Immigration

There are two main types of visas for the Philippines: non-immigrant visas and immigrant visas. In order to travel to the Philippines for short term stays, travelers from eligible countries are required to obtain a non-immigrant visa.

Depending on your country of origin, you may not need a visa for visits of up to 30 days. It is also possible to extend a stay for 30 additional days for a fee. However, in order to enter the country for certain purposes like employment you will need a different type of visa than a tourist visa.

Two Main Types of Visa

Section 9 visas (non-immigrant visas), for temporary visits such as those for tourism, business, transit, study or employment

Section 13 visas (immigrant visas), for foreign nationals who wish to become permanent residents in the Philippines

A. Non-Immigrant Visa

9 (A) Pleasure, business or health
9 (B) Transit
9 (C) Seaman on a ship docking in a port of entry in the country
9 (D) Foreign business traveler
9 (F) Students
9 (G) Pre-arranged employees and their dependents

B. Immigrant Visa

13 Quota immigrants, of which no more than fifty of any one nationality may be admitted within one calendar year
13 (A) The spouse or unmarried child (below 21) of a Filipino citizen
13 (B) Children born during a temporary visit abroad to mothers granted permanent residence in the Philippines
13 (C) Children born after the issuance of the visa of the accompanying parents
13 (D) Women who lost Filipino citizenship by virtue of marriage to a foreign spokes, and her unmarried children
13 (E) Permanent residents returning to the Philippines from a temporary visit abroad to resume permanent residence
13 (F) The spouse and or unmarried children of a foreigner admitted to the country for permanent residence prior to the approval of the Philippine Immigration Act
13 (G) Natural-born Filipinos and their dependents who have been naturalized in a foreign country and wish to permanently reside in the Philippines