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Frequently Asked Questions About Visa Processing Services in the Philippines

Frequently Asked Questions About Visa Processing Services in the Philippines

To give you a better understanding of visa processing services in the Philippines, we provide a list of frequently asked questions (FAQs) to address general inquiries about the service.

Q: How to apply for a Philippine Visa?

You have three available options when applying for a Philippine visa: 

  1. Personal processing with the Philippine Embassy or Consulate of your country of origin
  2. Hire a visa processing agency
  3. Personal processing with the Philippine Embassy or Consulate of your country of residence (if you don’t live in your country of origin)

Q: What are the requirements for a Philippine Visa?

The specific requirements for obtaining a Philippine visa depend on your purpose of travel, may it be work, tourism, or retirement. The minimum requirements are as follows:

  • Passport valid for 6 months beyond the intended stay
  • Accomplished Visa Application forms
  • Passport photos (2 pieces)
  • Proof of bonafide status as tourist or businessman
  • Confirmed tickets for return or onward journey to next destination
  • Payment of processing fees.

Q: Can I apply for a Philippine Visa online?

Yes, you can apply for a Philippine Visa through the official website of the Philippine Embassy or Consulate of your country of origin/residence.

Q: How long is the turnover time for payroll processing services?

After the client submits all required documents for computation, payroll processing in the Philippines usually takes 3-6 business days.

Q: What are the types of working visas in the Philippines?

The Philippines offer four types of work visas to foreign nationals who wish to engage in gainful employment: 

Q: What are the requirements when applying for a working visa in the Philippines?

The requirements for working visas depend on the type of visa you wish to obtain. Generally, work visas require the following: 

  • Checklist with accomplished documentary requirements
  • Duly accomplished Consolidated General Application Form (CGAF) for Non-Immigrant Visa
  • Additional information on the applicant’s children/dependents (if applicable)
  • Notarized certification of the number of foreigners and Filipino employees of Employer/Company

Additionally, foreigners are required to obtain a work permit to be eligible to apply for a work visa in the Philippines.

Q: What are the types of work permits in the Philippines?

There are generally three work permits in the Philippines: 

  • Alien Employment Permit (AEP) 
  • Special Work Permit (SWP)
  • Provisional Work Permit (PWP)

Q: What are the types of visas in the Philippines?

The Philippine government offers over 20 kinds of visa options to foreign nationals, which are grouped into three categories: non-immigrant visas, immigrant visas, and special visas.

  • Section 9 Visas or Non-Immigrant Visas. For foreign nationals who wish to stay in the Philippines temporarily
  • Section 13 Visas or Immigrant Visas. For foreign nationals who wish to stay permanently in the Philippines
  • Special Visas. For qualified foreign nationals belonging to the demographic groups granted special entry privileges through legislation or presidential proclamations

Q: How long is the processing period for visa applications in the Philippines?

The visa processing time depends on the kind of visa you are applying for. Generally, it takes two (2) to ten (10) business days. Qualified applicants can request an expedited process for an additional fee.

Q: Are there restrictions when traveling to the Philippines during the COVID-19 pandemic?

The Philippines provides three categories to identify which travelers are allowed to enter the country. Such categories are:

  • Red List. Inbound international travelers, regardless of their vaccination status, shall not be allowed to enter the Philippines. Only Filipinos returning to the country via government-initiated repatriation, non-government-initiated repatriation, and Bayanihan flights may be allowed entry, subject to entry, testing, and quarantine protocols.
  • Yellow List. Inbound international travelers, regardless of their vaccination status, coming from or with travel history within the last 14 days prior to their arrival in the Philippines from “Yellow List” places shall be governed by entry, testing, and quarantine protocols.
  • Green List. Inbound international travelers under this category are allowed to enter the Philippines, provided that they provide sufficient documentation with compliance to the Inter-Agency Task Force (IATF) vaccination protocols.

Q: What countries are listed under the Philippine “Green List” category? 

As of September 4, 2021, the following countries are included in the Philippine green list category: 

A

  • American Samoa
  • Anguilla
  • Australia

B

  • Benin
  • Burkina Faso

C

  • Cameroon
  • Cayman Islands
  • Chad
  • China
  • Comoros
  • Republic of the Congo

D

  • Djibouti

E

  • Equatorial Guinea

F

  • Falkland Islands (Malvinas)

G

  • Gabon
  • Grenada

H

  • Hong Kong
  • Hungary

M

  • Mali
  • Federated States of Micronesia
  • Montserrat

N

  • New Caledonia
  • New Zealand
  • Niger
  • Northern Mariana Islands

P

  • Palau
  • Poland

S

  • Saba
  • Saint Pierre and Miquelon
  • Sierra Leone
  • Sint Eustatius
  • Slovakia

T

  • Taiwan

Secure the Right Visa For Your Stay in the Philippines

With a simplified approach to visa processing in the Philippines, our team is dedicated to helping you choose the appropriate visa when traveling to the Philippines for work, retirement, or leisure.

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