Who Qualifies
157 nationalities qualify for the Philippines visa-on-arrival under EO 408. The list covers essentially every Western country (US, UK, all EU/Schengen, Canada, Australia, New Zealand), all of ASEAN, Japan, South Korea, plus most of Latin America, the Gulf states, and a healthy chunk of Africa.
Notable exceptions who DO need a 9(a) tourist visa in advance: China (PRC, with some special-case 30-day arrangements), India (electronic visa pilots ongoing), and a small list of African nations. Always check immigration.gov.ph the week of your trip — the list adjusts.
🧮
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The 30-Day Default
Visa-free entry gives you 30 days from the date of arrival. The clock starts the day you land. If you land on April 1, your last legal day is April 30. Day 31 is overstay (fine: ₱500/$9 per month plus a ₱2,000/$36 motion-for-reconsideration fee).
Brazilian and Israeli passport holders get an automatic 59 days instead of 30 — a treaty quirk. Everyone else: 30 days.
What to Bring
- Passport valid 6+ months beyond your stay
- Return or onward flight ticket (printed)
- Proof of accommodation for at least the first night
- Sufficient funds (₱40,000 / $720 per week is a safe assumption — they almost never check, but they can)
- Filled-in eTravel arrival card (etravel.gov.ph) — required, completed online before flight
At the Airport
Steps after landing: 1) eTravel QR code scanned at the kiosk before queue, 2) Immigration counter — they stamp 30-day visa-free entry into your passport, 3) Customs declaration if you have over $10,000 USD or restricted items. Total time: 30-90 minutes depending on terminal and time of day.
📱 Tip: Complete your eTravel form online before landing — etravel.gov.ph. It saves 15-20 minutes of fumbling at the kiosk.
Extending Your Stay
You can extend your 30-day visa-free stay at the Bureau of Immigration. The fee structure as of 2026:
| Extension | Cost (PHP) | Cost (USD) | Adds |
|---|
| First 29-day extension | ₱3,030 | ~$54 | 29 days |
| Second extension (1-month) | ₱4,000 | ~$72 | 30 days |
| Long-term (2-month chunks) | ₱4,000 | ~$72 | 60 days each |
| Annual report (after 1 year) | ₱310 | ~$5.50 | administrative |
Bring: passport, return ticket, completed BI form, fee in cash. The main BI office is in Intramuros, Manila, but every major city has a satellite branch. Lines are shortest first thing Monday-Wednesday.
Beyond 36 Months
After 36 months in-country on tourist extensions you must leave (any country counts) and return. Most long-term tourists do a quick weekend trip to Hong Kong, Singapore, or Bangkok and re-enter to reset the 36-month clock.
When You Need a 9(a)
If you are not on the visa-free list, or you want a longer initial stay (3 or 6 months), apply for a 9(a) tourist visa at your nearest Philippine consulate before flying. See our 9(a) guide for the full process.
🧮
Philippines Trip Cost Calculator
Want a personalised estimate for your own trip? Get an instant breakdown by style, season and islands.
Who Qualifies
157 nationalities qualify for the Philippines visa-on-arrival under EO 408. The list covers essentially every Western country (US, UK, all EU/Schengen, Canada, Australia, New Zealand), all of ASEAN, Japan, South Korea, plus most of Latin America, the Gulf states, and a healthy chunk of Africa.
Notable exceptions who DO need a 9(a) tourist visa in advance: China (PRC, with some special-case 30-day arrangements), India (electronic visa pilots ongoing), and a small list of African nations. Always check immigration.gov.ph the week of your trip — the list adjusts.
🧮
Philippines Trip Cost Calculator
Want a personalised estimate for your own trip? Get an instant breakdown by style, season and islands.
The 30-Day Default
Visa-free entry gives you 30 days from the date of arrival. The clock starts the day you land. If you land on April 1, your last legal day is April 30. Day 31 is overstay (fine: ₱500/$9 per month plus a ₱2,000/$36 motion-for-reconsideration fee).
Brazilian and Israeli passport holders get an automatic 59 days instead of 30 — a treaty quirk. Everyone else: 30 days.
What to Bring
- Passport valid 6+ months beyond your stay
- Return or onward flight ticket (printed)
- Proof of accommodation for at least the first night
- Sufficient funds (₱40,000 / $720 per week is a safe assumption — they almost never check, but they can)
- Filled-in eTravel arrival card (etravel.gov.ph) — required, completed online before flight
At the Airport
Steps after landing: 1) eTravel QR code scanned at the kiosk before queue, 2) Immigration counter — they stamp 30-day visa-free entry into your passport, 3) Customs declaration if you have over $10,000 USD or restricted items. Total time: 30-90 minutes depending on terminal and time of day.
📱 Tip: Complete your eTravel form online before landing — etravel.gov.ph. It saves 15-20 minutes of fumbling at the kiosk.
Extending Your Stay
You can extend your 30-day visa-free stay at the Bureau of Immigration. The fee structure as of 2026:
| Extension | Cost (PHP) | Cost (USD) | Adds |
|---|
| First 29-day extension | ₱3,030 | ~$54 | 29 days |
| Second extension (1-month) | ₱4,000 | ~$72 | 30 days |
| Long-term (2-month chunks) | ₱4,000 | ~$72 | 60 days each |
| Annual report (after 1 year) | ₱310 | ~$5.50 | administrative |
Bring: passport, return ticket, completed BI form, fee in cash. The main BI office is in Intramuros, Manila, but every major city has a satellite branch. Lines are shortest first thing Monday-Wednesday.
Beyond 36 Months
After 36 months in-country on tourist extensions you must leave (any country counts) and return. Most long-term tourists do a quick weekend trip to Hong Kong, Singapore, or Bangkok and re-enter to reset the 36-month clock.
When You Need a 9(a)
If you are not on the visa-free list, or you want a longer initial stay (3 or 6 months), apply for a 9(a) tourist visa at your nearest Philippine consulate before flying. See our 9(a) guide for the full process.
🧮
Philippines Trip Cost Calculator
Want a personalised estimate for your own trip? Get an instant breakdown by style, season and islands.