VISA OVERVIEW The Philippine Embassy issues visas to foreign nationals wishing to visit the Philippines. All visa applications must be submitted by mail only, except for 9(A) e-visas (online application) and 9(E) visa applications (by appointment). Former Filipinos and their immediate family members can avail themselves of the Balikbayan visa-free privilege and stay in the Philippines for up to one year without a visa. GENERAL INFORMATION A citizen of a foreign country who seeks to enter the Philippines generally must first obtain a Philippine visa, which is placed in the traveler’s passport. Certain international travelers may be eligible to travel to the Philippines without a visa if they meet the requirements for visa-free travel. The Embassy is unable to guarantee the approval and issuance of visas before the flight schedule. Please do not finalize travel itineraries until after receipt of visas. For the latest travel and entry guidelines, please visit this page. PHILIPPINE VISA POLICY Check if you have a 30-day visa free entry to the Philippines by typing the country that issued your passport. Check for 30-Day Visa Free Entry to the Philippines E-VISA Starting 10 August 2026, the Philippine Embassy in Washington, D.C. is implementing the Philippine electronic-Visa (e-Visa) system in the United States (Alabama, District of Columbia, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Maryland, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia), Anguilla, Antigua and Barbuda, Bahamas, Barbados, British Virgin Islands, Cayman Islands, Dominica, Guadeloupe, Republic of Haiti, Commonwealth of Jamaica, Martinique, Montserrat, Saint Barthélemy, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Martin, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago, and Turks and Caicos Islands. The e-Visa platform currently accommodates applications for the following visa categories: Single-entry 9(a) e-Visa; Multiple-entry 9(a) e-Visa valid for six (6) months; and Multiple-entry 9(a) e-Visa valid for one (1) year. Eligible applicants intending to enter the Philippines for temporary visits are encouraged to lodge their applications online and/or check their eligibility through the official Philippine e-Visa website at evisa.gov.ph. Applications must be lodged with the Philippine Embassy or Consulate General that has jurisdiction over the applicant’s place of residence. Applications lodged with the incorrect Embassy or Consulate General will be cancelled by the automated system. Residents of the United States should use the Consulate Finder to determine the proper post before applying online. The applicable visa fee and processing time are the same as those for the corresponding regular 9(A) visa application. E-Visa fees may be paid through direct bank transfer or money order. A separate $25 convenience fee applies on top of the regular fees for e-Visa applications. Any additional bank charges associated shall be borne by the applicant. The e-Visa’s authorized period of stay cannot be extended. Any revisions or updated details will require a new e-visa application. Approved e-Visas, once issued by the Embassy, can be accessed by holders remotely (e.g., personal computers, laptops, mobile devices, etc.) and may be presented in either digital or printed format. The e-Visa will no longer be affixed to passports. You may view the steps to applying for an e-Visa here. You may report or inquire about issues concerning e-visa applications submitted under the Embassy’s jurisdiction by contacting visa@phembassy-us.org. BALIKBAYAN VISA-FREE PRIVILEGE If you are a former Filipino who is now a naturalized citizen of a visa-free country (under Executive Order 408), you can avail yourself of the Balikbayan Visa-Free Privilege and stay in the Philippines visa-free for a period of one year from the date of arrival in the Philippines. Your family members (spouse and children) with foreign passports can also enjoy this privilege if they enter the Philippines with you and present proof of filiation to the immigration officer. The following documents need to be presented to the immigration officer upon arrival: Former Filipino Citizens: Philippine Birth Certificate or old Philippine Passport. Dual Citizens Using a Foreign Passport: Dual Citizenship Identification Certificate Foreign Spouse: Marriage certificate as proof of relationship. Children: Birth certificate as proof of relationship. Note: Passports must be valid for at least six months upon arrival in the Philippines. If you are a former Filipino who is a naturalized citizen of a visa-required country, you must secure a visa before traveling to the Philippines. NON-IMMIGRANT VISA The Philippine Embassy issues visas to foreign nationals wishing to visit the Philippines for non-immigrant purposes such as sightseeing, sports, health, family reasons, training or study (excluding enrollment in schools for the purpose of obtaining a title or degree), religious pilgrimage, business, cultural and scientific purposes.  Please note that the visa issued is not a guarantee that the holder will be automatically admitted to the country. The admission of foreign nationals into the Philippines is a function of the immigration authorities at the port of entry.  Complete your required documents before submitting your application. Visa applications should be mailed to: Embassy of the PhilippinesVisa Unit1617 Massachusetts Ave NWWashington, DC 20036 9(A) Temporary Visitor’s Visa (Pleasure and Business) Non-Immigrant Visa Application Form: Signed and notarized Passport: Original and one photocopy of the data page, valid for at least six months upon entry. Flight Ticket: Roundtrip or onward ticket out of the Philippines with a departure date within 59 days (for visa-free nationals) or 30 days (for non-visa-free nationals) of arrival.   Photo: One recent 2” x 2” color photo (taken within the last six months) Proof of Financial Capacity: Recent bank statement, employment certificate, or income tax return. Return Envelope: Self-addressed, stamped envelope with a tracking number (use USPS Priority Mail; do not use metered stamps, P.O. Box, or FedEx). Visa Fee: Please refer to the schedule of fees. E-Visa eligible: Yes, please visit evisa.gov.ph. 9(A)-6 Foreign Media Visa and Accreditation Foreign journalists must have a visa and approved media accreditation to visit. Once all application documents are submitted, the Embassy will endorse them to the International Press Center via the Department of Foreign Affairs. To obtain IPC media accreditation and visa clearance, the following documents are required: Non-Immigrant Visa Application Form: Signed and notarized Passport: Original and one photocopy of the … Continue reading Visa