Non-Immigrant Visas

Foreigners are generally allowed entry into the country without visas for a stay of twenty-one (21) days or less for tourism and business purposes. (U.S. Passport holders may enter the Philippines without visas for a stay of twenty-one (21) days or less for tourism and business purposes.) Round trip or onward airline ticket must be presented together with the passport at the port of entry. Balikbayans can stay beyond twenty-one (21) days. Children under 15 years old traveling unaccompanied and not coming to a parent are governed by special regulations, see below.

Visas are required for aliens entering the Philippines temporarily or for a more or less definite duration, who are admissible by virtue of the Immigration Act or special laws. Stay should not exceed fifty-nine days for tourism and business purposes.

To speed-up the processing time remember to: a) fill-out application form completely, b) submit all original documents, and c) photocopy all necessary documents, prior to going to the Consulate General. Click the type of service/information you require:

• Tourism and Business Purposes
• Minors
• Balikbayan
• Special Non-Immigrant
• Special Resident Retiree's Visa
• Special Investor's Resident Visa

Requirements for Non-Immigrant Visa for Temporary Stay

I. What to bring/mail:

Additional Instructions for minors and balikbayans.

1. Duly accomplished application form (FA Form No. 2-A). For Taiwanese nationals, submit two accomplished forms (FA Form No. 2).
2. Current passport (should be valid for 6 months beyond the length of the proposed stay in the Philippines)
3. One (1) [two for Taiwan] colored photo 1.77" × 1.37" (3.5 × 4.5 cm) recently taken, front view, with a white background. (No eyeglasses or sleeveless attires please.) Digital photographs not yet allowed. [for Taiwan, photos must be signed on the front, left side].
4. Proof of Financial Capacity:
• Pleasure - photocopy of any of the following: latest bank statement, previous year's income tax return, most recent pay stub and an employment certificate from the employer indicating position and salary or affidavit of support.
• Business - letter from employer or sponsor of the trip indicating its specific purpose or nature, length of stay (inclusive dates), company guarantee or all moral and financial obligations to be incurred by the person while in the Philippines.
5. Photocopy of airline ticket
6. Itinerary of Travel
7. Schedule of Fees (cash or money order):
   1. Single entry valid for three (3) months - US$ 30.00
   2. Multiple entry valid for six (6) months - US$ 60.00
   3. Multiple entry valid for one (1) year - US$ 90.00

II. Pleasure visas for Minors

Covers children who are not Philippine passport holders and are under 15 years of age.

1. Children accompanied by or coming to a parent must comply with above requirements (items 1 to 7) and must submit a photocopy of the airline ticket and travel itinerary of the parent.
2. In addition to the visa, children unaccompanied by or not coming to a parent are required to secure a "Waiver of Exclusion Ground" (WEG) issued by the Bureau of Immigration in Manila. A visa can be issued prior to the issuance of the WEG, provided the following documents are presented and submitted to the Consulate General and Bureau of Immigration, respectively:
   • Affidavit of Consent, Guaranty and Request for the Issuance of the Waiver Of Exclusion Ground (WEG) executed by either of the parent or both or by a 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 reside in the country;
   • Photocopy of the Birth Certificate of the child;
   • Photocopy of the data page of the child's passport;
   • Photocopy of the passport of the accompanying adult or guardian and;
   • Fees payable at the Bureau of Immigration (broken down as follows: Application fee: P2,000; W.E.G. fee: 600; Legal Research Fee: 20; Express Lane fee: 500). These fees are payable at the Immigration (Airport) counter in Manila and are separate from the visa fee to be paid at the Philippine Consulate General.
3. WEG application filed at the port of entry requires that the applicant leaves the passport with the Bureau of Immigration, which will be released only after the WEG is secured. For more information read the news release regarding this.
4. For Non-US passport holders, copy of the Alien Registration Card or proof of legal residency in the US is required.
5. If the applicant is not appearing in person, the application form must be notarized.
6. Additional Instructions for applications by mail: Enclose a self-addressed stamped envelope (preferably certified mail or priority mail). Envelopes with metered stamps will not be accepted. Allow one to two weeks for processing. The Consulate General will not be responsible for any delay or loss of documents during transit.

III. Balikbayan

Balikbayan privileges are now extended to alien spouses and children of Filipinos and former Filipinos. This means visa-free entry into the Philippines for the alien spouse and children who are traveling with the Filipino or former Filipino balikbayan, even if they stay in the Philippines for more than 21 days.

The following are considered balikbayans: (1) a Filipino citizen who has been continuously out of the Philippines for a period of at least one year; (2) a Filipino overseas worker; (3) a former Filipino; and (4) alien spouses and children of balikbayans as defined in categories 1, 2 and 3 who are traveling with them. For the most part, balikbayans avail of the privilege of visa-free entry to the Philippines for a period of one (1) year. Read the press release on the new Balikbayan Law.

Read Text of Republic Act 9174 "Balikbayan Law" (PDF).

IV. Requirements for Issuance of Special Non-Immigrant 47(a)(2) Visa

Section 47(a)(2) of the Philippine Immigration Act of 1940 provides that the President is authorized, "When the public interest so warrants, to admit, as nonimmigrants, aliens not otherwise provided for by this Act, who are coming for temporary period only, under such conditions as he may prescribe."

Under Item 5 of LOI dated 18 August 1976, in relation to PD No. 830 dated 27 November 1975, the President delegated his authority under this Section to the Department of Justice.

Requirements:

1. Valid passport
2. Two signed passport photographs for each applicant taken within the last 6 months
3. FA Form No.2 to be submitted in duplicate
4. Letter from Foundation or Institute stating that the applicant is connected with such program which is approved by the Department of Foreign Affairs.
5. No visa fee charged for US citizens.
6. Police clearance certificate from place of residence of applicant.
7. If applicant cannot appear in person at the Consulate General, visa application form should be notarized.
8. FA Form No. 11 to be accomplished in duplicate by a Physician and submitted to the Consulate General.
9. Chest X-ray negative (life size) to be presented to this office and handcarried to the Philippines.

Note: Nos. 8 and 9 should be presented if applicant plans to stay in the Philippines for one year or more. If applicant's stay is for less than one year, Nos. 8 and 9 are not required.

Visa service by mail should be accompanied by Money Order for corresponding fees payable to the Philippine Consulate General and a self-addressed stamped envelop, preferably a big brown envelope that can accomodate the chest x-ray film.

For further information, please call the Visa Section of this Consulate General, (212) 764-1330.