Philippines block visas upon arrival for Chinese visitors

Manila Justice Department takes steps to ensure Chinese visitors do not overstay their visas

Philippines.- The Manila Justice Department announced yesterday new immigration rules to ensure that Chinese tourists do not overstay their visas in the Philippines.

National authorities have decided that visas upon arrivals can no longer be extended or converted into work or resident visas. The notice was given by Justice Undersecretary, Markk Perete.

“We want to make sure that the visa-upon-arrival facility will not be abused. We just put in more restrictions because of the complaints that many are using that facility to obtain employment in the Philippines,” he said to local media. 

“They must show a roundtrip ticket. If they’re coming in as tourists, they must have booked accommodations for every stop in their itinerary. The tour operator must be, of course, accredited, and the tour operator must provide all the details where they will be staying, or show proof of accommodations,” he added. 

Initially, the 30-day VUAs could be extended for to up to six months and could also be converted into work visas. But in recent months Chinese workers have been moving to the Philippines in droves to work in Philippine offshore gaming companies, or POGOs, that have been accused of tax evasion. There have also been reports of kidnappings related to gambling and prostitution dens.