Philippines Non-immigrant Visas

The 9(a) or Temporary Visitor's Visa is a type of non-immigrant visa issued to foreign nationals who intend to travel to the Philippines for a limited period. This visa is granted to individuals who plan to visit the Philippines for various purposes such as tourism, business, or medical treatment.

Foreign nationals who are citizens of countries that have diplomatic ties with the Philippines are eligible to apply for a 9(a) visa. However, some foreign nationals may be restricted and required to secure an entry visa before they can enter the country. The restrictions are mainly based on the purpose of the visit, length of stay, and other factors, such as the individual's criminal history.

The application process for a 9(a) visa typically involves submitting relevant documents and filling out an application form, which can be obtained from the Philippine Embassy or Consulate in the applicant's home country. Applicants are required to provide their passport, proof of financial capacity, itinerary, and other supporting documents.

Once the application is submitted, it may take several days or weeks for the visa to be processed, depending on the volume of applications and other factors. It is important to note that the 9(a) visa is only valid for a limited period and cannot be used as a substitute for a work visa or a permanent resident visa.

Foreign nationals who enter the Philippines on a 9(a) visa are subject to the country's immigration laws and regulations. They are required to abide by the conditions of their visa, which includes adhering to the length of stay allowed, obtaining the necessary permits if engaging in business or employment activities, and complying with the country's health and safety protocols.

In conclusion, the 9(a) visa is a temporary visitor's visa that allows foreign nationals to travel to the Philippines for various purposes. The visa application process involves providing relevant documents and filling out an application form. It is important for applicants to comply with the country's immigration laws and regulations and abide by the conditions of their visa during their stay in the Philippines.

Philippines non-immigrant visas can be applied for the following purposes:

There are various non-immigrant visas that can be applied for in the Philippines, depending on the purpose of the foreign national's visit. Some of the common non-immigrant visas in the Philippines include:-

  • Philippines Temporary Visitor’s Visa
    • Business
    • Tourism or Leisure
    • Medical Treatment
    • Private Yachtsmen/sailor
    • Filmmaker
    • Journalist
    • Athlete/Performer
    • Other
  • Philippines Transit Visa
  • Philippines Seamen Visa
  • Philippines Treaty Traders/Treaty Investor Visa
  • Philippines Foreign Government Official Visa
  • Philippines Student Visa
  • Philippines Pre-Arranged Employment Visa

Requirements for Non-Immigrant Visas in the Philippines

Foreign nationals who wish to apply for a non-immigrant visa to the Philippines must meet certain requirements and provide the necessary documents. The following are the typical requirements for obtaining a non-immigrant visa in the Philippines:

Completed Visa Application Form: The applicant must submit a completed visa application form, which can be obtained from the Philippine Embassy or Consulate in their home country. The form must be filled out accurately and completely.

Passport: The applicant must have a valid passport with at least six months of remaining validity from the intended date of entry to the Philippines. The passport must have at least two blank pages for visa issuance.

Two Passport Photos: The applicant must provide two passport-sized photos taken within the last six months. The photos must be in color and taken against a white background.

Proof of Financial Capacity: The applicant must show proof of sufficient funds to cover their travel expenses while in the Philippines. This may include bank statements, income tax returns, or a letter from their employer stating their income and position.

Travel Itinerary: The applicant must provide a detailed itinerary of their trip, including the dates of arrival and departure, places to visit, and accommodation arrangements.

Letter of Invitation: If the purpose of the visit is to attend a conference, seminar, or business meeting, the applicant may need to provide a letter of invitation from the organizer or sponsor of the event.

Other Supporting Documents: Depending on the purpose of the visit, the applicant may be required to provide additional supporting documents. For example, if the purpose of the visit is for medical treatment, the applicant must provide a medical certificate and letter from a hospital in the Philippines indicating the nature of the treatment and the expected duration of the stay.

Once the application and supporting documents have been submitted, it may take several days or weeks for the visa to be processed. Applicants should check the processing times at their nearest Philippine Embassy or Consulate and plan accordingly. It is also important to note that the granting of a non-immigrant visa is at the discretion of the Philippine government and may be denied if the applicant does not meet the requirements or if there are other reasons for inadmissibility.

Duration of Stay and Visa Extensions

The duration of stay for non-immigrant visas in the Philippines varies depending on the type of visa issued. Typically, temporary visitor's visas (9(a) visas) are valid for a maximum stay of 59 days from the date of arrival in the Philippines. This can be extended for an additional 29 days by applying for an extension at any Bureau of Immigration (BI) office before the initial visa expires.

For other types of non-immigrant visas, such as those issued for business or employment purposes, the length of stay will depend on the terms of the visa and the purpose of the visit.

Visa extensions are available for foreign nationals who need to stay longer in the Philippines than the initial visa allows. The extension can be requested at any BI office before the visa expires. The extension will be granted if the applicant can show a valid reason for the extension and the necessary documents to support the request.

The maximum allowable period for a visa extension is six months from the date of arrival in the Philippines, except for those who entered the country on a 9(a) visa, which can be extended for a total of up to 16 months, provided that the extension is for legitimate reasons and duly supported by appropriate documents.

It is important to note that visa extensions are subject to the discretion of the Bureau of Immigration and may be denied if the applicant fails to provide adequate supporting documents or if there are other reasons for inadmissibility.

Foreign nationals who overstay their visas may be subject to fines and penalties, and may be barred from entering the Philippines in the future. It is therefore important to comply with the visa regulations and ensure that the visa is extended before it expires, if needed.

Responsibilities of Non-Immigrant Visa Holders

Foreign nationals who hold non-immigrant visas in the Philippines have certain responsibilities that they must comply with. These responsibilities include the following:

Comply with Philippine Laws: Non-immigrant visa holders must abide by Philippine laws, including immigration regulations and other laws that are applicable to their stay in the country.

Not Engage in Unauthorized Activities: Non-immigrant visa holders must not engage in any activities that are not authorized by their visa. For example, a tourist visa holder cannot engage in any business activities in the Philippines.

Report Change of Address: Non-immigrant visa holders must report any change of address to the Bureau of Immigration within 24 hours of the change.

Obtain Necessary Permits and Extensions: Non-immigrant visa holders must obtain any necessary permits or extensions to their visa before it expires. Failure to do so may result in fines, penalties, and deportation.

Attend Required Reporting: Some non-immigrant visa holders may be required to attend a mandatory reporting to the Bureau of Immigration within the first 60 days of their stay in the Philippines and again every year after that.

Notify the Bureau of Immigration of Departure: Non-immigrant visa holders must notify the Bureau of Immigration of their departure from the Philippines before leaving the country.

Departure Clearance: Non-immigrant visa holders who have overstayed their visa may need to obtain a departure clearance certificate from the Bureau of Immigration before they can leave the Philippines.

Failure to comply with these responsibilities may result in penalties, fines, or deportation. It is important for non-immigrant visa holders to understand and comply with these responsibilities to ensure a safe and trouble-free stay in the Philippines.

How long is a Philippines Visa valid?

The validity of a Philippines visa varies depending on the type of visa and the purpose of the visit. Generally, temporary visitor's visas (9(a) visas) are valid for a maximum stay of 59 days from the date of arrival in the Philippines. This visa can be extended for an additional 29 days, for a total of up to 88 days.

Other types of non-immigrant visas, such as those issued for business or employment purposes, may have different validity periods, depending on the terms of the visa and the purpose of the visit.

It is important to note that the validity of a visa is different from the duration of stay allowed. The validity period refers to the period during which the visa can be used to enter the Philippines, while the duration of stay refers to the maximum period of time that a foreign national is allowed to stay in the country.

It is important to comply with the duration of stay allowed on the visa and to obtain any necessary extensions before the visa expires. Failure to do so may result in penalties, fines, or deportation.

Can I extend a Philippines Visa?

Yes, it is possible to extend a Philippines visa, but the extension must be applied for before the visa expires. The process for extending a visa in the Philippines depends on the type of visa and the purpose of the visit.

For temporary visitor's visas (9(a) visas), which are typically issued for tourism or short-term business visits, the initial stay allowed is up to 59 days, with the option to apply for a one-time extension of up to 29 days. The extension must be requested at any Bureau of Immigration (BI) office before the initial visa expires, and the applicant must provide a valid reason for the extension and the necessary documents to support the request.

For other types of non-immigrant visas, such as those issued for business or employment purposes, the process for extending the visa will depend on the terms of the visa and the purpose of the visit. In general, the extension must be requested before the visa expires, and the applicant must provide a valid reason for the extension and the necessary documents to support the request.

It is important to note that visa extensions are subject to the discretion of the Bureau of Immigration and may be denied if the applicant fails to provide adequate supporting documents or if there are other reasons for inadmissibility.

Foreign nationals who overstay their visas may be subject to fines and penalties, and may be barred from entering the Philippines in the future. It is therefore important to comply with the visa regulations and ensure that the visa is extended before it expires, if needed.

How Long Can I Get a Philippines Visa Extension?

The length of time for a Philippines visa extension depends on the type of visa and the purpose of the visit.

For temporary visitor's visas (9(a) visas), which are typically issued for tourism or short-term business visits, the initial stay allowed is up to 59 days, with the option to apply for a one-time extension of up to 29 days. This means that the maximum stay allowed for a temporary visitor's visa is up to 88 days (59 days + 29-day extension).

For other types of non-immigrant visas, such as those issued for business or employment purposes, the length of the extension will depend on the terms of the visa and the purpose of the visit. In general, the extension must be requested before the visa expires, and the applicant must provide a valid reason for the extension and the necessary documents to support the request. The length of the extension will be determined by the Bureau of Immigration based on the merits of the application.

It is important to note that visa extensions are subject to the discretion of the Bureau of Immigration and may be denied if the applicant fails to provide adequate supporting documents or if there are other reasons for inadmissibility.

Foreign nationals who overstay their visas may be subject to fines and penalties, and may be barred from entering the Philippines in the future. It is therefore important to comply with the visa regulations and ensure that the visa is extended before it expires, if needed.

FAQ

A non-immigrant visa in the Philippines is a type of visa issued to foreign nationals who intend to visit the country for a temporary period, usually for tourism, business, medical, or other specific purposes.

The Philippines offers various types of non-immigrant visas, including temporary visitor's visas (9(a) visas), student visas, work visas, and special visas.

A temporary visitor's visa (9(a) visa) is valid for a maximum stay of 59 days from the date of arrival in the Philippines. This visa can be extended for an additional 29 days, for a total of up to 88 days.

Yes, it is possible to extend a non-immigrant visa in the Philippines, but the extension must be applied for before the visa expires. The length of the extension will depend on the type of visa and the purpose of the visit.

The requirements for obtaining a non-immigrant visa in the Philippines will depend on the type of visa being applied for, but generally include a valid passport, completed visa application form, proof of financial capacity, and other supporting documents.

Some types of non-immigrant visas, such as work visas or special visas for employment, allow foreign nationals to work in the Philippines. However, the requirements for obtaining these visas are more stringent than those for temporary visitor's visas.

Yes, it is possible to leave and re-enter the Philippines on a non-immigrant visa, as long as the visa is still valid and the purpose of the visit remains the same. However, the length of stay allowed will be subject to the discretion of the immigration officer upon re-entry.

 

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