From 1 August 2013 the 21 day visa free entry offered to tourists coming from 151 countries have been extened to 30 days. This change in policy was implemented in pursuant of the government’s efforts to increase more tourists to visit and stay longer in the Philippines.

To facilitate the implementation of the new policy the Bureau of Immigration (BI) has finished updating its computerized travel control system in the different ports of entry.

The Department of Tourism (DOT) is hoping that this change in policy would help in reaching its target of 10.10 million tourist arrivals in 2016.

The BI has advised the pulic that foreigners could avail of the visa free privilege if their passports are valid for at least 6 months beyond their intended period of stay.

You can check out the Facebook page of the Bureau of Immigration https://www.facebook.com/officialbureauofimmigration for more details about the new visa free policy.