Visas for Manila Philippines
Passport control at Manila Airport is straightforward
The Philippines Bureau of Immigration has a set of laws anyone who plans to visit the country should be familiar with. Visas are generally required, and depending on your purpose and how long you intend to stay, certain types of visa may be applicable to you. It is best to make the necessary arrangements prior to your travel to the Philippines to avoid unnecessary delays and problems.
Non-Immigrants in Manila
People who plan to stay in the country temporarily are non-immigrants. They can be seamen, tourists, diplomats, transients, investors, foreign dignitaries, students and pre-arranged employees.
Tourist Visas in Manila
The tourist visa is perhaps the most common type of visa and is obtained by those who would be staying in the country for more than 21 days (if you plan to stay less than 21 days, you don’t need a visa). Before arriving you can file for a 59-day visa at the Philippine Consular Office that covers your area. If you are already in the Philippines, you can file for a 38-day waiver, which would make your period of warranted stay equal to 59 days.
Take note that tourists visas cannot be used by those who seek employment in the country, as well as those who plan to set up a business or take an educational course. Aside from relaxation and pleasure, tourist visas can be used for exploring possible areas of investment, or recover from an injury or illness provided it's not contagious.
Pre-arranged Employment Visa
This is a working visa required of those who are coming to the country to engage in a legal occupation, which is marked compensation and a legitimate employer-employee relationship.
Treaty traders/Investors Visa
This is the visa required for foreigners entering the Philippines with the sole purpose of carrying on commerce and trade between the country and their origin. There is also the Special Investors visa, which has its own set of requirements.
Don't lose your passport!
Student Visa
This is the visa for students older than 15 who have enough means to support their education in the Philippines, and who intend to stay only to take an educational course higher than secondary education at a university, academy, seminary, college or school allowed by the Commissioner of Immigration to accept alien students.
Seaman Visa
This is available for a seaman working in a vessel that would be arriving at any of the ports of the Philippines, and is seeking temporary stay in order to fully perform his duties as a seaman.
Extension of Non-Immigrant Visas in Manila
Those who plan to extend their visa, place a visa waiver, or change their status must file an application at the Bureau of Immigration. The application forms might be submitted in the main office located in Manila or in any of the numerous sub-ports scattered all over the country. The applicant is not required to always show-up during filing. For convenience, the forms can be downloaded online. There are specific forms for specific situations, so if you are not sure which one to get, it would be best to check out the Bureau of Immigration’s website for further clarification.
The BI form RBR 98-02 is for those temporary visitors entering the country without a visa and who wish to apply for a visa waiver, those who have a 59-day visa and who wish to extend their stay and for former Philippine citizens who came to the country with a one-year Balikbayan status and who want to stay longer.
Another commonly used form is the BI form RBR 98-01, which is used for purposes that include recognition as a Filipino citizen, change of status, amendment from probationary to permanent resident, extension of investor or temporary resident visa and cancellation of alien registry.
Immigrants in Manila
Foreign nationals who stay in the Philippines for good without having to renounce their citizenship are classified as immigrants. Take note that in the Philippines, only foreigners who come from a country that also allows Filipinos to be immigrants are permitted to be immigrants themselves.
Quota Immigrant Visa
This is for those who do not qualify for the non-quota immigrant visa. For a specific country, the Philippines has a set quota of 50 for one calendar year.
Non-Quota Immigrant Visa
This is applied for by those who seek to gain permanent stay in the Philippines for reasons that include marriage, or as a returning resident. To be specific, it is for a foreign spouse or an unmarried child not over 21 years, for a foreigner who has been legally granted with permanent stay and is only returning from a temporary visit abroad, and for a natural born Filipino citizen who has been naturalised in another country and is returning for permanent residence.
Balikbayan Status
This is for former citizens of the Philippines who are only visiting the country. This form of entry is valid only for a year. After that set legal period, the balikbayan would have to settle some monthly extension fees for certain certificates, like Alien Certificate of Registration and Head tax.
Special Investors Resident Visa
This is available for those who are not younger than 21 years and who have the intention of investing in some valid economic activities, establishments, and tourist-related projects.
Exit clearances in Manila
Exit clearances can be arranged only in any of the five regional offices of the Bureau of Immigration, as sub-ports cannot process such permits. Fees and conditions apply and are subject to change. An exit clearance permit is required for tourists who stayed in the country for 59 days up to 6 months, for tourists who are in the country for more than 6 months, and for permanent residents who would be leaving the country.
