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With the number of countries offering visa-free access to Pinoys reaching 66 this year, there’s no better time than now to travel.
The Philippines’ is ranked #70 in the list of the world’s strongest passport.
This is based on the Henley Passport Index that looks into the “Travel freedom of countries based on an authoritative database of the travel information”.
Neighboring country Singapore is at second place, while Japan is the current champ with visa-free access to 189 countries.
Related: Become a Digital Nomad – 20 High Paying Remote Online Jobs
What is a Visa?
It’s an official endorsement that the passport holder is allowed to enter a particular country. It’s used to determine the following:
- The duration of your stay
- Date when you should leave
- Dates when you can enter the country
- How many times you’re allowed to visit a country
- Details of your work rights and/or other labor-related information
Related: How to Get a Philippine Passport: DFA Online Appointments, Requirements, and Renewals
Types of Tourist Visas
1. VISA-FREE
Visa-free allows you to enter a country without the need for a visa. You are given a specific amount of time for your stay.
2. VISA-ON-ARRIVAL
Visa-on-Arrival (VOA) is granted upon entry at the airport of the country you’re visiting. There is no application required beforehand. You will be assisted by the immigration officials who will be the ones issuing your visa after all required paperwork and fees have been taken care of.
3. VISA-REQUIRED
Visa-required needs you to apply for a visa in the embassy or consulate before traveling into the country you plan to visit (for business or tourist visas). You’ll be asked to provide supporting documents proving your medical status, financial capacity, prior travel history, and others.
4. e-VISA
eVisa is convenient as it allows you to apply via the internet. The actual visa is stored in the immigration’s database and a corresponding passport number will be linked to it for verification.
Related Guide: How to Get a Golden Visa
Complete List of Visa-Free Countries for Philippine Passport Holders [+eVisa & VOA]
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ASEAN Countries
Very popular with globetrotting backpackers and tourists, thanks to its amazing beaches, exotic cuisine, and cheap prices.
Pros:
- Budget-friendly
- Terrific geographical views
- Rich cultural heritage (arts and music)
- Lots of beaches
- Exotic foods
- Easily cross borders by sea or land trip.
Cons:
- Tourist traps and exploitation can be rampant
Country | Type of Visa | Duration | Requirements | Visa Cost |
Vietnam | Visa Free | 21 Days | Return/onward ticket | $0 – Apply Online |
Thailand | Visa Free | 30 Days | Return/onward ticket | |
Myanmar | Visa Free | 14 Days | Return/onward ticket | |
Malaysia | Visa Free | 30 Days | Return/onward ticket | |
Laos | Visa Free | 30 Days | ||
Indonesia | Visa Free | 30 Days | ||
Cambodia | Visa Free | 21 Days | ||
Brunei Darussalam | Visa Free | 14 Days | Return/onward ticket | |
Singapore | Visa Free | 30 Days | Return/onward ticket |
Find the Cheapest Flights and Hotel deals for your trip to Southeast Asia:
Asia
The experience you’ll get out of traveling to the rest of Asia varies wildly.
From the modern countries like South Korea, Taiwan, Macau, and Hong Kong, to the cultural haven that is India, Mongolia, Sri Lanka, including a few countries in Central Asia, there’s a lot in store for the wandering traveler.
Pros:
- Plenty of interesting places and ancient culture
- Majestic sights and landscapes
Cons:
- Some regions might be unstable and unsafe during certain times
Country | Type of Visa | Duration | Requirements | Visa Cost |
Hong Kong | Visa Free | 14 days | Return/onward ticket | |
India | e-Visa | 60 days | e-Visa holders must arrive via 26 designated airports | $82 – Apply online |
Israel | Visa Free | 90 days | Return/onward ticket | |
Iran | Visa Free | 15 days | Return/onward ticket | |
Macau | Visa Free | 30 days | Return/onward ticket; At least MOP 5000 proof of funds | |
China | Visa Free (Hainan) / VOA (Shenzen) | |||
South Korea | Visa Free (Jeju Island only) | 30 days | ||
Taiwan | Visa Free | 14 days | Return/onward ticket | |
Timor-Leste | VOA | 30 days | ||
Armenia | VOA | 120 days | Visa payable only in local currency | |
Mongolia | Visa Free | 21 days | Return/onward ticket | |
Nepal | VOA | 21 days | ||
Sri Lanka | e-Visa | 30 days | Return/onward ticket | $35 – Apply online |
Kyrgyzstan | VOA | 30 days | Return/onward ticket; Hotel vouchers | |
Tajikistan | VOA | 45 days | E-visa holders can enter through all border points. | |
Maldives | VOA | 30 days | Return/onward ticket; Hotel vouchers |
Find the Cheapest Flights and Hotel deals for your trip to Asia:
Africa
If you want to view some of the world’s most fascinating wildlife creatures, Africa is the place to be. The beautiful, sweeping, landscapes and dramatic scenery provides travelers with a unique travel experience rich in life and culture.
Pros:
- Safari and wildlife
- Vast deserts and picturesque landscapes
Cons:
- Safety is not guaranteed at all times
Country | Type of Visa | Duration | Notes/Special Requirements | Visa Cost |
Benin | e-Visa / VOA | 30 days | International vaccination certificate | $65 – $125 – Apply online |
Cape Verde Islands | Visa Free | 21 days | ||
Comoros | Visa Free | 21 days | Return/onward ticket | |
Ivory Coast (Côte d’Ivoire) | Visa Free | 90 days | International certificate of vaccination against Yellow Fever | |
Ethiopia | e-Visa | 30 days | $52 – Apply online | |
Gabon | e-Visa | 30 – 90 days | e-Visa holders must arrive via Libreville International Airport. | $98 – Apply online |
Morocco | Visa Free | 90 days | Return/onward ticket | |
Lesotho | e-Visa | 90 days | Yellow Fever Vaccination | $150 – Apply online |
Rwanda | Visa Free | 90 days | $50 (3 days) | |
Seychelles | Visa Free | 21 days | Return/onward ticket; Proof of accommodation and funds | |
Djibouti | VOA | 30 days | ||
Gambia | VOA | 90 days | Return/onward ticket; Gambian immigration entry clearance required | |
Guinea-Bissau | VOA | 90 days | ||
Kenya | VOA | 90 days | Return/onward ticket | $50 (3 days) |
Madagascar | VOA | 30 days | Return/onward ticket | $27 (3 days) |
Malawi | VOA | 21 days | ||
Mauritania | VOA | Available at Nouakchott–Oumtounsy International Airport. | ||
Mauritius | VOA | 60 days | ||
Mozambique | VOA | 30 days | Return/onward ticket; Proof of accommodation and funds | $50 (3 days) |
Senegal | VOA | 30 days | Return/onward ticket; official invitation letter | |
Somalia | VOA | 30 days | ||
Tanzania | VOA | 30 days | Return/onward ticket; | $50 (3 days) |
Togo | VOA | 7 days | Return/onward ticket; Passport photos | |
Uganda | VOA | 90 days | Return/onward ticket; Proof of accommodation and funds; Proof of reason of visit and contact details of the person to be visited | $50 (3 days) |
Zambia | VOA | 90 days | Return/onward ticket; | $50 (3 days) |
Zimbabwe | e-Visa | 90 days | $30 – Apply Online |
Find the Cheapest Flights and Hotel deals for your trip to Africa:
Americas (Central America / Caribbean / South America)
An amazing travel destination thanks to the variety of culture, people, activities, and places it offers.
Lots of beaches, rich language, fascinating culture, and people make traveling to these places a rich and vibrant experience.
Pros:
- Colonial and native history produced some of this area’s great culture and cuisine, weather is amazing
Cons:
- Travel costs can be expensive
Country | Type of Visa | Duration | Requirements | Visa Cost |
Antigua and Barbuda | e-Visa | Completed Visa application form, confirmation of travel (return/onward ticket) | $50 – $75 – Apply online | |
Colombia | Visa Free | 90 days | Return/onward ticket; Proof hotel accommodation and funds | |
Dominica | Visa Free | 21 days | ||
Haiti | Visa Free | 90 days | Return/onward ticket; Proof of place to stay | |
Costa Rica | Visa Free | 90 days | Return/onward ticket; | |
Nicaragua | VOA | 30 days | Tourist Card on arrival | $50 |
Saint Vincent and the Grenadines | Visa Free | 30 days | ||
Saint Lucia | VOA | 6 weeks | $47 – Apply online | |
Trinidad and Tobago | VOA | $200 – Apply online | ||
Bolivia | Visa Free | 90 days | ||
Brazil | Visa Free | 90 days | Return/onward ticket; | |
Ecuador | Visa Free | 90 days | ||
Peru | Visa Free | 183 days | Return/onward ticket; | |
Suriname | Visa Free | 90 days | Return/onward ticket; |
Find the Cheapest Flights and Hotel deals for your trip to Caribbean, South, and Central America:
Europe
As of the moment, we only have 3 Europe-based countries on our list above.
Georgia offers a remarkable mix of landscapes and climates, Turkey has breathtaking mountains and seas (as well as their incredible shopping spots), while Kosovo has beautiful churches and monasteries.
Pros:
- A taste of European people and culture that’s very different from our own
Cons:
- Travel costs can be expensive, not much to experience in terms of depth and variety compared to other areas on our list
Country | Type of Visa | Duration | Requirements | Visa Cost |
Georgia | e-Visa | Return/onward ticket; proof of funds, health insurance | ||
Kosovo | Visa-free (check requirements) | 15 days | Applies to Schengen Visa Holders only | |
Turkey | E-Visa for Schengen, Ireland, UK, US Permit holders | Return/onward ticket; proof of funds and hotel accommodation | $20.70 – Apply Online |
Find the Cheapest Flights and Hotel deals for your trip to Europe:
Oceania / Pacific Islands
Home to some of the world’s amazing white beaches, stunning coral reefs, and majestic volcanic islands.
Pros:
- Beautiful beaches
- Great for surfing, snorkeling
- Bungee jumping
Cons:
- Not much in store for the cultural-explorer
Country | Type of Visa | Duration | Requirements | Visa Cost |
Fiji | VOA | 120 days | Return/onward ticket; | |
Marshall Islands | VOA | 90 days | Return/onward ticket; permit to visit | |
Palau | VOA | 30 days | Proof of sufficient funds | |
Papua New Guinea | VOA | 60 days | Return/onward ticket; | |
Samoa | VOA | 60 days (Visitor’s permit on arrival) | Return/onward ticket; | |
Tuvalu | VOA | 30 days | Return/onward ticket; | |
Cook Islands | Visa Free | 31 days | Return/onward ticket; | |
Nauru | Visa Free | Return/onward ticket; Visa letter | ||
Micronesia | Visa Free | 30 days | ||
Niue | Visa Free | 30 days | Return/onward ticket; | |
Vanuatu | Visa Free | 30 days | Return/onward ticket; |
Find the Cheapest Flights and Hotel deals for your trip to Oceania and the Pacific Islands:
Requirements for Visa Application
Each country you visit will require you to submit requirements based on their policies. So don’t be surprised if the occasional hiccup occurs.
It happens.
However, there are documents and resources that you absolutely must have and prepare in advance. Having these will save you a lot of time and help avoid any hassles.
- A passport that is valid for six months minimum
- A completely-filled out visa application form
- Previous visas
- Passport photos
- Money
- Travel and Medical Insurance
- Proof of financial capacity
These are the most common requirements you should have with you always.
Make sure to visit the country’s official immigration website for details beforehand so you’ll know exactly what you’ll need.
Tips to get approved for Visa faster
Here’s the thing about applying for Visas: It’s not 100% “standard” each time.
You might get approved without much fuss one time and then be rejected completely even when you submitted the same set of paperwork.
While the following tips don’t guarantee you’ll get approved automatically, they help in increasing your chances of getting approved quickly.
1. Complete and bring all paperwork and related documents
Embassy officials aren’t your teachers. You can’t simply say “Follow up ko na lang later ma’am” when you realize you forgot an important document.
They won’t accept it if it’s incomplete. Save yourself and others the hassle by being diligent in your preparation. Doing so ensures the whole process runs smoothly.
In completing forms, be thorough and accurate. During the interview, provide sufficient details but don’t go overboard.
It’s not about being “makwento” or casual to feign confidence. Just answer what they ask for in a polite yet confident manner.
2. Radical Honesty for the reason of your visit
If Brother Bo Sanchez promotes “Radical Patience” as a secret to building wealth, you have to apply “Radical Honesty” when stating the reason for your visit.
Make sure to apply for the appropriate visa (student, visitor, are different) and be true in your intentions.
3. Proof of Financial Capacity
Here are some of the most common documents that might be required for proving your solvency/financial capacity:
Employed Person:
- COE – Certificate of Employment
- Most recent payslips
- Income Tax Return (ITR)
Self-employed:
- Copy of Business Permit
- Tax statements
- Bank Statement and Financial Reports (most recent)
- Copies of credit cards, bank certificates, or bank statements (personal)
Retirees:
- Proof financial assets
- Documents proving period of time and date of retirement
- Pension-related documents
Students/Minors
- Sponsorship letter (from guardians/parents) with corresponding documents showing proof of solvency
- Official documentation from school/university as proof of scholarship along with the complete details (duration, etc.,)
Unemployed
- Proof of investments or financial assets
- Copies of personal financial documents like bank statements and credit cards
- Sponsorship letter with corresponding documents showing proof of solvency
4. Proof showing that you won’t be overstaying
Embassies want to see proof that you have strong ties here that will urge you to go back to your mother country.
This is to prevent risks of overstaying through illegal means. These are the most common ones:
- Leave of absence or Certificate of employment
- Proof of ownership of property or business
- Documents showing proof that you’re enrolled here currently
- Leave of absence
- Letter from sponsors emphasizing reasons you won’t be overstaying
Non-visa Requirements
1. Passport validity length
- Check the expiration date on your passport and make sure it’s still good for 6 months.
2. Fingerprinting
- Plenty of countries require that all visitors from foreign nations provide their fingerprints upon arrival. Anyone refusing to do so will not be granted entry or worse, be apprehended by authorities.
3. Blank passport pages
- A good number of countries require visitors to have the minimum number of blank pages on their visas. Note that endorsement pages are not counted.
4. Criminal record
- Some countries (e.g Australia, Canada, Fiji, New Zealand and the United States [351]) routinely deny entry to non-citizens who have a criminal record.
- There are countries who will deny visiting non-citizens who have a criminal record. US, Australia, New Zealnd, and Canada are examples.
5. Vaccination
- Almost all African nations require that visitors present an International Certificate of Vaccination prior entry. There are some countries that only require vaccination if they came from a known infected area or have visited one recently.
Traveling abroad has never been easier. Whether it’s on nearby ASEAN countries or other must-visit continents, the ability to travel visa-free is a huge perk for us Pinoys.
You get to bypass the arduous (and sometimes frustrating) step of applying for a visa, which is not really a hassle-free process here in our country.
Let’s hope more countries open their soil to Filipinos without the need for the visa, so we can get to experience and enjoy what other nations and cultures have to offer.
Related: 40+ Ways Filipinos can Save While Traveling
You should add Russia under the “E-Visa” category. Since July 1st, 2019, Filipino passports have been given the privilege to enter Kaliningrad with an e-visa rather than through the traditional visa application procedures. The “Russian Embassy in the Philippines” page in FB has announced it already.
There are more non-visa areas in Europe:
· Transnistrian region of Moldova (if entering from Ukraine on transit visa B or other Ukrainian visa)
· Northern Cyprus
· Andorra (by availing its Ski resorts’ helicopter transfer service transit from Barcelona airport – the website said the cost is €2600)
· Svalbard region of Norway