Philippines | Visa-free entry for Chinese nationals

The Philippine Department of Foreign Affairs announced that Chinese nationals may enter the Philippines without obtaining a visa for up to 14 days, effective Jan. 16, 2026.

Key Points:

• Visa-free entry applies to Chinese nationals traveling to the Philippines strictly for tourism or business.
• The 14-day stay is nonextendable and nonconvertible to any other Philippine visa category.
• Visa-free entry is valid only through Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) and Mactan-Cebu International Airport (MCIA).
• To receive visa-free entry, Chinese nationals must provide:
  • Passport valid for at least six months beyond the visit timeframe
  • Confirmed hotel accommodation
  • Return or onward ticket to the next country of destination
• According to the announcement, “checks on derogatory records of travelers will continue to apply.”
• The visa-free entry arrangement will be in effect for one year and reviewed accordingly before it expires.

This alert has been provided by the BAL Global Practice Group.

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