Embassy
British Embassy Manila
120 Upper McKinley Road
Philippines visa requirements for British citizens
British citizens do not need a visa for the Philippines. Show your passport at the border and stay up to 30 days.
Passport
GBR
United Kingdom
Going to
PHL
Philippines
No visa needed
People from the listed countries can visit for tourism or business without a visa.
- Visa
- Not required
- Max stay
- 30 days
- Fee
- Free
- Last updated
- 11 November 2026
Special rules for British citizens in Philippines
- A tourist visa is available from the Philippine Embassy before travelling, which will allow an initial total of 59-day stay.
- For longer periods, a visa extension is available once inside the country from the Bureau of immigration.
What to do
Check your passport is valid for the whole stay, ideally six months beyond it.
Carry proof of onward travel and of funds; border officers can ask for both.
Note the maximum stay and count your days in the Philippines.
Ways into Philippines
Your passport and trip decide whether you need a visa.
Visa not required For your passport30-day visa-free stayPeople from the listed countries can visit for tourism or business without a visa.
- Stay
- 30 days
- Fee
- Free
How to apply
- Check whether your passport country is on the list.
- Show your passport and ticket at the border.
Documents required
- Passport valid 6 months beyond stay
- Return or onward ticket
- Passport rules can differ by passport; check whether an exception applies.
- Border staff decide whether you can enter.
Visa not required For your passport7-day visa-free stayCertain passport types and Chinese tourists with certain visas can get a short stay.
- Stay
- 7–21 days
- Fee
- Free
How to apply
- Check your exact passport type or foreign visa.
- Confirm the older Chinese rule still applies, if needed.
- Show your passport, supporting documents and ticket.
Documents required
- Qualifying passport
- Return or onward ticket
- Chinese tourists: qualifying current foreign visa
- Chinese tourists need an Australian, Canadian, Japanese, Schengen or US visa.
- An extra 14 days may be possible; confirm the older Chinese rule before travel.
eVisaOnline visitor visaApply online for a 9(a) visa through an embassy that offers this service.
- Processing
- 7–21 days
How to apply
- Register at evisa.gov.ph and choose the correct embassy.
- Fill in the form and upload your documents.
- Pay as that embassy instructs.
- Provide originals or attend an interview if asked.
- Download the approved visa.
Documents required
- Machine-readable or electronic passport
- Passport valid 6 months
- Application and photograph
- Return or onward ticket
- Travel, money and visit-purpose documents
- You cannot extend this visa or change it to another visa type.
- Apply again if you lose the passport linked to your visa.
Visa on arrivalApproved visa on arrivalThis route covers supported business visitors, event guests and other specially approved people.
- Stay
- 30 days
- Entries
- Single
How to apply
- Get the required support from an approved organisation.
- Ask immigration for the checklist and fee amount.
- Pay and submit your application with receipts.
- Collect your approval and visa.
Documents required
- Programme checklist documents
- Required support letter
- Payment receipts
- The 30-day single-entry terms apply to the investment route.
- Ordinary tourists cannot simply arrive and ask for this visa.
Visa requiredTourist visitor visaThe 9(a-2) visa covers holidays, religious trips and visits to friends or family.
How to apply
- Check your embassy's checklist and how to apply.
- Fill in the form and gather your documents.
- Submit your application and pay the local fee.
- Give more documents or attend an interview if asked.
Documents required
- Passport valid 6 months
- Application form
- Entry and exit flight details
- Proof of money for stay
- Proof of home or work ties
- Trip plan and accommodation
- Child's parent permission, where needed
- Return ticket
- Hotel booking
- London publishes a visitor visa application form.
- Its older form does not confirm current fees.
- Check the stay you are given; visa dates and stay length are different.
- An online visa route is also available through some embassies.
Sources (39)Last updated 11 November 2026
- Official Philippine e-Visa portal
- Department of Foreign Affairs: Philippine visa policy
- Department of Foreign Affairs: visa-free nationalities and special exemptions
- Department of Foreign Affairs: tourism visitor requirements
- Department of Foreign Affairs: business visitor requirements
- Department of Foreign Affairs: medical visitor requirements
- Bureau of Immigration: official questions and answers
- Bureau of Immigration: Indian visa-free entry circular
- Bureau of Immigration: airside and landside transit circular
- Bureau of Immigration: initial visitor extension
- Bureau of Immigration: employment visas
- Bureau of Immigration: endorsed visa upon arrival
- Bureau of Immigration: Taiwan electronic travel authorisation rules
- Philippine Embassy in Washington: visa services
- Philippine Embassy in Washington: fees
- Philippine Embassy in Washington: visa validity explanation
- Philippine Embassy in London: published non-immigrant application form
- Philippine Embassy in New Delhi: visa application requirements
- Philippine Embassy in New Delhi: fees and electronic visa processing
- Philippine Embassy in Berlin: visa-free entry
- Philippine Embassy in Berlin: visa classes
- Philippine Embassy in Berlin: visa and investment residence overview
- Philippine Embassy in Berlin: Balikbayan programme
- Philippine Embassy in Berlin: Balikbayan covered countries
- Philippine Embassy in Berlin: Balikbayan evidence and arrival procedure
- Philippine Embassy in Seoul: visa and exemption rules
- Philippine Embassy in Manama: new Indian visa policy
- Philippine Embassy in Singapore: 2026 Chinese visa-free announcement
- Philippine Consulate in Los Angeles: student visa
- Philippine Consulate in New York: employment application routes
- Philippine Embassy in Tokyo: transit visa
- Philippine Embassy in Tokyo: service charter and transit checklist
- Philippine Embassy in Tokyo: electronic visa questions
- Philippine representative office in Taiwan: extended visa-free arrangement
- Philippine representative office in Taiwan: electronic travel authorisation
- Taiwan Ministry of Foreign Affairs: Philippines entry information
- Philippine Retirement Authority: current retirement visa programme
- Philippine Department of Justice: special non-immigrant applications
- Official eTravel system: registration, timing and exemptions
Embassies for this trip
For lost passports and emergencies.
Trips to Philippines
Day-by-day itineraries by snuck, shaped around you.
Coming from United Kingdom
- Plugs A B CAdapter needed
- MoneyPHP ₱
- Time+16h
- DrivingOn the rightLook left first
- LanguageEnglishSpoken at home too
- Emergency911 police
Planning your Philippines trip
Best time to go: November to February generally brings cooler, drier weather. Christmas and New Year can be expensive and busy; weather patterns differ in some eastern areas.
- Beaches and coral reefsThe country has a long coastline, sandy beaches and many coral reefs.
- Old Spanish churchesThese churches offer a way to explore local history, art and architecture.
- Mountains and rainforestsMany larger islands have mountainous interiors, with forests and varied wildlife.
- National parksThe country has around 60–70 national parks, including mountain and coral reef areas.
Scams to watch for in Philippines
- Taxi drivers refusing the meterThe driver bypasses the meter and demands a higher fare. The demand can be double the metered fare.
- Taxi driver claims to have no changeThe driver claims to have no change so that you leave a larger tip. Morning requests for coins can also be a normal practice, so the request alone does not prove a scam.
- PickpocketingA thief takes money, a phone or other valuables from your pockets or bag without you noticing.
About Philippines
The Philippines is a Southeast Asian archipelago republic made up of more than 7,000 islands.
- Capital
- Manila
- Money
- Philippine peso (₱)
- Languages
- English, Filipino
- Time zone
- UTC+08:00
- Cars drive on the
- right side
- Calling code
- +63
Other Europe passports
Going to Philippines
Easier trips nearby
Places close to Philippines with simpler entry for you.
Questions
Are there special rules for British citizens visiting Philippines?
Do british citizens need a visa for the Philippines?
British citizens do not need a visa for the Philippines. Show your passport at the border and stay up to 30 days.
How long can british citizens stay in the Philippines?
Up to 30 days each visit with the no visa needed rule. Staying longer can mean a fine or a ban from coming back.
Do filipino citizens need a visa for the United Kingdom?
Filipino citizens need a visa for the United Kingdom, from its embassy or consulate.
Do other Europe passports get easier entry to the Philippines?
Andorra, Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria Croatia, and 5 more can enter without applying before they travel.
Which countries near Philippines are easier for british citizens?
Brunei, Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand Vietnam, and 3 more let british citizens in without applying before travel.
What should I carry to the Philippines?
Check your passport is valid for the whole stay, ideally six months beyond it. Carry proof of onward travel and of funds; border officers can ask for both.
What money is used in the Philippines?
Philippine peso (₱). Carry some cash for arrival, especially if a visa fee is paid at the border.
What language do people speak in the Philippines?
English and Filipino.
How strong is the United Kingdom passport?
It ranks #7 and reaches 155 destinations without applying ahead.
Reviewed by @snuck