GENERAL VISA INFORMATION

A. A visa means an endorsement made on a travel document by the consular officer denoting that the visa application has been properly examined and that the bearer is permitted to proceed to the country of his destination.

B. The granting of a Philippine Visa, however, is not a guarantee that the holder will be admitted into the country. Immigration Officers have authority to grant or deny admission. Visa holders are subject to normal immigration control at the port of entry.

C. Visitors who are issued visas under 9(a) (temporary visitors’ visa) are normally allowed to stay in the Philippines for fifty-nine (59) days for every entry. However, Immigration officers at port of entry may exercise their discretion to allow a stay of less than 59 days. It is advised that applicants for temporary visitor’s visa take note of the above and check the number of days he/she is allowed to stay in the Philippine as stamped on his passport by the Immigration officer at the port of entry.

D. A temporary visitor’s visa may be valid for single or multiple entries. A single-entry visa is valid for entry for three (3) months from the date of issuance. A multiple-entry visa is valid for entry either for six (6) months or one (1) year.

E. The validity of an entry visa should be differentiated from the length of stay in the Philippines. A three-month validity means a person may enter the Philippines within three (3) months from the date of issuance of visa. The length of stay in the Philippines is determined by immigration officials.