Philippines — Passport and Visa Information
Passports
| Country | Passport Required | Visa Required | Return Ticket Required |
|---|---|---|---|
| Other EU | Yes | No | Yes |
| USA | Yes | No | Yes |
| Canadian | Yes | No | Yes |
| British | Yes | No | Yes |
| Australian | Yes | No | Yes |
Passports valid for a minimum of six months beyond intended length of stay required by all nationals referred to in the chart above.
Visas
Not required by nationals referred to in the chart above providing for stays of up to 21 days for either tourist or business purposes.
Visa Note
(a) Tourists wishing to stay longer than 21 days may either obtain a visa in advance, or apply for an extension once in the Philippines at any Bureau of Immigration (www.immigration.gov.ph). The standard is an extension to 59 days, although longer extensions are available. (b) Nationals not referred to in the chart above are advised to contact the embassy to check visa requirements (see Important Addresses).
Types of Visa and Cost
A 21-day visa costs £22 for British passport holders.
Working Days Required
Processing of a mailed-in application takes three working days from the date of receipt of the application. Processing a walk-in application usually takes two or three working days.
Travel Warnings
Travelers are advised against all travel to Mindanao and the Sulu archipelago because of ongoing terrorist and insurgent activity.
There is a high threat from terrorism throughout the Philippines. Terrorist groups continue to plan attacks and have the capacity and the intent to carry out these attacks at any time and anywhere in the country. Attacks could be indiscriminate, including in places frequented by expatriates and foreign travelers.
There is a threat from kidnapping in the Philippines. A Swiss national was kidnapped in Zamboanga City, Mindanao, on 5 April 2010 and was subsequently released unharmed.
Penalties for illegal drug importation and use are severe.
Visitors are required to show some identity if requested by police; photocopies of the relevant pages of passports are allowed.
There are periodic outbreaks of Dengue Fever (including in Manila), for which there is no vaccination or immunization.
Tropical Storm Ketsana caused severe flooding in low lying areas of Metro Manila and Luzon on 26 September 2009. Some areas may still be affected. Further rainfall is possible in northern Philippines and travelers are advised to check the latest weather forecasts and advisories: www.typhoon2000.ph. The typhoon season in the Philippines normally runs from July to November, however, typhoons can affect the country at any time.
This advice is based on information provided by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office in the UK. It is correct at time of publishing. As the situation can change rapidly, visitors are advised to contact the following organizations for the latest travel advice:
British Foreign and Commonwealth Office
Tel: 0845 850 2829.
Website: www.fco.gov.uk
US Department of State
Website: http://travel.state.gov/travel
Health Care
Health insurance is essential. Approximately three-quarters of the hospitals are private.
Vaccinations
| Vaccination | Special Precaution |
|---|---|
| Diphtheria | Yes |
| Hepatitis A | Yes |
| Malaria | Sometimes |
| Rabies | Sometimes |
| Tetanus | Yes |
| Typhoid | Yes |
| Yellow Fever | No* |
Special Notes
* A yellow fever vaccination certificate is required from travelers over one year of age arriving from an infected area.
