The Philippine government has approved visa-free entry for citizens of 46 African countries, allowing stays of up to 30 days. Eligible African nations include South Africa, Kenya, Ghana, Uganda, Tanzania, Ethiopia, Angola, Morocco, Rwanda, Senegal, Zambia, Zimbabwe, as well as Benin, Botswana, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cameroon, Cape Verde, Central African Republic, Chad, Comoros, Republic of Congo, Côte d’Ivoire, Democratic Republic of Congo, Djibouti, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Gabon, Gambia, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Lesotho, Liberia, Madagascar, Malawi, Mali, Mauritania, Mauritius, Mozambique, Namibia, Niger, São Tomé and Príncipe, Seychelles, Eswatini, Togo, and Tunisia. Nationals from Nigeria, Algeria, Egypt, Libya, Sierra Leone, Somalia, South Sudan,
and Sudan remain excluded from this visa exemption and must obtain visas prior to travel.
Travellers must carry passports valid for at least six months beyond their intended departure from the Philippines and provide evidence of onward or return confirmed tickets. Visitors admitted under the visa waiver can request a 29-day extension at the Philippine Bureau of Immigration, enabling a total stay of up to 59 days.
Major non-African countries covered by the 30-day visa-free policy include the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, Japan, Australia, Germany, France, and South Korea. China and India are excluded from the standard 30-day waiver
but have separate arrangements allowing shorter visa-free visits. Brazilian and Israeli nationals are permitted visa-free entry for up to 59 days under bilateral agreements.
Tourism Statistics and Government Initiatives
The Philippines recorded approximately 5.94 million international arrivals in 2025, with inbound tourist spending reaching an estimated 694 billion Philippine pesos. Tourism contributed 8.1% to the national economy and supported around 7.7 million jobs that year. The government is investing in airport upgrades, transport infrastructure, and enhanced international connectivity to support continued growth.
Tourism Secretary Dita Angara-Mathay stated that the government seeks to exhibit that the Philippines is “open, accessible, and ready for greater tourism and investment.”
Implications for Travelers
Travelers from the designated 46 African countries, along with visitors from the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, Japan, and other qualifying countries, can
enter the Philippines without a visa for 30 days, provided they hold valid passports with six months’ validity and possess onward or return tickets. Those from Nigeria, China, and India must secure visas unless covered by separate short-term visa-free protocols. The option to extend the visa-free stay by 29 days is administered by the Philippine Bureau of Immigration.
