How much does a Philippines tourist visa cost?

A Philippines tourist visa costs approximately 0-60 USD when applied for at a Philippine embassy. However, citizens of 157 countries do not need a visa at all and can enter free of charge for 30 days.

How much does it cost to extend a visa in the Philippines?

The first visa extension (29 days) costs approximately PHP 3,030. The second extension costs PHP 3,030-4,610 plus PHP 3,600 for the mandatory ACR I-Card. Subsequent extensions range from PHP 3,030-8,540 depending on duration.

What is the total cost for staying 6 months in the Philippines?

For a visa-free visitor staying 6 months, the total cost is approximately PHP 21,760 (USD 395). This includes multiple visa extensions, the mandatory ACR I-Card (PHP 3,600 after 59 days), and the Emigration Clearance Certificate (PHP 2,880) required for stays over 6 months.

Do Philippine embassies charge visa fees in local currency?

Yes, most Philippine embassies charge visa fees in the local currency of their host country. The standard tourist visa fee of approximately USD 40-60 is converted at the embassy prevailing exchange rate. For example: GBP 32-48 in London, EUR 37-56 in Europe, AED 147-220 in UAE, and JPY 6,000-9,000 in Japan.

What are the visa categories A, B, and C?

Category A covers nationals from countries with normal diplomatic relations (standard processing). Category B covers restricted nationalities requiring additional documentation and longer processing (7-15 business days). Category C covers highly restricted nationalities requiring DFA Manila clearance (15-30 business days). Your category depends on your nationality.

Is there a penalty for overstaying a Philippine visa?

Yes. Overstaying a Philippine visa carries a penalty of PHP 500 per month of overstay, plus a fine. Serious overstays may result in blacklisting and deportation. You may also face difficulty re-entering the Philippines in the future. Always extend your visa before it expires at the Bureau of Immigration.

What is the maximum stay possible in the Philippines on tourist extensions?

The maximum continuous stay on tourist visa extensions is 36 months (3 years). After reaching 36 months, you must leave the Philippines. The total cost for 36 months of extensions is approximately PHP 111,600 (USD 2,029) including all mandatory fees (extensions, ACR I-Card, ECC, Annual Reports).

Can I pay visa extension fees by credit card at the Bureau of Immigration?

Most Bureau of Immigration offices accept cash (PHP) only. Some offices in Manila may accept debit cards, but this is not universal. Always bring sufficient PHP cash. The express lane fee (PHP 500) provides faster processing within the office but is optional. Bring exact change when possible as BI offices may not have change for large denominations.

Philippines Visa Costs 2026 -- Complete Fee Table

A comprehensive breakdown of all Philippines visa costs, extension fees, and immigration charges. From free visa-free entry to work visa costs, this guide covers every fee you might encounter.

Free entry: Citizens of 157 countries can enter the Philippines for 30 days at no cost. You only pay fees if you extend your stay or apply for a special visa.

Tourist Visa Fees (At Embassy)

For nationals of countries that require a visa before travel:

Visa Type	Fee (USD)	Validity
Single-entry tourist visa (9(a))	$40 - $60	3 months from issuance
Multiple-entry tourist visa	$80 - $120	6-12 months
Express processing (where available)	+$20 - $30	Same as above

Fees vary by embassy. Contact your nearest Philippine embassy for exact charges.

Visa Extension Fees (At Bureau of Immigration)

These fees apply to everyone -- both visa-free visitors and visa holders extending their stay in the Philippines.

Extension	Duration	Fee (PHP)	Fee (USD approx.)
1st extension	29 days	PHP 3,030	~$55
2nd extension (1 month)	1 month	PHP 3,030	~$55
2nd extension (2 months)	2 months	PHP 4,610	~$83
Subsequent (1 month)	1 month	PHP 3,030	~$55
Subsequent (2 months)	2 months	PHP 4,610	~$83
Subsequent (6 months)	6 months	PHP 8,540	~$154
Express Lane fee	Any	PHP 500	~$9

Mandatory Additional Fees

Fee	Amount (PHP)	When Required
ACR I-Card (Alien Certificate of Registration)	PHP 3,600	Required after 59 days in Philippines
ECC (Emigration Clearance Certificate)	PHP 2,880	Required when departing after 6+ months stay
Annual Report	PHP 310	Every January for foreign residents
Legal Research Fee	PHP 10-50	Added to most BI transactions

Sample Cost Calculations

Scenario 1: British Tourist Staying 3 Months

Entry (visa-free, 30 days)	FREE
1st extension (29 days, to day 59)	PHP 3,030
2nd extension (1 month, to day 89)	PHP 3,030
ACR I-Card (required after day 59)	PHP 3,600
Total	PHP 9,660 (~$175 USD)

Scenario 2: American Staying 6 Months

Entry (visa-free, 30 days)	FREE
1st extension (29 days)	PHP 3,030
ACR I-Card	PHP 3,600
2nd extension (2 months)	PHP 4,610
3rd extension (2 months)	PHP 4,610
ECC (departure clearance)	PHP 2,880
Total	PHP 18,730 (~$338 USD)

Scenario 3: Staying 12 Months (Long-term Tourist)

Entry + 1st extension + ACR	PHP 9,660
Extensions for months 3-12 (approx. 5 x 2-month)	PHP 23,050
Annual Report (if crossing January)	PHP 310
ECC (departure)	PHP 2,880
Total (approx.)	PHP 35,900 (~$648 USD)

Work & Business Visa Costs

Item	Fee
AEP Application (DOLE)	PHP 9,000 (initial) / PHP 7,000 (renewal)
9(g) Work Visa Filing	PHP 8,000 - 10,000
9(g) Work Visa Approval	PHP 15,000 - 20,000
9(d) Treaty Trader Visa	$200 - $400 USD (at embassy)
Special Work Permit (SWP)	PHP 5,000 - 8,000
SIRV (Special Investor)	$300 (processing) + $75,000 (investment)
SRRV (Retiree, age 40+)	$1,500 (fee) + $20,000-50,000 (deposit). PRA restructured SRRV programme September 2025 — only Classic & Courtesy remain.

Student Visa Costs

Item	Fee
9(f) Student Visa (at embassy)	$50 - $100 USD
9(f) Conversion (in-country)	PHP 10,000 - 15,000
Annual renewal	PHP 8,000 - 10,000
Special Study Permit (SSP)	PHP 6,500 - 7,000

Visa Fees in Multiple Currencies

If you are applying for a Philippine visa at an embassy, fees are typically charged in local currency. Here are approximate conversions for tourist visa fees:

Currency	Single-Entry (~0)	Multiple-Entry (~00)	Express Surcharge
USD	0 - 0	0 - 20	+0-30
GBP	£32 - £48	£64 - £96	+£16-24
EUR	€37 - €56	€74 - €111	+€18-28
AED	AED 147 - 220	AED 294 - 440	+AED 73-110
JPY	¥6,000 - 9,000	¥12,000 - 18,000	+¥3,000-4,500
CAD	CAD 55 - 83	CAD 110 - 166	+CAD 28-41
AUD	AUD 62 - 93	AUD 124 - 186	+AUD 31-47
SGD	SGD 54 - 81	SGD 108 - 162	+SGD 27-41

Exchange rates approximate as of March 2026. Embassies set their own rates.

Visa Categories Explained (A, B, C)

Philippine embassies classify visa applicants into categories that affect processing requirements:

Category A — Standard Nationalities

Most visa applicants fall here. Standard processing (3-7 business days), standard fees. Includes nationals from countries with Philippine diplomatic missions and normal diplomatic relations.

Category B — Restricted Nationalities

Nationals of countries with limited diplomatic relations or higher overstay risk. Additional documentation required: sponsorship letter, bank statements, detailed itinerary, hotel bookings, and sometimes an invitation letter. Processing takes 7-15 business days.

Category C — Highly Restricted Nationalities

Nationals requiring DFA Manila clearance before visa issuance. This adds 15-30 business days to processing. Additional security vetting and documentation are required. Contact your nearest Philippine Embassy for country-specific requirements as the list may change.

True Cost of Extended Stay: Complete Breakdown

Here is the total cumulative cost for a visa-free visitor staying in the Philippines for various durations, including all mandatory government fees:

Duration	Extensions	ACR	ECC	Annual Rpt	Total (PHP)	~USD
30 days	Free	-	-	-	PHP 0	/bin/bash
59 days	PHP 3,030	-	-	-	PHP 3,030	~5
3 months	PHP 6,060	PHP 3,600	-	-	PHP 9,660	~75
6 months	PHP 15,280	PHP 3,600	PHP 2,880	-	PHP 21,760	~95
12 months	PHP 33,350	PHP 3,600	PHP 2,880	PHP 310	PHP 40,140	~30
24 months	PHP 68,770	PHP 3,600	PHP 2,880	PHP 620	PHP 75,870	~,380
36 months (max)	PHP 104,190	PHP 3,600	PHP 2,880	PHP 930	PHP 111,600	~,029

Note: Maximum continuous stay on tourist extensions is 36 months. Amounts are cumulative. ECC required when departing after 6+ months.

Payment Tips

Bureau of Immigration accepts: Cash (PHP) only at most offices. Some offices accept debit cards
Bring exact change: BI offices may not have change for large bills
Embassy fees: Usually paid in the local currency of the embassy's country, by bank transfer or cash
Exchange rate: 1 USD = approximately PHP 55-57 (check current rates)
Overstaying penalty: PHP 500/month + potential deportation. Always extend before your visa expires

Quick Cost Reference

30 days: FREE
59 days: ~PHP 3,030
3 months: ~PHP 9,660
6 months: ~PHP 18,730
12 months: ~PHP 35,900
ACR I-Card: PHP 3,600 (one-time)

Visa Requirements Visa Extension Guide Work Visa (9(g)) Student Visa Business Visa