Passports & Visa
A valid passport is required.
Nationals from the vast majority of countries, including all ASEAN countries, can enter the Philippines without a visa for up to 30 days, or obtain a visa on arrival for up to 59 days, as long as they have a return or onward ticket as well as passports valid for a period of at least six months beyond the period of stay. Exceptions to this rule are as listed below:
Nationals of Brazil and Israel may enter the Philippines visa-free for up to 59 days.
Nationals of Hong Kong and Macau – including permanent residents of Macau who hold Portuguese passports – may enter the Philippines visa-free for up to 14 days.
Those who hold British National (Overseas) passports may enter the Philippines visa-free for up to 7 days.
Nationals of China (PRC) traveling as tourists and holding a valid visa issued by Australia, Canada, Japan, the United States or a Schengen Area state may enter the Philippines visa-free for up to 7 days.
Nationals of India holding a valid tourist, business or resident visa issued by Australia, Canada, Japan, Singapore, the United Kingdom, the United States or a Schengen Area state may enter the Philippines visa-free for up to 14 days.
Nationals of Afghanistan, Albania, Algeria, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Bangladesh, Belarus, Bosnia and Herzegovina, China (PRC), Cuba, East Timor, Egypt, Georgia, India, Iran, Iraq, Jordan, Kosovo, Lebanon, Libya, Macedonia, Moldova, Montenegro, Nauru, Nigeria, North Korea, Pakistan, Palestine, Sierra Leone, Serbia, Somalia, South Sudan, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Syria, Taiwan, Tonga, Ukraine and Yemen need to apply for a visa at a Filipino diplomatic mission prior to departure.
If intending to stay beyond the duration of the 30-day visa, you may apply for a visa extension at the Bureau of Immigration (BI) which have offices in most main cities and at Manila and Cebu airports. Extensions are granted up to a maximum of six months per time. but only the (BI) offices in Manila, Cebu and Davao, can give give a 6 month visa extension. most BOI offices only give two months visa extensions. you can keep getting visa extensions up to a stay of (three years). after which foreign nationals wishing to stay longer must go out of the Philippines and then come back to start a new. The 1st visa extension got within the Philippines at a BOI office is from 30 days up to 59 days and cost 3030 =$65. you could also get a 59 day tourist visa from any Philippines Embassy around the world for $30/40. but you need to add on the costs of going to and from the Embassy two times as the visa take 2-3 working days to get.
Visit Philippine Department of Tourism for Visa Information.
Customs
Upon Arriving: Visitors are allowed to bring in duty free personal belongings, two cartons of cigarettes or two tins of pipe tobacco and up to one liter of alcohol. Balikbayans have separate rules and should check with the Embassy or Consulate in their home city.
Currency Regulations
It is illegal for any incoming or outgoing passenger to bring in or out Philippine Pesos in excess of P10,000.00 without prior authoirty from the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas.Any violation of this rule may lead to its seizure and civil penalties and / or criminal prosecution. (BSP Circular 98-1995).
The transportation of foreign currency or monetary instruments is legal.However, the carrying of foreign currency in excess of US$10,000.00 or its equivalent in other foreign currencies must be declared to a Customs Officer or the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas.VIolation of this rule may lead to seizure and sanctions, fines and / or penalties.
Credit Cards
International credit cards such as Visa, Diners Club, Mastercard, and American Express Card are accepted in major establishments.
Medical Services
Hospitals in the country are equipped with modern facilities to meet any medical need. In some remote towns and cities, clinics and health centers provide emergency medical attention. Most hotels and resorts provide medical assistance. Hospitals are listed in the “Yellow Pages” of the local telephone directory.