Polish nationals may travel to the Philippines as tourists without a visa for 30 days. A visa is required if you wish to work there, join a vessel, or study. Each of these purposes involves a different procedure and a different authority. Below we describe the 9(g) employment visa, the 9(c) seafarer visa, and the 9(f) student visa.
Tourism: 30 days visa-free
A Polish citizen may enter the Philippines without a visa for 30 days with a passport valid for at least 6 months and a return or onward ticket. Before arrival you must complete the electronic eTravel arrival form. You may extend your stay locally at the Bureau of Immigration. Any work under the visa-free regime is prohibited.
9(g) employment visa
The 9(g) visa is intended for a person employed by an employer in the Philippines. The employer handles the case before two authorities:
The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) issues the Alien Employment Permit (AEP). The employer must demonstrate that no local worker in the Philippines could be found for the position.
The Bureau of Immigration (BI) approves the 9(g) visa on the basis of the AEP and the employment contract.
Once BI has approved the case, the visa application is submitted online in the OVAS system.
The whole process usually takes 2–3 months. Pending the decision, BI may issue a Provisional Work Permit. For short-term work of up to 6 months, a Special Work Permit is used instead of a 9(g) visa.
On the employee’s side, the documents required include, among others, a passport, biometric photo, medical report, and a criminal record certificate with a sworn translation. The Philippines is a party to the Apostille Convention, so documents issued in Poland are usually legalised with an apostille. You may order a criminal record certificate with an apostille through Notberg.
9(c) seafarer visa
The 9(c) visa is for a seafarer who flies to the Philippines to join a vessel. It may cover the entire crew on the basis of a crew list. The application is lodged with the Embassy of the Philippines in Warsaw. Required documents include, among others, a passport, seaman’s book, a letter from the shipowner or crewing agency with the vessel and port details, and a travel itinerary.
9(f) student visa and Special Study Permit
For higher education, a 9(f) visa is issued; for shorter courses, for example language courses, a Special Study Permit is used. Status is obtained locally at the Bureau of Immigration, on the basis of documents from the university or school. The school must be authorised by BI to enrol foreign nationals, so please check this before paying any tuition fees.
Most common mistakes
Trial work under the visa-free regime. Entering as a tourist does not give the right to work, even for a few days.
No AEP before applying for 9(g). The Bureau of Immigration will not approve the visa without a permit from DOLE.
Documents from Poland without apostille and translation. The authority will return them for completion and the process will take longer.
No eTravel form. Without it, the airline may deny boarding.
Philippines visa with Notberg
With Notberg you may order:
a 9(c) seafarer visa, with the application at the Embassy of the Philippines in Warsaw, in the Standard or Premium package,
an employment visa 9(g) consultation, where we review the employee’s documents and prepare them in line with BI requirements,
a student visa consultation, including scheduling an appointment and reviewing the documentation.
All communication with us is in Polish.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a visa for a holiday in the Philippines?
No, if you stay up to 30 days. For a longer stay you may extend it locally at the Bureau of Immigration.
Who submits the application for a 9(g) visa?
The employer in the Philippines, first to DOLE, then to the Bureau of Immigration. The employee provides their documents.
Does the seafarer visa cover the entire crew?
It may, if the application is based on a crew list. Each seafarer must hold a valid passport and seaman’s book.
May I study English in the Philippines without a visa?
For a course you need a Special Study Permit, even if you enter visa-free. The school will usually assist you in obtaining it.