May 31, 2022

PH Issues 30-Day Visa Upon Arrival For Chinese Tourists

UPDATE: The Philippine Immigration Bureau ordered the temporary suspension of “visa upon arrival” or VUA issuance to Chinese nationals amid the spread of the deadly novel coronavirus worldwide.

The Philippine Government limits the Temporary Visitors-Visa Upon Arrival (TV-VUA) for the nationals of the People’s Republic of China (PROC) to 30 days.

Despite the TV-VUA’s economic benefits for the country through tourism arrivals, the Department of Justice (DOJ) also sees it as a risk relating to the visa’s misuse most especially by the nationals who want to “ultimately obtain” work here in the Philippines.

They also believe that the promotion of tourism must be balanced with other public interests. This includes a guaranteed work preference for Filipinos.

Eligibility and Qualifications

This TV-VUA can only be availed by the qualified nationals of the People’s Republic of China who will come to the Philippines for a temporary or short stay including:

Foreign investors and businessmen endorsed by the Board of Investments (BOI), Philippine Retirement Authority (PRA), Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA), Cagayan Economic Zone Authority (CEZA), Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI)
Local business councils
Local and foreign chambers of commerce and industry
Athletes and delegates to sports competitions, conventions, and exhibitions
Delegates and participants, resource speakers as well as organizers and sponsors of international conventions, symposia, and conferences held in the Philippines
Members of a tour group organized by tour operators accredited by the Bureau of Immigration (Bl) and Department of Tourism (DOT) are also welcome.

Meanwhile, nationals included in the BI Blacklist or the subject of an existing Interpol Red Notice or other Intelligence Advisory received by the Bl are not qualified to avail for the TV-VUA.

Effectivity and Restrictions

A TV-VUA is only effective for a maximum authorized stay of 30 days from the applicant’s date of arrival in the Philippines. This shall automatically expire by the end of the given period of stay or even before the end of the period itself once the TV-VUA’s holder has already departed the Philippines. Extension or renewal of TV-VUA is not allowed.

In relation to this, a holder of TV-VUA is also not qualified to apply for any other visa or to change the status to any other nonimmigrant or immigrant status without first departing from the Philippines. They are also not qualified to any permit, including work or study permits, issued by the Bl or the Department of Labor and Employment.

Documentary Requirements

Letter request or letter endorsement addressed to the Immigration Commissioner from a BI and DOT-accredited Philippine tour operator, relevant authority or event sponsor
Three copies of the biographical page of the applicant’s valid passport
The applicant’s flight details (inbound and outbound), and proof of booked accommodations while in the Philippines
If a member of a tour in the country, Affidavit of Undertaking of the president or general manager of the DOT and BI- accredited tour operator

Ports of Admission

Airports

Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA)
Clark International Airport (CIA)
Mactan Cebu International Airport (MCIA)
Kalibo International Airport (KIA)
Davao International Airport
Cagayan North International Airport/Lal-lo Cagayan Airport (CNIA)

Seaports

Manita
Puerto Princesa, Palawan
Subic
Laoag
Caticlan
Port Irene, Sta. Ana, Cagayan.

Payment of Fees

Application Request Fees

Particulars	Nature of Fees and Amount
For VUA Application requests – Individual Travelers	Filing Fee- Php 500 Implementation Fee- Php 500 Legal Research Fee- Php 20
For VUA Application requests – Tour Group consisting of 3 to 19 members	Filing Fee- Php 1,500 Implementation Fee- Php 1,500 Legal Research Fee- Php 20
For VUA Application requests – Tour Group consisting of 20 or more members	Filing Fee- Php 2,500 Implementation Fee- Php 1,500 Legal Research Fee- Php 20

VUA Fees

Particulars	Nature of Fees and Amount
Individual Travelers	VUA Fee- US$ 25 each Legal Research Fee- Php 10 each
Tour Group consisting of 3 to 19 members	VUA Fee- US$ 25 each Legal Research Fee- Php 10 each
Tour Group consisting of 20 or more members	VUA Fee- US$ 15 each Legal Research Fee- Php 10

The following fees must be paid in full to the Bl authorized collecting officers upon the filing of each application. Every TV-VUA shall be issued by the Immigration Commissioner.

For more information, read DOJ’s Amending Department Circular No. 041 Granting Visa Upon Arrival To Nationals of the People’s Republic of China.

Source: DOJ’s Amending Circular No. 041