One thing that is important to remember is that not all countries are offering e-visas and visas on arrival. You must still do your research and check if the destination you plan to go to has this program in place. If not, then you need to look up what visa policy they have in place.
This article is a compilation of the list of evisa and visa on arrival for Filipinos. I also included tips on what to prepare, when to apply, and a section for frequently asked questions.
I also have a complete list of visa-free countries for Filipinos, which features visas and visas on arrivals.
I personally believe in making your Philippines passport strong through visa-free, evisa, and voa before applying for Europe, East Asia, North America, or Oceania.
BASIC INFORMATION ON EVISA AND VISA ON ARRIVAL
Taking advantage of both evisa and visa on arrival is a great way to travel and strengthen your passports. They are easy to get, affordable, and less complicated. This section will help you understand the difference between the two, and what to do in a situation you have both as a choice in your destination.
e-Visa vs VOA (visa on arrival)
E-visa (evisa) is short for an electronic visa; this is the one you can apply for online, pay online, and receive your visa online.
A visa on arrival, on the other hand, is one that you can receive when you arrive at the destination. When you arrive, you might have to fill out a form (or not), pay the fee, and get the visa on the spot with information on how long it’s valid.
How long is the process
This depends a lot on the government of the destination you’re applying for. In some cases, I got my evisa in three business days, while others took about two weeks.
However, even after you get your evisa, when you arrive at the immigration at the airport, you might still wait a bit to get the sticker or stamp on your passport.
For visa on arrival, it depends on how busy the immigration office is and the staff load they have. It could range between 15 minutes to up to an hour. #
Where to apply for an Evisa visa
This can be done online. Sometimes, the government offers e-visas to process the request through an official government website, but the most common is going through a third party with which the government has officially partnered.
Before you start the application process for an evisa, make sure that you have your travel details, passport, and bank card for the payment.
Where to apply for a visa on arrival (voa)
You don’t need to apply for a visa on arrival. However, sometimes a visa on arrival is available. However, you are still required to send in your name online, or you have the option to send an advance application or fill it out upon your arrival at the destination.
A Nepal visa on arrival is a good example. I did mine online, and when I arrived in Kathmandu, I skipped the filling out there and went straight to payment – which saved me at least an hour waiting in line at the fill-out machine.
For this case, make sure you both have a cash and bank card. Cash should be in major currencies such as USD, GBP, AUD, CAD, and Euro. Your change will be in the local currency.
How soon can I apply for an evisa
I really recommend you apply for an evisa as soon as you finalise the dates. For example, my Vietnam evisa usually takes three business days. But since 2023, after they launched the new evisa, it has taken as long as three weeks.
REQUIREMENTS FOR EVISA AND VISA ON ARRIVAL VISA
There’s really not much to prepare when applying for both evisa and visa on arrival. The usual ones are:
- Your passport (must be valid for at least 6 months from the date you’re leaving the destination back home)
- Travel details (arrival and departure dates)
- Flight details (flight number, airline, flight ticket)
- Accommodation details (the address and phone number of your first hotel or details of your host/family where you’re staying)
- A passport photo (prepare both digital and printed, available both in 1×1 or passport sizes)
- Cash (in major currency)
- Bank card (that can be used internationally)
STEP-BY-STEP GUIDE ON APPLYING FOR AN EVISA FOR FILIPINOS
Most e-visas and visa on arrivals can be done online or simply the moment you arrive at the destination. The requirements vary, but the most common are:
- passport photo (either 2×2 in, passport-sized, or 1×1 in)
- a copy of your passport bio page
- onward flight ticket
- information of your first accommodation (booking proof, with hotel name and address)
- pen
- cash (USD, EURO, CAD, AUD, NZD)
Make sure you have these ready before your flight’s departure. You should also look up any specific requirements.
For example, when I was flying to Colombia from Brazil, I was asked to show my Yellow Fever vaccination card. This could also apply to COVID-19 vaccination card or travel insurance, proof of financial ability, or a flight back to your home country or your permanent residence.
LIST OF EVISA AND VISA ON ARRIVAL FOR FILIPINOS
Africa
- Веnіn** – еvіѕа fоr 30 dауѕ аnd muѕt саrrу аn іntеrnаtіоnаl vассіnаtіоn сеrtіfісаtе
- Воtѕwаnа – еvіѕа fоr 90 dауѕ
- Вurkіnа Fаѕо – еvіѕа
- Вurundі – 30 dауѕ vіѕа оn аrrіvаl
- Cameroon – evisa
- Cape Verde – visa on arrival for 30 days
- Dеmосrаtіс Rерublіс оf Соngо – еvіѕа fоr 7 dауѕ
- Dјіbоutі – 31 dауѕ еvіѕа
- Еquаtоrіаl Guіnеа – еvіѕа
- Еthіоріа – еvіѕа оr vіѕа оn аrrіvаl fоr 90 dауѕ
- Gаbоn – 90 dауѕ еvіѕа
- Guіnеа – еvіѕа vаlіd fоr 90 dауѕ
- Guіnеа-Віѕѕаu – 90 dауѕ vіѕа uроn аrrіvаl
- Кеnуа – еvіѕа fоr 90 dауѕ
- Lеѕоthо – еvіѕа
- Маdаgаѕсаr – еvіѕа оr vіѕа оn аrrіvаl fоr 60 dауѕ
- Маlаwі – 90 dауѕ vіѕа оn аrrіvаl оr еvіѕа
- Маldіvеѕ – vіѕа оn аrrіvаl fоr 30 dауѕ
- Маurіtаnіа – vіѕа оn аrrіvаl
- Маurіtіuѕ – 60 dауѕ vіѕа оn аrrіvаl
- Mozambique – 30 days visa on arrival or evisa
- Nigeria – evisa for 90 days
- Sao Tome and Principe – evisa
- Senegal – visa on arrival for 90 days
- Seychelles – 90 days visa on arrival
- Sierra Leone – 30 days evisa
- Somalia – visa on arrival 30 days
- South Africa – evisa for 30 days
- South Sudan – evisa
- Tanzania – evisa or visa on arrival for 90 days
- Togo – 15 days evisa
- Uganda – 90 days evisa
- Zambia – evisa for 90 days
- Zimbabwe – 90 days evisa
Asia
- Armenia – evisa for 90 to 180 days, or evisa for 120 days if have a valid visa from Australia, Canada, Japan, New Zealand, Russia, South Korea, the UK, the US, Schengen State, or GCC countries
- Bhutan – evisa for 90 days
- Georgia – evisa for 30 days or use your visa from the UK, US, Australia, New Zealand, and the Schengen States
- India – evisa for 30 days
- Iran – 30 days evisa
- Kyrgyzstan – 30-day evisa or visa on arrival
- Nepal – evisa or visa on arrival for 90 days
- Pakistan – 90 days online visa/evisa
- Qatar – evisa
- Sri Lanka – evisa or visa on arrival for 30 days
- Timor-Leste/East Timor – visa on arrival for 30 days
- Uzbekistan – evisa for 30 days
Europe
- Albania – visa-free if holds a valid visa from the Schengen State, US, or the UK, validity (visa-on-arrival or evisa)
- Moldova – evisa
- Russia – evisa for 16 days on specific destinations only
Latin America
- Antigua and Barbuda – visa on arrival if hold a valid visa from Canada, the UK, the US, or the Schengen State
- Ecuador – online visa or evisa
- Mexico – visa-free if holding a valid US, Canada, or Schengen visa
- Montserrat* – evisa possible
- Nicaragua – 90 days visa on arrival
- Saint Kitts and Nevis – evisa for 30 days
- Saint Lucia – 42 days for visa on arrival (6 weeks)
- Trinidad and Tobago – visa on arrival
Oceania
- Palau – visa on arrival for 30 days
- Papua New Guinea – 60 days evisa
- Tuvalu – visa on arrival for 30 days
- Vanuatu – 30 days
FAQ
- Can I apply for an evisa in advance?
- This depends on whether the government of your local destination has evisa program in place.
- Can I pay for visa on arrival or a bank card?
- Most immigration offices at the airport only accept cash.
- Can I extend an evisa or visa on arrival?
- This depends on every country.
FINAL TIPS
E-visas and visa on arrivals are a great way to travel to countries where Filipino passport holders cannot enjoy a free visa. This type of visa is practically the easiest one and usually affordable.
One thing though, you really have to do your research before your departure date to ensure that you have all the documents needed or apply in advance if possible.
I hope that you found this list of evisa and visa on arrival for Filipinos helpful.