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Online passenger formInsurance policy
Insurance policy recommendedRules of entry and stay
Transit rules
Entry with pets
Emergency numbers
Information for motorists
Customs regulations
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Do Australian citizens need a visa to enter the Philippines?
No, Australian citizens can enjoy visa-free travel to the Philippines for up to 30 days.
This exemption is valid under the following conditions:
• Purpose of visit: Tourism, recreation, or family visits.
• Maximum stay: Limited to 30 days. Extensions can be requested from the Philippine Bureau of Immigration.
The visa-free policy provides an easy way for Australians to discover the natural beauty, cultural treasures, and welcoming spirit of the Philippines.
eTravel card for Australians traveling to the Philippines
Before flying to the Philippines, Australian citizens must complete the eTravel card registration, a streamlined system for arrival formalities.
Essential details:
• Timing: Register within 72 hours before departure.
• Process: Visit etravel.gov.ph, fill in your personal and travel information, and submit the form.
• QR code: Save or print the QR code generated after registration, as it will be required at immigration checkpoints.
The eTravel system ensures efficient processing for Australians entering the Philippines, reducing delays and enhancing security.
Entry conditions for tourists from Australia visiting the Philippines
Travelers from Australia entering the Philippines visa-free must meet the following requirements:
• Valid passport: Must remain valid for at least six months beyond the departure date.
• Return or onward ticket: Proof of travel that aligns with the visa-free stay duration.
• Travel insurance: While not obligatory, insurance with a minimum coverage of USD 35,000 for medical and travel emergencies is recommended.
• eTravel card: Registration is mandatory before departure.
• Proof of funds: Be prepared to demonstrate financial resources for the trip.
Following these guidelines ensures a seamless entry experience for visitors.
Health insurance recommendations for Australians visiting the Philippines
While health insurance is not required for Australians entering the Philippines, it is highly advisable. A robust travel insurance plan should provide coverage for medical treatment, hospitalization, and potential travel disruptions, such as cancellations or delays. To ensure adequate protection, a coverage amount of at least USD 35,000 is recommended. Having insurance allows travelers to focus on enjoying their trip without worrying about unforeseen expenses.
Must-visit destinations in the Philippines for tourists from Australia
The Philippines offers endless wonders for visitors from Australia. Here are five must-see spots:
1. Boracay: Famous for its white sand beaches and vibrant nightlife.
2. El Nido and Coron, Palawan: A natural paradise of turquoise lagoons and coral reefs.
3. Chocolate Hills: Unique formations and a highlight of Bohol's countryside.
4. Banaue Rice Terraces: A testament to ancient Filipino ingenuity, nestled in the mountains.
5. Intramuros: Step back in time with a visit to Manila’s historic walled city.
These destinations showcase the Philippines’ stunning landscapes and rich cultural heritage, making it a top choice for travelers from Australia.
You do not need a transit visa to the Philippines if:
- Your connecting flight is within 24 hours
- You will not leave the international transit area of the airport
- You will not transfer from one terminal to another
- You have the necessary documents for a third country
- You are not a refugee or a stateless person.
If you are transferring from one terminal to another, you must have a Philippine visa and airport escort.
A foreign national transiting through the Philippines to another country must obtain a 9(b) transit visa. The transit period is limited to seventy-two (72) hours or three (3) days in the Philippines.
Requirements:
- Completed application for a non-immigrant visa FA Form No. 2-A. Must be duly notarized.
- An electronic or machine-readable passport valid for at least six (6) months beyond the authorized period of stay in the Philippines.
- One recently taken 1.77" x 1.37" (3.5 - 4.5 cm) color photograph, front view, on a white background; without glasses and sleeves. Digital photos are not allowed.
- Originals of supporting documents
- Itinerary of a round-trip flight to the country of origin or the next country of destination.
- Payment of fees
Driving with a foreign license in the Philippines
If you are a tourist with a valid driver's license from your home country, you will have no difficulty getting a driver's license here. The Philippines has an international agreement with most Western countries, including the United States, that allows its residents to legally drive in that country for 90 days after arrival, as long as the licenses are still valid.
A foreign driver must have a driver's license written in English or an International Driver's Permit (IDP) to drive in the Philippines. If a foreign driver does not have an IDP or their driver's license is written in a language other than English, they can obtain an official translation from the consulate/embassy.
The Land Transportation Office (LTO) handles the registration and issuance of driver's licenses. This is an agency of the Philippine government under the Department of Transportation (DOTr) responsible for all land transportation in the country. Its main functions include registering vehicles, issuing licenses and permits, enforcing laws, solving traffic cases, etc.
Obtaining a driver's license in the Philippines
You may only be allowed to exchange your foreign driver's license for a Philippine driver's license after you have been here for more than 90 days. You can apply through the LTO main office along East Avenue in Quezon City. The classification you must apply for is a non-professional driver's license if you do not drive for a living.
Several necessary documents need to be prepared.First of all, this is the original and a photocopy of your valid driver's license. The original and photocopy of the visa and stamp or Alien Certificate of Registration (ACR) are also required along with your valid passport. Your medical certificate and a negative drug test result from a Department of Health (DOH)-accredited hospital and LTO-accredited drug testing centers are also required. If you are employed, your Taxpayer Identification Number (TIN) will be required for processing.
Another important thing to remember is that the license is not convertible if the country that issued it does not have an embassy here in the Philippines.
If your foreign driver's license has already expired or you are applying as a new driver, you will need to pass the written and practical tests at the LTO. The cost of these tests is quite low (around 1500 pesos) and getting a driver's license in the Philippines can be quite inexpensive compared to getting such a license in other countries.
- The Philippines requires everyone to drive on the right side of the road, and all vehicles must have a left-hand drive. Unlike most countries where both left- and right-hand drive cars are allowed, as long as drivers follow the road they are supposed to drive on, right-hand drive cars are not allowed to drive here.
- The Anti-Distracted Driving Act (ADDA) or Republic Act No. 10913. It is a law in the Philippines that prohibits distracted driving by prohibiting the use of cell phones and other electronic devices and punishes drCitys who do so while driving on a public highway with a 5,000 Philippine peso fine for the first-time offense.
- Anti-Drunk and Drugged Driving Act of 2013 or Republic Act No. 10586
- The Seat Belt Use Act of 1999 or Republic Act No. 8750
- The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority or EDSA yellow lane policy is one of the traffic rules in the Philippines that drivers must strictly follow and understand. Road markings in the Philippines are yellow or white, single or double, continuous or dashed. A yellow line is defined as a marking to separate lanes of traffic moving in opposite directions.
- Many private drivers tend to stay in that particular lane longer than necessary, which disrupts public transport, causing traffic congestion. There are three yellow lane dividers: 1, 2, and 3. According to the policy, private and public vehicles must move within the 3rd lane. If they are caught driving on yellow lines that are prohibited, they will be detained.
Speed limit
- Open country roads with no “blind corners,” not closely bordered by habitation: 80 kph for cars and smaller vehicles; 50 kph for trucks, busses, and bigger vehicles
- Through streets or boulevards, clear of traffic: 40 kph for cars and smaller vehicles; 30 kph for trucks, busses, and bigger vehicles
- City and municipal roads with light traffic: 30 kph for cars and smaller vehicles; 30 kph for trucks, busses, and bigger vehicles
- Crowded streets approaching intersections at blind corners, school zones, passing stationary cars, or other dangerous circumstances: 20 kph for cars and smaller vehicles; 20 kph for trucks, busses, and bigger vehicles
Free import
- 400 cigarettes or 50 cigars or 250 grams of tobacco
- 2 bottles of alcohol with a volume of no more than 1 liter each
- Duty-free entry for special passengers: Filipinos who have lived abroad for more than 6 months can bring in used electronic or electrical appliances and personal belongings worth up to 10,000 pesos
- Contract workers: used personal belongings up to 10,000 pesos and used household appliances, no more than 1 of each type, up to 10,000 pesos
- Free withdrawal of up to 10,000 dollars or equivalent amount in foreign currency. Any bonds above this amount must be declared.
Forbidden
- Firearms and their parts, any kind of replicas, explosives, and ammunition.
- Printed subversive, obscene, and pornographic materials
- Drugs or substances that facilitate abortion
- Gambling machines and their products (slots or pinball machines, lottery totalizers - tickets, coin-operated video recorders)
- Any precious metals without specifying the actual purity of the fineness
- Low-quality falsified medicines or food products
- Illicit drugs and plants/seeds from which illicit drugs are made (coca, poppy, marijuana leaves) and smoking pipes and parts thereof
Prohibited
- All plants, planting material, fruit and vegetables, regardless of quantity, require an import permit/permits and must be declared upon arrival.
- Rules for importing currency: Free import of up to 10,000 pesos (local currency - Philippine pesos). Exceeding the amount requires the approval of the Central Bank of the Philippines.
- The source and purpose of transporting such an amount must be specified and documented. Violations will be subject to penalties in accordance with Philippine customs laws and regulations.
Philippine embassies in different countries can be found here: https://www.embassypages.com/philippines
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