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All Arriving International Passengers Accepted Regardless of Vaccination Status

Following the lifting of the state of public health emergency throughout the Philippines by virtue of Proclamation No. 297 series of 2023, for International Arrivals, the presentation of vaccination status and vaccination certificate for COVID-19 is no longer required. All arriving international travellers are accepted regardless of vaccination status.

e-Travel Customs System

For a seamless travel clearance, arriving and departing passengers can now fill-out the electronic Customs Baggage Declaration Form (e-CBDF) and electronic Currencies Declaration Form (e-CDF), at the e-Travel website at https://etravel.gov.ph/ or by downloading the e-GovPH application within 72 hours prior to arrival or departure from the Philippines. Upon arrival or before departure, passengers will present their passports to the Immigration Officer for e-Travel registration confirmation, and the QR Code to the Customs Officer for clearance. The Bureau of Customs (BOC) reiterates its strict implementation of the rules on cross-border transfer of currencies. Please see Advisory here

How to Apply

All applications, except Seafarer Visa/Crew List Visa (9C), must be completed using the Online Visa Application System (OVAS) through the link: https://www.visa.gov.ph. NOTE: Do not use special characters or letters in the online application. Avoid using a big file photograph. The photograph must be of white background. 

Seafarers/applicants of Seafarer Visa/Crew list Visa (9C), and holders of Alien's Passport, should accomplish this form. To secure an appointment, please use this link.

Only paid applications will be considered for evaluation. Please wait for an email confirmation with respect to your payment.

After the successful completion of your application, you will receive an email in the next 2-3 working days from the Consular Section informing you of the date and time of your appointment. If after 3 days you have yet to receive an email, please send a copy of your online application to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

Visa-Free Entry to the Philippines for Polish, Lithuanian, Latvian, and Estonian nationals

Nationals of Poland, Lithuania, Latvia, and Estonia may avail themselves of visa-free entry to the Philippines, provided they will stay in the Philippines for not more than 30 days. They should have passports valid at least six (6) months beyond the contemplated period of stay in the Philippines, and a return ticket to their country of origin or a ticket to their next country of destination.

Other nationals residing in Poland or neighbouring countries may also avail themselves of this visa-free entry to the Philippines if they are nationals of countries in the List of Countries with visa-free entry privileges to the Philippines.

Entry Type

Single-Entry Visa allows the holder to enter the Philippines only one time and must obtain another visa if he wishes to enter again.

Multiple-Entry Visa allows the holder to enter the Philippines more than once without obtaining another visa, provided said current visa remains valid.

Validity (Valid From to Valid Until)

Single-Entry Visa is valid for three (3) months unless otherwise indicated. This is the inclusive date.

Multiple-Entry Visa is valid for the duration indicated. Visa holders may visit the Philippines at any time during the validity period/ inclusive dates of the visa. He may enter on the Valid From date, not before it, nor after the Valid Until date.

The visa validity starts on the day it is issued, unless otherwise indicated.

Sample : Valid From   22 August 2023              Valid Until   21 November 2023

Period of Stay

This is the maximum number of days a visa holder may stay in the Philippines. He may leave the Philippines on or before the last day allowed but not after.

Example: 30 days

Single-Entry Visa - the visa is valid From 22 August 2023 and Valid Until 21 November 2023. If the visa holder enters the Philippines on 22 August 2023, he has 30 days of stay from that date, unless otherwise indicated by appropriate authorities. If he enters the Philippines on 21 November 2023, he has 30 days of stay from that date, unless otherwise indicated by appropriate authorities.

Multiple-Entry Visa - the holder of this visa enjoys the same period of stay each time he enters the country, provided the visa remains valid, and unless otherwise indicated by appropriate authorities.

Visa Extension

Should the visa holder, while staying in the Philippines, wish to extend his stay beyond the period of stay on the given visa, he must do so before the visa expires and apply at the appropriate Bureau Immigration (BI) office in the country.

Kindly check the Bureau of Immigration website for more information.

Balikbayan: Special visa-free entry for Filipinos and former Filipinos and their families

Filipino and former Filipino citizens, and their accompanying immediate family members, may enter the Philippines without a visa and stay for a period of one (1) year, provided that they have a passport valid for 6 months beyond the intended stay in the Philippines, a return or onward ticket, and proof of former Philippine citizenship of the principal Balikbayan Filipino or former Filipino citizen, like an old Philippine passport, or a Birth Certificate issued by the Philippine Statistics Authority.

Foreigner spouses who are nationals of countries in the List of Countries with visa-free entry privileges, and their minor children, can also enjoy this visa-free entry for a one-year stay privilege only if traveling with the principal Balikbayan Filipino or former Filipino citizen.

Requirements for Temporary Visitor’s Visa (Tourist visa for pleasure or business) 

  1. Actual passport of applicant (valid at least 6 months from return date) and one (1) photocopy of the data page
  2. Completed application using the Online Visa Application System (OVAS) through the link: https://www.visa.gov.ph
  3. Two (2) colored passport-size (35mm x 45mm) photo taken within six months before the date of application, showing a clear front view of the applicant's face, with a white background. A sleeveless attire is not allowed. Blurred or low-quality photos are not accepted
  4. Proof of Financial Capacity (photocopy of latest bank statement and an employment certificate from the employer indicating position and salary, or affidavit of support) (Applicable to applicants for Tourist Visa for pleasure only.)
  5. Letter from employer or sponsor of the trip, indicating its specific purpose or nature and length of stay (inclusive dates) in the Philippines (Applicable to applicants for Tourist Visa for business only)
  6. For minor visa applicants (below 18) traveling on their own, affidavit of support and guarantee from either parent, as well as photocopy of parent's bank statement
  7. Visa processing fee, according to fee schedule  (non-refundable), payable in cash or by bank transfer to "Embassy of the Philippines in the Republic of Poland". Checks and bank credit/debit cards are not accepted. If paying by bank transfer, please add USD 6.00 or PLN 16.00 for the bank service charge.

Additional Requirement for Chinese Nationals - Chinese nationals applying for 9(a) Temporary Visitor’s Visa

Under Foreign Service Circular No. 2024-048 dated 28 May 2024, Chinese nationals applying for 9(a) Temporary Visitor’s Visa are required to submit the Chinese Social Insurance Record, which 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 (they will, in turn, submit proof of enrolment), and retirees above 55 years old.

Temporary visitor visa processing fees 

For nationals of countries that are in the List of Countries (including Poland, Lithuania, Latvia, Estonia):

  1. Single entry valid for three (3) months USD 30.00 or PLN 150,00
  2. Multiple entry valid for six (6) months USD 60.00 or PLN 300,00 
  3. Multiple-entry valid for twelve (12) months USD 90.00 or PLN 450,00

For nationals of countries that are not in the List of Countries with visa-free entry privileges to the Philippines:

  1. Single entry valid for three (3) months USD 40.00 or PLN 200,00
  2. Multiple entry valid for six (6) months USD 80.00 or PLN 400,00
  3. Multiple-entry valid for twelve (12) months USD 120.00 or PLN 600,00

Requirements for 9(c) Seaman’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 Non-Immigrant Visa application form, typed or printed legibly in black or blue ink, and notarized if sent by mail
  3. Travel Itinerary (roundtrip ticket not necessary)
  4. One (1) colored passport-size (35mm x 45mm) photo taken within six months before the date of application, showing a clear front view of the applicant's face, with a white background. A sleeveless attire is not allowed. Blurred or low quality photos are not accepted.
  5. Letter from Shipping Company
  6. Crew List
  7. Visa fee of USD 20.00 or PLN 100,00 (non-refundable), payable in cash or by bank transfer to "Embassy of the Philippines in the Republic of Poland". Personal checks and credit/debit cards are not accepted.  

Note: The Philippine Embassy 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.

Processing Time

Applicants may claim their passports with a visa three (3) working days after application/approval for regular processing.  In urgent cases, when a faster release of the visa is desired, an additional service fee of PLN 50 will be charged for fast / expedited release of visa. The expedited visa may be released on the same day.

Document submission by mail

Once payment is made, applicants who are unable to submit their visa application documents in person must have their duly-accomplished visa application form attested to by a notary public if in Poland, or by the Philippine Honorary Consul General/ Honorary Consul if in Estonia, Lithuania, Latvia, or Ukraine, before submitting by mail the visa application documents to the Embassy.

The applicant will be informed if the visa is available for collection. The applicant is responsible for the collection of the visa from the Embassy. This may be done via a courier with the applicant clearly indicating his/her name and address in the pre-ordered courier service. 

 

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION FOR TRAVELLERS

On Importation of Regulated Products for Personal Use into the Philippines

Per Joint Circular No. 1 dated 22 June 2015 of the Department of Health, Food and Drug Administration, and the Bureau of Customs

Regulated Products

Philippine authorities consider the following items as Regulated Products which travellers may bring into the Philippines without prior clearance from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) only in limited quantities and on the conditions that the items:

  • are for personal use only
  • do not exceed the quantity indicated below
  • are brought into the Philippines either (a) in the traveller’s personal baggage, (b) in a balikbayan box, or (c) in parcel sent through mail or delivery service

The regulated products and respective quantity limitations are as follows:

  1. Assorted cosmetics: 5 kilograms
  2. Bar soap: 2 kilograms comprising different variants (only up to 500 grams of the same variant allowed)
  3. Childcare articles: 5 kilograms
  4. Household hazardous substances (detergent: fabric conditioner: fabric softener: dishwashing liquid): 5 kilograms
  5. Insulin needles and lancets: up to 100 pieces
  6. In-vitro diagnostic products: 1 piece of each type
  7. In-vitro maintenance test strips: up to 100 pieces
  8. Lipstick: 10 pieces comprising different variants (only up to 3 pieces of the same variant allowed)
  9. Lotion: 2 kilograms comprising different variants (only up to 1 kilogram of the same variant allowed)
  10. Medical devices: 1 piece of each type
  11. Over-the-counter drugs: 50 grams
  12. Perfumes: 5 pieces
  13. Prescription drugs, quantity or volume indicated in physician’s prescription (actual prescription must be presented, indicating physician’s license or practice number)
  14. Processed food (including cooked food): up to 10 kilograms
  15. Shampoo: 2 kilograms
  16. Toys: 10 pieces of different variants (only up to 2 pieces of the same variant allowed)
  17. Vitamins: supplements: health supplements intended as maintenance medicine: 500 grams total
  18. Wines, liquor: 2 bottles, but not exceeding 1.5 liters

Any quantity of the above-cited products, whether declared or undeclared, beyond the specified limits which do not have the required Bureau of Customs or FDA-DOH (Food and Drug Administration – Department of Health) Clearance, will be seized and forfeited by the Bureau of Customs.

Fresh or Frozen Unprocessed Foods

Fresh or frozen unprocessed foods – including fresh fruits, frozen meat, fresh fish – even in quantities for personal use, may NOT be brought into or sent to the Philippines without the prior clearance from the Department of Agriculture of the Philippines.

Pesticides

Importation of any household urban pesticides shall require prior FDA (Food and Drug Administration) release.

Dangerous Drugs, Controlled Precursor and Essential Chemicals

Travellers to the Philippines who take prescription drugs (tablets and ampoules) should bring a letter from their physician stating the condition for which they are receiving treatment and the dosage, with English translation. The amount of drugs brought into the country should also be sufficient for the duration of the visit. For those who are travelling onward to another country, they are advised that separate quantities of drugs should be sealed and declared again before exiting the country.

Dangerous drugs, controlled precursors and essential chemicals, and other similar or analogous substances are subject to the regulations of the Dangerous Drugs Board (DDB) and Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA). Please refer to the information on the DDB website on the list of controlled substances: https://ddb.gov.ph/regulatory-control/

If you are uncertain whether the prescription drug you are using is allowed in the Philippines as some drugs are prohibited under Republic Act 9165, please send an email directly to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. and This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. for inquiries, concerns, and clarifications.

On Entry of Pets, Animals, and Household Plants

Please refer to the website of the Philippine Bureau of Customs, Bureau of Animal Industry.