✈️ Visa upon ArrivalVUA Philippines

The Visa upon Arrival (VUA) allows certain approved foreign nationals, officials, and diplomats to obtain their visa directly upon arrival in the Philippines.

🛂 Entry Facilitation

This special visa facilitates entry to the Philippines for official travelers, diplomats, and certain pre-approved nationals.

Airport issuance

Expedited procedure

Special statuses

Simplified Arrival

Visa issued on-site

📋 Types of Visa upon Arrival

Government Officials

• Official delegations
• Government missions
• State representatives
• International officials
• Intergovernmental organizations

Status

Official invitation required

Diplomats

• Ambassadors
• Consuls
• Diplomatic personnel
• Diplomatic families
• Special missions

Privilege

Diplomatic passport

Approved Nationals

• Certain nationalities
• Pre-approved travelers
• Special programs
• Bilateral agreements
• Particular statuses

Eligibility

Restrictive list

International Organizations

• UN and agencies
• World Bank
• IMF
• ASEAN
• Other recognized IOs

Accreditation

Official status required

Special Missions

• Humanitarian aid
• Peace missions
• Technical experts
• International consultants
• Diplomatic emergencies

Urgency

Exceptional cases

VIPs and State Guests

• Heads of State
• Ministers
• Official personalities
• Government guests
• High-level delegations

Protocol

VIP treatment

✅ Eligibility Requirements

General Criteria

Official status:

Government or diplomatic function

Official invitation:

Document from Philippine government

Special passport:

Diplomatic, official, or service

Official mission:

Travel within scope of functions

Limited duration:

Temporary and defined stay

Specific Criteria

Accreditation:

Official recognition of status

Note verbale:

Diplomatic communication

Entry point:

Designated international airports

Delegation:

Official mission members

Protocol:

Respect for diplomatic procedures

Exclusions

• Tourist travel

• Private commercial missions

• Unofficial stays

• Personal activities

📄 Required Documents

Essential Documents

Diplomatic/official passport

Official invitation

Note verbale

Travel order

Official accreditation

Travel itinerary

Supplementary Documents

Official ID card

Letter of credence (ambassadors)

Mission program

List of participants

Hotel reservations

Return ticket

🛂 Arrival Procedure

Standard Steps

Airport arrivalDesignated international airports

Document checkVerification of official status

VUA processingOn-site visa issuance

Entry authorizedAccess to Philippine territory

Protocol receptionAssistance if required

Special Facilitations

Diplomatic lane:

Priority queue

Fee exemption:

No payment required

Fast processing:

Expedited procedure

Protocol assistance:

Dedicated personnel

Official transport:

If provided by protocol

Important

Processing may vary depending on diplomatic level and agreements in force.

✈️ Authorized Airports

Manila (NAIA)

• Terminal 1, 2, 3
• Diplomatic service
• VIP protocol
• 24/7

Main hub for official arrivals

Cebu (CEB)

• International terminal
• Diplomatic services
• Visayas region
• Extended hours

Regional hub for central Philippines

Davao (DVO)

• International terminal
• Mindanao gateway
• Official services
• VUA capacity

Gateway for southern Philippines

Clark (CRK)

• Economic zone
• Modern facilities
• Manila access
• VUA services

Alternative to Manila for northern Luzon

Need More Information?

Check out our detailed guides for more information about visa options in the Philippines.

View Guides Other Visas