Philippine Visa Policies and Entry Requirements

This article unravels the Philippine visa policy. It highlights visa-free privileges for specific nations. It introduces the Electronically Transmitted Visa (ETA) and Section 9 visas.

These visas serve short-term needs. The piece further explores Section 13 visas for aspiring permanent residents.

The complex visa system is demystified for the reader’s understanding. Valuable insights are provided to assist in Philippine travel. This guide aids those traveling for leisure, business, study, or relocation. 

The government also requires all foreign travelers to get a Philippines arrival card to enter the country. This eArrival card can be applied online. 

Visa-Free Entry to the Philippines

Citizens from countries like Brazil can stay in the Philippines for 59 days without needing a visa. 

ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) member nations, along with most European countries, are granted a 30-day visa-free period. 

Further, citizens of Hong Kong, Macau, and Portuguese passport holders residing in Macau are entitled to a 14-day visa-free visit.

Visa-exempt foreign nationals can extend their stay up to two months per extension, up to a maximum of two years. However, for foreign nationals requiring a visa, they can extend their stay one month per extension, up to a maximum of six months, provided they hold a valid onward ticket. 

APEC Card Holders

The APEC Business Travel Card (ABTC) also plays a significant role in the visa policy of the Philippines. 

Certain passport holders with ABTC displaying "PHL" can travel to the Philippines for business without a visa. They can stay in the country for up to 59 days. 

Replacement Visa

Chinese nationals, provided they possess a valid tourist visa from Australia, Canada, Japan, the United States, or any Schengen Area country, are permitted a visa-free stay of up to 7 days in the Philippines.

Similarly, Indian nationals, who hold a valid tourist, business, or resident visa from Australia, Canada, Japan, Singapore, the United Kingdom, the United States, or any Schengen Area country, can enter the Philippines without a visa and stay for up to 14 days. This entry can be made from any port of entry. 

9(a) or Temporary Visitor’s Visa

The Philippine visa policy includes a provision for the 9(a) or Temporary Visitor’s Visa. It’s a non-immigrant visa for foreigners visiting the Philippines for brief periods for tourism, business, or medical reasons.

Restricted foreign nationals must obtain an entry visa to visit, while unrestricted nationals can enter without one. 

Initial stays range from 7 to 59 days, based on the visitor’s nationality, with most granted a 30-day stay. Extensions are available, allowing for a maximum stay of 16 months. 

Key non-immigrant visas under Section 9 include: 

• The 9(a) Tourist Visa for tourism and transit, 
• The 9(b) Transit Visa for temporary passage through the Philippines,
• The 9(d) Business Visa for trade and business-related trips
• The 9(f) Student Visa for educational pursuits in the Philippines. 

13(a) Non-Quota Visa

The 13(a) Non-Quota Visa caters to foreign nationals married to Filipino citizens under Philippine law. This visa must be petitioned by the Filipino spouse. The applicant may stay in the Philippines with a tourist visa while waiting for visa approval, extending the stay as needed. 

Upon approval, the 13(a) visa grants an indefinite stay in the Philippines, conditional on the maintenance of its prerequisites, such as a valid marriage with a Filipino citizen. 

The process typically spans 2-3 months, given a complete submission of necessary documents. Post-approval, the applicant receives a 1-year probationary status, which is then reassessed for potential conversion to permanent resident status. Holders of the 13(a) visa are exempt from the requirement of an alien employment permit. 

The Temporary Resident Visa (TRV)

The Temporary Resident Visa (TRV) is issued to foreign nationals married to Filipino citizens under Philippine law, hailing from countries without an established reciprocity agreement with the Philippines. 

This visa offers a 5-year stay in the Philippines, extendable as necessary, provided certain conditions, such as maintaining a valid marriage with a Filipino citizen, are met. 

Requirements for TRV

Applicants must submit their passports to the Bureau during the application process. Once the process is complete, the passports will be returned to them via courier.

Any withdrawal of required documents, like passports or birth/marriage certificates, during the process is considered application abandonment, leading to dismissal without a refund. 

The process usually takes 1-2 months after complete document submission. TRV holders can work in the Philippines without an alien employment permit. If employed locally while the TRV is under process, a Special Work Permit (SWP) is recommended. SWPs are valid for 3 months and can be renewed for another 3 months. 

Work Visa for the Philippines

Working in the Philippines as a foreigner requires both a Philippines Work Visa and a Work Permit. 

The Philippines government issues three types of Work Permits: 

• The Alien Employment Permit (AEP) for long-term contracts, 
• The Special Work Permit (SWP) for short-term assignments
• The Provisional Work Permit (PWP) is for those waiting for their Work Visa but wishing to start working.

Application Process

Employers in the Philippines must submit permit applications to the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) before work begins. The processing time is typically 2-3 weeks. 

After work permit approval, applicants must apply for a Philippines Work Visa at the Immigration Bureau. This means entering the country with a short-term visa and converting it into a Work Visa, a process that can take up to three months.

During this waiting period, it’s necessary to extend your Tourist Visa and, if you wish to start working immediately, obtain a PWP. 

Essential Documents

Documentation required for a Philippines Work Visa includes a letter of request for the Visa, a copy of the Employment Contract, and a photocopy of the employing company’s latest Income Tax Return (ITR). 

They should also submit a copy of their Work Permit, a document detailing the number of foreign and Filipino employees in the company, a Certificate of Police Clearance, and a Health Certificate, among other possible requested documents. 

Conclusion

The Philippine visa policy, comprehensive yet detailed, caters to various purposes - leisure, business, study, or relocation. It offers visa-free entry to certain nations, special provisions for APEC Card holders, and replacement visa privileges to specific countries’ citizens. 

The non-immigrant, immigrant, and special visas, notably the 9(a) Temporary Visitor’s Visa and the 13(a) Non-Quota Visa, provide clear pathways for short-term and long-term stays. The process for obtaining a Work Visa is well defined, ensuring foreigners can work legally. This article breaks down the complexities of the Philippine visa system, offering key insights to facilitate smooth travel experiences.