A Philippine Visa is an endorsement made on a travel document by a consular officer at a Philippine Embassy or Consulate abroad denoting that the visa application has been properly examined and that the bearer is permitted to proceed to the Philippines and request permission from the Philippine Immigration authorities at the ports of entry to enter the country. The visa thus issued is not a guarantee that the holder will be automatically admitted into the country, because the admission of foreign nationals into the Philippines is a function of the immigration authorities at the port of entry.

The admission of foreign citizens into the Philippines is governed by Commonwealth Act No. 613, as amended, known as the Philippine Immigration Act of 1940. The Bureau of Immigration is responsible for the administration of Philippine immigration laws and regulations.

Validity of a Visa

The period of validity of a visa indicates the time within which entry into the Philippines may be effected. It does not refer to the length of stay in the Philippines.

For example, a three month-valid single entry visa means a person may enter the Philippines within three (3) months from the date of issuance of that visa. The visa-holder must not interpret the three-month validity period of visa as permission to stay in the Philippines for three months.

If a traveler is in possession of a one-year or six-month multiple entry visa, this means that the traveler may enter the Philippines any number of times provided it is within one year or six months from the date of issuance of that visa. The visa-holder must not interpret the one-year or six-month multiple entry visa as permission to stay in the Philippines for one year or six months.

Visa-Free Entry under Executive Order 408 (EO 408)

Under EO 408, Canadian passport holders who intend to stay in the Philippines for a period not exceeding 30 days may enter the country without a visa provided that they:

● hold valid tickets for their return journey to port of origin or next port of destination;
● hold passports that are valid for at least 6 months beyond the intended period of stay in the Philippines; and
● are not subject of blacklist/deportation order of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Bureau of Immigration.

Visitors who intend to stay longer shall apply directly with the Philippine Bureau of Immigration when already in the Philippines for extension of their stay.

To check if your passport will require a visa to enter the Philippines, please visit: https://dfa-oca.ph/visa/visa-general-info/