Going to London .. for 5 to 7 days only.. is it a free visa entry? Tourist visa
As of October 2023, the Filipino passport holds a rank of 124th in the world according to the VisaGuide Passport Index. This ranking allows Filipino citizens to enjoy visa-free travel privileges to 37 countries worldwide. However, for entry into other nations, Filipino passport holders are required to apply for a visa in advance.
Destinations Open to Filipino Passport Holders without a Visa
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As of October 2023, Filipino passport holders can explore 37 countries and territories without the need for a visa:
- Barbados
- Bolivia
- Brazil
- Brunei
- Cambodia
- Colombia
- Cook Islands
- Costa Rica
- Ivory Coast
- Dominica
- Fiji
- Haiti
- Hong Kong
- Indonesia
- Israel
- Kazakhstan
- Kiribati
- Laos
- Macau
- Malaysia
- Micronesia
- Mongolia
- Morocco
- Myanmar
- Niue
- Palestine
- Peru
- Rwanda
- Samoa
- Singapore
- Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
- Suriname
- Taiwan
- Tajikistan
- Thailand
- Vanuatu
- Vietnam
To benefit from visa-free travel, travelers must possess a valid passport, typically with a validity of at least six months beyond their departure date. Additionally, travelers must purchase travel health insurance as mandated by the destination country.
Countries Offering eVisas to Filipino Citizens
Filipino passport holders can obtain eVisas from 36 countries:
- Albania
- Antigua and Barbuda
- Armenia
- Bahamas
- Bahrain
- Benin
- Bhutan
- Botswana
- Burkina Faso
- Cameroon
- Democratic Republic of the Congo
- Djibouti
- Equatorial Guinea
- Ethiopia
- Gabon
- Georgia
- Guinea
- India
- Iran
- Kenya
- Lesotho
- Moldova
- Montserrat
- Nigeria
- Qatar
- Russia
- São Tomé and Príncipe
- Sierra Leone
- South Africa
- South Sudan
- Saint Kitts and Nevis
- Togo
- Uganda
- Uzbekistan
- Zambia
- Zimbabwe
Obtaining an Philippines eVisa involves a process similar to traditional visa applications, but it offers the convenience of online submission, including payment processing. Once approved, travelers receive an email confirmation of their visa status and a printable document for border crossings. It's advisable to keep a physical copy while traveling.
Visa on Arrival Opportunities for Filipino Passport Holders
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Filipino citizens can obtain visas on arrival (VOA) in 25 countries:
- Burundi
- Cabo Verde
- Comoros
- Guinea-Bissau
- Kyrgyzstan
- Madagascar
- Malawi
- Maldives
- Marshall Islands
- Mauritania
- Mauritius
- Mozambique
- Nepal
- Nicaragua
- Palau
- Papua New Guinea
- Senegal
- Seychelles
- Somalia
- Sri Lanka
- Saint Lucia
- Tanzania
- Timor-Leste
- Trinidad and Tobago
- Tuvalu
Visas on arrival are typically processed at designated sections within airports upon entry into the respective country.
Visa-Free Entry for Filipino Citizens in ASEAN Countries
Filipino citizens can explore other ASEAN countries without requiring a visa, often for stays of up to 14 days or longer depending on the specific country. This privilege is extended due to the Philippines' participation in the ASEAN agreement, which facilitates travel and economic cooperation among Southeast Asian nations.
Visa-Free Entry with an APEC Card
Holders of APEC business cards from the Philippines enjoy visa-free access to several countries:
- Australia
- Brunei
- Chile
- China
- Hong Kong
- Indonesia
- Japan
- South Korea
- Malaysia
- Mexico
- New Zealand
- Papua New Guinea
- Peru
- Russia
- Singapore
- Thailand
- Taiwan
- Vietnam
The APEC Business Travel Card simplifies international business dealings and travel between participating economies. Benefits include visa-free entry, conducting business transactions, expedited border crossings, and accelerated visa processing in certain countries.
Canadian Visa Requirements for Filipinos
Filipino citizens intending to visit Canada must apply for a visa. However, some travelers may be eligible for the Electronic Travel Authority (eTA) instead. Filipinos qualify for an eTA if they:
- Have held a Canadian visa within the past 10 years, or
- Hold a valid US non-immigrant visa.
Travelers can only use the eTA for air travel to Canada.
Countries Requiring Visas for Filipino Citizens
Filipino passport holders need a valid visa to enter 128 countries. This list includes:
[Please note that the list of countries is extensive and is not included here.]
Visa Application Process for Filipinos
The visa application process entails the following steps:
- Schedule an Appointment: Contact a local visa application center in the Philippines to schedule an appointment for submitting your visa application. Be prepared for potential wait times, as appointments may take several months to secure.
- Prepare Required Documents: Assemble the necessary documents for your visa application, including your passport, application form, health insurance, and more. Some documents may require verification with an apostille stamp or certification by a foreign office.
- Submit Your Application: Submit your application and attend a visa interview, which may also involve biometric data collection. Ensure that your documents are correctly translated and stamped with an apostille, if required. The decision regarding your visa application may take several weeks.
It's essential to note that if you hold a valid visa that permits entry into multiple countries, there may be no need to apply for a new visa.
Required Documents for Filipino Visa Applications
Filipino citizens applying for visas in countries with pre-application requirements should prepare the following standard documents:
- Valid Filipino passport (with a photocopy). Some countries mandate that the passport remains valid for at least six months beyond the planned departure date.
- Completed visa application form.
- Recent passport photos (usually not older than six months).
- Comprehensive travel health insurance covering the entire stay.
- Proof of paid visa fees.
- Detailed travel itinerary, outlining intended destinations.
- Letter of invitation (if applicable).
- Confirmed return flight ticket.
- Proof of booked accommodation.
- Evidence of sufficient funds to cover the visit.
- Civil status documents (marriage certificates, birth certificates, etc.).
Please note that having a previous criminal history can significantly impact your visa application's success.
FAQ
Is India Visa-Free for Filipinos?
Answer: No, Filipino travelers are required to obtain an India Visa to enter India, regardless of their travel purpose. Whether you're visiting India for tourism, to see friends and family, or any other reason, you will need to secure an Indian Visa.
Is Dubai Visa-Free for Filipinos?
Answer: Filipinos are not eligible for visa-on-arrival or visa-free entry to the United Arab Emirates, including Dubai. Therefore, it is essential for Filipino travelers to apply for a Dubai tourist visa before embarking on their trip. Fortunately, there are various straightforward methods to obtain a Dubai Tourist Visa.
Is Morocco Visa-Free for Filipinos?
Answer: As a Philippine citizen, you can visit Morocco without the need for a tourist visa. Filipino passport holders are allowed to stay in Morocco for up to 90 days without requiring a visa, provided that their visit does not exceed this duration.
Is Japan Visa-Free for Filipinos?
Answer: Regrettably, the Philippines is not included in the list of countries that enjoy visa-free entry to Japan. Therefore, Filipino passport holders must apply for a Japanese tourist visa to enter Japan. You will find all the necessary information regarding the application process for a Japanese visa from the Philippines.
Is the UK Visa-Free for Filipinos?
Answer: The United Kingdom offers Filipino travelers visa-free access for up to six months, primarily for tourism purposes. For any other reasons to enter the UK, you will need to obtain a valid visa to ensure your trip to the UK is compliant with legal requirements.
To obtain a Philippines eVisa
- Step1: Complete the online application by providing your passport details.
- Step2: Submit payment online using a credit card.
- Step3: Monitor your email for confirmation of payment and receipt of your eVisa, which will be sent electronically.
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