Visa validity and maximum period of stay

Tourist visas have a validity of either three (3) months, six (6) months, or one (1) year from the date the visa is issued. The validity period indicated in the visa is the time within which the bearer can enter the Philippines.

For Single-Entry Visa valid for three (3) months

This visa will allow the holder a single entry to the Philippines.  The holder must enter the Philippines within 3 months from the date the visa was issued.   Upon arrival in the Philippines, the Bureau of Immigration may stamp fifty-nine (59) days, allowing the holder to stay for this period (59) days.

Multiple-Entry Visa valid for six (6) months or one (1) year

This visa will allow the holder multiple entry to the Philippines for a period of six (6) months or year beginning on the date the visa was issued and valid for entry for six (6) months or one (1) year.

Every time the holder enters the Philippines, the Bureau of Immigration may stamp fifty-nine (59) days, allowing the holder to stay for this period (59 days).  Possession of a multiple-entry visa for six (6) months or one (1) year does not mean that the holder can stay in the Philippines for more than 59 days.

Non-Quota Immigrant Visa – 13(a) Visa

The Philippine Immigration Act of 1940, Section 13 (a) allows eligible foreigners permanent residency in the Philippines. The 13(a) visa is issued to a foreigner based on his/her valid marriage to a Philippine citizen.

To qualify for this visa, the applicant must prove that:

• He/she contracted a valid marriage with a Philippine citizen.
• The marriage is recognized as valid under existing Philippine laws.
• There is no record of any derogatory information against him in any local or foreign law enforcement agency.
• He/she is not afflicted with any contagious disease.
• He/she has sufficient financial capacity to support a family and will not become a public burden.
• He/she was allowed entry into the Philippines and was authorized by Immigration authorities to stay.

Note: This visa is only available to citizens of a country which grants permanent residence and immigration privileges to Philippine citizens. For more information on this, please visit the BI webpage: Permanent Resident Visa.

• Application form FA Form 3 (Non-Quota Immigrant Visa)
• Requirements for 13(a) Non-Quota Immigrant Visa
• Medical Examination Form FA Form No. 11

Applications for 13(a) visa, including its enclosures, must be submitted to the Embassy in person (by appointment) or by postal mail. An interview of the applicant is required.

Non-Quota Immigrant Visa – 13(g) Visa

The Philippine Immigration Act of 1940, Section 13 (g) allows a former natural-born citizen of the Philippines who was naturalized in a foreign country to apply for permanent residency in the Philippines.

To qualify for this visa, the applicant must prove that:

• He/she was previously a natural-born citizen of the Philippines,
• Is a naturalized citizen of a foreign country, and
• Intends to return to the Philippines for permanent residence

Insert please the following:

• Application form FA Form 3 (Non-Quota Immigrant Visa)
• Requirements for 13(g) Non-Quota Immigrant Visa 
• Medical Examination Form FA Form No. 11

Applications for 13(g) visa, including its enclosures, must be submitted to the Embassy in person (by appointment) or by postal mail. An interview of the applicant is required.

For more information on 13(g) visa, please visit the Bureau of Immigration webpage. 

Visa applicants are further advised that:

• The Embassy processes only applications with complete documents. (Original and copies of the requirements must be submitted.),
• The Embassy reserves the right to require additional document/s from the client/s, and
• Requests for clarifications on visa concerns may be sent by email to bernepe.visa@dfa.gov.ph

Special Visas not processed or issued by the Embassy

The Embassy is not authorized to process applications for SRRV (Special Resident Retiree’s Visa) and SIRV (Special Investor’s Resident Visa) or renewals thereof, including Alien Certificate of Registration (ACR). Please directly contact the concerned agency.

For inquiries and applications regarding the above mentioned visas, please visit:

• SRRV – the Philippine Retirement Authority,
• SIRV – the Board of Investment at:
  • SPECIAL INVESTOR’S RESIDENT VISA | Board of Investments or QUESTIONS & ANSWERS Special Investor’s Resident Visa Program
• ACR – the Bureau of Immigration at
  • ACR I-CARD Issuance and/or
  • ACR I-Card | Frequently Asked Questions

For Unaccompanied Minor Children

Children who are below 15 years old are required to be accompanied by one or both parents. A child, who is below 15 years old and traveling to the Philippines alone (not accompanied by either parent) or not joining a parent in the Philippines,  must obtain a Waiver of Exclusion Ground (WEG).

The form and requirements for the WEG application may be viewed and downloaded here or from the Notarials page. Clarifications on the WEG may be sent by email to bernepe.notarials@dfa.gov.ph.

Other Information and Reminders

For Filipinos who wish to travel to Switzerland, please contact the Embassy of Switzerland in the Philippines.

Their relatives / partners in Switzerland are also advised to:

• Directly contact the State Secretariat for Migration (SEM) or visit the SEM Contact weblink regarding entry requirements into Switzerland, and
• Check the weblink For Filipinos exiting the Philippines on the Embassy’s website for other information and/or documents that may be required by Philippine immigration authorities at the port of exit in the Philippines

For queries on Philippine visa, please send an email to bernepe.visa@dfa.gov.ph.

Due to the high volume of queries and the limited number of Embassy personnel, we urge you to regularly monitor updates in the Philippine Embassy website and Facebook Page.

Consular clients are required to enclose a self-addressed envelope with stamps worth at least CHF6.80 along with their consular documents for pre-evaluation and processing of the Consular Section. Please purchase the stamps at your local Post Office.

For foreign government officials/members of international organizations who will be travelling on official business to the Philippines, please contact the Visa Section at: bernepe.visa@dfa.gov.ph and/or 031-350-1716 for information on how to proceed with the visa application.

1. Filled-out application form FA_Form_No__2-Application_for_Non-_Immigrant_Visa
   editable.pdf
2. One (1) colored white background passport-size photo
3. Passport (Original and 1 photocopy)
4. Printed Flight itinerary
5. Printed Proof of financial means of support such as certification of
   employment with salary slip or statement, bank statement, or any document that
   shows that you are able to finance your trip

Work permit (Original and 1 photocopy)
7. Payment CHF 30.00 (cash only and please prepare the exact amount)
● If you are a holder of a Swiss passport and your stay is for tourism purposes
and the stay will not exceed 30 days, you may enter the Philippines 30 days
visa-free.
● Please submit the requirements above if the stay is longer than 30 days.
Kindly submit the above requirements to the Philippine Consulate General in
Geneva. Please also be informed that visa issuance is 5 working days upon the
receipt of the application and requirements.
Submission of visa application is from Mondays to Thursdays 9:00 am to 3:00 pm.
Other information:
● For other nationals, please see the list of countries under EO 408 for 30 days
visa-free entry which can be viewed at the following DFA weblink:
https://dfa.gov.ph/list-of-countries-for-21-day-visa.
● To check if you will require a visa to enter the Philippines, please select the
country that issued your passport from a drop-down menu at the bottom of the
page: https://dfa-oca.ph/visa/visageneral-info/.
● Any extension of the said maximum 30-day or 59-day stay is within the purview
of the Bureau of Immigration (BI), which has the sole mandate and prerogative
regarding the entry, stay and exit of foreigners into the Philippines. Applications
for extension of stay while in the Philippines must be lodged directly with the BI.
Please visit the BI website / weblink on non-immigrant visa (Temporary 9A visa):
https://immigration.gov.ph/entry-and-exit-guidelines-per-presidential
proclamation-no-297/ https://immigration.gov.ph/faqs/extensionofstay.
● All temporary visitors (except those availing themselves of the Balikbayan
Privilege) are required to have valid tickets for their return journey to the port of
origin or next port of destination corresponding to their permitted/allowable
duration of stay in the country under a valid visa or visa-free entry, as the case
maybe.
● Balikbayan Visa Privilege for the legal spouse or children of Philippine nationals
and/or former Philippine nationals travelling with the said Philippine national or
former Philippine national also resumed on 10 February 2022. More information
on the Balikbayan Visa privilege can be viewed from:
https://immigration.gov.ph/faqs/visa-inquiry/balikbayan-privilege

Visa application form

FEES

• Schedule of Service Fees.

NOTES:

Consular clients are required to enclose a self-addressed envelope with stamps worth at least CHF6.80 along with their consular documents for pre-evaluation and processing of the Consular Section.

For the stamps that will be required for the return of your parcels, please consult with your local Post Office for the:

1. Postage required for the return of your documents, if bulky/heavy, and
2. Purchase the stamps from them. Postal fees may be checked from the website of Die Post.

For Visa related concerns and appointments contact us here:

Email: bernepe.visa@dfa.gov.ph

Phone: 031-350-1716 / 0351-350-1717

For more inquiries click here…