Philippines Visa for US Citizens- Travel Requirements and How to Apply (2023)

After nearly two years of lockdown, the government restored 30-day visa-free entry tocitizens of 157 countries, including the United States, regardless of their vaccination status. All unvaccinated, partially vaccinated, or fully vaccinated Americans can once again travel to the Philippines.

After 30-days, US citizens can extend their visa for 1, 2, or 6-months for up to 3-years.

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US Citizens don't need a visa to enter the Philippines. The United States is one of157 countriesin the Philippines' visa waiver program exempting US citizens from needing a visa to visit the Philippines fortourismor business.

The US To Philippines Visa Waiver (also called a visa exemption) starts with30 days but allow visa extensions for up to 3 years.

Instead of applying for a visa beforehand, US citizens simply present a valid passport with at least six months of validity to the immigration counter when entering the country.

Note that using a visa waiver still requires US citizens to presentproof of an onward departure ticket.

1. Be a citizen ofa visa-free country(*Hint: The United States is a visa-free country);
2. Fully vaccinated with two approved shots (one shot, if it's the Johnson & Johnson single-dose vaccine) and a valid proof of vaccination; OR
3. Show a negative antigen test result taken no more than 24 hours prior to departure; OR
4. Take an antigen test immediately on arrival at a Philippine airport; AND
5. Buy an airline ticket for proof of onward travel dated no more than 30 days from arrival;
6. Hold an original passport with at least 6-months of validity;
7. eARRIVAL CARD- The One Health Pass has been officially replaced with the electronic ARRIVAL CARD (eARRIVAL CARD). The eArrival card should be filled out 72 hours prior to your trip to the Philippines. The eArrival card is free of charge. If a website is asking for a registration fee, you are on a scam website. Use theofficial eArrival website.
8. Purchasing travel health insuranceis no longer required, but highly recommeded.

Exemptions for Onward Ticket Requirements (#5) and COVID insurance (#8):

• Foreign spouses and unmarried minor children of Philippine citizens;
• Former Filipino citizens entering under Balikbayan privilege (Republic Act No. 9174) and their foreign spouse
  and unmarried minor children when traveling together;
• Foreign citizens with valid immigrant visa, non-immigrant visa (9A visa holders are not included), or special
  visa issued by the Philippine Bureau of Immigration; or
• Minor child under 12 years old is exempt from the vaccination requirement if traveling with a vaccinated American parent

I detail the complete Philippines visa-free entry requirements for US citizens here.

• COVID-19 Trip Insurance-A short-term health insurance plan specifically to meet the Philippines mandatory COVID-19 insurance for tourists to enter the country.
  

Foreigners traveling to the Philippines from the USA must fit one of the following:

1. Have a passport from one of the countries list under (EO 408); OR
2. Hold a valid visa; OR
3. Be a former Filipino national entering the Philippines under Balikbayan Privilege; OR
4. Be a foreign spouse or child of a Filipino citizen traveling with you.
5. As of April 1, 2022anEntry Exemption Document (EED)from the Department of Foreign Affairs is no longer required.

American citizens do not need a visa to stay in the Philippines for 59 days for business or tourism. The requirements for American citizens for other visa types depend on the purpose of your visit. You can check the specific visa requirements in this article on Philippines Visa Types and Policies.

However, the minimum requirements for a long-term Philippine visa include:

1. Completed visa application forms
2. Two recent passport-type photographs with white background
3. Valid passport and photocopies of the passport data page
4. Proof of Sufficient Financial support
5. Clean Police background check
6. Medical examination by a qualified physician
7. Additional documents requested by the Philippine Immigration Officials

US citizens can extend a tourist visa at an eligible BI regional, district, or main office. US citizens entering the Philippines Visa on Arrival or visa-free have up to 30-days before needing an extension. Americans with a 9a temporary visa have up to 59-days before needing an extension.

US citizens must extend their visa at a Philippine Bureau of Immigration (BI) office before their approved time runs out or pay an overstay fine of 500 PHP per month.

You can also download thePhilippines visa extension forms here.

9a Temporary Visitor Visa-Requires you to provide documentary proof of your identity and justification to enter the Philippines. The specific documents vary depending on which Section 9 visa you are applying for. The consular office can change the 9a visa application forms and requirements. Check the Philippine Embassy or Consulate-General with jurisdiction over your state for specifics.

Basic requirements for 9a applications include:

1. Visa application form filled in English
2. Recent passport-type photograph with a white background and no eyeglass or sleeveless attire
3. Original US passport with an expiration date at least six months past your intended period of stay and at least one blank visa page
4. Photocopy of the passport data and amendment pages
5. Proof of financial capability, such as latest monthly bank statement, pay stub, income tax return.
6. An onward travel ticket returning to the US or your next destination outside the Philippines dated no more than 30-days after your arrival.
7. Immigration officials may request additional requirements depending on the initial evaluation results.
8. Visa Cost- $30 for a single entry 9a visa valid for 3-months

13a Permanent Marriage Visa-US citizens with Philippine spouses can apply for a 13a Permanent spousal visa faster and cheaper in the United States than in the Philippines. However, the consular office that processes your visa application needs to conduct an in-person visa interview with you and your Filipino spouse. Unless both are in the US, you will need to apply for the 13a Probationary visa in the Philippines.

The specific 13a visa application forms and requirements depend on the consular office. Check with the Philippine Embassy or Consulate-General with jurisdiction over your state for specifics. Minimum documentary requirements for the 13a application include:

1. 13 Visa application form (FA Form No. 3 downloadable here)
2. Passport style photo (size: 2" x2" inches) with clear white background
3. Applicant's valid passport and two copies of the passport data page
4. Original NSO or Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) Certificate of No Marriage (CENOMAR)
5. Proof of marriage to Philippine Citizen: PSA authenticated Marriage Contract or Philippine Embassy, or Consulate authenticated Marriage Certificate from the United States
6. A PSA authenticated Birth Certificate or a Report of Birth issued by the Philippine Embassy or Consulate with jurisdiction for any minor children.
7. Proof of Filipino Citizenship- Birth certificate of Filipino spouse authenticated by PSA
8. Original passport and copy of Filipino spouse's Philippine passport bio-page.
9. Notarized Proof of Sufficient Funds and Affidavit of financial capacity by visa applicant, with supporting documents (monthly bank statement, investment certificate, etc.)
10. Joint Letter of Request signed by the Filipino spouse, confirming Philippine citizenship and endorsing the visa application of their foreign spouse.
11. Apostilled Clean Police Background Check from your State Police or FBI
12. Medical certificate, examination by a qualified physician, laboratory tests, and x-ray results with standard-sized chest x-ray film.
13. Additional Documents may be requested as necessary
14. Visa payment of $400

Philippines Visa On Arrival-The Visa On Arrival passport stamp acts as a tourist visa allowing US citizens to arrive in the Philippines without applying for a visa ahead of time. I detail the requirements for US citizens to obtain a visa on arrival in theEntry Requirements section above.

13a Spousal Visa-An American citizen married to a Filipino citizen can follow a 3-step process to apply for a 13a Marriage Visa in the Philippines.

1. 1

   Arrive In the Philippines-
   Enter the country on a tourist visa on arrival.

2. 2

   Convert the tourist visa To 13a Probationary Visa-
   Apply at a BI office for a Conversion To Probationary Non-Quota Immigrant Visa 13a.

3. 3

   Amend to 13a Permanent Visa-
   Amend your 13a Probationary to 13a Permanent Residence Visa after one year.

Basic Requirements For 13a visa

1. A Filipino national partner.
2. A valid marriage certificate recognized by the Philippines.
3. Proof you have the financial ability to support yourself and your family.
4. Are a foreigner from this list of 82 countriesthat grant permanent residency and immigration privileges to Filipinos
   

Summary of Process To Covert To A 13a

1. Complete the visa application form (BI FORM CGAF CO-001-Rev 2 downloadable here)
2. Submit the application form and required documents for pre-screening to the BOI Main Office or eligible regional or district office
3. Pay the visa fees with cash. Personal checks, debit cards, and credit cards are not accepted.
4. Wait for an Official Receipt that contains the schedule and location of the hearing and instructions for image and fingerprint capturing.
5. Attend your scheduled hearing
6. Proceed to the ARD Image and Fingerprint Counter and submit requirements for the ACR I-Card application
7. Check the BI website for yourinstructions and requirements for the entire 13a process here .
8. If your 13a visa application is approved, submit your original passport for visa implementation.
9. Pick up your ACR I-Card, when Alien Registration Division (ARD) completes the process.

You can find the complete instructions and requirements for the entire 13a process here.

Special Resident and Retirees Visa (SRRV)-US citizens over 50 can apply for 1 of 4 different types of SRR visa. US military veterans even get special incentives when applying for the SRRV in the Philippines.

Basic requirements for the SRRV are

1. Financial Deposit- the amount varies from $1,500 to $20,000 depending on SRR visa type
2. Valid US Passport- with valid entry visa
3. PRA SRR visa application form (Downloadable here)
4. Medical Clearance-A clear medical report no more than six months old.
5. Police Background Check- State Police or FBI clearance from the United States and Philippine NBI clearance if you have been in the Philippines longer than 6-months

You can read the details of how to apply for the SRRV in this post.

Entering the Philippines visa on arrival is FREE. However, the Bureau of Immigration charges a visa fee to extend a tourist visa or convert a tourist visa to a more permanent one. The total cost depends on the visa type.

Visa Extension After 30 days (Visa Waiver for 29 days)=Php 3, 030. 00

Visa Extension After 59 days (1-month)=PHP 4, 400.00

Click here for a complete schedule of 9a visa extension fees and How-to apply.

Convert To A 13a Marriage Visa = Php 8,620.00

Convert To A 9f Student Visa=PHP 9, 720.

Yes. I can help you with a marriage visa, retirement visa, or work visa? I've partnered with a Philippines Visa Specialist with experiencerelocating embassy personnel and corporate expats since 2011.If you don't want to deal with the hassle and complexity of the visa process, they can help.

My partners are visa specialistscertified by the Bureau of Immigration, Department of Tourism, and the Philippine Retirement Associationto handle your visa application, document submission, local appointments, and much more. They will simply your immigration process and make getting your visa easier.

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