If there’s anyone who can detail the nitty-gritty of traveling, it’s Filipinos. According to the Henley Passport Index, the Philippine passport ranks 78th in terms of travel freedom and visa requirements as of April 2022. With a passport that’s a smidge restrictive, Filipinos have come up with creative ways of exploring the world. Budget carriers such as Cebu Pacific often release seat sales to itch the wanderlust of aspiring jet setters. If you have a Philippine passport, there is so much to consider before traveling; familiarize yourself with the visa requirements of your destination. Listed below are visa-free, visa-on-arrival, and e-visa countries for Philippine passport holders.
ASEAN countries
It’s always safe to look at your neighboring countries especially when you’re new to traveling abroad. For travelers from the Philippines, it’s the member states of ASEAN, or Association of Southeast Asian Nations. For one, they’re visa free, so not much pre-travel preparation is required. Secondly, the flight time is relatively quick - there’s more time for exploring and less time spent on plane rides! Here is the list of ASEAN countries for your guidance:
1. Brunei
Brunei is one of the closest destinations to the Philippines, clocking around 2 hours and 10 minutes of flight time from Manila. It’s on the northern coast of Borneo and is famed for its Islamic architecture and undisturbed rainforests. The floating village of Kampong Ayer and Gadong Night Market are two of the most frequented spots in the capital municipality of Bandar Seri Begawan. Philippine passport holders are permitted to stay up to 14 days in the country without a visa.
2. Cambodia
Known for the Angkor Wat temple complex, Cambodia is another passport-friendly destinations in Southeast Asia for Filipinos. Filipino citizens can stay for up to 30 days without a visa, but only for tourism purposes. The flight from Manila takes about 2 hours and 50 minutes.
Many tourists also flock to Phnom Penh for the many things to do there, or go diving in Sihanoukville, and witness traditional Khmer performances. For night owls and partygoers, Pub Street in Siem Reap never disappoints with its line of bars and cheap beers.
You might be interested in these Airbnbs!
3. Indonesia
Renowned for the rich marine biodiversity of Bali, the historic sites of Java, and delicacies like nasi goreng and rendang, Indonesia is a top destination in Southeast Asia. Philippine citizens who are visiting for tourism reasons need not apply for a visa and can stay up to 30 days. The flight from Manila to Jakarta takes approximately 3 hours and 50 minutes, while Manila to Bali (Denpasar) takes about 4 hours and 10 minutes.
4. Laos
Boasting vast landscapes and idyllic rural areas, Laos is the ultimate destination for laid-back vacations. For outdoor lovers, the best places to visit are the Plain of Jars, the beautiful town of Vang Vieng, and the hot springs of Ban Pak Nam Eun. Philippine passport holders are permitted to stay a maximum of 30 days without a visa.
There are no direct flights from Manila to Laos (Vientiane), however, there are flights with a stopover in cities like Bangkok, Singapore, and Kuala Lumpur.
5. Malaysia
Filipino citizens traveling to Malaysia can do so without a visa for a maximum of 30 days. Flights from Manila to Kuala Lumpur typically take about 4 hours, while flights to Kota Kinabalu in the state of Sabah only take a little over 2 hours. If you plan to visit the capital city, the Petronas Twin Towers is a must-not-miss attraction. Other great places to visit around Malaysia are George Town in Penang and Batu Caves in Selangor.
6. Myanmar
The flight time from Manila to Myanmar’s Yangon International Airport can vary from 7 hours to 16 hours since there are no direct flights available. Filipino citizens visiting for tourism purposes can stay without a visa for a maximum of 14 days.
A trip to Myanmar, as many say, isn’t complete without witnessing the majestic Shwedagon Pagoda in Yangon and Mandalay Palace. Myanmar is also iconic for the fiery-hued skies and the hot air balloons gliding across the plains of Bagan.
7. Singapore
Citizens of the Philippines are welcome to stay visa-free in Singapore for a maximum of 30 days. There are several carriers that offer direct flights from Manila, which usually take about 3 hours and 40 minutes.
This island country is a land of architectural beauty, boasting iconic buildings such as the Marina Bay Sands, the Esplanade, and the ArtScience Museum. Clarke Quay lights up wonderfully at night, and is perfect for romantic strolls, sightseeing, or an evening drink. Even Changi Airport is an attraction in itself, housing the Rain Vortex, the world’s largest indoor waterfall.
8. Thailand
A direct flight from Manila to Bangkok typically takes 3 hours and 30 minutes. Filipinos can freely explore Thailand without a visa for up to 30 days.
If you’re visiting the capital city, some of the best things to do are cruising the Chao Phraya River, touring the Royal Grand Palace, shopping at vibrant night markets. Chiang Mai is also a great city to visit if you’re fond of ornate temples. For a more laid-back holiday in Thailand, take to the province island of Phuket and enjoy its stretches of stunning beaches.
9. Vietnam
Known for the traditional soup “pho”, Vietnam is a destination that foodies will have a grand time exploring. Two of its biggest cities, Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh, are opposites when it comes to appearance. Hanoi features traditional old quarters and Ho Chi Minh is where the skyscrapers are.
From Manila, flights to Hanoi take about 3 hours and 25 minutes, while the flight time to Ho Chi Minh is only around 2 hours and 50 minutes. Philippine passport holders can stay without a visa for up to 21 days.
Other visa-free countries
Ready to venture outside the member states of ASEAN? There are over 20 countries in the world where Philippine citizens can enter freely. From Hong Kong and Taiwan in Asia to Colombia and Costa Rica in the Americas, here are more places you can explore without a visa:
Continent | Country | Length of Stay |
---|---|---|
ASIA | Hong Kong | up to 14 days |
Israel | up to 90 days | |
Kazakhstan | up to 30 days | |
Macao | up to 30 days | |
Mongolia | up to 21 days | |
Palestine | up to 90 days | |
Taiwan | up to 14 days | |
THE AMERICAS | Barbados | up to 90 days |
Bolivia | up to 90 days | |
Brazil | up to 90 days | |
Colombia | up to 90 days, extendable for another 90 days | |
Costa Rica | up to 30 days | |
Côte d’Ivoire | up to 90 days | |
Dominica | up to 21 days | |
Haiti | up to 3 months | |
Peru | up to 123 days | |
Saint Vincent and the Grenadines | up to 1 month | |
Suriname | up to 90 days | |
OCEANIA | Fiji | up to 4 months |
Micronesia | up to 30 days | |
Vanuatu | up to 30 days | |
AFRICA | Cote d’Ivoire | up to 90 days |
Gambia | up to 90 days (entry clearance must be obtained from the Gambian Immigration before traveling) |
|
Morocco | up to 90 days | |
Rwanda | up to 90 days |
Visa-on-arrival countries
From the landscapes of Madagascar to the iconic overwater villas of the Maldives, there’s just so much of the world to discover. Below are countries offering a visa upon arrival:
Continent | Country | Length of Stay |
---|---|---|
ASIA | Armenia | up to 120 days (eVisa is also available) |
Iran | up to 30 days | |
Kyrgyzstan | up to 1 month (available at Manas International Airport; eVisa is also available) | |
Maldives | up to 30 days | |
Nepal | up to 90 days | |
Timor-Leste | up to 30 days | |
THE AMERICAS | Nicaragua |
up to 90 days |
Saint Lucia | up to 6 weeks | |
Trinidad and Tobago | up to 1 month | |
OCEANIA | Marshall Islands | up to 90 days |
Palau | up to 30 days | |
Papua New Guinea | up to 60 days (eVisa is also available) | |
Samoa | up to 60 days | |
Tuvalu | up to 1 month | |
AFRICA | Cape Verde | up to 30 days |
Comoros | up to 45 days | |
Guinea-Bissau | up to 90 days (eVisa is also available) | |
Kenya | up to 90 days (eVisa is also available) | |
Madagascar | up to 90 days (eVisa is also available) | |
Malawi | up to 30 days (extendable for a total of 90 days; eVisa is also available) | |
Mauritania | up to 30 days (available at Nouakchott-Oumtounsy International Airport) |
|
Mauritius | up to 60 days | |
Mozambique | up to 30 days | |
Senegal | up to 90 days | |
Seychelles | up to 3 months | |
Somalia | up to 30 days (available at Bosaro Airport, Galcaio Airport, and Mogadishu Airport) | |
Tanzania | up to 3 months (eVisa is also available) | |
Togo | up to 7 days | |
Uganda | up to 90 days (eVisa is also available |
Countries offering e-visa
Some countries offer Filipinos the convenience of eVisas, which are travel documents that can be easily obtained online. It’s such a time saver; you wouldn’t have to line up at embassies. Even a few of the visa-on-arrival countries also have an e-visa option, so if you don’t like long queues at the airport, this is the way to go!
Here are the countries that offer e-visa:
Continent | Country | Length of Stay |
---|---|---|
ASIA | Armenia | up to 120 days |
India | up to 60 days | |
Kyrgyzstan | up to 30 days (arrival must be at Manas International Airport or Osh Airport) |
|
Pakistan | up to 90 days |
|
Sri Lanka |
up to 30 days |
|
Tajikistan | up to 60 days |
|
THE AMERICAS | Antigua and Barbuda |
up to 120 days |
Saint Kitts and Nevis |
up to 30 days |
|
OCEANIA | Papua New Guinea |
up to 60 days |
AFRICA | Benin | up to 30 days (an international vaccination certificate is required) |
Djibouti | up to 31 days |
|
Ethiopia | up to 90 days (arrival must be via Addis Ababa Bole International Airport) |
|
Gabon | up to 3 months for single-entry and 6 months for multiple-entry (arrival must be via Libreville International Airport) |
|
Guinea | up to 90 days |
|
Guinea-Bissau | up to 90 days |
|
Kenya | up to 90 days |
|
Lesotho | up to 90 days |
|
Madagascar | up to 90 days |
|
Malawi | up to 90 days |
|
Sao Tome and Principe |
||
Tanzania | up to 3 months |
|
Uzbekistan |
up to 30 days |
|
EUROPE | Georgia | up to 120 days |
OTHER COUNTRIES |
Qatar |
up to 30 days |
Russia | up to 16 days (various entry points such as Sheremetyevo Airport in Moscow and Pulkovo Airport in Saint Petersburg) |
Taking on the world, one country at a time
Traveling can really be a challenge for some. It’s not just about finding the perfect time to travel; for Filipinos, it can mean months on top of months (or more!) of meticulous visa planning. From gathering requirements and baring your bank statements to lining up before a consul and waiting to get approved, applying for a visa is a whole lot more than just paying fees.
For a hassle-free journey, why not take baby steps and visit any of these visa-free and visa-friendly countries for Filipinos?
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