Philippines visa requirements and entry rules

Headline

30 days visa-free for most Western nationalities

Pre-arrival card

eTravel (mandatory)

Official portal

https://eTravel.gov.ph/

Specifics

Visa-free 30 days for U.S., Canadian, EU, UK, Australian, Japanese, most Latin American.
eTravel free; submit within 72 hours before arrival or departure.
Beware paid third-party lookalikes for the free service.

By passport nationality

Headline rule for the nine most-trafficked passport groups. Always confirm on Philippines’s immigration portal before booking; visa policy changes frequently.

US passport
Visa-free
Up to 30 days
Pre-arrival: eTravel
- Visa-free 30 days; eTravel mandatory.
UK passport
Visa-free
Up to 30 days
Pre-arrival: eTravel
- Visa-free 30 days; eTravel mandatory.
EU passport
Visa-free
Up to 30 days
Pre-arrival: eTravel
- Visa-free 30 days for most EU.
CA passport
Visa-free
Up to 30 days
Pre-arrival: eTravel
- Visa-free 30 days.
AU passport
Visa-free
Up to 30 days
Pre-arrival: eTravel
- Visa-free 30 days.
IN passport
Consular visa required
Up to 30 days
Pre-arrival: Philippine consular visa
- Consular visa for Indian passport-holders unless valid US/Canada/UK/Schengen/Australia/Japan visa, which allows visa-free entry.
BR passport
Visa-free
Up to 30 days
Pre-arrival: eTravel
- Visa-free 30 days for Brazilian passport-holders.
JP passport
Visa-free
Up to 30 days
Pre-arrival: eTravel
- Visa-free 30 days.
CN passport
Consular visa required
Up to 30 days
Pre-arrival: Philippine consular visa
- Consular visa unless valid US/Canada/UK/Schengen/Australia/Japan visa.

Practical guidance

For most short-stay tourists

The headline rule for Philippines is 30 days visa-free for most western nationalities. US passport-holders specifically get visa-free for up to 30 days, with eTravel required pre-arrival. See the by-passport block above for your specific nationality.

Pre-arrival documentation

Philippines requires eTravel (mandatory) before boarding. Airlines check this at the gate; without it you will be denied boarding even if your visa is in order. Allow at least 72 hours for processing in case the portal queues, longer if you are travelling on a national holiday in Philippines.

When to apply

For visa-required nationalities, apply at least 4 to 6 weeks before departure. Visa-on-arrival and e-Visa systems process in 1 to 7 days typically but can stall around major holidays or political events; do not book non-refundable travel against a pending application. Philippines’s official portal is etravel.gov.ph; only apply through that portal or through your nearest Philippines embassy or consulate. Third-party visa services charge for what the government provides at cost.

Common rejection reasons

Passport with under 6 months validity from intended exit date. Fewer than two blank visa pages. No confirmed onward or return ticket. Travel insurance not naming Philippines explicitly (Schengen-style coverage minimums apply for many European destinations). Prior visa overstays anywhere, especially in neighbouring countries. Most rejections cite one of these five rather than a substantive concern about the traveller.

Related for Philippines

More on Philippines

Read the Philippines visa and entry requirements chapter →

The Philippines is a 7,600-island archipelago that operates as several different travel destinations depending on where you go. The standard tourist circuit (Manila and Cebu transit hubs, Boracay, Palawan, Bohol, Siargao, the Banaue rice terraces, the diving destinations in Visayas) is broadly safe and well-developed. Mindanao and the Sulu archipelago in the far south carry Do-Not-Travel-equivalent advisories from multiple foreign ministries because of the long-running insurgent and terrorist activity, including a substantial historical record of foreign-tourist kidnappings. The country is also the most-typhoon-hit destination in the world (an average of 20 named storms per year), sits on the Pacific Ring of Fire, and runs a tropical-disease baseline that requires planning. This guide unpacks the entry mechanics, the Mindanao advisory boundary, the typhoon and earthquake calendars, the gastric and dengue discipline, and the practical contacts that shape a Philippine itinerary.

Frequently asked about Philippines

Do I need a visa to travel to Philippines?

The headline rule is: 30 days visa-free for most Western nationalities. Specific allowance depends on your passport nationality; the by-passport block on this page covers the 9 most-trafficked passports (US, UK, EU, Canada, Australia, India, Brazil, Japan, China). Always confirm on Philippines's official immigration portal before booking, visa policy changes frequently.

How long can I stay in Philippines on a tourist visa?

30 days visa-free for most Western nationalities. eTravel (mandatory) is required pre-arrival. For per-passport specifics see the block above. Overstaying carries fines and re-entry bans across most jurisdictions.

Can I extend my visa once I'm in Philippines?

Most countries allow a one-time extension via the local immigration office for an additional 30 to 90 days, processed within 7 to 14 working days. Philippines's policy varies; the safety guide's Getting In chapter covers it where applicable. Apply at least 2 weeks before your existing visa expires.