U.S. citizens require a valid visa to travel to the Philippines. In this blog, you'll find all the important information about the Philippines visa, which you must go through before traveling to the country.
Here's a list of the most relevant visa information about the Philippines:
Type of visa for tourism: Philippines Tourist visa
Visa fees: 30 USD
Visa processing time: 2-10 working days
Visa validity: 3 months
Do US Citizens Need A Visa For The Philippines In 2023?
US Citizens do not need a Tourist Visa for the Philippines if they do not plan to stay in the country for more than 30 days. But there are requirements and documents you will still need to have to travel to.
If you would like to stay in the Philippines for a longer amount of time, you will need to apply for the Philippines Tourist Visa, which I will discuss in this blog.
How To Complete Your Philippines Visa In 10 Minutes
If you are looking to travel to the Philippines anytime soon but are stressed about the Philippines Visa application process or about what documents you need, then you have come to the right place!
There is a solution to all your stress and worries; download Atlys. The app will show you how to get a Philippines Visa from the USA, all in the comfort of your own home, in less than 10 minutes.
An Overview Of The Philippines Visa For US Citizens
We will take an in-depth look at the Philippines Visa for US citizens to help you better understand the whole process of the visa.
What Is The Philippines Visa And Why Do I Need It?
The Philippines Tourist Visa is a travel permit granted to foreign nationals by a consular officer at a Philippine Embassy or Consulate. The Tourist Visa is an entry requirement for several countries.
However, the issuance of a visa does not guarantee that you will be allowed to enter the Philippines. The final decision is up to the Immigration Officer at the entry point.
The Philippines Tourist Visa is a short-term visa, and you can apply for one if you are traveling for:
Tourism or sightseeing.
Medical treatment.
Conducting business.
Attending a sports, cultural or academic event.
Visiting family and friends
Any other short-term purpose which does not require you to work.
Passport holders from many countries don't have to apply for a visa to enter the Philippines. These countries are known as visa waiver countries, including the US.
Is There A Philippines eVisa For US Citizens?
No, unfortunately, there is no eVisa available for US citizens wanting to travel to the Philippines.
Therefore you will need to apply for the standard Philippines Tourist Visa at the Embassy or Consulate.
Can US Green Card Holders Get A Philippines Visa?
Yes, US Green Card holders can apply for a Philippines visa. The requirements and application process for a Philippines visa will depend on the purpose of your visit, the length of stay, and other relevant factors.
What Are The Philippines Visa Fees?
The Philippines Visa fee for US citizens when you wish to stay for up to 59 days, you will need to pay a visa fee depending on the visa type you apply for.:
For a Single Entry Visa valid for 3 months: 30 USD
For a Multiple Entry Visa valid for 6 months or 12 months: 60 USD or 90 USD
What Is The Philippines Visa Processing Time?
It takes 2-10 working days to process your Philippines Tourist Visa for US citizens. The visa processing time depends on the Embassy or Consulate you applied at.
Whether you have all your documents in order or not can also affect the processing time of your Philippines Tourist Visa for US citizens application.
How Long Can I Stay In Philippines?
As a US citizen, you can stay in the Philippines for up to 30 days without needing a visa.
However, if you wish to stay for more than 30 days, you will need to obtain a visa from a Philippine embassy or consulate in the USA before going to the Philippines.
You will be issued a three-month Single-Entry Visa and a six-month or one-year Multiple-Entry Visa.
Visitors are permitted to stay for a maximum of 59 days per visa (meaning if you have a Multiple-Entry visa, you will need to exit and re-enter the Philippines within 59 days in the country).
What Is The Philippines Visa Validity?
A tourist visa, also known as a temporary visitor's visa, is valid for 3 months (90 days) from the date of issuance.
The visa allows the holder to stay in the Philippines for up to 59 days from the date of entry.
What Are The Philippines Visa Requirements For US Citizens?
There will always be visa requirements. The documents must be either in English or Filipino when you submit them. If they aren't, you must have them translated by a professional translator.
What Are The Required Documents For A Philippines Visa?
You'll need certain documents to apply for your Philippine Tourist Visa.
Depending on where you apply, you may have to submit a copy and the original of a document.
The visa requirements are the following:
Philippines Visa application form. Completely filled out and signed. You can get your application form at the Philippines Embassy or Consulate you apply at.
A valid Passport. Your passport must be valid for at least another 6 months beyond the intended period of stay in the Philippines.
Passport-size pictures, The Atlys app will help you get a perfect picture.
Reserved return flight ticket or a flight ticket for onward travel.
Proof of financial means to cover the duration of your stay in the Philippines (payslips or bank statements).
Proof that you paid the application fee or visa fee (payslip).
Proof of accommodation in the Philippines, like hotel reservations.
A letter of invitation if you are visiting family or friends.
Proof of employment
If you are traveling as part of a journalistic group, you need to provide your CV, the background of your hiring company, a planned itinerary, a list of members on the team, and proof of an article you wrote.
Acceptable proof of vaccination against COVID-19, i.e., CDC vaccination record card, state-issued vaccine records.
Any other documents that the Philippine Embassy or Consulate requires.
Other documents like birth certificates, marriage certificates, and diplomas issued in your country of origin must be verified and authenticated at the Philippine Embassy in your country before submitting them.
Proof Of Employment Requirements
Along with the rest of the required documents, you must provide proof of employment based on your status:
If you are employed: Letter from your employer.
If you are a student: Letter from your educational institution.
If you are self-employed: Business registration certificate with income tax returns.
What Are The Passport Requirements To Travel To Philippines From The US?
The passport requirements are quite simple.
It must be valid for 6 months after your date of departure from the Philippines
Must have 2 black pages
It can't be valid for more than 10 years
What Are The Photo Requirements For A Philippines Visa?
There are specific requirements you must meet when you take your passport picture.
These requirements are:
Dimensions: 35 mm x 45 mm
The picture should be in color, not black and white.
Taken against a white background.
It should be a recent photo, not older than 6 months.
Your face must be visible.
If you are stressed about the photo requirements, you can use the Atlys photo tool to get just the right visa photo.
What Are The Required Documents For Minors For A Philippine Tourist Visa?
There are visa requirements when a minor is traveling to the Philippines.
When the minor is traveling alone, they need the following documents:
Birth certificate of the minor.
A Waiver of Exclusion Ground (WEG) under section 29(a)(12) of the Philippine Immigration Act of 1940.
Parent or legal guardian's valid passport.
Flight itinerary for the minor.
Authorization for the minor to travel to the Philippines, issued by their parent or legal guardian and notarized by a Notary Public or a Philippine Consulate or Embassy.
Bank statements of the parent or legal guardian issued in the last month.
Waiver Of Exclusion Ground
The Bureau of Immigration (BI) issues the WEG at the port of entry upon arrival.
The minor needs the following documents:
Affidavit of consent by either parent or legal guardian of the child, naming the person who will accompany the child to the Philippines and with whom the child will stay during their trip. Notarize the affidavit through a local Notary Public or the consular officer at the Philippine Embassy in your country of residence.
Payment of Immigration fees.
What Are The Minimum Financial Requirements To Travel To the Philippines From The US?
According to the Philippine Government, tourists will need at least 1000 USD to travel to the Philippines.
How To Apply For The Philippines Visa?
You can apply for your Philippines Tourist Visa in a number of ways. First, you must check your eligibility to choose which way you want to apply.
I will discuss each application process so that you can decide which will work best for you.
How To Apply For The Philippines Visa On The Alys App
When you apply for your visa using Atlys, you won't need to worry about all the nitty-gritty details. Atlys makes the whole visa application process effortless and extremely easy. You’ll have to follow the below steps.
Start your Application: You can apply now by downloading the app and searching for the Philippines.
Travel details: Click on Continue after selecting the type of visa you wish to apply for. Select the travel dates and how many people you are applying for.
Take a Photo: Take the visa photo directly on the app, or upload an existing photo from your gallery. The app will crop and adjust your photo to meet the visa requirements.
Submit Your Documents: The information and the passport copy will be saved on the app for future applications. Fill out the required details, such as your name and passport number.
Review: You should review your application before proceeding. Atlys, however, has an auto-review system that checks the information.
Check out: You can pay for the relevant visa fees using your chosen card on the app and submit your application. You will only need to wait for approval after you have paid the visa fees.
How To Apply For The Philippines Visa For US Citizens?
Now we will take a look at how to apply for the Philippines Visa through the Embassy; otherwise, the second easiest way to apply.
But let me show you how to apply at the Embassy with a step-by-step guide.
Step 1: Find Your Philippines Embassy Or Consulate In The US
The first thing you need to do is find the Philippines Embassy or Consulate in the United States. Then, contact them to schedule an appointment and learn about any specific Philippines Visa application process requirements.
You will need to get the application form from the Embassy.
Step 2: Submit Your Application
Submit your Philippines Visa at the Embassy or Consulate you visited, as well as all the required travel documents to the Embassy or Consulate in person.
Parents or legal guardians can submit their children's (younger than 18 years) applications on their behalf. Then wait for the Embassy to process the Philippines Visa application form.
Additional documents may be asked for, so keep that in mind.
Step 3: Pick Up Your Visa
If they grant your visa, you must pick up your passport at the Philippines Embassy or Consulate to which you applied at. Your passport will have your visa affixed to it.
Authorities will notify you via email or phone number if your Philippines Visa has been approved.
What Happens When I Arrive In Philippines?
Once you exit the aircraft and walk into the terminal building, the Immigration, Philippines procedure will begin.
All of your travel documentation should be with you at all times.
When arriving by air, you must appear before the immigration Philippines officer at the border entry. You'll be questioned about your trip to the Philippines and asked to describe its purpose. You have to make sure you have everything with you on your own.
This procedure at the border requires a visa, passport, boarding card, and other necessary documents such as a bank account/bank statement, cover letter, and details for your accommodation.
The immigration officer will stamp your passport, indicating your circ*mstances and the length of your stay in the Philippines.
Happy Travels
You have now successfully applied for your Philippines Visa for US citizens and are familiar with the conditions of your stay in the Philippines as a tourist.
Therefore, you can finally start packing your bags and planning your trip to the Philippines.
So, enjoy your visit and explore the Philippines.
Happy traveling!
Government Sources
The information in the blog was all gathered from trusted government websites:
This post was written with the help of A.I. to make it easy to read.
