Nationals from countries listed below who are travelling to the Philippines for business and tourism purposes are allowed to enter the Philippines without visas for a stay not exceeding twenty-one (21) days, provided they hold valid tickets for their return journey to port of origin or next port of destination and their passports valid for a period of at least six (6) months beyond the contemplated period of stay. However, Immigration Officers at ports of entry may exercise their discretion to admit holders of passports valid for at least sixty (60) days beyond the intended period of stay.

Nationals from the following countries are allowed to enter the Philippines without a visa for a period of stay of twenty-one (21) days or less:

*The following are allowed to enter the Philippines without a visa for a stay not exceeding fifty-nine (59) days:

• Holders of Brazil passports; and
• Holders of Israel passports

The following are allowed to enter the Philippines without a visa for a stay not exceeding seven (7) days:

• Hol ers of Hong Kong Special Administrative (SAR) passports
• Holders of British National Overseas (BNO) passports
• Holders of Portuguese Passports issued in Macao
• Holders of Macao Special Administrative Region (SAR) passports

Important Note:

Nationals who are subjects of deportation/blacklist orders of the Department and the Bureau of Immigration shall not be admitted to the Philippines. Further inquiries may be addressed to the Visa Division (Telephone numbers: 834-4854, 834-3707, and 834-4810), Department of Foreign Affairs, 2330 Roxas Boulevard, Pasay City or to any Philippine Embassy or Consulate abroad.

DEFINITION OF A FOREIGN TOURIST (TEMPORARY VISITOR)

A 'foreign tourist' is defined as a person without distinction as to race, gender, language or religion, who is proceeding o the Philippines for a legitimate, nonimmigrant purpose such as sightseeing, sports, health, family reasons, training or study (excluding enrollment in schools for the purpose of obtaining a title or degree), religious pilgrimage, business, cultural and scientific purposes.

STANDARD PROCEDURE/MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS FOR APPLYING A TEMPORARY VISITOR'S VISA

Application for a temporary visitor's visa must be made in person. In the case of a minor under eighteen (18) years of age, the application may be made for him by a person who, in the opinion of the consular officer, is responsible for his/her welfare. The minor, not an infant in arms, shall be required to appear at the Consulate for interview, together with the person making the application for him/her.

Applicants for temporary visitor's visa should normally apply at the Philippine Embassy or Consulate that has jurisdiction over their place of residence. While some visa applicants may apply at any Philippine Embassy or Consulate abroad, others are only allowed to apply his/her visa at the Philippine Embassy or Consulate in his country of origin or legal residence.

The following are the minimum requirements for applying a temporary visitor's visa:

• Passport/Travel Document Valid for at least six (6) months beyond the intended period of stay in the Philippines;
• Duly Accomplished Visa application forms;
• Passport Photos (2 pieces);
• Proof of bona fide status as tourist or businessman;
• Confirmed tickets for return or onward journey to the next port of destination; and
• Payment of Visa Fees

OTHER VISA/ENTRY REQUIREMENTS FOR FOREIGN NATIONALS

• Minor children below 15 yrs. old Travelling to the Philippines Unaccompanied by or not Joining a Parent in the Philippines

A Waiver of Exclusion Ground (WEG) Under Section 29(a)(12) of the Philippine Immigration Act of 1940, as amended is required for children below 15 yrs. old who are travelling to the Philippines unaccompanied by or not joining his/her parent/s to the Philippines.

The WEG Order will be issued by the Bureau of Immigration (BI) at the port of entry upon submission by the WEG applicant of the following requirements:

• Affidavit of consent by either parent or legally appointed guardian of the child, naming therein the person who will be accompanying the child to the Philippines and with whom the child will stay while in the country. The said Affidavit must be duly notarized by a local notary public or the consular officer at the Philippine Embassy or Consulate in the applicants country or residence;
• Clear photocopy of the data page of the childs passport;
• Clear photocopy of the data page of the passport of the accompanying adult or guardian; and
• Payment of immigration fees (currently, P3,120 per child).

• Foreign Newsmen, Journalists and Cinema/Television Groups

Foreign newsmen and journalists visiting the Philippines in pursuit of their profession are required to apply for a temporary visitors visa. The following are additional requirements for visa application of foreign newsmen, journalist, cinema/television groups:

• Curriculum vitae of newsmen/journalists;
• Shortlist of work credits;
• Copy of one (1) sample article written by the applicant;
• Background of media organization, including target market/audience, circulation, format; and
• Administrative arrangements for the work in the Philippines, as follows:
• List of members of the reportorial team, nationality and passport details;
• Planned itinerary and activities, with storyline for any films to be made;
• List of equipment to be brought by each team member, with certification from the media organization that said equipment will be re-exported at the end of the trip to the Philippines;
• Flight details (arrival and departure); and
• For each team member, one (1) photograph, sixe 1 in. x1 in., to be submitted to the International Press Center (IPC) for the issuance of accreditation card.

Upon arrival in the Philippines, the newsmen/journalists will have to report to the IPC for accreditation.

• Foreign Nationals who wish to take up a short-term non-degree course

Foreign students who wish to take up a short-term non-degree course like language and computer courses must apply for a temporary visitors visa. Upon arrival in the Philippines and acceptance by the school/institution authorized by the Bureau of Immigration to accept foreign students, he/she should apply for a Special Study Permit at the Bureaus Student Desk, together with the following documents:

• Letter request;
• Certificate of Acceptance from the school accredited by the Bureau of Immigration to accept foreign students;
• Photocopy of passport reflecting the applicants authorized period of stay;
• Affidavit of Support and Proof of Financial Capacity; and
• Birth Certificate.

EXTENSION OF AUTHORIZED PERIOD OF STAY IN THE PHILIPPINES

In case of a temporary visitor's visa holder whose stay in the Philippines will exceed the authorized period of stay, he/she will have to report to the Bureau of Immigration, secure an extension of stay and pay the corresponding immigration fees. Information on fees for extension of stay and other Immigration fees are available at the Bureau of Immigration website www.immigration.gov.ph.

STCW DIPLOMATIC CONFERENCE LANE

At the Ninoy Aquino International Airport, Terminals 1 and 2, a dedicated 2010 STCW Diplomatic Conference Lane will be available to all delegates to facilitate immigration clearance.

NAIA Terminal 1

NAIA Terminal 2

DISEMBARKATION CARD

Upon arrival, delegates are to present their passport and a completed Disembarkation Embarkation Card (provided by airline in flight) to the Immigration officer.

CUSTOMS CLEARANCE

Delegates and their accompanying persons are advised to fill out the Baggage Declaration Form before disembarking to facilitate Customs examination. The following are allowed inside the duty-free: reasonable quantity of clothes, jewelry, and toiletries; 400 sticks of cigarettes or two tins of tobacco; two bottles of wine or spirits of not more than one liter each.

DEPARTURE FORMALITIES

In line with international practices, Delegates are required to go through security checks at the airport.

RESTRICTED BAGGAGE ITEMS

Guidelines that restrict the amount of Liquids, Aerosols and Gels (LAGs) that passengers can carry in their hand-carried luggage apply to all flight departing from Manila. Passengers are advised to check in all LAGs that do not meet the new guidelines. LAGs should be packed in accordance with the new guidelines:

a. LAGs must be in containers with a maximum capacity of not more than 100ml each. LAGs in containers larger than 100ml will not be accepted, even if the container is partially-filled;

b. Containers must be placed in a transparent re-sealable plastic bag with a maximum capacity not exceeding 1-litre. These containers must fit comfortably within the transparent re-sealable plastic bag, which must be completely closed;

c. Each passenger is allowed to carry only one transparent re-sealable plastic bag, which must be presented separately for examination at the security screening point;

d. Exemptions will be made for medications, baby food and special dietary items. These items will be subjected to additional checks at the security screening point.

AIRPORT TRANSFERS

Delegates and visitors are advised to avail themselves of accredited fixed rate or metered taxis at the NAIAs Arrival Area. Both NAIA Terminals 1 and 2 have counters for hotel transport and car rental services.

Accredited Metered Taxis in front of the Arrival Area of NAIA Terminals 1 & 2