All 9(a) (Temporary Visitor) visa applications under the categories mentioned below must submit their applications through the Online Visa Application System (OVAS):

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• Foreign nationals who are spouses/parents/minor children of Filipino nationals currently residing in the Philippines;

• Foreign nationals who have an Entry Exemption Document (EED) from the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA)

(EED’s are issued after a request for exemption has been lodged with the relevant national government agency in the Philippines and subsequently endorsed to the DFA)

Once the application is submitted, the applicant will receive a visa application receipt confirmation. The applicant may then contact our Queensland Philippine Consulate office for the next steps, which may include among others submission of additional documentary requirements and the conduct of an interview.

If you are from the categories mentioned above, please click the following link to access the Online Visa Application System (OVAS) - https://www.visa.gov.ph.

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Please note that unqualified applicants who apply will be rejected outright.

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Those applying for the following visa types (9e, 9c, 9g, 47a2) will continue to use the paper application form (F.A. Form No. 2)

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Following are the requirements of each visa category:

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9(e) Visa - for FGO with official business for his government with diplomatic immunities and privileges, including their immediate family members

1. Original valid passport

2. Accomplished Visa application form

3. One recently taken photo

4. Tentative Itinerary or flight details

5. Copy of COVID-19 vaccination certificate

9(c) Visa for Seamen and Crew Members

For an Individual joining a vessel in the Philippines (crew change)

1. Passport valid for at least six (6) months beyond the intended period of stay in the Philippines;

2. Valid Seaman’s Book or Certificate of Competence;

3. Duly accomplished Visa application form

4. Passport Photo (white background) taken within 6 months on the date of application;

5. Sponsorship letter from the shipping company or authorised agent; and

6. A non-refundable visa fee to be paid either in cash or postal money order payable to the “Philippine Consulate General in Sydney”. Refer to Consular Fees.

For Crew list (traveling to the Philippine on board the vessel)

1. Passport valid for at least six (6) months beyond the intended period of stay in the Philippines;

2. Valid Seaman’s Book or Certificate of Competence;

3. Duly Accomplished Crew list application form (FA Form No. 60)

4. Letter from the shipping company or authorised agent; and

5. A non-refundable visa fee to be paid either in cash or postal money order payable to the “Philippine Consulate General in Sydney”. Refer to Consular Fees.

9(g) Visa - Foreign nationals who intend to come to the Philippines to engage in long-term employment (more than six months with the Philippine-based employer) must lodge the application before the Bureau of Immigration (BI). The BI will then convey approved applications to the DFA, which will thereafter transmit the visa approval to the Philippine Foreign Service Post concerned for the issuance of 9(g) visa.

47(a)(2) Visa (Employment in connection with foreign-funded government projects such as those in transportation and infrastructure) – For foreign nationals covered under the above category, the Philippine-based employer shall lodge the application before the Department of Justice (DOJ). The DOJ shall then convey approved applications to the DFA, which will grant corresponding authority to issue visas to the concerned Philippine Foreign Service Post.

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Philippine Visa photo requirements:

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• Plain white or off-white background

• Natural facial expression (no smiling) and both eyes open

• No eyeglasses, earrings, necklace, hat or any head covering the hair or hairline

• Taken full-face view directly facing the camera

• Image pixel dimensions must be in a square aspect ratio (meaning the height must be equal to the width

Accomplishing Application Form:

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• The Name (as reflected on the applicant’s passport) Place of Birth, Date of Birth, Age, Country of Citizenship, Sex, Contact Number and other demographic data must be in English Block Letters and for all fields that are not applicable, an instruction of Please Indicate “N/A”.

• Download and save the application in PDF form. User needs to affix his/her signature to the application form.

• User will then be required to upload the Signed Application Form and Passport Data Page. PDF document files and image files PNG and JPEG are the allowed file types

• A visa application receipt confirmation has been sent to your registered email address

Processing of Entry Exemption Documents (EED):

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Processing of requests to allow the entry into the Philippines of foreign nationals on grounds of emergency, humanitarian reasons, and other analogous cases should be lodged in the Philippines with the relevant government agency (NGA). If positively considered, the NGA will make an endorsement to the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) which, in turn, will issue the EED. The foreign national, after receiving the EED, can then apply for the appropriate visa at the nearest Philippine Embassy/Consulate.
 

Following are the some of the NGAs for lodging EED applications:

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DENR (Department of Environment and Natural Resources)

• Purpose: Emergency matters relative to natural disasters

• Contact: osec@denr.gov.ph 

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DOH (Department of Health)

• Purpose: Medical and humanitarian concerns as delegated thru IATF Resolution Nos. 14 and 60 s. 2020, and technical assistance to health facilities (i.e. hospital, medical centers)

• Contact: ftduque@doh.gov.ph

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DOE (Department of Energy)

• Purpose: Emergency matters critical to energy production, transmission and distribution

• Contact: doe.media@doe.gov.ph

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DND (Department of National Defense)

• Purpose: Matters involving national security

• Contact: ousdo.d.d@gmail.com

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DSWD (Department of Social Welfare and Development)

• Purpose: Family members in distress or other emergency social welfare matters

• Contact: oasstatutory@dswd.gov.ph

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PTIC in Sydney (Philippine Trade and Investment Centre in Sydney)

• Purpose: Urgent travel related to business and investments

• Contact: sydney@dti.gov.ph 

The Balikbayan Program, as instituted by Republic Act 6768 (amended by Republic Act 9174), was launched by the Philippine Government "under the administration of the Department of Tourism to attract and encourage overseas Filipinos to come and visit their motherland. This is in recognition of their contribution to the economy of the country through the foreign exchange inflow that they generate."

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Former Filipino nationals and their family members traveling together to visit the Philippines and planning to stay for more than 21 days may enter the Philippines without visas through the Balikbayan visa-free privilege. They may visit the Philippines several times (multiple entry) within a year or they may stay in the Philippines for a maximum of one (1) year.

Who falls under the BALIKBAYAN program?

By legal definition, a balikbayan is:

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• a Filipino citizen who has been continuously out of the Philippines for a period of at least one (1) year from the date of last departure;

• a Filipino overseas worker; or

• a former Filipino citizen with foreign passport and members of his/her family. The term "family" shall mean the spouse and the children of the balikbayan (who are not balikbayan in their own right) who are travelling to the Philippines with the balikbayan.

What are the documents to be presented to show proof of BALIKBAYAN status?

Former Filipino nationals who wish to avail of the program must present proof of former Philippine citizenship such as old Philippine passport or Philippine birth certificate upon arrival at any Philippine Port of Entry. In cases that their spouses and minor children travel together with them, they must present the following:

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1. Old Philippine passport or Philippine birth certificate for the key claimant;

2. Marriage certificate for the spouse;

3. Birth certificate for the child; and,

4. Australian passport with a validity of at least six (6) months beyond the intended stay in the Philippines.

How much do I pay for the Balikbayan stamp?

There is no fee for the Balikbayan stamp.

Who else can avail of the BALIKBAYAN Program?

Family members of the balikbayan can go to the Philippines without having to apply for a visa, provided they are travelling together with the balikbayan, pay immigration fees, and observe and comply with immigration rules and regulations. In addition to showing their foreign passport, a family member must present:

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• Birth Certificate (with English translation), in case of children;

• Marriage Certificate (with English translation), in case of spouse; and

• Adoption papers (proof of adoption), in case of legally adopted children.

According to the Bureau of Immigration, the Balikbayan Privilege can be availed of by the foreign member of a balikbayan's family EVERY TIME they enter the Philippines with the balikbayan (former Filipino/dual citizen) AND NOT ONLY ONCE A YEAR.

Please note that only family members of balikbayans from countries whose citizens enjoy the no-visa entry for 21-day stay may avail themselves of the balikbayan privilege and be able to stay in the Philippines for a period of one year without having to apply for a temporary visitor's visa. All other nationals must secure entry visas prior to their travel to the Philippines.

If a balikbayan has used his/her privilege and stayed in the Philippines for one year, he/she may apply for an extension of stay for multiples of two months up to one additional year by paying the appropriate fees at the nearest Bureau of Immigration office.