Chinese nationals can now visit the Philippines without securing a visa, following the announcement from the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA).
Photo: Unsplash
Chinese passport holders may now enter the country visa-free for up to 14 days, as long as the visit is for tourism or business purposes.
The move, which took effect on January 16, 2026, is part of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s directive to help facilitate trade, investments, and tourism, while also strengthening people-to-people exchanges between the Philippines and China.
The visa-free entry applies only to arrivals through Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) and Mactan-Cebu International Airport. The 14-day stay is non-extendable and cannot be converted into another Philippine visa category.
According to the DFA, travelers availing of the visa-free privilege must present a valid passport, confirmed hotel accommodation, and a return or onward ticket upon arrival. The agency also clarified that security checks will remain in place.
“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,” the DFA said.
The visa-free arrangement will be effective for one year and will undergo review before its expiration.
From January to November 2025, the Philippines recorded 248,339 visitor arrivals from China, making it the country’s fifth-largest source of tourists, after South Korea, the United States, Japan, and Australia.
For now, the policy remains one-sided, as Filipino nationals are still required to obtain a visa when traveling to China.
This development follows similar efforts to boost tourism, including the visa-free entry privilege for Indian nationals, which was announced by the DFA in June 2025.
Meanwhile, the Henley Passport Index 2026 recently ranked the Philippine passport 73rd globally, with Filipino passport holders currently able to access 64 countries visa-free.
ALSO READ: South Korea Extends Its Visa Fee Waiver for Filipino Group Travelers—Here’s What You Need to Know
What are your thoughts on this? Let us know in the comments.
Do you have a story for the WhenInManila.com Team? Email us at wheninmanila@gmail.com or send us a direct message at WhenInManila.com’s Facebook Page. Interact with the team and join the WhenInManila.com community at WIM Squad, and join our Viber group to stay updated with the latest around the Philippines and beyond!
