HOW TO APPLY FOR A VISA:

Applicants should email their completed visa application form and copies of the supporting documents to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. for initial evaluation. Once found in order, the Visa Section will email instructions regarding the next steps of the application process.

IMPORTANT REMINDERS:

• Please do not purchase an airline ticket until after your Philippine visa has been approved. A flight itinerary created by booking a reservation could be submitted in lieu of a plane ticket.
• The Consulate assumes no responsibility for any delay or loss in the mail, or while the documents are in the custody of the courier service. The applicant should note the tracking numbers of all envelopes used and submitted. 
• The Consulate will not expedite the visa processing to accommodate the visa applicant’s flight schedule. The turnaround time for a 9a visa is three (3) business days.

In some cases, visa processing may take longer depending on whether clearance and authorization is required from pertinent Philippine authorities or whether the Philippines has a visa agreement with the applicant’s country.

• The Consulate will not refund the visa application fee if the visa is issued later than the applicant’s flight departure date or if the application is denied or cancelled.
• The Consulate may request additional documents to support the visa application.
• The Consulate assumes no responsibility for any delay or loss in the mail, or while the documents are in the custody of the courier service. The applicant should note the tracking numbers of all envelopes used and submitted. 
• Visa issuance does not guarantee automatic admission to the Philippines. The admission of foreign nationals into the Philippines is a function of the Bureau of Immigration in the Philippines. Philippine immigration authorities will not allow entry into Philippine airports and seaports of the following foreign nationals:
• Those holding non-machine-readable passports (e.g., hand scripted passports); or
• Those previously deported from the Philippines or included in the “blacklist order” of the Department of Foreign Affairs or Bureau of Immigration; or
• Those with incomplete documentation; or
• Those with circumstances that would render them inadmissible for entry, even with a valid passport and visa issued by a Philippine Consulate.

REQUIREMENTS:

9 (A) Temporary Visitor’s Visa

1. Actual passport of applicant (valid at least 6 months from return date) and one (1) photocopy of the data page
2. Duly-accomplished and notarized Non-Immigrant Visa application form, typed or printed legibly in black or blue ink, and notarized if sent by mail
3. Travel Itinerary (applicant must be a holder of a roundtrip/onward flight ticket out of the Philippines)
4. One (1) colored photo, 2” x 2”, taken within six months before the date of application, showing a clear front view of applicant’s face, with a white background. No sleeveless attire. Blurred or low-quality photos will not be accepted. 
5. For tourism purposes, proof of Financial Capacity (photocopy of latest bank statement, an employment certificate from the employer indicating position and salary, or affidavit of support),
6. For business purposes, Letter from employer or sponsor (which may be the inviting party in the Philippines) indicating the specific purpose of travel, length of stay (inclusive dates), and company guarantee for all moral and financial obligations to be incurred by the applicant while in the Philippines
7. Self-addressed return envelope, with appropriate stamps worth USD 10.10 for express or priority mail with tracking numbers via US Postal Service, for mailing of passport with visa.
8. Visa fee, according to fee schedule below (non-refundable), payable in postal money order or bank check made payable to "Philippine Consulate General". Personal checks are not accepted. 

9. (For non-US citizens) Proof of legal status/residency in the US, e.g. valid US permanent residence permit (green card), employment authorization card, social security contributions, proof of school enrollment;

• For nationals of countries with visa agreement with the Philippines: Single entry valid for three (3) months: US$ 30.00
• For nationals of countries without visa agreement with the Philippines: Single entry valid for three (3) months US$ 40.00

9 (C) Seamen Visa

1. Actual passport of applicant (valid at least 6 months from return date) and one (1) photocopy of the data page
2. Duly-accomplished and notarized Non-Immigrant Visa application form, typed or printed legibly in black or blue ink
3. Travel Itinerary (roundtrip ticket not necessary)
4. One (1) colored photo, 2” x 2”, taken within six months before the date of application, showing a clear front view of applicant’s face, with a white background. No sleeveless attire. Blurred or low quality photos will not be accepted.
5. Letter from Shipping Company
6. Crew List, if applicable
7. Self-addressed return envelope, with appropriate stamps worth USD 10.10 for express or priority mail with tracking numbers via US Postal Service, for mailing of passport with visa.
8. Visa fee of $20.00 (non-refundable), payable in postal money order or bank check made payable to "Philippine Consulate General". Personal checks and credit/debit cards are not accepted.

9 (E) Foreign Government Officials Visa

Holders of diplomatic and official passports who will be traveling to the Philippines on official business for a stay not exceeding 30 days no longer need to apply for a diplomatic or official visa with the Philippine Consulate General. Government officials must possess passports that are valid for at least six months beyond the contemplated period of stay in the Philippines and a return ticket to their country of origin or next country of destination. 

1. Actual passport of applicant (valid at least 6 months from return date) and one (1) photocopy of the data page
2. Duly-accomplished and notarized Non-Immigrant Visa application form, typed or printed legibly in black or blue ink
3. One (1) colored photo, 2” x 2”, taken within six months before the date of application, showing a clear front view of applicant’s face, with a white background. No sleeveless attire. Blurred or low quality photos will not be accepted.
4. Letter from government agency requesting issuance of visa or Note Verbale from the Foreign Ministry, endorsed by the Department of Foreign Affairs
5. Self-addressed return envelope, with appropriate stamps worth USD 10.10 for express or priority mail with tracking numbers via US Postal Service, for mailing of passport with visa.
6. Visa fee – gratis

13A Immigrant Visa (spouse or unmarried child under twenty-one years of age of a Philippine citizen)

1.   Actual passport of applicant (valid at least 1 year from date of application) and one (1) photocopy of the data page.

2.   Duly-accomplished Immigrant Visa application form, typed or printed legibly in black or blue ink (One (1) original notarized and one (1) photocopy).

3.   Four (4) identical colored photos, 2″ x 2″, taken within six months before the date of application, showing a clear front view of applicant’s face, with a white background. No sleeveless attire. Blurred or low-quality photos are not accepted.

4.   Documentary evidence to prove Philippine citizenship of spouse/child and show the applicant’s relationship to the Philippine citizen (One (1) original and one (1) photocopy): 

A. Philippine passport of Filipino spouse/child and Birth Certificate of spouse/child issued by the Philippine Statistics Authority; 

B. If married to a Filipino spouse:  Marriage Certificate issued by the Philippine Statistics Authority or Report of Marriage issued by the Philippine Embassy/Consulate (if married outside the Philippines).

C. Copy of US green card or Certificate of Dual Citizenship, if applicable (for Filipino spouses who are residing in the US).

5. Duly notarized letter signed by the Filipino spouse of the applicant’s intention to permanently reside in the Philippines and other reasons for the visa application.

6. Medical Examination Report, duly accomplished by a licensed physician, which should include his/her contact details, and not be more than six (6) months from date of application, together with laboratory reports (original and one photocopy), for  the following tests: a) stool (ova/parasite and occult blood); b) urinalysis; and c) complete blood test (blood serology and chemistry) i.e. HIV, drugs, UTI.

7.   Chest X-ray, negative, standard size - in CD (preferable).

8.   Certificate of No Police Record from place of residence of applicant (original and one photocopy)

9.   Proof of financial stability (One (1) original and one (1) photocopy) (e.g. proof of real property, investment/s, bank certification, pension, or notarized Affidavit of Support from a relative in the Philippines, with attached documents to substantiate declaration or claim.)

10. Self-addressed prepaid return envelope, with stamps worth USD 10.10 for express or priority mail with tracking numbers via US Postal Service, or with pre-paid mailing envelope from private courier of choice (Do not use FedEx).

11. Visa fee of $150.00 (non-refundable), payable in cash or money order made payable to “Philippine Consulate General Honolulu, Hawaii.”  Personal checks are not accepted.

Processing of a 13A Immigrant visa may take up to 10-15 business days.

Special Resident Retiree's Visa

The Special Resident Retiree’s Visa (SRRV) is a non-immigrant visa separate and distinct from existing visa categories as this is issued by the Bureau of Immigration (BI) of the Republic of the Philippines under the Retirement Program of the Philippine Retirement Authority (PRA) and entitles the holder to multiple-entry privileges with the right to stay permanently/indefinitely in the Philippines.

Interested parties can find more details from the website of the Philippine Retirement Authority at www.pra.gov.ph.

 VISA FREE GUIDELINES

Nationals of certain countries, including US Citizens, are allowed to enter the Philippines without a visa for tourism purposes for a period of stay of less than 30 days depending on their nationality and the existing bilateral agreements between the Philippines and their country.

To be allowed entry into the Philippines, these foreign nationals must have:

• Passports that are valid for a period of at least six (6) months beyond the intended stay in the Philippines;
• Valid airline ticket for their return journey to the port of origin or to the next port of destination

BALIKBAYAN VISA-FREE PRIVILEGE

The following shall be covered under the Balikbayan Visa-Free Privilege:

1. Filipino citizens’ foreign spouses and children, regardless of age, who are traveling with them; and
2. Former Filipino citizens, together with their foreign spouses and children, regardless of age, who are traveling with them;

The entry of the above-mentioned foreign nationals shall be subject to the following condition:

• They must be nationals permitted/allowed to enter the country visa-free under Executive Order No. 408[1], series of 1960;

Who are eligible under the Balikbayan Program?

The following are considered Balikbayan (returning Filipino) travelers to the Philippines:

• A Filipino citizen who has been continuously out of the Philippines for a period of at least one (1) year;
• A Filipino overseas worker;
• A former Filipino citizen; or
• Alien spouse and children of Balikbayan who are traveling together with the Balikbayan.

Who are not entitled to the Balikbayan privilege?

Former Filipinos and their immediate family members (spouse and children) who are visa-required nationals (nationals of countries NOT listed in the List of Countries Whose Nationals are Allowed 30 Day Visa-Free under EO 408). They must secure entry visas prior to their travel to the Philippines.

Nationals who are subjects of deportation/blacklist orders of the Department of Foreign Affairs and the Bureau of Immigration shall not be admitted to the Philippines.

What are the privileges of a Balikbayan?

Those who are admitted as Balikbayans are given an initial stay of one (1) year.

They may extend their stay for another one (1), two (2) or six (6) months provided they apply for an extension of stay at the Bureau of Immigration (BI) Main Office or any BI field office nationwide.

Other privileges that the Balikbayan can avail themselves of under Republic Act 9174 “Balikbayan Law” are:

• Exemption from travel tax.
• Duty-free shopping privilege of up to US$2,000.00, provided that shopping must be done within two (2) days upon arrival and purchases must be made personally by the balikbayan.

What do I need to present to the Philippine Immigration Officer to avail myself of the visa-free privilege for Balikbayan?

Returning Balikbayans or former Filipinos may enter the Philippines without a visa and stay for a period of one (1) year, provided that they have the following:

1. Passport valid for 6 months beyond the intended stay in the Philippines;
2. Round-trip ticket;
3. Proof of former Philippine citizenship (e.g., old Philippine passport or PSA-authenticated birth certificate). Please note that a foreign passport indicating “Philippines” as your place of birth is not sufficient proof of your previous Filipino citizenship;

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS (FAQ)

1. How long can I stay in the Philippines based on my visa?

The period indicated under “Valid From” to “Valid Until” are the inclusive dates during which the visa holder may enter the Philippines.

The “Period of Stay” indicates the continuous period of authorized stay in the Philippines which commences from the date of arrival in the Philippines. This may extend beyond the period of validity of the visa, depending on the date of arrival in the country.

2. Can I stay longer than the authorized period of stay on my visa?

Yes, you may extend your stay in the Philippines through the Philippine Bureau of Immigration. You will find information on how to extend your stay in the Philippines on this page: http://www.immigration.gov.ph/faqs/extensionofstay 

eTRAVEL

All visitors to the Philippines are required to register with the Philippines eTravel online Health Declaration and Contract Tracing platform via this link prior to their flight:  http://etravel.gov.ph

What is the purpose of the eTravel?

eTravel serves as an online Health Declaration and Contact Tracing platform that aims to promote a convenient and seamless movement of international travelers from departure from the country of origin to arrival at the Philippine Local Government Unit (LGU) of destination.

It serves as a Philippine Government database of all persons entering the country to be used for contact tracing when a traveler is afflicted with a specific disease.

All foreign and Filipino travelers (including infants and children) should register individually to the eTravel before their flight into the Philippines.

CITIZEN'S CHARTER 

Visa Issuance

A visa allows foreign nationals to travel to the Philippines for a stay no longer than 59 days.  The process below is for 9(a) tourist/business visa applicants categorized as unrestricted nationals per EO 408.  The process for restricted nationals is subject to a clearance and approval by concerned Philippine agencies.