What are the passport requirements when traveling to the Philippines from the US?

Question

I was looking at http://www.travel.state.gov the other day on information on getting a passport for travel to the Philippines.

I just 2 questions on the matter.

When first-time applying for a passport and once I receive it, is it require to wait at least 6 months before traveling to the Philippines with the passport? I just read something about it, but maybe I am thinking of where I read it needs to be valid for at least six months beyond the intended period of stay.

Question 2:
I was looking at the DS-11 application for US passport and the very last part where it says Travel Plans, I was wondering, is this require to be filled out? I mean, given the exact date of the trip.

I don't have any plan date yet and just looking for what is involve if I ever did decide to travel to the country. I figure I could get a passport in the near future so I will at least have that.

Hope none of my questions are too stupid :P

Thanks!
Andy

Answer 1

Ok Andy, Here's the long and short of it. Travel outside the US does require a passport. It takes from 2-6 weeks to be issued. Telling the passport agency/post office is merely a formality but if travel is imminent your application gets moved quicker through the maze. Give approximate dates if you have nothing finalized.

You do not have to wait prior to travelling. What you were reading is that most countries require that your passport be valid for a period of 6 months AFTER you arrive in the country...not prior to arriving.

If travelling as a tourist, youdo not need a visa but will be issued what is called VOA - Visa On Arrival in the Philippines and is valid for 21 days and is renewable quite easily.

Lastly, a stupid question is one that is not asked.

Answer 2

All the answers that state your Passport must be valid for at least six more months before entering the Philippines, you do not need a Visa to enter the Philippines from the U.S.A. because the normal policy is a 21 day Tourist Visa, Extensions are available if you want to stay longer without difficulty, you do not have to know exact travel dates and you need a return ticket are all correct.

The one thing that most people do not know because it seldom comes up is that you are not GUARANTEED a 21 day stay upon arrival in the Philippines. The Immigration Officer processing you in to the Philippines has sole discretion to give you 21 days or less upon arrival. In other words if you piss them off they can refuse you entry or give you as little as 24 hours.

Answer 3

If you are US citizen or US passport holder, no need for a visa going to Philippines. All you need is your passport & a roundtrip air ticket. You will be stamped 21 days of stay in the Philippines upon arrival and may extend more days or even months. For clarification on the validity of the passport, you are allowed to travel and must cover your stay at least 6 months before your passport expires. In case, your passport will expire during your entire stay, we can renew your US passport in the Philippines. for further assistance, you can check my profile.

Answer 4

You can travel right away, it has to be valid 6 months past your intended stay. You don't have to fill out the travel plans if you don't know it yet. They stamp an automatic 21 day visa when you arrive in Philippines, so no need to get a visa ahead of time. The 21 day visa can be extended to 59 days or beyond in several locations in the Philippines if you need more time to sightsee.

Answer 5

If you are a US citizen, you can get a visa on arrival in the Philippines for 21 days if you have a return ticket. The passport must be valid for at least 6 months after entering the Philippines. You can use it the first day you have it, but not after 9.5 years - then you will need to renew it.

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P.S. If you come and want to stay longer, you can go to the Swagman hotel, and they will explain how to & take care of your extentions.

Answer 6

Yes ur passport should be valid for 6 months they gonna look for some of your identification card and also the birth certificate ..When going in philippines?you only need passport and roundtrip ticket so ur able to go in country without a problem(it must be roundtrip).So they wont think that you will overstay in phil.
if you will stay more than a month there u need to apply and get application in dept.of state

That's my husband do when he visit me twice in the philippines(last year and 2005)

Hope i can help....

Goodluck

Answer 7

u need a US visa!