Philippines entry requirements: visa and eTravel

Entry rules depend on your nationality and can change, so this guide explains the general policy and points you to the official sources. Always confirm it there before you fly.

Visa

The Philippines grants visa-free entry for stays of up to 30 days to nationals of more than 150 countries, including most of the European Union, the United Kingdom, the United States, Canada, Australia and much of Latin America. Brazil and Israel have a special agreement that extends the stay to 59 days. The official list of visa-exempt nationalities is on the eVisaPH site. If your nationality isn't listed, you need a tourist visa, the 9a, normally from the Philippine embassy or consulate in your country; the procedure is on the Department of Foreign Affairs site.

What you always need

A passport with at least 6 months of validity from your planned departure date, an onward or return ticket (the inbound ticket isn't enough), and the eTravel registration.

eTravel registration

It's the only mandatory step before flying. You do it at etravel.gov.ph, it's free and filled out online within the 72 hours before your flight. It replaces the old paper arrival card. Every person in the group, children included, needs their own registration linked to their passport. Have it done, or at least saved on your phone, before you queue at immigration.

Visa-free entry can't be extended or converted into another type of visa once you're in the country. If your trip will last longer, sort it out before you leave.

Vaccines

There are no mandatory vaccines if you come from a country without yellow fever risk. If your flight connects through a country with risk, they may ask for the certificate on arrival.

Our recommendation

Check your nationality on the official list, check your passport's validity and do the eTravel a few days beforehand. You'll find the route in our 14-day Philippines itinerary, and when to go in best time to visit the Philippines.