Bureau of Immigration Advisories

FOREIGN NATIONALS WHO MAY ENTER THE PHILIPPINES WITHOUT A VISA

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• Former Filipino citizens, including their foreign spouse and/or children, under Republic Act No. 9174 using Balikbayan Privilege (Balikbayan Privilege | Bureau of Immigration / https://immigration.gov.ph/faqs/visa-inquiry/balikbayan-privilege)

• Visa-free foreign nationals from countries under Executive Order 408, S. 1960, which includes Australia, for stays not exceeding 30 days.

 

For the full list of non-visa required countries under E.O. 408 (includes Australia), please click here - https://dfa.gov.ph/list-of-countries-for-21-day-visa.

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FOREIGN NATIONALS WHO WILL ENTER THE PHILIPPINES WITH A VISA

 

9(a) - Temporary Visitor Visa Applications

 

Click this link to access the Online Visa Application System (OVAS) - https://www.visa.gov.ph. Please note that unqualified applicants who apply will be rejected outright.

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Once the application is submitted, the applicant will receive a visa application receipt confirmation. The applicant may then send by post the documentary requirements listed below, and/or contact the Consulate’s Visa Section (email: sydneypcg.atn@dfa.gov.ph / sydney.pcg@dfa.gov.ph) for the next steps (which may include submission of additional documentary requirements, the conduct of an interview, among others)

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Important reminders when accomplishing the online forms using the OVAS:

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Philippine Visa photo requirements:

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• Plain white or off-white background

• Natural facial expression (no smiling) and both eyes open

• No eyeglasses, earrings, necklace, hat or any head covering the hair or hairline

• Taken full-face view directly facing the camera

• Image pixel dimensions must be in a square aspect ratio (meaning the height must be equal to the width

 

Accomplishing Application Form:

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• The Name (as reflected on the applicant’s passport) Place of Birth, Date of Birth, Age, Country of Citizenship, Sex, Contact Number and other demographic data must be in English Block Letters and for all fields that are not applicable, an instruction of Please Indicate “N/A”.

• Download and save the application in PDF form. User needs to affix his/her signature to the application form.

• User will then be required to upload the Signed Application Form and Passport Data Page. PDF document files and image files PNG and JPEG are the allowed file types

• A visa application receipt confirmation has been sent to your registered email address

 

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VISA REQUIREMENTS (TO BE SENT BY POST):

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1. Signed OVAS-generated visa application form

2. Original Passport. The original passport must be valid for six months beyond the exit date.

3. Itinerary. Photocopy of return flight tickets/itinerary, if available (not necessarily a confirmed flight).

4. Non-Refundable Visa Fee.  Visa fees in postal money order payable to the “Philippine Consulate General in Sydney” (correct amount, no change). Please refer to our website: https://www.sydneypcg.org/schedule-of-fees

5. Other documents. The Consular officer may require additional documents to confirm certain circumstances relating to the applicant’s stay in the Philippines and/or depending on the purpose of the visit. (Bank Statement, Australian Visa, Invitation Letter, International Vaccination Certificate etc.)

6. Self-addressed prepaid express AusPost satchel (envelope) with signature required upon delivery, to be used in mailing out your passport. 

(THE CONSULATE ASSUMES NO RESPONSIBILITY FOR ANY LOSS/DAMAGE IN THE MAIL WHILE THE PASSPORTS/DOCUMENTS ARE IN CUSTODY OF THE POST OFFICE, AS WELL AS DELAY IN THE DELIVERY. CONCERNED APPLICANTS ARE ADVISED TO CHECK THE PROGRESS OF THE SHIPMENT USING THE TRACKING NUMBER INDICATED ON THEIR EXPRESS POST MAILING ENVELOPE). 

 

NOTE: The validity of the Temporary Visitor’s Visa indicates the amount of time that the visa holder must use the visa before it expires, and not the amount of time the holder is allowed to stay in the Philippines. For example, a holder of a Philippine single-entry Temporary Visitor’s Visa, which is valid for 3 months from the date of issue, must use the visa within that 3-month period; it does not mean that the visa-holder is allowed to stay in the Philippines for 3 months.

 

The authorized maximum period of stay granted by the Philippine Consulate to all temporary visitor’s visa applicants is fifty-nine (59) days. If the applicant will stay beyond 59 days in the Philippines, an application for extension of stay must be filed at the Bureau of Immigration in Manila, or the Immigration office nearest to the place where the applicant is temporarily residing.

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9(e), 9(c), 9(g), 47(a2) Visa Applications

Those applying for the following visa types (9e, 9c, 9g, 47a2) will continue to use the paper application form (F.A. Form No. 2)

 

• 9(e) visas - For Diplomats and members of International Organizations, and their dependents accredited to the Philippines 

1. Original valid passport

2. Accomplished visa application form

3. One recently taken photo

4. Tentative itinerary or flight details

5. Third Person Note

6. Copy of marriage certificate, birth certificate for spouse/children

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• 9(e) visas - for FGO with official business for his government with diplomatic immunities and privileges, including their immediate family members

1. Original valid passport

2. Accomplished visa application Form

3. One recently taken photo

4. Third Person Note

5. Tentative Itinerary or flight details

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• 9(c) Visa for Seamen and Crew Members

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        For an Individual joining a vessel in the Philippines (crew change)

1.  Passport valid for at least six (6) months beyond the intended period of stay in the Philippines;

2. Valid Seaman’s Book or Certificate of Competence;

3. Duly accomplished Visa application form

4. Passport Photo (white background) taken within 6 months on the date of application;

5. Sponsorship letter from the shipping company or authorized agent; and

6. A non-refundable visa fee to be paid either in cash or postal money order payable to the “Philippine Consulate General in Sydney”. Refer to Consular Fees. https://www.sydneypcg.org/schedule-of-fees

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       For Crew list (traveling to the Philippines on board the vessel)

1. Passport valid for at least six (6) months beyond the intended period of stay in the Philippines;

2. Valid Seaman’s Book or Certificate of Competence;

3. Duly Accomplished Crew list application form (FA Form No. 60)

4. Letter from the shipping company or authorized agent; and

5. A non-refundable visa fee to be paid either in cash or postal money order payable to the “Philippine Consulate General in Sydney”. Refer to Consular Fees. https://www.sydneypcg.org/schedule-of-fees

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• 9(g) Visa

 

Foreign nationals who intend to come to the Philippines to engage in a long-term employment (more than six (6) months with the Philippine-based employer) must lodge the application before the Bureau of Immigration (BI). The BI will then convey approved applications to the DFA, and will transmit the visa approval to the Philippine Foreign Service Posts concerned for the issuance of 9(g) visa.

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All inbound passengers are required to register through https://etravel.gov.ph/ at least 72 hrs before the intended arrival date. Registration is free.

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For further information on quarantine, testing procedures and international vaccination certificates, please visit the Bureau of Quarantine website at https://quarantine.doh.gov.ph/ or fill out their Contact Us page.

For immigration-related concerns, please contact directly the Bureau of Immigration (BI) in Manila through the following contact details:

 

• Tel. nos.: (+632) 8465 2400; 8524 3769 

• Email: immigPH@gmail.com /binoc_immigration@hotmail.ph

• Website: https://immigration.gov.ph/

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PCG Sydney’s contact details: 

Address: Philippine Consulate General in SydneyAttn: VISA SectionLevel 1, Philippine Centre27-33 Wentworth AvenueSydney, NSW 2000 Email: sydney.pcg@dfa.gov.ph / sydneypcg.atn@dfa.gov.ph (Attn: Visa Section) Website: https://www.sydneypcg.org/visas