For Foreigners : How To Apply For A Visa Waiver And Extension Of Stay In The Philippines

The Philippines (which happens to be where I am from) is such a gorgeous country that you’d never want to leave. You’ll fall in love with the thousands of islands scattered in the sea like tiny gems floating above the turquoise waters, high mountains and rainforests waiting to be conquered, majestic waterfalls some of it you can even jump from, unique rice terraces built by the hands of our elders, caves which is home to stalactites and stalagmites which took hundreds and thousands of years to be built, and most of all, this country is home to very friendly locals-- The Filipinos.

I’m sure you know that 30 days , 14 days , especially 7 days isn’t enough to see everything the Philippines has to offer and I know you’re dying to find out how to extend your Tourist Visa so here it is.

TOURISTS WHO CAN ENTER THE PHILIPPINES VISA-FREE

If you’re married to a Filipino then you might be eligible for the 1-year balikbayan visa-free program of the Philippines.

If not, then Nationals from the following countries are allowed to enter the Philippines without a visa for a period of stay of thirty (30) days or less:

• Andorra

• Angola

• Antigua and Barbuda

• Argentina

• Australia

• Austria

• Bahamas

• Bahrain

• Barbados

• Belgium

• Belize

• Benin

• Bhutan

• Bolivia

• Botswana

• Brazil*

• Brunei Darussalam

• Bulgaria

• Burkina Faso

• Burundi

• Cambodia

• Cameroon

• Canada

• Cape Verde

• Central African Republic

• Chad

• Chile

• Colombia

• Comoros

• Congo

• Costa Rica

• Cote d’Ivoire

• Croatia

• Cyprus

• Czech Republic

• Democratic Republic of Congo

• Denmark

• Djibouti

• Dominica

• Dominican Republic

• Ecuador

• El Salvador

• Equatorial Guinea

• Eritrea

• Estonia

• Ethiopia

• Fiji

• Finland

• France

• Gabon

• Gambia

• Germany

• Ghana

• Greece

• Grenada

• Guatemala

• Guinea

• Guinea Bissau

• Guyana

• Haiti

• Honduras

• Hungary

• Iceland

• Indonesia

• Ireland

• Israel*

• Italy

• Jamaica

• Japan

• Kazakhstan

• Kenya

• Kiribati

• Kuwait

• Kyrgyzstan

• Lao People’s Democratic Republic

• Latvia

• Lesotho

• Liberia

• Liechtenstein

• Lithuania

• Luxembourg

• Madagascar

• Malawi

• Malaysia

• Maldives

• Mali

• Malta

• Marshall Islands

• Mauritania

• Mauritius

• Mexico

• Micronesia

• Monaco

• Mongolia

• Morocco

• Mozambique

• Myanmar

• Namibia

• Nepal

• Netherlands

• New Zealand

• Nicaragua

• Niger

• Norway

• Oman

• Palau

• Panama

• Papua New Guinea

• Paraguay

• Peru

• Poland

• Portugal

• Qatar

• Republic of Korea

• Romania

• Russia

• Rwanda

• Saint Kitts and Nevis

• Saint Lucia

• Saint Vincent and the Grenadines

• Samoa

• San Marino

• Sao Tome and Principe

• Saudi Arabia

• Senegal

• Seychelles

• Singapore

• Slovak Republic

• Slovenia

• Solomon Islands

• South Africa

• Spain

• Suriname

• Swaziland

• Sweden

• Switzerland

• Tajikistan

• Thailand

• Togo

• Trinidad and Tobago

• Tunisia

• Turkey

• Turkmenistan

• Tuvalu

• Uganda

• United Arab Emirates

• United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland

• United Republic of Tanzania

• United States of America

• Uruguay

• Uzbekistan

• Vanuatu

• Vatican

• Venezuela

• Vietnam

• Zambia

• Zimbabwe

*Brazilian and Israeli nationals are given fifty-nine (59) days stay based on existing agreements.

The following are allowed to enter the Philippines without a visa for a stay not exceeding fourteen (14) days:

• Holders of Hong Kong Special Administrative (SAR) passports.

• Holders of Macau Special Administrative Region (SAR) passports.

The following are allowed to enter the Philippines without a visa for a stay not exceeding seven (7) days:

• Holders of Macau-Portuguese passports

• Holders of Hong Kong British passports.

HOW FOREIGNERS CAN APPLY FOR A VISA WAIVER TO EXTEND THEIR STAY IN THE PHILIPPINES?

Who Can Apply For A Visa Waiver or Extension of Stay in the Philippines?

Only tourists admitted for 30 days without a need of a visa are eligible for this.

Where To Apply for the Visa Extension in the Philippines?

You can apply directly at the Bureau of Immigration Main Office. Just look for the Bureau of Immigration Office Building in Magallanes Drive Intramuros, Manila. There are other Immigration Offices which are also authorized to process the Visa Extension all over the country. Click here to see the map.

When To Apply For A Visa Waiver or Extension of Stay in the Philippines?

You should apply at least one week before the expiration of your Temporary Visitors Visa.

Requirements

1) Original Passport;    

2) Duly filled out Application Form;

3) A sworn statement of overstaying, if applicable; and

4) A checklist with complete documentary requirements stated above.

Step-by-step Guide

STEP 1: Get a copy of the Application Form online or at Bureau of Immigration Main Office or other Authorized Office of your choice. Fill it out completely and accurately.

STEP 2: Submit this together with the attachments and your passport at the Officer-in-Charge.

STEP 3: If you do not have derogatory records, a BI Clearance Certificate shall be issued. Otherwise, you have to proceed to the Verification and Certification Unit for Clearance.

STEP 4: Get the Order of Payment Slip and proceed to Cashier for payment. Pay the required fees and get the Official Receipt.

STEP 5: Submit the Official Receipt with the application form, attachments and passport to the receiving/assessment Officer.

STEP 6: Claim your passport. This will now be stamped with the requested Visa Waiver/Extension of Stay.

FAQS

1) Is there a fine for overstaying?

Of course! It’s 500 Php/month.

2) How much is the Visa Extension Fee?

It’s Php 3,030 per application.

3) How long is the Visa Waiver and Visa Extension valid for?

First, you’ll need to apply for a Visa Waiver which would let you stay for another 29 days. Thereafter, you may apply for one (1) month, two (2) months or six (6) months extensions at least one week prior to the expiration of your valid stay.

4) How long can I stay in the Philippines?

Nationals who do not need a visa may extend their stay up to 36 months while Nationals who need a visa may extend their stay up to 24 months. Note that this period is counted from your latest recorded date of arrival in the Philippines.

5) I am gonna contest my overstaying fee or the fact that I overstayed! Is that possible?

Yes, but you have to pay an additional fee of Php 500.

6) Can I send a representative to file for an extension on my behalf?

Yes, but make sure that you make a Special Poùwer of Attorney in his/her favor and he/she should bring a Valid ID.

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