Starting January 16, 2026, Chinese citizens holding ordinary passports and traveling for tourism or business purposes will be allowed visa-free entry to the Philippines for a stay of no more than 14 days. This arrangement is a one-year trial period, and the Philippine side will assess whether to extend it before its expiration.
Four key limitations (please read carefully)
- Non-extendable: You must leave the country after 14 days; extensions are not possible in the Philippines.
- Non-convertible: Visa-free status cannot be converted to work visa, student visa, etc.
- This policy applies only to entry through two airports: Manila NAIA and Cebu Mactan MCIA; it does not apply to entry through other ports of entry.
- For tourism/business purposes only: those who wish to work, study, or reside long-term must apply for the corresponding visa in advance.
All necessary documents are still required for entry.
Passport must be valid for at least 6 months with blank pages, confirmed round-trip flight tickets and hotel bookings, and prior registration on the official eTravel website (etravel.gov.ph).
Want to stay longer than 14 days? Apply for a 9A tourist visa.
Those planning to stay longer or not enter through the two airports mentioned above still need to apply for a 9A temporary visitor visa (usually for an initial period of 59 days, which can visa extension within Bureau of Immigration in the Philippines, with a total stay of up to about 6 months).
* This visa-free policy is a one-year trial policy and is subject to change. Information is current as of June 2026; please refer to the latest announcements from the Chinese Embassy in the Philippines and the Philippine authorities before traveling. For one-on-one visa consultation, please contact YIXING Chinese consultants.
Source: Embassy of the People's Republic of China in the Philippines, Philippine News Agency (PNA)
