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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider PH announces 2-week visa-free policy for Chinese nationals

PH announces 2-week visa-free policy for Chinese nationals

Published Jan 15, 2026 03:03 pm
FILE - A member of the Philippine Coast Guard holds a Philippine and China flag during the arrival of a Chinese naval training ship, Qi Jiguang, for a goodwill visit at Manila's port, Philippines, June 14, 2023. (AP Photo/Basilio Sepe, File)
FILE - A member of the Philippine Coast Guard holds a Philippine and China flag during the arrival of a Chinese naval training ship, Qi Jiguang, for a goodwill visit at Manila's port, Philippines, June 14, 2023. (AP Photo/Basilio Sepe, File)
​The Philippines will allow Chinese nationals to enter and stay in the country without a visa for a maximum of 14 days starting Friday, Jan. 16.
The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) made the announcement on Thursday, Jan. 15, in a move that it said was in line with President Marcos' "directive to facilitate trade, investments, and tourism, as well as strengthen people-to-people exchanges between the Philippines and China."
According to the DFA, Chinese nationals traveling to the Philippines strictly for tourism or business purposes may avail of the new visa-free entry privilege.
"The said privilege allows for a non-extendable 14-day stay, which is non-convertible to any other type of Philippine visa category," it said.
The DFA also said that the visa-free privilege will only be valid for entry through two Philippine airports: the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) in Manila, and the Mactan-Cebu International Airport in Cebu.
Upon arrival, Chinese nationals​ only need to present a passport valid for at least six months beyond the contemplated stay, confirmed hotel accommodation​ or booking, and a return or onward ticket to the next country of destination.
​"To ensure that security and public order are maintained while facilitating the entry of legitimate travelers, checks on derogatory records of travelers will continue to apply," DFA said.
​"The visa-free entry arrangement will be in effect for one year and will be reviewed accordingly before it expires," it added.
Prior to the announcement, ​the government ​allowed Mainland Chinese nationals to enter the Philippines for an initial stay not exceeding seven days, provided that they possess a return ticket and a valid or unexpired Australian, Japanese, Canadian, Schengen, or US visa.
The ​seven-day visa-free entry may be extended by an additional 14 days to complete a maximum of 21 days.

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