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For most nationalities, it’s easy to stay in the Philippines with a visa on arrival for a few months. However, if you want to stay for 3-6 months or longer you will need another solution – Philippines business visa (also called a visitor’s visa).
What can you do with a Business Visa in the Philippines?
Philippines business visa is suitable for staying in the Philippines for 3-6 months at a time. It allows you to:
- Negotiate contract terms with partners
- Attend international conferences
- Join business meetings
Requirements for Philippines Business Visa
The business visa duration varies between 3 to 6 months and is for a single entry. If you leave the country before the visa expires, you need to apply for a new one.
In order to receive a business visa in the Philippines, you will need a local corporate sponsor. The sponsor will provide you the sponsor letter stating the purpose of your visit.
Extending Philippines business visa instead of applying for a new one
Overstaying your Philippines business visa may result in either penalties or further consequences based on the severity of your actions and the decision of the authorities. It’s also cheaper to extend an existing visa than to apply for a new one.
Visa Run in the Philippines
It is common for expats in the Philippines to go for routine “visa runs” which means that they leave the country for a few days (or even hours) and come back with a new visa. A business visa doesn’t require that as it can be extended. If you use corporate sponsorship then you also don’t need to provide a flight ticket out of the country.
Work in the Philippines
Business visa is not meant for being employed in the Philippines. If you already have an employer then the company should report to the Philippine Department of Labor & Employment (DOLE) for an Alien Employment Permit (AEP). For an overview of the full process, make sure to also read our recent article about applying for a work permit.
If you wish to apply for a Philippines business visa using Emerhub sponsorship then just fill in the form below.
