This is the most important guide on our site to read carefully, and the one most likely to change. Immigration rules in the Philippines are set by the Philippine government and can be updated with little notice. Use this page as a starting point, and always confirm the current rules for your nationality with the Philippine Bureau of Immigration, the Department of Foreign Affairs or your nearest Philippine embassy or consulate before you book.
Visa-free entry for many nationalities
Citizens of many countries can enter the Philippines without a visa for tourism. This includes passport holders from the European Union, the United Kingdom and the United Arab Emirates, who can generally stay visa-free for up to 30 days. That stay can usually be extended at a Bureau of Immigration office in the Philippines if you want to stay longer.
The list of eligible countries, and the length of stay allowed, differs by nationality. Some nationalities are granted shorter visa-free stays, and others need a visa in advance. Check the current list on the official government websites before booking.
If you hold a Russian passport, please check the current rules directly with the Philippine embassy in Moscow or the Department of Foreign Affairs before you travel. We prefer not to give an answer that may be out of date.
The conditions for visa-free entry
Visa-free does not mean condition-free. To be admitted, you will normally need:
- A passport valid for at least six months beyond your intended stay.
- A confirmed return or onward ticket out of the Philippines within the permitted period. Airlines may refuse boarding without one.
- Completed eTravel registration (see below).
Immigration officers can also ask about your travel plans, accommodation and means of support. Having your itinerary and first hotel booking ready on your phone helps.
eTravel: the online arrival registration
All travellers arriving in the Philippines must register on eTravel, the government's online travel declaration system, at etravel.gov.ph. Registration must be completed within 72 hours before your arrival. It asks for your passport details, flight, address in the Philippines and health information, and generates a QR code you may be asked to show at check-in or on arrival.
A few practical notes:
- Registration on the official site is free. Be wary of websites that charge to complete it on your behalf.
- Each traveller needs their own registration, including children.
- Screenshot the QR code in case you have no signal on landing.
Extending your stay
If you entered visa-free and want to stay beyond your initial period, you can usually apply for an extension at a Bureau of Immigration office, including in Manila and in larger cities such as Cebu. Fees apply and change from time to time. Apply well before your permitted stay ends; overstaying leads to fines and can cause problems on departure and on future visits.
If you know in advance that you will stay longer than your visa-free period, ask the Philippine embassy in your country whether applying for a visa before departure makes more sense.
Travelling with children
Children travel on their own passports and need their own eTravel registration. There are additional requirements for minors under 15 who are travelling without a parent, or with only one parent in some situations. These rules are specific, so check them with the Bureau of Immigration or the embassy well before you fly.
Arriving with connecting flights
If you are connecting to a domestic flight on the same day, you clear immigration at your first point of entry, usually Manila or Cebu. Queues at immigration can be long at peak times. Leave plenty of time between your international arrival and any domestic departure.
Other entry requirements
Health and customs requirements change from time to time. Before you go, check:
- Any current health declarations or vaccination requirements, including if you have recently travelled through countries where certain diseases are present.
- Customs allowances, including limits on the amount of cash you can bring in or take out without declaring it.
- Restrictions on bringing in food, plants and animal products.
Where to verify
- The Philippine Bureau of Immigration, which handles entry, stay and extensions.
- The Department of Foreign Affairs, which publishes the list of countries eligible for visa-free entry and visa information.
- Your nearest Philippine embassy or consulate, the best place to ask about your specific situation.
- eTravel at etravel.gov.ph for the arrival registration.
A short checklist before you fly
- Passport valid for at least six months beyond your planned departure from the Philippines, with blank pages.
- Visa-free eligibility (or a visa) confirmed for your nationality on an official government source.
- A confirmed return or onward flight within your permitted stay, saved on your phone and, ideally, printed.
- eTravel completed for every traveller within 72 hours before arrival, QR codes saved offline.
- The address of your first night's accommodation, which you will need for eTravel and may be asked for on arrival.
- Travel insurance details, including cover for diving or surfing if you plan to do either.
- If you are travelling with children, any additional documents the Bureau of Immigration requires for minors.
How we help
When you plan your trip with us, we check the current entry requirements against your nationality and your travel dates, make sure your onward flights satisfy the onward-ticket rule, and remind you to complete eTravel in the 72 hours before arrival. We are travel designers, not immigration advisers, so for anything unusual (dual nationality, long stays, work, study or previous overstays) please speak directly with the Philippine authorities.
