As a Philippines passport holder, I’m sure you understand that while it is fun to circle around the globe, it can be a pain to get visas – or is it? I remember back in the days, I would hear people saying, ‘Na-deny US visa ko e’. And yes, that can be heartbreaking.
To tell you frankly, it’s not that hard to obtain tourist visas nowadays as long as you can prove that you will return to your home country (and no, the bank balance is not the major requirement, the information about your consistent source of income is!!). Another option is by proving that you’re a real traveler then it would be easier for you to get approved for visa applications in Western countries! The best way to do it is by visiting countries that are VISA FREE or VISA ON ARRIVAL!
[box]Other articles you can read:
- 30 Countries That You Can Visit With Your Multiple Entry US Visa In Your Philippines Passport– Updated For 2019!!
- Around the World Trip: Filipina Backpacker Visa Experiences (Visa Free, Visa on Arrival and Visa Required)
- 9 Easiest and Visa-Free Countries to Visit for Filipinos – my ASEAN Travel Tips!
- One year Visa-free Balikbayan Stay in the Philippines for the Foreign Spouse/ Children of Filipino Citizens
- Philippines Tourist Visa – How to Get a Tourist Visa to Visit the Philippines
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VARIOUS TOURIST VISAS EXPLAINED
Imagine a visa like a key. It opens the gates of other countries so you can see and explore the many wonders they hold. Essentially, a travel visa is entry permission containing details like:
- When you can visit a country
- When you must leave
- How long you can stay
- The number of permitted visits; and
- Work rights, among others
As a traveler, a tourist visa is what you should secure. These can be classified according to the method of the issue by your chosen destination:
1. VISA-FREE means you can enter a country without a visa and stay for a particular period of time. You only need a return flight ticket, hotel booking and pocket money for the immigration! The passport must have remaining validity of at least six months.
2. VISA-ON-ARRIVAL (VOA) means you receive a visa to enter the country at the airport where you land. No pre-application is required unless stated in their requirements. An immigration officer grants your visa when you show up and only after any associated visa fees have been paid.
3. VISA-REQUIRED means you have to seek and apply for a visa in the embassy, consulate or approved travel partner before flying into the country of interest. A certain set of requirements may be required to aid in the decision regarding your grant. This may include documents that support your financial ability, medical condition, and previous travel history. More on this later.
4. e-VISA means your visa application is done through the internet. There is no label, sticker, or stamp placed on your passport before travel. Your visa is on the immigration computer and is linked to your passport number.
Below is the list of countries for you to understand this better:
Complete List of Visa-Free Countries For Philippines Passport Holder (and Visa on Arrivals)
ASEAN COUNTRIES (Visa-Free for Filipinos)
Country |
Visa Status |
Visa Cost |
Important Requirements |
| Brunei Darussalam | 14 Days | free | return/onward ticket |
| Cambodia | 30 Days | free | |
| Indonesia | 30 Days | free | |
| Laos | 30 Days | ||
| Malaysia | 30 Days | return/onward ticket | |
| Myanmar | 14 Days | return/onward ticket | |
| Singapore | 30 Days | return/onward ticket | |
| Thailand | 30 Days | return/onward ticket | |
| Vietnam | 21 Days | return/onward ticket |
Rest of ASIA (Visa-Free and Visa on Arrival for Filipinos)
Country |
Visa Status |
Visa Cost |
Important Requirements |
| Armenia | VOA at Yerevan Airport maximum of 120 days or better yet, get an e-Visa | Visa payable in local currency only | |
| Hong Kong | 14 Days | return/onward ticket | |
| Iran | 30 Days but 14 Days at Kish and Qeshm Airport | return/onward ticket | |
| Israel | Up to 90 Days | return/onward ticket | |
| Kyrgyzstan | 30 Days VOA (You must enter through Manas International Airport) | hotel vouchers, return/onward ticket | |
| Macau | 30 Days | return/onward ticket, proof of sufficient funds (at least MOP 5000.-) | |
| Maldives | 30 Days VOA | hotel vouchers or at least USD 100.-, and also USD 50.- per person per day, return/onward ticket | |
| Mongolia | 21 Days | return/onward ticket | |
| Nepal | 90 Days VOA | ||
| Sri Lanka | 30 Days ETA on arrival | return/onward ticket | |
| Taiwan | 14 Days | return/onward ticket |
AFRICA (Visa Free & Visa on Arrival for Filipinos)
30 Days VOA Free
Country |
Visa Status |
Visa Cost |
Important Requirements |
| Cape Verde Islands | VOA | ||
| Comoros | 45 Days VOA | return/onward ticket | |
| Djibouti | 31 Days VOA | ||
| The Gambia | 90 Days | return/onward ticket, entry clearance from the Gambian Immigration prior to travel | |
| Guinea-Bissau | 90 Days VOA | ||
| Kenya | 90 Days VOA | $50 for 30 days | return/onward ticket, at least USD 500 |
| Madagascar | 90 Days VOA | $27 for 30 days | return/onward ticket |
| Mauritius | 60 Days VOA | ||
| Morocco | 90 Days | free | return/onward ticket |
| Mozambique | 30 Days VOA at Beira, Nampula, Maputo, Pemba, Tete and Vilankulo Airports | $50 for 30 Days Single Entry | return/onward ticket, sufficient funds to support their stay, and proof of purpose of visit |
| Rwanda | 90 Days | $50 for 30 days | |
| Senegal | 90 Days VOA | official invitation letter, return/onward ticket | |
| Seychelles | 90 Days VOA | return/onward ticket, sufficient funds (minimum of USD 150.- or equivalent per day), proof of accommodation during the stay | |
| Tanzania | 30 Days VOA | $50 for 30 days | return/onward ticket |
| Togo | 7 Days VOA | return/onward ticket, 3 passport photos | |
| Uganda | VOA | $50 for 300 days | return/onward ticket, contact details of a person or organization in Uganda and an address and phone number of the place of stay in Uganda, proof of the purpose of stay and sufficient funds to cover the stay, documents required for the next destination |
| Zambia | E-Visa – Preapproved | $50 | return/onward ticket |
CENTRAL AMERICA (Visa Free & Visa on Arrival for Filipinos)
I will update this list especially for those with a valid tourist visa from Western countries – if you do have it, all countries in Central America are visa-free for you!
Country |
Visa Status |
Visa Cost |
Important Requirements |
| Costa Rica | 90 Days | free | return/onward ticket |
| Nicaragua | 90 Days VOA | $50 | return/onward ticket, Tourist Card on arrival |
CARIBBEAN (Visa Free & Visa on Arrival for Filipinos)
I will update this list for Valid Visa Holders of the UK, USA, Canada, or Schengen visas! Most of the countries in the Caribbean will also allow you to stay for up to 48 hours visa-free if you will be going on a Cruise ship!
Country |
Visa Status |
Visa Cost |
Important Requirements |
| Anguilla | 21 Days (Visa Required) | ||
| Dominica | 21 Days | ||
| Haiti | 90 Days | return/onward ticket, an address (place of stay) in Haiti | |
| Saint Vincent and The Grenadines | 30 Days |
EUROPE (Visa Free & Visa on Arrival for Filipinos)
I will update this list for OFWs working in the Middle East/ GCC countries where you get the perks of traveling to some countries visa-free because of your residency!
Country |
Visa Status |
Visa Cost |
Important Requirements |
| Georgia | 30 Days E-Visa | return/onward ticket, proof of health insurance, sufficient funds to cover the stay | |
OCEANIA/PACIFIC ISLANDS (Visa Free & Visa on Arrival for Filipinos)
Country |
Visa Status |
Visa Cost |
Important Requirements |
| Cook Islands | 31 Days | return/onward ticket | |
| Fiji | 120 Days | return/onward ticket, visitors permit | |
| Marshall Islands | 90 Days VOA | ||
| Micronesia | 30 Days | ||
| Nauru | return/onward ticket, entry permit (visa letter) | ||
| Niue | 30 Days | return/onward ticket | |
| Palau | 30 Days VOA | proof of sufficient funds to cover the stay (USD 200.- per week), documents required for their next destination | |
| Papua New Guinea | 60 Days VOA at Port Moresby and Rabaul Airports | return/onward ticket | |
| Samoa | 60 Days Visitor’s Permit on arrival | return/onward ticket | |
| Tuvalu | 30 Days VOA | return/onward ticket | |
| Vanuatu | 30 Days | return/onward ticket |
SOUTH AMERICA (Visa Free & Visa on Arrival for Filipinos)
Country |
Visa Status |
Visa Cost |
Important Requirements |
| Bolivia | 90 Days | ||
| Brazil | 90 Days | return/onward ticket | |
| Colombia | 90 Days | return/onward ticket, proof of sufficient funds to cover the stay, confirmed hotel reservation | |
| Ecuador | 90 Days | ||
| Peru | 183 Days | return/onward ticket | |
| Suriname | 90 Days | return/onward ticket |
Requirements Common to Visa Applications
Each country that processes a visa for travelers has a unique set of requirements for application. However, there are common documents that you must prepare wherever you are hoping to visit. Have these in advance to expedite your application:
- A passport valid for at least six months.
IMPORTANT: Check the expiry date of your passport and count six months backward.
- Previous visas
- Filled out visa application form
- Cash
QUICK TIP: Check if you can download the form on the website of your destination country or if you can fill it out online.
- Passport photos. See any particular specifications from the embassy website.
- Proof of sufficient financial means. Examples include bank statements, investments, assets, employment contracts, or income tax returns. Read More: Our guide on SHOW MONEY
- Roundtrip reservation or itinerary including exact dates and flight numbers specifying entry and exit from your destination country. Read More: Our Guide on Refundable Flight Reservation
- Proof of accommodation for the whole duration of the intended stay. Read more: Our guide on Booking for Refundable Hotel Reservations
- A letter of invitation and support, if visiting friends or relatives, as well as the contact information of said friends or relatives.
- Medical or travel insurance
- Payment/ Fees
This is only a general guide and not an exact list. Each country has a unique set of visa requirements that you can view from its website.
CLICK THIS FOR THE DIRECTORY of VISA APPLICATIONS GUIDES & TIPS for FILIPINOS
MOST READ ARTICLES:
- List of Countries you can visit if you’re based in Dubai / UAE
- Guide on How to get a UK Visa – Tourist, Marriage & Residency
- Guide on How to get a USA Tourist Visa
- Guide on How to get a Schengen Visa (for Europe travel!)
- Guide on How to get an Australia Tourist Visa
- Guide on how to re-apply for a Schengen visa if you get rejected – Remonstrance Process of Schengen Visa
- 30 Countries You Can Visit if you have Valid USA visa on your Philippines Passport
- Guide on How to get Japan Visa
- Guide on How you can travel to visa-free countries around the world based on my travel experiences to over 121 countries (as of December 1, 2018)!
FOR MORE INFORMATION, I ALSO ATTACHED HERE A SCREENSHOT FOR SOME MORE DETAILS. YOU CAN ALSO CHECK THE UPDATED VERSION DIRECTLY ON WIKIPEDIA.
COUNTRIES organized per region.
Visa requirements for Philippine citizens are organized alphabetically per country (according to Wikipedia)
VISA FOR FILIPINOS FOR OTHER TERRITORIES:
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