For Visitors to the Philippines: Philippines Extends Visa-Free Entry for 151 countries from 21 to 30 days

[Mrs.Presson 16]

Just wanted to share what I read on the Philippine Consulate General of Chicago Website (www.chicagopcg.com)

Document available here: http://www.chicagopcg.com/pr16-13.pdf

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"Philippines Extends Visa-Free Entry for 151 countries from 21 to 30 days

In line with the Philippine Government's efforts to further encourage tourism in

the Philippines, the Consulate General is pleased to announce that the visa-free privilege

granted to 151 countries under Executive Order 408 shall be extended from twenty-one

(21) days to thirty-days (30), effective immediately.

The following requirements for visa-free entry to the Philippines are:

I. A national passport valid for at least six (6) months beyond the

contemplated stay; and

2. A return ticket to the country of origin or onward ticket to the next country

of destination.

A full list of the 151 countries are attached.

Chicago, 23 July 2013"

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USA is included in the list.

For the full list, check out the PDF document: http://www.chicagopcg.com/pr16-13.pdf

[Hank_ 9,174]

That is good to know.

[Tahoma 2,292]

Good info! Thanks for posting.

[DavenRoxy 1,073]

Thanks, will come in handy next month!

[Mrs.Presson 16]

You're welcome, y'all.

[Bumbero 130]

Fantastic!! I am right on the 21-22 day fence on my trip next month and this is a HUGE relief. Thank you very much for posting!!

[A and T 82]

I thought Americans could stay 6 months on a tourist visa now?

http://immigration.gov.ph/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=2007&Itemid=78

"

BI LAUNCHES LONG-STAY VISA 14 June 2013

Foreigners intending to stay longer in the country may now avail of a six-month, long-stay tourist visa that will be launched next week by the Bureau of Immigration (BI).

BI Commissioner Ricardo A. David, Jr. also announced the introduction of a new visa sticker that will replace the wet stamp used by the Bureau in implementing extensions of stay in the passports of foreign tourists.

David said the Long Stay Visitor Visa Extension (LSVVE) project was launched to spur tourist arrivals in the country by giving foreigners the privilege to prolong their stay here without the need to frequent the BI office."

[Mrs.Presson 16]

I thought Americans could stay 6 months on a tourist visa now?

http://immigration.gov.ph/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=2007&Itemid=78

"

BI LAUNCHES LONG-STAY VISA 14 June 2013

Foreigners intending to stay longer in the country may now avail of a six-month, long-stay tourist visa that will be launched next week by the Bureau of Immigration (BI).

BI Commissioner Ricardo A. David, Jr. also announced the introduction of a new visa sticker that will replace the wet stamp used by the Bureau in implementing extensions of stay in the passports of foreign tourists.

David said the Long Stay Visitor Visa Extension (LSVVE) project was launched to spur tourist arrivals in the country by giving foreigners the privilege to prolong their stay here without the need to frequent the BI office."

If I'm not mistaken, what the article talks about is for the Tourist Visa Extensions. Noting the article:

"...in implementing extensions of stay in the passports of foreign tourists"

"David said the Long Stay Visitor Visa Extension (LSVVE) project was launched to spur tourist arrivals in the country by giving foreigners the privilege to prolong their stay here without the need to frequent the BI office."

The Original Article I posted is about Visa-On-Arrival. Meaning you automatically get 30 days instead of 21. And if you want to extend, you get to apply at the Bureau of Immigration (BI) office, hence your article saying "need to frequent" the BI Office. This is a 6-month extension including your visa-on-arrival of 30 day. Of course there's a fee, though I'm not sure how much this extension costs.

The old visa extension fees / chart is here: http://immigration.gov.ph/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=118&Itemid=43

Apparently, with Visa on Arrival, the extension is only 38 days on top of the 21 days already given. With the article you posted, it would be an extension of the Visa on Arrival days to 6 months.(which is still not reflected on the website, as it was updated on February 27, 2012. LOL)

Also this is different from the PH Tourist Visa that you apply for while you still are in the US. Meaning before you land in the Philippines.

My fiance availed of this Multiple Entry Tourist Visa last year and he had 59 days of stay for $80/90 . I forget exactly how much. He stayed here for 3 months. He didn't have to extend his visa. All we had to do was travel outside the Philippines, and then he got another 59 days.

Edited August 7, 2013 by Erika & Chris

[Tahoma 2,292]

Yes, you can stay a lot longer. However, those extensions aren't free.