Information for International Delegates

VISA

The visa policy of the Philippines is administered by the Department of Foreign Affairs of the Philippines and determines the requirements of all foreign nationals who wish to enter the country for tourism, business, transit, to work or study, or for permanent residency.

The visa requirements to travel to the Philippines vary depending on both the applicant's nationality and the purpose and duration of the intended stay. Citizens of around 160 countries, including member states of the ASEAN, can enter the country without applying for a visa. To find out if you need to apply for a visa, please visit https://philippineembassy-dc.org/visa/#visa-finder

The period of visa-free stay permitted varies from 14 to 59 days. Travelers to the Philippines must hold a passport that is valid for 6 months beyond the period of stay at the time of entry.

An Electronic Travel Authorization for the Philippines is currently available for Taiwan passport holders only at https://www.meco.org.tw/evisa

Apply for a visa here: https://www.visa.gov.ph/

Invitation link here

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FLYING TO THE PHILIPPINES

You can fly direct to the Philippines via Manila Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA). The airport code is MNL. For more information and to view airlines operating at the Manila airport, please visit https://www.manila-airport.net/ . The Manila International Airport system consists of four separate terminals. Depending on which airline you take, the appropriate terminal should be indicated in your ticket/booking details.

The train system does not connect to any of the NAIA terminals. Transport options to and from the airport include private vehicles, shuttle buses, or taxis. A shuttle bus going to all NAIA terminals runs every 15 minutes but is highly dependent on traffic conditions

A secondary international airport nearest to Manila is the Clark International Airport (CRK), which is situated about 2-3 hours from Manila. Transport options to reach Manila are via premium point-to-point (P2P) bus service or car rental service. Should you opt to take the P2P bus service, take the Clark Airport-NAIA route then book a ride to your final destination from the NAIA Terminal. This P2P Bus Service schedules are available here: https://www.phbus.com/genesis-p2p-bus-service/

Requirements for inbound tourists and visitors:

1. Passport valid for six (6) months at the time of entry, subject to existing state reciprocity rules and/or agreements;
2. Valid visa, if applicable;
3. Valid onward/return ticket to port of origin or next port of destination corresponding the allowable period of stay;
4. E-travel code

All inbound travelers to the Philippines must register through the E-Travel portal. You may register within 72 hours of your arrival in the Philippines. Travelers are enjoined to present their eTravel QR code prior to flight boarding.

DIRECTIONS FOR ARRIVALS IN THE PHILIPPINES

Upon disembarkation, proceed to the Bureau of Immigration (BOI) lanes for clearance. There is no separate lane for the event. To facilitate clearance, please prepare your eTravel QR code along with your PAO Congress registration confirmation email.

A separate immigration lane is available for arriving delegates from ASEAN Member nations.

These conditions are subject to changes at the discretion of the BOI.

GETTING AROUND MANILA

1. GRAB: The most convenient way to book a car service is via the Grab App. Fairs are displayed before booking. Note that tolls and surcharges are excluded. Your ride can be tracked, and trip history can be traced. Payment options are cash or debit/credit card.

   Download the app on your smart phone, input payment details, and book a car. Grab cars are fairly available 24/7, but waiting time tends to increase during rush hours (6 to 10 am, and 5 to 9 pm). If you are travelling solo and up for an adventure, you can also book a motorcycle. A Grab-registered rider can pick you up and take you to your destination. This option may come in handy if you are in a hurry.

   Download the App for iOS and Android.

2. TAXI

   • AIRPORT TAXI: Taxi stands and dispatchers are situated at the NAIA terminal arrival area. Coupon airport taxis (blue-marked white taxi) are dispatched by airport personnel and charged at a fixed price depending on destination, or you can hire a metered airport taxi (yellow). Note that airport taxis operate at a higher price point than regular taxis.
   • REGULAR TAXI: Regular white metered taxis are also available at the airport terminal exits and have a fixed flag down rate and per kilometer fee. Outside the airport, you can hail a taxi from the sidewalk. Do exercise EXTREME CAUTION when dealing with regular taxis, as some unscrupulous drivers might take advantage of visitors. Should you choose this option, ensure that the taxi meter is activated and working.

3. HOTEL TRANSFERS: Most hotels offer airport transfer service for a fee. Kindly communicate with your hotel directly to inquire about this service. Some third-party transfers may also be available via websites such as Klook.

   If you are looking to experience the authentic Filipino transportation options, these are enumerated below. There are no route guides for these vehicles. If you would like to experience these options, ask a local for directions and tips. Please exercise extreme caution when taking these modes of transportation.

4. TRAIN: Train lines are quite limited in coverage but may be one of the quickest ways to get around Manila as it avoids road traffic. LRT-1 (yellow line) runs north to south, and LRT-2 (purple line) runs from west to east. The MRT (blue line) runs north to south along Epifanio Delos Santos Avenue (EDSA). It is necessary to wait in line for a new ticket for each trip, and changing lines counts as a new trip.

5. PUBLIC UTILITY VEHICLES: There are no route guides for these vehicles. The bus and jeepney routes are displayed on the windshield, indicating the significant stops along its route.

   • BUS: Local buses are only allowed on main roads. Payments are handed to a bus conductor, and you will be issued a ticket. Make sure to keep your tickets for inspections.
   • JEEPNEY: The iconic Philippine vehicles will give you the most authentic Filipino transport experience. You can hail these anywhere on most Manila roads but take note if there are designated loading and unloading stations in the area. Payments are handed to the driver during the ride. Say “Bayad po” followed by your destination when handing the money to the driver so he can compute your fare since it varies on your pick-up point and destination. If you are seated at the far end of the vehicle, the other passengers will pass it on to the driver for you. When you are about 5 to 10 meters away from your stop, stay “Para po” to notify the driver to slow down and stop at the nearest unloading station.
   • TRICYCLE: These are local versions of the auto-rickshaw. These vehicles ply a set route in inner roads. These can usually accommodate 2 to 4 passengers.
6. KALESA: These old-fashioned horse-drawn carriages are confined to certain areas of the city and are usually limited to get around during local tours. You can find these in Intramuros, Rizal Park or Luneta Park, and Chinatown. Expect to pay around PhP 250 per head for an hour’s tour. Exercise care when booking these as some kalesa drivers have gained a reputation for overcharging.