GOVPH

9(A) Temporary Visitor's Visa
General Requirements

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

General Requirements:

Accomplished non-immigrant visa application FA Form No. 2-A.

Electronic or machine-readable passport valid for at least six (6) months beyond authorized period of stay in the Philippines.

One (1) recently taken colored photo 1.77″ x 1.37″ (3.5 cm x 4.5 cm), front view, with a white background; no eyeglasses or sleeveless attire. Digital photographs are not allowed.

Proof of bona fide status as tourist, businessman, or category in temporary nature

Proof of financial capability

Round trip flight itinerary to country of origin or next country of destination.

Required to secure a pre-booked accredited quarantine facility.

(For non-US citizens) Proof of legal status/residency in the US, e.g. valid US Alien Registration Card or valid US visa

Payment of visa fee (See Visa Fees Section)

Who are eligible under 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 as defined in categories 1, 2, and 3 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.

Can an alien spouse or child of a Balikbayan avail themselves of this privilege when traveling to the Philippines alone?

An alien spouse and/or child of a Balikbayan may only be given the said privilege if he/she is traveling with his/her Balikbayan spouse or parent.

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.     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.

HOW TO APPLY BY MAIL

Mail the Visa Application packet to the Consulate

The applicant mails to the Consulate the visa application packet containing the notarized application form, complete requirements including original passport, payment, and return envelope to:

Visa Section
Philippine Consulate General
556 Fifth Avenue, New York, NY 10036

Contents of Visa Application Packet

Covering Letter

Include a covering letter (handwritten or typed), addressed to the appropriate Section, indicating the consular service requested, name of person filing the application, including the person’s mobile number and email address.

Payment

Please see the section on Visa Fee for the appropriate visa processing fee.

Payment should be in the form of money order or cashier’s check payable to the Philippine Consulate General. Do not send cash by mail. Personal checks are not accepted.

Complete Documentary Requirements

Please see the list of requirements for the type of visa corresponding to the purpose of travel to the Philippines.

Fill out the appropriate visa application form and have it duly notarized by a licensed notary public in the applicant's place of legal residence.

Return Envelope

A self-addressed pre-paid stamped envelope, preferably USPS Priority Mail, with tracking number, must be included when sending the application. Do not use metered stamps or P.O. Box Return Address. Do not use Fedex.

The Philippine Consulate General 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.

Consulate Processes the Application

Processing normally takes one (1) to two (2) weeks from the date the visa application packet has been received by the Consulate. Some visa category may require longer period of evaluation and require prior authorization or approval from the Department of Foreign of Affairs in Manila.

Consulate mails original passport with visa

Using the return envelope provided by the applicant, the Consulate mails back to the applicant the following:
- (If visa is approved) Original passport with visa and receipt.
- (If visa is denied) Original passport only and receipt.

If the applicant has not received the original passport after two weeks from the time it was received by Consulate, please contact the Visa Section at email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., with SUBJECT: Visa Application of (Insert Name of Applicant), Sent on (Insert Date of Mailing of Application)

VISA-FREE ENTRY GUIDELINES

Nationals of certain countries are allowed to enter the Philippines without a visa for pleasure purposes for a period of stay of 59 days, 30 days, 14 days, 7 days or less, 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:

1.    Passports that are valid for a period of at least six (6) months beyond the intended stay in the Philippines;

2.    Valid airline ticket for their return journey to the port of origin or to the next port of destination

VALIDITY OF VISA

The validity of the visa indicates the dates during which the visa holder may legally enter the Philippines and the number of times he/she may do so.  It is not equivalent to the period of stay in the Philippines.  Every entry entitles the foreign national to a period of stay in the Philippines of 59 days for Visa-free countries and 30 days (or less) for Non-Visa-free countries. 

Please take note of the difference between the ‘validity of the visa’ and the ‘period of stay’.

·       The period indicated under “Valid From” to “Valid Until” in your visa 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.

To stay longer than the authorized period of stay, the foreign national will have to apply at the Philippine Bureau of Immigration for an extension of stay.  

Click the links below for more information about securing an extension of stay and the corresponding fees.

·       Extension of Authorized Stay Beyond 59-days

·       Long-Stay Visitor Visa Extension

·       www.immigration.gov.ph

VISA FEES

Temporary Visitor Visa (9A)

Seaman Visa 9(C)

·       Individual$20.00

Crew List Visa of Vessels

·       up to forty (40) crew members100.00

·       from 41 to 100 crew members150.00

·       from 101 to 200 crew members200.00

·       in excess of 200 crew members250.00

·       Transit Visa 9(B)$20.00

·       Treaty Trader/Investor Visa 9(D)$400.00

·       Student Visa 9(F)$250.00

·       Pre-Arranged Employment Visa 9(G)400.00

·       Non-Quota Immigrant Visas (13A-13G)150.00

          Visa Type and Requirements

9(D) International Treaty Traders & Treaty Investors

BALIKBAYAN VISA-FREE PRIVILEGE

Downloadable Forms and other Information