Up to 30 days visa-free. You can extend by 29 days with a visa waiver at a Bureau of Immigration office for a total of 59 days, with further extensions up to 24 months.

Home/from/South Africa/to/Philippines

🇿🇦South Africa

🇵🇭PhilippinesZA-PH

South Africa to Philippines visa requirements

Q: What is the eTravel form and is it a visa?

eTravel is a free online immigration and health arrival registration, not a visa. You must complete it within 72 hours before arrival and present the QR code at check-in and immigration.

Q: Do I need a return ticket?

Yes. Immigration may require proof of an onward or return ticket showing you will leave within the visa-free period.

Q: How valid must my passport be?

Your passport must be valid for at least six months beyond your intended stay in the Philippines.

Q: Is there a fee for the visa-free entry?

No. Visa-free entry and the eTravel registration are both free. Fees only apply if you extend your stay beyond 30 days.

South African ordinary passport holders can enter the Philippines visa-free for up to 30 days for tourism. No visa is needed before travel; you only need to register online via the free eTravel system within 72 hours of arrival. South Africa is on the Philippines' standard 30-day visa-free list, so an ordinary South African passport holder needs no visa for a short tourist visit. You must hold a passport valid for at least six months beyond your stay, carry proof of an onward or return ticket, and complete the mandatory (free) eTravel arrival registration within 72 hours before arrival to obtain the QR code shown at check-in and immigration. If you want to stay longer, you can apply for a 29-day visa waiver at a Bureau of Immigration office (or online) for a total of 59 days, with further extensions possible up to a maximum of 24 months. This guide reflects the policy verified as of 30 May 2026.

VISA-FREETOURISMSINGLE ENTRYLast verified 2026-05-30

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.

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/01 — The numbers

Key facts

Last verified 2026-05-30

Visa type

Visa-free (30-day visa exemption)

Maximum stay

30 days (extendable to 59 days)

per entry

Entries

Single entry per visit

from issue date

Visa fee

PHP 0 (eTravel is free)

consular fee only

Processing time

Instant — register eTravel within 72h of arrival

standard track

Validity

Entry on arrival; passport valid 6+ months

from issue date

/02 — The process

How to apply

/01

Confirm passport validity

Ensure your South African passport is valid for at least six months beyond your intended departure date from the Philippines and has a blank page for stamping.

· 6-month rule

/02

Book onward or return travel

Buy a return or onward ticket out of the Philippines. Immigration may ask to see proof that you will leave within the 30-day visa-free period.

· Onward ticket required

/03

Complete the free eTravel arrival registration at etravel.gov.ph (or via the eGovPH app) within 72 hours before arrival. Save the QR code generated.

· Free· Within 72h

/04

Present QR code at check-in and arrival

Show the eTravel QR code to the airline at check-in and to Philippine immigration on arrival, together with your passport.

· QR code

/05

Receive 30-day visa-free stamp

At the immigration counter you are admitted visa-free for up to 30 days. No fee is charged for the visa-free entry.

· 30 days

/06

Extend if staying longer

To stay beyond 30 days, apply for a 29-day visa waiver at a Bureau of Immigration office or online before your stamp expires, for a total of up to 59 days.

· Optional· 59 days total

/03 — The paperwork

Required materials

10 items

Personalized checklist

South Africa -> Philippines · Visa-free (30-day visa exemption)

0 / 10 complete

Visa typeTravel date

Deadline reminderAdd a date before export

RequiredSouth African passport valid 6+ months beyond stay

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

required

RequiredAt least one blank passport page

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

required

RequiredConfirmed return or onward ticket

Bookings, itinerary, or confirmations matching the requested stay dates

required

RequiredeTravel registration completed (QR code saved)

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

required

RecommendedProof of accommodation / hotel booking

Bookings, itinerary, or confirmations matching the requested stay dates

recommended

RecommendedProof of sufficient funds for the stay

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

recommended

RecommendedTravel/medical insurance

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

recommended

RecommendedPrinted or digital copy of itinerary

Bookings, itinerary, or confirmations matching the requested stay dates

recommended

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.

Official sourcesPhilippine Department of Tourism — Temporary Visitors / Visa-Free Entry Bureau of Immigration — Temporary Visitor (9A) Visa Waiver eTravel — Official Philippine Travel Information System

Application link included: Philippine Department of Tourism — Temporary Visitors / Visa-Free Entry

Open link

/04 — The cost

Fee breakdown

All-in estimate

Line itemAmountSource

Tourist visa-free entryPHP 0No visa required for stays up to 30 days

eTravel registrationPHP 0Mandatory online arrival registration; always free

29-day visa waiver (optional extension)approx. PHP 3,030Only if you extend beyond 30 days, paid at BI

Total estimatePHP 0 — PHP 0incl. all

/05 — The wait

Processing time

eTravel online registration

Instant (within 72h of arrival)

Free mandatory arrival registration producing a QR code shown at check-in and immigration.

Visa-free entry at immigration

On arrival

Immigration officer grants up to 30 days visa-free at the border.

/06 — The risks

Common refusal reasons

by frequency

/01

Tourism / short holiday

South Africans visiting beaches, islands and cities for up to 30 days need no visa.

High

/02

Visiting friends or family

Short social visits are covered under the 30-day visa-free entry.

Medium

/03

Short business meetings

Business visits such as meetings and conferences are also allowed visa-free for up to 30 days.

Medium

/04

Transit / stopover

Travelers passing through the Philippines for a few days fall within the visa-free allowance.

Low

/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

2026-05-30

South Africa to Philippines route verified

Confirmed via Philippine DFA/Tourism, Bureau of Immigration and the eTravel portal that South African ordinary passport holders enter visa-free for 30 days (extendable to 59), with mandatory free eTravel registration within 72 hours of arrival.

/09 — The questions