The Philippines welcomes travellers from 157 countries who can enter without obtaining a visa in advance. Governed by Executive Order No. 408 (s. 1960) and subsequent amendments by the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA), the visa-free entry policy allows foreign nationals to visit the Philippines for tourism or business purposes with minimal paperwork.
This guide covers every country eligible for visa-free entry, maximum stay durations, special conditions, and everything you need to know before your trip.
How Visa-Free Entry to the Philippines Works
Visa-free entry means you do not need to apply for a visa at a Philippine embassy or consulate before travelling. Instead, you present your passport and supporting documents at the immigration counter upon arrival.
To qualify for visa-free entry, you must meet the following conditions:
- Passport validity: Your passport must be valid for at least six (6) months beyond your intended period of stay in the Philippines
- Return or onward ticket: You must hold a confirmed return ticket or an outbound flight to your next destination within the permitted stay period
- eTravel registration: All travellers must register at etravel.gov.ph at least 72 hours before arrival and present the eTravel QR code before boarding
- No derogatory records: You must not have any Bureau of Immigration (BI), NICA, or Interpol derogatory records
Important: Visa-free entry does not guarantee admission. The Bureau of Immigration officers at the port of entry have the final say on whether you may enter the Philippines.
Full List of Visa-Free Countries for the Philippines (30-Day Stay)
Nationals of the following countries may enter the Philippines without a visa for an initial stay of 30 days:
| A – D | E – K | L – R | S – Z |
|---|---|---|---|
| Andorra | Ecuador | Laos | Saint Lucia |
| Angola | El Salvador | Latvia | Samoa |
| Antigua and Barbuda | Equatorial Guinea | Lesotho | San Marino |
| Argentina | Eritrea | Liberia | Sao Tome and Principe |
| Australia | Estonia | Liechtenstein | Saudi Arabia |
| Austria | Ethiopia | Lithuania | Senegal |
| Bahamas | Fiji | Luxembourg | Seychelles |
| Bahrain | Finland | Madagascar | Singapore |
| Barbados | France | Malawi | Slovak Republic |
| Belgium | Gabon | Malaysia | Slovenia |
| Belize | Gambia | Maldives | Solomon Islands |
| Benin | Germany | Mali | South Africa |
| Bhutan | Ghana | Malta | Spain |
| Bolivia | Greece | Marshall Islands | St. Kitts and Nevis |
| Botswana | Grenada | Mauritania | St. Vincent and the Grenadines |
| Brunei Darussalam | Guatemala | Mauritius | Suriname |
| Bulgaria | Guinea | Mexico | Swaziland (Eswatini) |
| Burkina Faso | Guinea-Bissau | Micronesia | Sweden |
| Burundi | Guyana | Monaco | Switzerland |
| Cambodia | Haiti | Mongolia | Tajikistan |
| Cameroon | Honduras | Morocco | Tanzania |
| Canada | Hungary | Mozambique | Thailand |
| Cape Verde | Iceland | Myanmar | Togo |
| Central African Republic | Indonesia | Namibia | Trinidad and Tobago |
| Chad | Ireland | Nepal | Tunisia |
| Chile | Israel | Netherlands | Turkey (Turkiye) |
| Colombia | Italy | New Zealand | Turkmenistan |
| Comoros | Jamaica | Nicaragua | Tuvalu |
| Congo | Japan | Niger | Uganda |
| Congo (DR) | Kazakhstan | Norway | United Arab Emirates |
| Costa Rica | Kenya | Oman | United Kingdom |
| Cote d’Ivoire | Kiribati | Palau | United States of America |
| Croatia | Korea (ROK) | Panama | Uruguay |
| Cyprus | Kuwait | Papua New Guinea | Uzbekistan |
| Czech Republic | Kyrgyzstan | Paraguay | Vanuatu |
| Denmark | Peru | Vatican | |
| Djibouti | Poland | Venezuela | |
| Dominica | Portugal | Vietnam | |
| Dominican Republic | Qatar | Zambia | |
| Romania | Zimbabwe | ||
| Russia |
That is 157 countries in total whose citizens enjoy visa-free access to the Philippines.
Extended Stay Privileges (59 Days)
Holders of passports from Brazil and Israel benefit from bilateral agreements with the Philippines and are granted an initial visa-free stay of 59 days instead of the standard 30 days.
Special Visa-Free Categories
Hong Kong SAR and Macau SAR Passport Holders
Holders of Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (SAR) and Macau SAR passports may enter the Philippines for up to 14 days without a visa, provided they have a return or onward ticket.
Hong Kong BNO and Macau-Portuguese Passport Holders
Holders of Hong Kong British National Overseas (BNO) passports and Macau-Portuguese passports may enter for up to 7 days under Foreign Service Circular No. 112-11.
Mainland Chinese Nationals (Transit Entry)
Chinese nationals holding a valid, unexpired visa or permanent residence permit from Australia, Canada, Japan, a Schengen country, Singapore, or the United States may enter the Philippines visa-free for up to 7 days for tourism purposes. They must hold a return or onward ticket.
Indian Nationals (Conditional Entry)
Indian nationals may enter the Philippines visa-free for up to 14 days (extendable by 7 days for a maximum of 21 days) provided they hold:
- A valid national passport with at least six months validity beyond the contemplated stay
- An unexpired visa or permanent residence permit from the United States, Japan, Australia, Canada, a Schengen country, Singapore, or the United Kingdom
- A return or onward ticket
- No derogatory records with BI, NICA, or Interpol
MECO ETA Holders (Taiwan)
Under Operations Order No. SBM-2015-018, holders of a MECO (Manila Economic and Cultural Office) Electronic Travel Authorization may enter the Philippines for an initial stay of 30 days.
Balikbayan Privilege
Former Filipino citizens and their spouse and children (travelling with them) may enter the Philippines visa-free for up to one year under Republic Act No. 9174 (the Balikbayan Law). This privilege requires presenting proof of former Philippine citizenship, such as an old Philippine passport or a certificate of naturalization from another country.
What You Need at the Immigration Counter
When arriving in the Philippines, prepare the following documents for inspection:
- Valid passport (at least 6 months remaining validity)
- Printed or digital eTravel QR code
- Return or onward flight ticket within your permitted stay period
- Proof of accommodation (hotel booking or invitation letter)
- Proof of financial capacity (bank statements, credit cards, or cash)
- Completed arrival/departure card (if required)
Read our complete guide to Philippines Entry Requirements for a full checklist.
Can You Extend a Visa-Free Stay?
Yes. If you wish to stay longer than your initial visa-free period, you can apply for an extension at any Bureau of Immigration (BI) office in the Philippines before your authorised stay expires. Extensions are typically granted in 29-day or 59-day increments, depending on your nationality and circumstances.
Overstaying your permitted period is a serious violation. Penalties include fines, detention, deportation, and being blacklisted from future entry to the Philippines.
For details on fees and the extension process, see our guide on Philippines Visa Fee.
eTravel Registration – Mandatory for All Visitors
Regardless of your visa status, every traveller entering the Philippines must complete the eTravel registration at etravel.gov.ph at least 72 hours before arrival. This free online registration generates a QR code that you must present at check-in and immigration.
Learn more in our Philippines eTravel Registration guide.
Who Cannot Enter Visa-Free?
Nationals of countries not listed above must apply for a visa at the nearest Philippine Embassy or Consulate before travelling. The most common visa type for tourism and short visits is the 9(a) Temporary Visitors Visa.
Additionally, the following types of travellers cannot use visa-free entry even if their country is listed:
- Those holding non-machine-readable or hand-scripted passports
- Those previously deported from the Philippines
- Those on the Bureau of Immigration or DFA blacklist
- Those with incomplete documentation or inadmissible circumstances
Check the Philippines visa requirements page for details on how to apply.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many countries are visa-free for the Philippines in 2026?
As of 2026, 157 countries enjoy visa-free entry to the Philippines. Most nationalities receive an initial stay of 30 days, while citizens of Brazil and Israel receive 59 days.
Do US citizens need a visa for the Philippines?
No. US citizens can enter the Philippines visa-free for up to 30 days with a valid passport (minimum 6 months validity) and a return or onward ticket.
Do UK citizens need a visa for the Philippines?
No. UK passport holders can enter the Philippines visa-free for up to 30 days. You need a valid passport and a return ticket. See our Philippines Visa for UK Citizens guide for full details.
Do Indian citizens need a visa for the Philippines?
Indian nationals may enter the Philippines visa-free for up to 14 days if they hold a valid US, Japanese, Australian, Canadian, Schengen, Singapore, or UK visa or permanent residence permit. Otherwise, a visa is required. See our Philippines Visa for Indian Citizens guide.
How long can Australians stay in the Philippines without a visa?
Australian passport holders can stay up to 30 days visa-free. Extensions are available at Bureau of Immigration offices in the Philippines.
Can I enter the Philippines without a return ticket?
No. A confirmed return or onward ticket is a mandatory requirement for visa-free entry. Airlines may also deny boarding if you cannot show proof of onward travel.
What happens if I overstay my visa-free period?
Overstaying results in fines, detention, and possible deportation. The penalty amount depends on the length of overstay. Prolonged overstays can lead to being blacklisted from re-entering the Philippines.
Is the eTravel pass required even for visa-free entry?
Yes. All travellers, regardless of nationality and visa status, must complete eTravel registration at etravel.gov.ph at least 72 hours before arrival. It is free of charge.
