The Philippines is considering expanding its 14-day visa-free entry arrangement for Chinese nationals beyond Manila and Cebu, potentially opening more direct arrival gateways for visitors bound for Bohol, Palawan, Clark and Caticlan.
Tourism Secretary Dita Angara-Mathay said on September 1 that the Department of Tourism is working on a proposal with other government agencies. The plan has not been approved, and no start date, final rules or confirmed list of additional ports has been announced.
For now, the existing visa-free privilege remains limited to arrivals through Ninoy Aquino International Airport in Metro Manila and Mactan-Cebu International Airport in Cebu. It took effect on January 16, 2026 and allows eligible Chinese nationals to enter for tourism or business for up to 14 days.
The current arrangement is non-extendible and cannot be converted to another Philippine visa category. Travelers must hold a passport valid for at least six months beyond their intended stay, confirmed accommodation and a return or onward ticket. Philippine immigration authorities retain the final decision on admission at the border, and applicants with derogatory records with the Bureau of Immigration are not eligible for the visa-free privilege.
If approved, the proposed expansion could make direct charter or scheduled arrivals more practical for travelers heading to destinations such as Bohol, Palawan and the Boracay area via Caticlan, rather than first entering through Manila or Cebu. Until an official government notice changes the designated ports, Chinese visitors planning to arrive through Clark, Bohol, Palawan or Caticlan should arrange the appropriate Philippine visa in advance and check directly with their airline and the Philippine Department of Foreign Affairs before departure.
What has been proposed
- Additional visa-free arrival gateways for eligible Chinese nationals.
- Potential coverage for Bohol, Palawan, Clark and Caticlan.
- No confirmed implementation date or published operational rules.
The Department of Foreign Affairs said the current 14-day arrangement will be reviewed before its one-year term expires. Any extension to further airports would require an official update to the entry rules, not simply the tourism department's proposal.
Primary sources
Frequently Asked Questions
No. The Department of Tourism has proposed the expansion, but it has not yet been approved and no effective date has been announced.
Under the current official policy, entry is limited to Ninoy Aquino International Airport in Metro Manila and Mactan-Cebu International Airport in Cebu.
The stay is for tourism or business, is non-extendible and non-convertible, and requires a passport valid for at least six months, confirmed accommodation, a return or onward ticket, and no derogatory Bureau of Immigration record.
