currently, P3,120 per child). 

• Foreign Nationals on Board Privately-Owned Yachts or Sailboats

A temporary visitor's visa is required for foreign nationals who are travelling to the Philippines on board privately-owned yachts and sailboats.  When applying the visa, the applicants will be required to provide the following particulars of the yacht/sailboat and its crew members: 

1. Crewlist;
2. Nationality/Citizenship;
3. Passport details of the crew;
4. Vessel to be used for entry: type, name, registration, call sign, and other particulars;
5. Estimated date of entry into the Philippine territory;
6. Port/Area of entry (Philippine waters);
7. Estimated period of stay in the Philippines;
8. Character reference/shipping agent in the Philippines (if any); and
9. Purpose of visit

Upon entry into the Philippines, the crew of the yacht and sailboats are required to register immediately with the nearest Coast Guard Station and submit the yacht/sailboats to Customs, Immigration and Quarantine inspections.

• Foreign Newsmen, Journalists and Cinema/Television Groups

Foreign newsmen and journalists visiting the Philippines in pursuit of their profession are required to apply for a temporary visitor's visa.  The following are additional requirements for visa application of foreign newsmen, journalist, cinema/television groups:

1. Curriculum vitae of newsmen/journalists;
2. Shortlist of work credits;
3. Copy of one (1) sample article written by the applicant;
4. Background of media organization, including target market/audience, circulation, format; and
5. Administrative arrangements for the work in the Philippines, as follows:
   1. List of members of the reportorial team, nationality and passport details;
   2. Planned itinerary and activities, with storyline for any films to be made;
   3. List of equipment to be brought by each team member, with certification from the media organization that said equipment will be re-exported at the end of the trip to the Philippines;
   4. Flight details (arrival and departure); and
   5. For each team member, one (1) photograph, sixe 1"x1", to be submitted to the International Press Center (IPC) for the issuance of accreditation card.

Upon arrival in the Philippines, the newsmen/journalists will have to report to the IPC for accreditation.  

• Philippine visa is required for holders of the following passports:

Except holders of official or diplomatic passports




¹ Visa application only from the Philippine Embassy, Islamabad, Pakistan

² Visa processing period is one week

* Nationals from these countries may only apply for a temporary visitor's visa at their country of origin or place of legal residence.

Definition of a Foreign Tourist (Temporary Visitor)

A "foreign tourist" is defined as a person without distinction as to race, gender, language or religion, who is proceeding o the Philippines for a legitimate, nonimmigrant purpose such as sightseeing, sports, health, family reasons, training or study (excluding enrolment in schools for the purpose of obtaining a title or degree), religious pilgrimage, business, cultural and scientific purposes.

Requirements for Applying a Temporary Visitor's Visa

• Passport/Travel Document Valid for at least six (6) months beyond the intended period of stay in the Philippines;
• Duly Accomplished Visa application forms;
• Passport Photos (2 pieces);
• Proof of bona fide status as tourist or businessman;
• Confirmed tickets for return or onward journey to the next port of destination; and 
• Payment of Visa Fees

Application for a temporary visitor's visa must be made in person. In the case of a minor under eighteen (18) years of age, the application may be made for him by a person who, in the opinion of the consular officer, is responsible for his/her welfare. The minor, not an infant in arms, shall be required to appear at the Consulate for interview, together with the person making the application for him/her.

Applicants for temporary visitor's visa should normally apply at the Philippine Embassy or Consulate that has jurisdiction over their place of residence. While some visa applicants may apply at any Philippine Embassy or Consulate abroad, others are only allowed to apply his/her visa at the Philippine Embassy or Consulate in his country of origin or legal residence.

• Foreign Nationals on Board Privately-Owned Yachts or Sailboats

A temporary visitor's visa is required for foreign nationals who are traveling to the Philippines on board privately-owned yachts and sailboats. When applying the visa, the applicants will be required to provide the following particulars of the yacht/sailboat and its crewmembers:

·      Crewlist;

·      Nationality/Citizenship;

·      Passport details of the crew;

·      Vessel to be used for entry: type, name, registration, call sign, and other particulars;

·      Estimated date of entry into the Philippine territory;

·      Port/Area of entry (Philippine waters);

·      Estimated period of stay in the Philippines;

·      Character reference/shipping agent in the Philippines (if any); and

·      Purpose of visit

Upon entry into the Philippines, the crew of the yacht and sailboats are required to register immediately with the nearest Coast Guard Station and submit the yacht/sailboats to Customs, Immigration and Quarantine inspections.

INFORMATION ON THE PROCEDURES AND DOCUMENTARY REQUIREMENTS FOR 9 (F) STUDENT VISA TO THE PHILIPPINES

A. Requirements:

• Two (2) copies of duly accomplished visa application forms with two (2) photographs;
• PRC passport valid for at least six (6) months beyond the date of stay in the Philippines;
• Note Verbale/ Introduction Letter;
• Acceptance Notice from the Philippine Commission on Higher Education (CHED);
• Acceptance Notice from Philippine University/College;
• Medical Certificate (including laboratory and X-Ray Film Result);
• Police Clearance (in duplicate form);
• Authenticated copy of Middle School/College Diploma;
• Authenticated copy of transcript of records;
• Proof of financial support;
• List of references/contact persons in the Philippines; and
• Copy of the ticket
• Visa fee

B. Procedure:

• The foreign student directly communicates with a school in the Philippines that is authorized to accept foreign students and complies with the school's institutionalized requirements, including the submission of the following documents:

·         four (4) original copies of his Personal History Statement (PHS) duly signed by him both in English and in his national alphabet and stamped with his personal seal, if any, and containing among others his original 2 x 2-inch photograph on plain white background recently taken and his original left and right hand thumbprints;

·         scholastic records duly authenticated by the Philippine Foreign Service Post located at or having consular jurisdiction over his country of origin or place of residence; and    

·         proof of adequate financial support to cover expenses for his accommodation, subsistence, school dues and other incidental expenses.

• The DFA, after finding the documents complete and in order, indorses the documents to the Philippine Foreign Service Post located at or having consular jurisdiction over the student's country of origin or place of residence for issuance of the student visa after ascertaining the student's identity and admissibility in accordance with DFA regulations. Requests for issuance of the visa in places other than the student's country of origin or place of residence shall not be entertained.

• The Foreign Service Post notifies in writing the student of the receipt of the documents and requests him to appear in person before a Consular Office, bringing his own copy of the schools NOA, for interview and compliance with consular requirements.

• The Consular Office of the Foreign Service Post requires the student to undergo a thorough medical examination by the Post's designated and accredited Medical Practitioner who will submit directly to the Consular Officer the Medical Health Certificate in the prescribed form (FA Form No. 11), together with the required laboratory reports and standard-size Chest X-Ray showing results of the medical examination.

·         The student also submits a Police Clearance Certificate issued by the National Police

Authorities

• Foreign Nationals who wish to take up a short-term non-degree course

Foreign students who wish to take up a short-term non-degree course like language and computer courses must apply for a temporary visitor's visa. Upon arrival in the Philippines and acceptance by the school/institution authorized by the Bureau of Immigration to accept foreign students, he/she should apply for a Special Study Permit at the Bureau's Student Desk, together with the following documents:

• Letter request;
• Certificate of Acceptance from the school accredited by the Bureau of Immigration to accept foreign students;
• Photocopy of passport reflecting the applicant's authorized period of stay;
• Affidavit of Support and Proof of Financial Capacity; and 
• Birth Certificate.

• Other information:

1. A yellow fever or typhus vaccination certificate is required from travellers over 1 year of age arriving within 6 days from infected areas. A certificate is also required by those arriving from small pox or plague infected areas.
2. Following WHO guidelines issued in 1973, a cholera vaccination certificate is not a condition of entry to the Philippines, unless travellers arrive from infected areas. However, cholera is a risk in this country and precautions are essential. Up-to-date advice should be sought before deciding whether these precautions should include vaccination, as medical opinion is divided over its effectiveness.
3. Vaccination against typhoid is advised.
4. Malaria risk exists throughout the year in areas below 600m, except in the Provinces of Bohol, Catanduanes, Cebu and Manila. No risk is considered to exist in urban areas or in the plains. The malignant falciparum strain is present and is reported to be resistant to chloroquine.
5. Food & drink: Water used for drinking, brushing teeth or making ice should have first been boiled or otherwise sterilised. Milk is unpasteurised and should be boiled. Powdered or tinned milk is available and is advised, but make sure that it is reconstituted with pure water. Avoid dairy products which are likely to have been made from unboiled milk. Only eat well-cooked meat and fish, preferably served hot. Pork, salad and mayonnaise may carry increased risk. Vegetables should be cooked and fruit peeled.
6. Other risks: Bilharzia (schistosomiasis) is endemic in the south. Avoid swimming and paddling in stagnant fresh water. Swimming pools that are well chlorinated and maintained are safe. Dengue and filariasis occur and plague is carried by insects. Hepatitis B is highly endemic. Hepatitis A may occur. Japanese Encephalitis occurs rarely in western Luzon, Mindoro and Palawan from April to November and throughout the year in other areas, with the highest risk from April to January. Chikungunya fever is particularly common in urban areas of the central islands, such as Manila. Gonorrhoea resistant to penicilin is common in the Philippines, particularly in Manila and Cebu City.
7. Rabies is present. For those at high risk, vaccination before arrival should be considered. If you are bitten, seek medical advice without delay. 
8. Health care: Approximately three-quarters of the hospitals are private.

·         EXTENSION OF AUTHORIZED PERIOD OF STAY IN THE PHILIPPINES

In case of a temporary visitor's visa holder whose stay in the Philippines will exceed the authorized period of stay, he/she will have to report to the Bureau of Immigration, secure an extension of stay and pay the corresponding immigration fees.  Information on fees for extension of stay and other Immigration fees are available at the Bureau of Immigration website (www.immigration.gov.ph)

Important Note:

Nationals who are subjects of deportation/blacklist orders of the Department and the Bureau of Immigration shall not be admitted to the Philippines. Further inquiries may be addressed to the Visa Division (Telephone numbers: 834-4854, 834-3707, and 834-4810), Department of Foreign Affairs, 2330 Roxas Boulevard, Pasay City or to any Philippine Embassy or Consulate abroad.