Philippines Entry and Visa Requirements: Do Australians Need a Visa for the Philippines?

The Philippines's Visa Exemption Scheme

The Philippines offers a visa-free entry scheme to citizens of 157 countries, including Australia. Under this scheme, Australian citizens can enter the Philippines without a visa for up to 30 days, provided they have: 

1. A passport valid for at least six months beyond the intended stay 
2. A confirmed return or onward ticket 
3. Sufficient funds for the duration of the stay 
4. No record of exclusion from the Philippines 
5. Must comply with entry requirements for arriving foreign nationals as stated by the Philippines Bureau of Immigration 
6. Have filled out the Health Declaration Form 

Travellers who intend to stay beyond 30 days are required to apply for an Extension with the Bureau of Immigration in the Philippines or apply for an appropriate visa prior to travel. 

Philippines Temporary Visitors Visa 

The Philippines has multiple temporary visitor visas in the 9(a) Temporary Visitors Visa category. These short-term visas are designed for temporary visits to the Philippines for different travel purposes including tourism and leisure, and short-term business activities, training, attendance in conferences, meetings, workshops and seminars. Based on the purpose of your visit, your temporary visitors visa will have unique requirements.

Philippines Temporary Tourist Visitors Visa 

The Philippines tourist visa (9(a-2) under the Temporary Visitor's Visa category) allows foreign nationals to enter the Philippines for tourism, leisure, recreation, religious, or amusement purposes, or to visit family, relatives, or friends. Australian citizens benefit from the visa-free arrangement for up to 30 days but can apply for this visa if planning a longer stay up to 59 days.

What are the Visa Requirements for the Philippines Temporary Tourist Visitors Visa?

To apply for a tourist visa for the Philippines, Australian citizens are required to submit: 

• A completed visa application form 
• Valid passport with at least six months validity beyond your planned stay 
• A recent passport-sized coloured photograph 
• Photocopy of confirmed itinerary, flight booking, or return or onward ticket showing your departure date 
• Proof of sufficient funds for your stay including any of the following 
  • Bank statement for the last 6 months or tax payments 
  • Employment certificate with remuneration 
  • Proof of business income 
  • Letter of guarantee from the sponsor with proof of financial capacity 
• Documents proving ties to home country including any of the following 
  • Employment certificate 
  • Property documents 
  • Hotel reservations or proof of lodging 
• For minors not travelling with a parent or guardian they must submit a letter of permission from a parent or guardian 
• Visa fee payment 

Philippines Work Visa / Pre-Arranged Employment Visa

The Philippines pre-arranged employment visa (9g) allows Australian citizens to engage in gainful employment in the Philippines in both commercial and non-commercial categories. This visa allows you to legally work in the Philippines for the duration specified in your employment contract, typically up to one year with the possibility of extension.

Visa Requirements for the Philippines Work Visa / Pre-Arranged Employment Visa

The application process is more complex than tourist or business visas, requiring coordination between you and your Philippine employer, who must sponsor your visa application. The pre-approved employment visa application process typically takes 2-3 months so it’s important to do this in advance of your employment start date. 

A key requisite for this visa is the Alien Employment Permit (AEP), issued by the Department of Labor and Employment which takes around 2-3 weeks alone to process. However, if the applicant is required to start working immediately while the visa is being processed, a Provisional Work Permit is an alternative that authorises foreigners to start working while the AEP and visa are being processed.  

General visa requirements for the Philippines pre-arranged employment visa include: 

• Completed visa application form 
• Valid passport with at least six months validity 
• Photocopy of employment contract or equivalent document with details of exact compensation, duration of employment and comprehensive description of the nature and scope of the applicant’s position in the company 
• Letter of invitation from your Philippine employer 
• Employer’s registration certificates 
• Photocopy of the petitioner’s latest Income Tax Return with the corresponding proof of payment 
• Photocopy of Alien Employment Permit (AEP), issued by the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) and an actual publication of the applicant’s approved AEP 
• Alien Certification of Registration Identity Card (ACR I-Card) visa application 
• Tax Identification Number application with the Bureau of Internal Revenue 
• Medical clearance 
• Police clearance from Australia 
• Visa fee payment 

For a detailed checklist of documentary requirements for the pre-approved employment visas visit the Bureau of Immigration website.

Do I Need to Apply for a Visa for the Philippines? 

Australian citizens don't need to apply for a visa before travelling to the Philippines if their stay is 30 days or less for the purpose of tourism or business. For longer stays or other purposes like work or study, you must apply for the appropriate visa before departure.

Step-by-Step Application Process for a Philippines Visa

The visa application process for the Philippines may vary depending on the visa type but generally follows these steps:

1.  Identify the Visa Type

Determine which visa category you need based on your travel purpose: tourism, business, work, or student.

2. Gather Supporting Documents

Collect all required documents specific to your visa type, including your valid passport, photos, application forms, and supporting documents needed for your visa.

3. Online e-Visa Application (if applicable)

Some visa types can be applied for through the Philippines e-Visa portal. Create an account, fill out the application form, and upload required documents.

4. Pay the Visa Fee  

Visa fees vary by type and processing time. Payment methods include bank transfer, credit card, or in-person payment at the consulate.

5. Wait for Processing  

Processing times vary from a few working days to several weeks, depending on the visa type and application volume. Work and student visas typically take longer than tourist or business visas.

How Long Can I Stay in the Philippines with a Visa?

The duration you can stay in the Philippines depends on your visa type and purpose of visit. Here's a summary of the standard period of stay in the Philippines for different visa categories: 

What Happens if I Overstay my Visa in the Philippines?

Overstaying your authorised period of stay in the Philippines can result in significant penalties, including: 

• Fines starting at PHP 500 per day of overstay 
• Possible detention until fines are paid 
• Being blacklisted from returning to the Philippines 
• Deportation proceedings 

To avoid these complications, always monitor your visa validity and apply for extensions well before expiration.

Travel Insurance for your Trip to the Philippines

When planning your trip to the Philippines, it's important to consider travel insurance to help protect against unexpected situations, such as medical emergencies or trip cancellations. With Fast Cover, you can customise your travel insurance policy to suit your travel plans to the Philippines.

It is important to note that your travel insurance policy may not provide cover if you do not comply with the Philippine’s visa or other entry requirements. To help ensure you are prepared for your trip, you should research and understand the relevant entry conditions before you travel to the Philippines. 

Eligibility criteria, policy terms, conditions, exclusions and limits apply. Consider the PDS prior to deciding on which policy is right for you and your needs.