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Philippines rolls out Cruise Visa Waiver program to boost foreign tourist arrivals

Philippines | National

Philippines rolls out Cruise Visa Waiver program to boost foreign tourist arrivals

By Trixee Rosel

The Philippine government has launched the Cruise Visa Waiver (CVW) program in a bid to enhance foreign tourist arrivals and encourage more international cruise ships to visit the country.

Jointly undertaken by the Department of Tourism (DOT), the Bureau of Immigration (BI), and the Department of Justice (DOJ), the program is set to streamline visa requirements for cruise passengers.

Tourism Secretary Christina Garcia Frasco expressed confidence that the newly launched program will significantly boost tourism by making the Philippines a more accessible and appealing destination for cruise travellers.

"This initiative underscores our commitment to digitalization and supports our national strategy for cruise tourism development," Frasco said.

Eligible foreigners can apply for the waiver through the BI e-services portal at https://e-services.immigration.gov.ph.

The waiver applies to visa-required nationals arriving and departing via cruise ships solely for tourism purposes, aligning with the ship's local itinerary.

Under the program, visitors can enjoy a single-entry stay of up to 14 days in the Philippines, with no option for extension or conversion to other visa types or statuses.

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Department of Tourism

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