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How powerless is your Philippine passport?

How powerless is your Philippine passport?
All men are not created equal. Sometimes, your destiny depends on where you were born.

According to a recent updated survey from Henley & Partners, a London-based consulting firm that specializes in citizenship services, Philippines ranked a low 69th among the countries with visa-free privileges - way below with that of our neighboring countries Singapore's 6th and Malaysia's 9th ranking.

A Philippine passport can only take you to about 58 countries as compared to Singapore's 167 and Malaysia's 163.

Holders of Finnish, Swedish and UK passports are the luckiest blokes who can enjoy sight-seeing adventures in 173 countries. Afghans, however, are the least favored as their passports - ranked last at 93rd - can only take them to 28 countries. You can see the complete ranking list HERE.


Only 25 countries, or maybe even lesser

When you go and Google-search which countries offer visa-free travel for Filipinos, you'd notice that results vary from one website to another. Some have a list of more than 60 countries while others show less than 60.

A report from the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA), through GMA News, says there are only 25 countries offering free Visas for Filipinos.

A few websites even show a list of only 20 countries.

We advise you check out with your destination's respective embassies prior to travel.


List of Visa-free countries for Filipinos (according to Wiki)

Asian Countries, member of ASEAN
(Association of Southeast Asian Nations)
In a reciprocity visa free agreement among member nations within the ASEAN:

 Brunei Darussalam - 14 days
 Cambodia - 21 days
 Indonesia - 30 days
 Laos - 30 days
 Malaysia - 30 days
 Singapore - 30 days
 Thailand - 30 days
 Vietnam - 21 days

Asian Countries, Non-ASEAN member
 Armenia - 120 days, visa issued on arrival
 China, Shenzhen - 7 days, if crossing from Hong Kong, and is valid in Shenzhen area only.
 Hong Kong - 14 days validity
 India - 30 days, eTourist visa online.
 Iran - 15 days, must obtain an e-visa pre-approval code from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs
 Israel - 90 days
 Kyrgyzstan - 30 days, visa on arrival
 Laos - 21 days, visa on arrival
 Macau - 30 days
 Maldives - 30 days visa issued upon arrival
 Myanmar - 21 days
 Mongolia - 21 days
 Nepal - 21 days visa issued on arrival
 South Korea - 30 days, if arriving at Jeju Island or after visiting Korea 4 times with visa.
 Sri Lanka - 30 days, but must get an Electronic Visa Authorization prior to departure.
 Taiwan - 30 days, if holding a permanent residence certificate or an unexpired visa from: Australia, Canada, Japan, New Zealand, Schengen countries, United Kingdom or United States. And must register online at https://nas.immigration.gov.tw/nase/ prior to arrival.
 Tajikistan - 45 days, visa on arrival
 Timor-Leste (a.k.a. East Timor)- 30 day visa issued at the Dili airport and seaport


African Continent
 Cape Verde Islands – 21 days
 Comoros – 21 days
 Djibouti – 30 day visa issued on arrival
 Gambia – visa issued upon arrival, but must get prior clearance from immigration.
 Guinea-Bissau - 90 days visa issued on arrival
 Kenya - 90 days visa issued on arrival
 Madagascar - 30 days visa issued on arrival
 Mauritania - visa issued on arrival
 Morocco - 90 days
 Mozambique - 30 days visa issued on arrival
 Rwanda - 90 days
 Saint Helena - visa issued upon arrival
 Senegal - 30 days issued on arrival, invitation letter required. Visa available online.
 Seychelles – 30 days permit, must show sufficient funds & proof of accommodation.
 Somalia - 30 days on arrival, invitation letter by sponsor submitted 2 days before arrival.
 Tanzania - visa issued on arrival
 Togo (Togolese Republic) - 7 days, visa issued on arrival. Requires yellow fever vaccination
 Uganda - 90 day visa issued on arrival at Entebbe Airport
 Zambia - 90 days visa issued on arrival

Central America
 Costa Rica - 30 days Visitor's Permit issued upon arrival
 Guatemala
 Nicaragua - 90 days visa issued on arrival

Caribbean
 Anguilla - 21 days
 Dominica - 21 days
 Haiti - 21 days
 Saint Vincent and the Grenadines - 30 days visa issued on arrival
 Turks and Caicos Islands - 21 days

Europe
 Georgia - Visa issued on arrival. Preferably with invitation.
 Kosovo - 90 days

Oceania/Pacific Island Nations
 Cook Islands - 31 days
 Fiji - 120 days, Visitor's Permit issued on arrival
 Marshall Islands - 90 days visa issued on arrival
 Micronesia - 30 days, entry permit required for stays over 30 days
 Nauru - 30 days
 Niue - 30 days
 Northern Marianas  - visa issued on arrival
 Palau - 30 days visa issued on arrival
 Papua New Guinea - 60 days, visa given on arrival
 Pitcairn Islands - 14 days, entry permit given on arrival
 Samoa - 60 days Visitor's Permit issued upon arrival
 Tuvalu - 30 day visitor permit for tourist is issued upon arrival
 Vanuatu - 30 days

South America
 Bolivia - 90 days
 Brazil - 90 days
 Colombia - 90 days
 Ecuador - 90 days
 Peru - 183 days
 Suriname - 90 days

You can see from the list that though the countries mentioned above does not require Philippine passport holders to apply for a visa in the Philippines, some will require one upon arrival at their immigration border. You may be asked to produce a return or onward tickets.

Extensions of stay are usually granted upon payment of visa extension fees. Most states/countries require that passports have at least 6 months validity to gain entry.

Please note that countries may change their visa policy without notice.


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