Trip checklist: Philippines

For South African passport holders. Last checked 5 October 2026.

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Visa requirement

South Africans don't need a visa for the Philippines.

Permitted stay

You can stay up to 30 days per visit, and you can apply to extend.

Before you go

• Purpose of visit

  Business and tourism. Work, study or long stays need a visa from the Philippine Embassy in Pretoria.

• Passport validity

  At least 6 months beyond the intended stay.

• How to apply

  Nothing to apply for. Present your passport, return or onward ticket and eTravel QR code on arrival. For longer stays, either apply for a temporary visitor visa at the embassy before travel, or extend in the country online at e-services.immigration.gov.ph (Tourist Visa Extension) or at a Bureau of Immigration office. First extension (visa waiver, 29 days) costs PHP 3,030 including the express fee.

• Where South Africans apply

  No application needed for 30 days. For a visa before travel: Embassy of the Republic of the Philippines in Pretoria (pretoriape.dfa.gov.ph).

• Return or onward ticket

  Required. A ticket for the return journey to the port of origin or onward to the next destination. The Lisbon embassy page says the outbound flight must be within the 30-day period.

• Vaccinations, including yellow fever on return to South Africa

  No vaccinations required for travellers coming from South Africa. The Philippines requires a yellow fever certificate only from travellers arriving from yellow fever risk countries. Returning to South Africa: the Philippines is not on South Africa's yellow fever risk list, so no certificate is needed on return.

• Arrival forms

  eTravel registration is mandatory for all arriving foreign passengers. Register free at etravel.gov.ph or the eGovPH app within 72 hours before travel and show the QR code. Giving false information can lead to refusal of entry. Customs: declare more than PHP 50,000 in local currency or more than USD 10,000 (or equivalent) in foreign currency.

• Extending your stay and overstaying

  First extension is 29 days (to 59 days). Further extensions of 1, 2 or 6 months are possible, up to 36 months in total for non-visa-required nationals. Apply before the stay expires at a Bureau of Immigration office or via e-services. Overstaying leads to fines and you must clear them before departure.

• Transit

  Airside transit does not need a visa. If you leave the airport, the 30-day visa-free entry applies. eTravel is required for arriving passengers.

• Travelling with children

  Foreign children under 15 who travel alone or are not travelling to join a parent need a Waiver of Exclusion Ground (WEG), obtained from a Philippine embassy before travel or on arrival. Carry an unabridged birth certificate as South Africa may ask for it on departure.

• Confirm with the embassy

  Rules change. Check the official source before you book.

Where to apply

• Department of Foreign Affairs, Republic of the Philippines https://dfa.gov.ph/list-of-countries-for-21-day-visa/
• Philippine Embassy in Lisbon (DFA) https://lisbonpe.dfa.gov.ph/index.php/consular-section/visa-services/21-day-visa-free-entery
• Bureau of Immigration, Philippines https://immigration.gov.ph/visa-waiver/
• eTravel, Government of the Philippines https://etravel.gov.ph/
• Philippine Embassy in Pretoria https://pretoriape.dfa.gov.ph/89-consular-services/113-other-faqs

Research sources

1. 1. Department of Foreign Affairs, Republic of the Philippines (Official, dfa.gov.ph) https://dfa.gov.ph/list-of-countries-for-21-day-visa/
2. 2. Philippine Embassy in Lisbon (DFA) (Official, lisbonpe.dfa.gov.ph) https://lisbonpe.dfa.gov.ph/index.php/consular-section/visa-services/21-day-visa-free-entery
3. 3. Bureau of Immigration, Philippines (Official, immigration.gov.ph) https://immigration.gov.ph/visa-waiver/
4. 4. eTravel, Government of the Philippines (Official, etravel.gov.ph) https://etravel.gov.ph/
5. 5. Philippine Embassy in Pretoria (Official, pretoriape.dfa.gov.ph) https://pretoriape.dfa.gov.ph/89-consular-services/113-other-faqs
6. 6. Bureau of Immigration, Philippines (Official, immigration.gov.ph) https://immigration.gov.ph/advisory-etravel-registration/
7. 7. UK FCDO (Other government, gov.uk) https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/philippines/entry-requirements
8. 8. US Department of State (Other government, travel.state.gov) https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/international-travel/International-Travel-Country-Information-Pages/Philippines.html

From doineedavisa.co.za/philippines. Always confirm with the embassy before you travel.