Philippine Tourist Visa: Discovering the Pearl of the Orient

There are more than 7000 islands in the Philippines, and a few days of stay would never be enough to discover the wonder of the whole archipelago. So for foreigners who could never get enough of the beauty of the Pearl of the Orient, the Philippine Tourist Visa is offered.

Technically known as the Temporary Visitor’s Visa or the 9A visa, it gives a non-immigrant status to its holder. For 59 days, the foreigner can legally roam around the streets of the country and prove to himself why Philippines is one of the places to be. It could be a single/multiple-entry visa, depending on the application.

Eligibility

The Philippine Tourist Visa is granted to foreign nationals who wish to come to the archipelago for relaxation and tourism. They should meet the qualifications and requirements set by the immigration laws of the land.

Citizens of countries with which the Philippines has a bilateral agreement may enter the country without this visa. However, if they plan to stay for more than 21 days, an extension of stay shall be filed and the alien nationals will be given additional 38 days of staying in the Philippines.

Requirements

To apply for Philippine Tourist Visa, here are the requirements:

• Visa application form (BI Form No. MCL-07-01)
• Passport, valid for at least six (6) months
• 2x2 photo, recent
• Proof of financial capacity to travel
• Photocopy of round trip plane ticket/confirmed itinerary
• Affidavit of consent/support, signed by at least 1 parent of a minor travelling alone
• Visa application fee: Php3,030

Additional Requirements

For non-restricted nationals who plan to stay in the Philippines for more than 21 days, these are the additional documents needed to be submitted:

• Bureau of Immigration Clearance Certificate
• Visa extension form (BC Form No. MCL-07-02)
• Valid passport
• Visa extension fees

Procedure

Here is a brief process in obtaining a Philippine Tourist Visa:

1. Lodging of the application at a Philippine embassy or Consulate General.
2. Payment of the visa application fee.
3. Processing of the application.
4. Issuance of the visa and release of the passport.

It is generally a very easy process but things may be tricky, especially since there are more actions to be undertaken upon entry to the Philippines. Thus, it is strongly recommended that Philippine Visa applicants seek assistance from experts on such matters. Doing so may cost additional expenses. But it would surely save a lot of time and effort; and would give a better assurance to non-Filipinos of a rightful and uninterrupted travel to the Philippines.