eTravel is the official free Philippine travel declaration at etravel.gov.ph. Arriving foreign passengers must register within 72 hours before arrival and keep the QR code.

Home/from/United States/to/Philippines

🇺🇸United States

🇵🇭PhilippinesUS-PH

United States to Philippines visa requirements

Q: Are there scam eTravel sites?

Yes. The official eTravel registration is free and does not collect online payment. Avoid third-party sites requesting fees.

Q: Can I extend my stay?

Yes. Eligible non-visa-required tourists can apply to BI for an initial 29-day visa waiver, then further tourist extensions up to 36 months total.

Q: Can I work, study, or report as media on visa-free entry?

No. Employment, degree study, media/journalism, residence, and similar purposes require the appropriate visa or accreditation.

Q: Do short-term U.S. tourists pay Philippine travel tax?

Usually no. TIEZA lists non-immigrant foreign passport holders as taxable only if they stayed in the Philippines for more than one year, unless exempt.

U.S. ordinary passport holders can visit the Philippines visa-free for up to 30 days; free eTravel registration is required within 72 hours before arrival. U.S. ordinary passport holders do not need a visa for tourist travel under 30 days in the Philippines. They should have a passport valid at least six months beyond the planned stay, sufficient blank space for an entry stamp, and a return or onward ticket. eTravel is the official free registration at etravel.gov.ph; arriving foreign passengers are required to register, and the form can be completed within 72 hours before arrival. A visa-free stay may be extended with an initial 29-day visa waiver, then further 1-month, 2-month, or 6-month tourist extensions, up to 36 months total for non-visa-required nationals. Work, degree study, media/journalism, or residence requires the appropriate Philippine visa or accreditation rather than visa-free entry.

VISA-FREETOURISMNEW ADMISSION ON EACH QUALIFYING ARRIVALLast verified 2026-06-20

For guidance only — visa rules change with little notice. Always confirm directly with the destination's embassy or foreign ministry before booking non-refundable travel. Information here applies to ordinary (non-diplomatic) passports unless noted.

Policy alertWatch this route for rule changesSave this passport and destination for email summaries and optional browser notifications.Subscribe →United States (Green Card)Living in United States as a permanent resident? See PR-specific guidance→

/01 — The numbers

Key facts

Last verified 2026-06-20

Visa type

Visa-free entry

Maximum stay

Up to 30 days per entry

per entry

Entries

New admission on each qualifying arrival

from issue date

Visa fee

Free (eTravel also free)

consular fee only

Processing time

Entry at immigration; eTravel online before boarding

standard track

Validity

Passport valid 6+ months beyond planned stay

from issue date

/02 — The process

How to apply

/01

Check passport validity

Use a U.S. ordinary passport valid at least 6 months beyond the planned stay, with sufficient blank space for the entry stamp.

· 6 months validity

/02

Submit eTravel

· eTravel required· free

/03

Book onward/return ticket

Carry a confirmed ticket leaving the Philippines within the 30-day visa-free period.

· onward ticket

/04

Arrive in the Philippines

Show passport, eTravel QR code, and onward/return ticket if requested; immigration grants the authorized stay.

· 30-day stay

/05

Track your stay

Use the admission stamp or electronic record to calculate the last permitted day.

· check stay date

/06

Extend or exit

Before expiry, apply through the Bureau of Immigration for the initial 29-day visa waiver or later tourist extensions.

· extension possible

/03 — The paperwork

Required materials

9 items

Personalized checklist

United States -> Philippines · Visa-free entry

0 / 9 complete

Visa typeTravel date

Deadline reminderAdd a date before export

RequiredU.S. ordinary passport

Original passport; keep the blank pages and remaining validity required for this route

Valid 6+ months beyond planned stay, with blank space for entry stamp

RequiredeTravel submission

Provide a clear scan, digital file, or original as requested by the official channel

Submitted within 72 hours before arrival; QR code saved

RequiredReturn/onward ticket

Bookings, itinerary, or confirmations matching the requested stay dates

Confirmed departure from the Philippines within 30 days

RequiredAccommodation details

Bookings, itinerary, or confirmations matching the requested stay dates

Hotel, host, or local address ready for eTravel/arrival questions

ConditionalProof of funds

Bank, income, or asset proof with clear name, date, and balances

Carry reasonable proof if asked; no fixed official daily cash amount confirmed

RecommendedTravel insurance

Provide a clear scan, digital file, or original as requested by the official channel

Recommended, though not listed as a visa-free entry requirement

ConditionalOfficial application form or online application

Official form; submit online or print and sign as instructed

Visa-free routes usually do not require a visa form; submit any arrival card or authorization if required.

RequiredFlight and hotel itinerary

Confirmed or agency-arranged itinerary when the route guide requires it

Use dates that fit the allowed stay and visa validity.

RecommendedTravel medical insurance

Policy certificate showing traveler name, destination, and coverage dates

Some destinations or agencies require it even when the core visa rule only recommends it.

Official sourcesU.S. Department of State, Philippines International Travel Information (last updated April 22, 2025)Philippine Consulate General New York, Visa Philippine eTravel FAQ (official)

Application link included: Philippine Consulate General New York, Visa

Open link

/04 — The cost

Fee breakdown

All-in estimate

Line itemAmountSource

Visa-free entryFreeUp to 30 days on arrival

eTravel registrationFreeOfficial site is etravel.gov.ph; beware sites requesting payment

Initial 29-day visa waiverPHP 3,030Bureau of Immigration fee schedule says fees were updated Mar 6, 2014 and may change

ACR I-Card for touristUSD 50 + PHP 500Applies with extensions when stay exceeds 59 days

Philippine travel taxUsually not due for short tourist staysTIEZA applies it to non-immigrant foreign passport holders who stayed more than 1 year, unless exempt

Total estimateFree — Freeincl. all

/05 — The wait

Processing time

eTravel registration

Online before boarding

Visa-free arrival

On arrival

Immigration admits eligible U.S. ordinary passport holders for up to 30 days.

Tourist extension

Before current stay expires

Initial 29-day visa waiver, then 1-month, 2-month, or 6-month extensions through BI where eligible.

Work, study, or media status

Before travel/status change

Use the appropriate visa or accreditation, such as 9(G), 9(F), or media accreditation.

/06 — The risks

Common refusal reasons

by frequency

/01

eTravel not submitted

Arriving foreign passengers are required to register; missing proof can delay boarding or immigration processing.

Medium

/02

No onward ticket

Visa-free entry requires a ticket for return or onward travel within the authorized stay.

Low

/03

Passport issue

A passport short of the 6-month validity rule or without stamp space can cause airline or border problems.

Low

/04

Overstay

Overstaying creates BI fines and can affect future immigration processing.

Low

/05

Used scam eTravel site

The official eTravel registration is free at etravel.gov.ph; avoid sites requesting payment.

High

/07 — On arrival

After you land

/01

Immigration

Keep your passport, visa or exemption proof, return ticket, and accommodation details ready for border inspection.

/02

Customs

Review the destination's customs rules before travel and declare restricted goods or large cash amounts when required.

/03

Connectivity

Check whether airport SIMs, eSIMs, or roaming are the best option for your route before arrival.

/08 — The history

Policy changelog

since 2024

2026-06-19

Reviewed by Claude Code

Second-pass review: re-verified the evidence chain against official sources; key facts confirmed and checked-date refreshed.

2026-06-20

Codex checked US to Philippines route

Codex checked official U.S., Philippine immigration, eTravel, and TIEZA sources; tightened extension, eTravel, passport, funds, and travel-tax wording.

2026-05-27

US to Philippines route verified

Confirmed 30-day visa-free + eTravel for US citizens.

2023-05-01 · major

eTravel expansion noted

Philippine authorities expanded eTravel as the official digital travel declaration system for international passengers.

/09 — The questions