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PH Goes Visa-Free for Chinese Travelers—14 Days, No Paperwork Starting Jan. 16

The Philippines opens its doors to Chinese tourists and business travelers with a 14-day visa-free entry, aiming to boost tourism and trade in 2026.

  • Publish date: since 3 days Reading time: 1 min read
PH Goes Visa-Free for Chinese Travelers—14 Days, No Paperwork Starting Jan. 16

The Philippines is making travel easier for Chinese visitors. Starting January 16, Chinese passport holders can enter the country visa-free for up to 14 days, as the government looks to revive tourism and strengthen ties with China.

The move is expected to bring more travelers, more flights, and more spending—right when the tourism sector needs it.

Who Can Enter Visa-Free

According to the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA), the visa-free entry applies to Chinese nationals traveling for tourism or business. The stay is capped at 14 days, non-extendable, and cannot be converted into another visa type.

Entry is allowed only through:

  • Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) in Metro Manila

  • Mactan-Cebu International Airport in Cebu

What Travelers Need to Show

Visa-free doesn’t mean paperwork-free. Chinese travelers must still present:

  • A passport valid for at least six months

  • Confirmed hotel bookings

  • A return or onward ticket

Security checks will still apply, including screening against derogatory records.

Why the PH Is Doing This

The DFA said the move follows the President’s directive to boost tourism, trade, and people-to-people exchanges with China. The visa-free policy will run for one year, with a review planned before it expires.

Tourism Numbers and the China Factor

The Philippines recorded 5.6 million foreign arrivals as of December 20, nearly matching 2024’s full-year total—but still below pre-pandemic levels.

China ranked sixth among the country’s top source markets in 2025, with 262,144 arrivals. Officials say visa issues, security concerns, weak currency, and limited flights slowed the recovery. China–Philippines routes are still operating at only 45% of pre-pandemic capacity, though talks with airlines are ongoing.

Tourism officials are betting this visa-free move will help turn things around in 2026.

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