New Philippines visa rules offer longer visa-free stay for foreigners

Philippines, 23rd March: The government of Philippines is offering increased visa-free stay for tourists from around 166 nations.

Making the announcement, the DOT (Department of Tourism) revealed that this is a step forward for boosting tourist arrival in Philippines.

Visa-free stay for 30 days in Philippines—So, the new Philippines immigration rules will allow foreigners to stay in the Philippines without a visa for a period of 30 days. Currently, the maximum stay for foreigners without having a valid Philippines visa is limited to 21 days.

According to Ramon Jimenez Jr., Tourism Secretary, new Philippines visa rules have been agreed upon by Ricardo David Jr., Bureau of Immigration Commissioner, Leila de Lima, Justice Secretary, Albert del Rosario, Foreign Affairs Secretary and himself. Jimenez Jr. further informed that Chinese citizens (who are part of a tour governed by tour operator accredited by DOT) travelling to Philippines will also be granted a 30-day visa-free stay in the nation.

Indian nationals wanting to visit the Philippines and possessing a valid UK, US, Australian, Canadian, Singapore, Shengen or Japan visa will be allowed extension of a visa-free stay for 14 days, he informed.

Aim of these new Philippines immigration rules is to bring a change in the perception that moving to Philippines is difficult, he added. These Philippines visa policies will make the nation globally competitive by having same entry policies as those of other neighboring nations.

And it is going to help Philippines achieve the figures of 10 million international visitors by the year 2016 while revising tourist arrivals to 4.6 million from the current 4.2 million annually, he stated.

Philippines joins Malaysia, Singapore by offering visa-free stay--Apart from Philippines, other nations allowing visa-free 30-day stay for foreigners include Malaysia, Thailand and Singapore. And Cambodia offers visas-on-arrival to foreigners.

These visas-on-arrival are valid for a period of one month. For nationals from ASEAN nations, Cambodia offers exclusively visa-free entry. Latest reforms in Philippines visa rules will make the nation more welcoming and open to business.

Some of the other policies under review by the DOT as well as several other state agencies include offering special provision of long-stay visa for active retiree, the statement mentioned.