Philippine Visa Services

Our Services

Philippine Visas

The government offers more than 20 visa types, categorized into three sections: non-immigrant visas, immigrant visas, and special visas, designed to meet your specific travel requirements.

What We Provide

From visa application to document compilation, our team of immigration consultants and visa specialists offers comprehensive visa processing services. We guide you through the necessary steps and procedures to obtain the appropriate visa for your stay in the Philippines.

Visa Categories for Foreign Nationals in the Philippines

As previously mentioned, the Philippine Bureau of Immigration (BI) offers over 20 visa types, which fall into three categories:

Section 9 Visas (Non-Immigrant Visas): For foreign nationals seeking temporary stays in the Philippines.

Section 13 Visas (Immigrant Visas): For foreign nationals wishing to reside permanently in the Philippines.

Special Visas: For qualified foreign nationals granted special entry privileges through legislation or presidential proclamations.

Depending on their country of origin, foreign nationals may enter the Philippines without a visa for visits of up to 30 days. However, foreigners planning to engage in work, residency, retirement, and other activities in the Philippines must obtain the appropriate visa.

Commonly Issued Visas for Foreign Nationals in the Philippines

The Philippines offers a variety of visas to foreign nationals for work, tourism, and investment purposes, each with specific subcategories to cater to diverse travel needs. To provide an overview, here are some of the most commonly issued visas for foreign nationals intending to work, visit, or invest in the Philippines.

Work Visas in the Philippines

The Philippines offers four primary work visas:

9(g) Pre-Arranged Employee Commercial Visa
9(g) Pre-Arranged Employee Non-Commercial Visa
Special Non-Immigrant Visa or 47(a)(2)
Special Non-Immigrant Visa under E.O. 226, as amended by R.A. 8756 (ROHQ)

Foreign nationals seeking gainful employment must obtain one of these visas based on their specific employment requirements. Additionally, applicants must obtain a work permit as part of their work visa application in the Philippines.

9(g) or Pre-Arranged Employee Commercial Visa

The 9(g) or Pre-Arranged Employee Commercial Visa is the most common work visa issued to foreign nationals seeking employment in the Philippines. This visa grants the holder multiple entry and exit privileges during their employment with a registered company in the country.

Applicants must submit the following documents to the BI when applying for a work visa:

– A checklist of completed documentary requirements

– A duly accomplished Consolidated General Application Form (CGAF) for Non-Immigrant Visa

– Additional information regarding the applicant’s children/dependents (if applicable)

– A notarized certification of the number of foreigners and Filipino employees of the employer/company

Additionally, the hiring company must act as the petitioner for the visa. Prior to applying for a 9(g) visa, foreign nationals need to obtain an Alien Employment Permit (AEP) to work in the Philippines.

Visitor or Tourist Visas in the Philippines

Foreign nationals intending to visit the Philippines for vacation or leisure purposes are required to obtain a tourist or visitor visa. However, nationals from select countries may enter the country without needing a visa. The Philippines has two categories for tourists or visitors:

Restricted Foreign Nationals: They must obtain a 9(a) or Temporary Visitor’s Visa for temporary entry into the country for leisure, business, or medical purposes.
Unrestricted Foreign Nationals: They can enter the Philippines without a visa for 30 to 59 days, depending on their country of origin.

Applicants must provide the following documents when applying for a visitor’s visa:

– A passport/travel document valid for at least six months beyond the intended stay in the Philippines.

– Duly accomplished visa application forms.

– Passport photos (2 pieces).

– Proof of genuine status as a tourist or businessman.

– Confirmed tickets for return or onward travel to the next port of destination.

– Payment of visa fees.

Additionally, 9(a) visa applicants must apply in person at the Philippine Embassy or Consulate with jurisdiction over their place of residence.

Special Visas in the Philippines

Foreign nationals aiming to reside indefinitely in the Philippines for work, investment, or retirement purposes can apply for special visas. There are three special visas issued in the Philippines:

Special Investor’s Resident Visa (SIRV)
Special Visa for Employment Generation (SVEG)
Special Resident Retiree’s Visa (SRRV)

The required documentary requirements differ for each type of special visa, depending on the purpose of your stay. The SRRV has a minimum age requirement of 50 years or older.

Choose the Right Visa for Your Stay in the Philippines

The Philippines is a sought-after destination for individuals looking to travel, work, study, or retire in a country teeming with opportunities. Its robust consumer market, diverse cultural landscape, and ease of access to key economic players in the Asia-Pacific region offer ample room for growth and numerous benefits.

Frequently Asked Questions About Visa Processing Services in the Philippines

To give you a better understanding of visa processing services in the Philippines, we provide a list of frequently asked questions (FAQs) to address general inquiries about the service.

Q: How to apply for a Philippine Visa?

You have three available options when applying for a Philippine visa:

Personal processing with the Philippine Embassy or Consulate of your country of origin
Hire a visa processing agency
Personal processing with the Philippine Embassy or Consulate of your country of residence (if you don’t live in your country of origin)

Q: What are the requirements for a Philippine Visa?

The specific requirements for obtaining a Philippine visa depend on your purpose of travel, may it be work, tourism, or retirement. The minimum requirements are as follows:

Passport valid for 6 months beyond the intended stay
Accomplished Visa Application forms
Passport photos (2 pieces)
Proof of bonafide status as tourist or businessman
Confirmed tickets for return or onward journey to next destination
Payment of processing fees.

Q: Can I apply for a Philippine Visa online?

Yes, you can apply for a Philippine Visa through the official website of the Philippine Embassy or Consulate of your country of origin/residence.

Q: How long is the turnover time for payroll processing services?

After the client submits all required documents for computation, payroll processing in the Philippines usually takes 3-6 business days.

Q: What are the types of working visas in the Philippines?

The Philippines offer four types of work visas to foreign nationals who wish to engage in gainful employment:

9(g) Pre-Arranged Employee Commercial Visa
9(g) Pre-Arranged Employee Non-Commercial Visa
Special Non-Immigrant Visa or 47(a)(2)
Special Non-Immigrant Visa under E.O. 226, as amended by R.A. 8756 (ROHQ)

Q: What are the requirements when applying for a working visa in the Philippines?

The requirements for working visas depend on the type of visa you wish to obtain. Generally, work visas require the following:

Checklist with accomplished documentary requirements
Duly accomplished Consolidated General Application Form (CGAF) for Non-Immigrant Visa
Additional information on the applicant’s children/dependents (if applicable)
Notarized certification of the number of foreigners and Filipino employees of Employer/Company

Q: What are the types of work permits in the Philippines?

There are generally three work permits in the Philippines:

Alien Employment Permit (AEP)
Special Work Permit (SWP)
Provisional Work Permit (PWP)

Q: What are the types of visas in the Philippines?

The Philippine government offers over 20 kinds of visa options to foreign nationals, which are grouped into three categories: non-immigrant visas, immigrant visas, and special visas.

Section 9 Visas or Non-Immigrant Visas. For foreign nationals who wish to stay in the Philippines temporarily
Section 13 Visas or Immigrant Visas. For foreign nationals who wish to stay permanently in the Philippines
Special Visas. For qualified foreign nationals belonging to the demographic groups granted special entry privileges through legislation or presidential proclamations

Q: How long is the processing period for visa applications in the Philippines?

The visa processing time depends on the kind of visa you are applying for. Generally, it takes two (2) to ten (10) business days. Qualified applicants can request an expedited process for an additional fee.

Q: Are there restrictions when traveling to the Philippines during the COVID-19 pandemic?

The Philippines provides three categories to identify which travelers are allowed to enter the country. Such categories are:

Red List. Inbound international travelers, regardless of their vaccination status, shall not be allowed to enter the Philippines. Only Filipinos returning to the country via government-initiated repatriation, non-government-initiated repatriation, and Bayanihan flights may be allowed entry, subject to entry, testing, and quarantine protocols.
Yellow List. Inbound international travelers, regardless of their vaccination status, coming from or with travel history within the last 14 days prior to their arrival in the Philippines from “Yellow List” places shall be governed by entry, testing, and quarantine protocols.
Green List. Inbound international travelers under this category are allowed to enter the Philippines, provided that they provide sufficient documentation with compliance to the Inter-Agency Task Force (IATF) vaccination protocols.

Q: What countries are listed under the Philippine “Green List” category?

As of September 4, 2021, the following countries are included in the Philippine green list category:

American Samoa
Anguilla
Australia

Benin
Burkina Faso

Cameroon
Cayman Islands
Chad
China
Comoros
Republic of the Congo

Djibouti

Equatorial Guinea

Falkland Islands (Malvinas)

Gabon
Grenada

Hong Kong
Hungary

Mali
Federated States of Micronesia
Montserrat

New Caledonia
New Zealand
Niger
Northern Mariana Islands

Palau
Poland

Saba
Saint Pierre and Miquelon
Sierra Leone
Sint Eustatius
Slovakia

Taiwan

Contact Our Team

We're here to assist you. Whether you have questions, need assistance, or want to explore opportunities, our team is ready to provide the information and support you require.