How to Obtain a Visa for the Phillipines
- 1). Purchase your airline ticket to the Philippines. The length of your stay determines whether or not you need a tourist visa, Americans entering the Philippines can stay visa-free for a length of 21 days, after which a visa would need to be applied for. If you know ahead of time that your stay will be longer than 21 days, you will need to apply for a visa before leaving through the Philippines Consulate General that has jurisdiction over your state.
- 2). Print and complete the Philippines visa application form (F.A. Form 2) from the website of the Philippines Consulate General that has jurisdiction over the state in which you reside. If you do not know your nearest consulate general, visit the website of the Philippines Department of Foreign Affairs for a full list of locations.
- 3). Take your completed application form to be notarized by a public authority (this can be done usually at a bank). If you are taking your visa application to the consulate general in person, you do not need to have the application form notarized.
- 4). Gather the supplementary documents needed for the tourist visa. Supplementary documents include: a copy of your round trip airline ticket, one passport-size photo, a valid passport good for at least six remaining months, proof of financial stability during the expected time spent in the Philippines, and proof of application payment.
- 5). Pay the application fee. There are three different fees for a tourist visa: for a single entry three-month (used withing 3 months) visa, the fee is $30, for a multiple entry six-month visa the fee is $60, and for multiple nine months the fee is $90. All tourist visas allow for a maximum stay of 59 days upon arrival. You can extend your tourist visa beyond 59 days at the bureau of immigration in Manila. Pay the fee by cashiers check, bank draft or money order payable to the Philippine Consulate General. Personal checks will not be accepted.
- 6). Take your application packet in person or send it to the consulate general presiding over your state. If sending the application in the mail, you must include return shipping (see individual policy for your consulate general regarding shipping postage).