Foreign nationals applying for short-term visits to the Philippines can now access the country’s electronic visa service through the Philippine Consulate General in Dubai, which began issuing e-visas on Monday (October 26).
The service expands e-visa access in the UAE beyond the Philippine Embassy in Abu Dhabi, which began issuing electronic visas in March 2025.
The system is intended to make applying for eligible Philippine visas more convenient, including by removing the need for applicants to appear in person for an interview under the e-visa process.
The Philippine Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) launched the country’s e-visa system on August 24, 2023, before gradually expanding its use to selected Philippine foreign service posts.
Who can apply for a Philippine e-visa in Dubai?
The e-visa service covers 9(a) temporary visitor visas for eligible short-term trips, including tourism, business, medical treatment, training, conferences, meetings, workshops and seminars.
Applicants can submit their applications through the official Philippine e-visa website at evisa.gov.ph.
The Consulate General in Dubai and the Northern Emirates has traditionally issued visa stickers to foreign nationals whose passports require a visa to enter the Philippines. The sticker visa service will continue alongside the electronic system.
The consulate said applicants using the e-visa platform do not need to appear in person for an interview. However, the usual supporting-document requirements remain in place.
What are the visa fees and processing times?
The fees listed by the consulate remain unchanged.
• Single-entry visa: Dh260
• Multiple-entry visa, six months: Dh420
• Multiple-entry visa, one year: Dh580
Applicants should also allow time for processing. The consulate lists the following estimated timelines:
• Single-entry visa: Seven to 12 working days
• Multiple-entry visa: 15 to 40 working days
Approval for multiple-entry visas remains subject to the relevant authority in Manila, and processing times may depend on when approval is received. Applicants should submit their applications well before their intended travel dates and check the official platform for the latest instructions.
How to apply for a Philippine e-visa
Foreign nationals seeking an eligible 9(a) visa can apply online through the official portal.
1. Visit the Philippine e-visa website at evisa.gov.ph.
2. Follow the instructions for the relevant visa category and complete the application.
3. Prepare the required supporting documents. The consulate says the requirements remain the same, although e-visa applicants can benefit from the non-appearance arrangement.
4. Allow for the applicable processing period and wait for the decision.
5. Once the e-visa has been issued, complete the separate e-Travel registration before travelling.
Applicants can consult the official e-visa frequently asked questions and the consulate’s visa requirements checklist for further details.
Important: e-visa holders must also register for e-Travel
Having an approved e-visa does not complete all pre-departure requirements.
Travellers must separately register through the Philippine e-Travel system at etravel.gov.ph or through the eGovPH mobile app.
Registration is free and must be completed within 72 hours before arrival in the Philippines. Travellers should use the official platform and avoid websites that charge a fee for this registration.
The consulate has advised incoming travellers to complete this step before departure to help prevent delays or issues at border control.
Indian nationals may qualify for visa-free entry
Since June 8, 2025, Indian nationals have been eligible for visa-free entry to the Philippines for tourism or business for up to 14 days. This stay is non-extendible and non-convertible.
Indian passport holders with valid, unexpired visas or residence permits from the United States, Japan, Australia, Canada, Schengen countries, Singapore or the United Kingdom may also qualify for visa-free entry for up to 30 days.
The consulate lists supporting requirements for eligible Indian travellers, including a passport valid for at least six months, a return or onward ticket, proof of financial capacity, hotel booking and clearance from the Bureau of Immigration’s derogatory database.
Indian nationals planning longer stays, studying, working or transiting must check the applicable visa rules and obtain the appropriate visa where required.
Chinese nationals may qualify for 14-day visa-free entry
Effective January 16, 2026, Chinese nationals became eligible for visa-free entry to the Philippines for tourism or business for up to 14 days. The stay is non-extendible and non-convertible.
Under this arrangement, eligible travellers must enter through either Ninoy Aquino International Airport in Manila or Mactan-Cebu International Airport in Cebu. Standard arrival documents, including a valid passport, hotel reservation, onward travel ticket and the required immigration clearance, apply.
Travellers should confirm their eligibility and the latest entry conditions before booking or departing, as visa-free entry arrangements differ from the e-visa process.
Which nationalities need a Philippine visa?
The Philippine Consulate General in Dubai and the Northern Emirates says it serves foreign nationals from 37 visa-required countries.
It identifies Bangladesh, India, Iran, Iraq, Egypt, Lebanon, Palestine, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Syria, Ukraine and Yemen among the nationalities commonly applying for visas through its Dubai mission.
The list of common applicants is not the full list of 37 visa-required countries. Travellers should check the official Philippine government guidance to establish whether their nationality requires a visa and whether a visa-free exemption applies to their circumstances.
What is the difference between an e-visa and a sticker visa?
The consulate will continue issuing conventional sticker visas through its existing process, alongside the new e-visa service.
According to the consulate, sticker visas may be convertible to other types of Philippine visas, and periods of stay may be extended through the Bureau of Immigration in Manila, subject to the applicable rules.
By contrast, e-visas issued through the official online platform are non-convertible and non-extendible. They cover eligible 9(a) temporary visitor trips and should not be treated as permission for employment, long-term residence or other activities requiring a different visa category.
Foreign nationals can check the official e-visa portal at evisa.gov.ph before applying. Those who need further guidance can consult the Philippine Consulate General in Dubai and the Northern Emirates for the requirements applicable to their nationality and intended visit. CAM/ICA/Expat Media
For all the latest news from the UAE and the world, follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram and subscribe to our YouTube page
Indian expat Kishore Pandurang Rao won Dh5 million in The UAE Lottery just five days…
The Arab Reading Challenge will announce its 10th-edition champions in Dubai on October 29, after…
Taho Avenue says an allegedly AI-generated image led to a refund dispute that left the…
Dubai’s Museum of the Future has received more than 20,000 applications for its Future Perfects…
The UAE has expressed solidarity with the Philippines after two Philippine Air Force trainer aircraft…
Ready to run Dubai? The Burj2Burj half-marathon is returning on January 24, 2027, with a…