Pursuant to Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF) Resolution No. 165 dated 24 March 2022, all COVID-19 restrictions on visa issuance are hereby lifted, and all pre-pandemic visa processes are hereby reinstated beginning 01 April 2022, subject to the existing health protocols and requirements prescribed by the IATF, as follows:
Beginning 1 September 2022, the Philippine Embassy in Seoul will be following a new procedure for accepting visa applications for 9(a), 9(b), 9(f), 9(g), 47(a)(2) and 13(a). The procedure may be found here: www.philembassy-seoul.com/ann_details.asp?id=14014
The visa application process for 9(c) (seafarer/crewlist) and 9(e) (diplomatic/official business) visas remain the same, and the applicants or their representatives may personally submit their applications at the Philippine Embassy from 09:30 A.M. to 12:00 N.N.; P.M., Sundays to Thursdays.
Please make sure to bring all the required documents, as listed in this Advisory. The Philippine Embassy reminds all foreign nationals that additional documents may be required if and when deemed necessary by the visa officer.
A Philippine visa is an endorsement by a consular officer on a travel document (e.g. passport) denoting that the visa application has been examined, and that permission is requested from Philippine immigration authorities at ports of entry to allow the bearer to enter and stay in the Philippines for a specified period of time. A visa is not a guarantee that the holder will be automatically admitted into the country as admission of foreign nationals into the Philippines is a function of the Bureau of Immigraton (BI). Philippine visa holders are, therefore, subject to regular and discretionary immigration control at ports of entry. The BI may deny entry of any visa holder for any valid reason.
Entry Exemption Documents (EEDs) will no longer be required beginning 01 April 2022 from foreign nationals entering the Philippines, provided they comply with all the visa requirements, immigration entry and departure formalities, and other health protocols required by the Government of the Republic of the Philippines. Nevertheless, all foreign nationals with valid and subsisting EEDs issued by the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) of the Republic of the Philippines prior to 01 April 2022 shall still be allowed entry into the Philippines.
A properly filled-out application form is required from all visa applicants. These forms may be downloaded at www.philembassy-seoul.com/forms.asp. However, 9(a) visa applicants must preliminary submit their applications through the Philippine Visa Online Portal at www.visa.gov.ph
All photos must conform to the requirements of the International Civil Aviation Organisation, as follows:
All documents required below must be presented before the visa officer. Please print all documents using an A-4 sized paper.
Personal appearance is required from all visa applicants, except for 9(c) seaman and crew list visa applicants who may submit through their legitimate agents through an authorization letter.
Non-Korean nationals must submit the original and valid passport, as well as the original and photocopy of their Alien Registration Card (front and back).
All foreign national minors below 15 years old and planning to enter the Philippines unaccompanied by parents must have a Waiver of Exclusion Ground (WEG). Under Section 29(a) (12) of the Commonwealth Act No. 613 or the Philippine Immigration Act of 1940, alien minors who are below fifteen (15) years of age who are unaccompanied by or not coming to a parent, are classified as excludable. In order for them to be admitted into the Philippines, they must secure what is known as a Waiver of Exclusion Ground (WEG) from the BI. They may be allowed admission upon the approval of the WEG application by the Commissioner of the BI.
To obtain a WEG from the Philippines, please visit the BI website at immigration.gov.ph/faqs/waiverforexclusion-ground and at immigration.gov.ph/images/FORMS/Checklist/9Others/2.%20Waiver%20of%20Exclusion%20Ground.pdf
Alternatively, parents based in South Korea may also follow this procedure:
Submit the following documents at the Philippine Embassy:
Three (3) original duly accomplished Affidavit of Support and Guarantee with Consent to Travel for WEG, to be signed in person by the child's parent/legal guardian at the Embassy;
Valid passport of the minor and two (2) copies of the data page;
Valid passport of the minor's travel companion and two (2) copies of the data page;
Valid passport of the parent/legal guardian who executed the affidavit (2 copies of the data page);
Submit the minor's English Family Registration Certificate [영문 가족관계증명서] if the child is registered at the Korean City Hall; and
Payment for the acknowledgement of the Affidavit of Support and Guarantee with Consent to Travel. Please note that this payment is separate from the WEG fee that will be paid at the port of entry (to be explained below).
Upon arrival in the Philippines, the travel companion will file the application for the WEG Order before the BI at the port of entry with the following documents/payment:
Duly-filled up WEG application form signed both by the parent and the travel companion. A copy of the WEG application form may be found here: www.philembassy-seoul.com/forms.asp
Original copy of the Affidavit of Support and Guarantee and Consent to Travel notarized by the Philippine Embassy and the minor's English Family Registration Certificate [영문 가족관계증명서] if the child is registered at the Korean City Hall;
Photocopy of the return ticket of the minor child;
Photocopy of the passport of the travel companion;
Photocopy of the passport of the minor; and
Payment of PHP3,120 (Philippine pesos) for the processing and approval of the WEG. Please note that BI fees may vary.
All foreign national minors 15 to below 18 years old and planning to enter the Philippines unaccompanied by parents, an Affidavit of Parental Consent and Guarantee of Financial Support and parent's proof of employment/ business must be submitted to the Philippine Embassy.
The following are the visa types which may be issued by the Philippine Embassy:
Visa-Free Entry |
For nationals of countries listed in E.O. 408, as amended |
9(a) |
Temporary Visitors |
9(b) |
Foreigners in Transit |
9(c) |
Seaman or Crew list |
9(e) |
Foreign Government Officials |
9(f) |
Students of Long-term Regular Academic Programs |
9(g) |
Pre-Arranged Employment |
47(a)(2) |
Special Non-Immigrant |
13(a) |
Spouses' Visa |
Applicants of the Special Resident Retiree's Visa (SRRV) may directly submit their applications to the Philippine Retirement Authority at www.pra.gov.ph
Nationals of the countries listed below who are traveling to the Philippines for business or tourism purposes are allowed to enter the Philippines without visas for a stay not exceeding thirty (30) days, provided (i) they hold valid tickets for their return journey to port of origin or to their next port of destination, and (ii) their passports are valid for a period of six (6) months beyond their contemplated period of stay in the Philippines.
Nationals of Israel and Brazil are visa-free for a period of fifty-nine (59) days from entry, pursuant to existing bilateral agreements with the Philippines.
Upon arrival in the Philippines, citizens of the below-listed countries who wish to stay longer than thirty days can apply for an extension at the nearest BI office. Alternatively, they can submit an application for a temporary visitor's visa at the Philippine Embassy prior to their departure in South Korea.
All other foreign travelers with passports issued by countries not listed below need to secure an appropriate visa before traveling to the Philippines.
Effective 13 April 2015, nationals of India travelling to the Philippines as a temporary visitor may be granted a visa-free entry for an initial stay not exceeding fourteen (14) days, provided they possess the following:
Either a valid Australian, Canadian, Japanese, Singapore, UK, U.S. visa or permanent residence permit;
A national passport valid at least six months beyond the contemplated stay in the Philippines;
Return or onward ticket to the next country of destination; and
No derogatory record with the BI, the National Intelligence Coordinating Agency (NICA), and the International Police (INTERPOL).
The 14-day visa-free entry may be extended by an additional seven (7) days for a maximum of twenty-one (21) day stay. This type of admission cannot be converted to other types of visa categories.
The following are allowed to enter the Philippines for pleasure and recreation purposes (as tourists or to visit friends or relatives), and/or business (of commercial, industrial or professional character) of a temporary nature without a visa for a stay not exceeding seven (7) days, provided they hold valid tickets for their return journey to port of origin or next port of destination and their passports are valid for a period of at least six (6) months beyond the contemplated period of stay:
Holders of British National Overseas (BNO) passports;
Holders of Macao-Portuguese passports; and
Holders of People's Republic of China passports coming for tourism purposes only and with either a valid Australian, Canadian, Japanese, Schengen, or US visa.
The following are allowed to enter the Philippines for pleasure and recreation purposes (as tourists or to visit friends or relatives), and/or business (of commercial, industrial or professional character) of a temporary nature without a visa for a stay not exceeding fourteen (14) days, provided they hold valid tickets for their return journey to port of origin or next port of destination and their passports are valid for a period of at least six (6) months beyond the contemplated period of stay:
Holders of Hong Kong Special Administrative (SAR) passports; and
Holders of Macao Special Administrative Region (SAR) passports.
Beginning 13 June 2024, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) informs the public that Chinese nationals applying for 9(a) Temporary Visitor’s Visa at Philippine Foreign Service Posts will be required to submit their Chinese Social Insurance Record Certificates.
The submitted Certificate must be registered for at least six (6) months at the time of the submission of the visa application. Exceptions to the abovementioned visa requirement will only apply to Chinese nationals currently enrolled in primary, secondary, or college education who will be required to submit proof of enrollment, and retirees above 55 years old.
Visa Category |
Type |
9(a-1) |
Business Visitors For foreign nationals visiting the Philippines temporarily for scientific, commercial, industrial, professional and business purposes, who will not receive any compensation from a company/entity in the Philippines for services rendered in the country. A. For Business Owners
B. For Employees
C. For Dependents
|
9(a-2) |
Tourism or Leisure Visitors Foreign nationals visiting the Philippines temporarily for pleasure or touristic, leisure, religious, recreation, or amusement purposes, or to visit family, relatives, or friends, and staying for a predetermined amount of time. A. General Tourism or Leisure
B. Visiting Filipino Spouse
C. Visiting Filipino Minor Child
|
9(a-3) |
Medical Treatment Visitors For foreign nationals visiting the Philippines temporarily for medical treatment purposes or health reasons, including their escorts.
|
9(a-4) |
Yachtsmen/Sailors For foreign nationals visiting the Philippines temporarily on board a private yacht/sailboat; provided that such temporary visit will not entail an employer-employee relationship with a company/entity in the Philippines or the payment of any compensation in the Philippines.
|
9(a-5) |
Filmmaking Visitors For foreign nationals visiting the Philippines temporarily for movie or documentary filliming purposes; provided that such temporary visit will not entail an employer-employee relationship with a company/entity in the Philippines or the payment of any compensation in the Philippines.
|
9(a-6) |
Journalism Visitors For foreign nationals visiting the Philippines temporarily for news and journalism purposes; provided that such temporary visit will not entail an employer-employee relationship with a company/entity in the Philippines or the payment of any compensation in the Philippines.
|
9(a-7) |
Athletic and Performing Arts Visitors For foreign nationals visiting the Philippines temporarily for athletic and performing arts purposes; provided that such temporary visit will not entail an employer-employee relationship with a company/entity in the Philippines or the payment of any compensation in the Philippines.
|
9(a-8) |
Other Purposes For foreign nationals visiting the Philippines temporarily for purposes other than those cited above; provided that such temporary visit will not entail an employer-employee relationship with a company/entity in the Philippines or the payment of any compensation in the Philippines.
If going to the Philippine to attend a short-term English language course in the Philippines:
|
Type |
Entry Remarks |
Assigned to the diplomatic mission and consular offices in the Philippines, both for entry and duration of assignment/mission |
Visa-free |
Coming for temporary visits (tourism, pleasure, attend seminars, conferences, meetings and negotiations) |
Visa-free; any desired period for the national |