Filipino (based on Tagalog), English

Roman Catholic

The Philippines is a developing nation with a democratic system of government, located in Southeast Asia.

Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), Army, Navy (includes Coast Guard and Marine Corps), Air Force

U.S. citizens may enter the Philippines without a visa upon presentation of their U.S. passport, valid for at least six months after the date of entry into the Philippines, and a return ticket to the United States or an onward ticket to another country.  Upon arrival, immigration authorities will annotate the traveler’s passport with an entry visa valid for 21 days.  If the traveler plans to stay longer than 21 days, he/she must apply for an extension at the Philippine Bureau of Immigration and Deportation's main office at Magallanes Drive; Intramuros, Manila, Philippines or at any of its provincial offices.

Persons who overstay their visas are subject to fines and detention by Philippine immigration authorities.  American citizens are urged to remain aware of their visa status while in the Philippines and to strictly follow immigration laws and regulations.  Travelers departing the country from international airports must pay a Passenger Service Charge in Philippine Pesos.  Visit the Embassy of the Philippines web site for the most current visa information. 

Special requirements exist for the entry of unaccompanied minors.  In an effort to prevent international child abduction, the Philippine Government requires that a waiver of exclusion be obtained from a Philippine Embassy or Consulate or from the Bureau of Immigration and Detention in Manila for a child under 15 years of age who plans to enter the Philippines unaccompanied by either a parent or legal guardian prior to the child's entry into the Philippines. 

Information about dual nationality or the prevention of international child abduction can be found on our web site.  For further information about customs regulations, please read our Customs Information sheet.

Airports:  253, Airports w/paved runways:  82

Manila – Ninoy Aquino International (MNL/RPLL)
Manila Airport, Philippines, MIAA Administration Building, NAIA Complex, Pasay City, Manila 1300, PHILIPPINES
Tel: +63 (0)2 877-1109
Fax: +63 (0)2 833-1180
Website: www.miaa.gov.ph
Customs, hours:  24 hours
Tel: +63 (0)2 832-3035
Fax: +63 (0)2 832-3035

US Dept. of State Travel Warning for PHILIPPINES updated 27 January 2009.
http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/tw/tw_2190.html

The State Department warns US citizens of the risks of travel to the southern Philippine islands of Mindanao and the Sulu Archipelago and urges extreme caution if traveling there. This Travel Warning replaces the Travel Warning dated February 13, 2008, and updates information on continuing threats due to terrorist and insurgent activities.
Travelers should exercise extreme caution if traveling in the central and western portions of the island of Mindanao, as well as in the islands of the Sulu Archipelago. Regional terrorist groups have carried out bombings resulting in injuries and death. Since August 2008, there have been sporadic clashes between lawless groups and the Philippine Armed Forces in the Mindanao provinces of North Cotabato, Lanao del Sur and Lanao del Norte, as well as the Sulu Archipelago. Kidnap for ransom gangs are active and have targeted foreigners. US Government employees must seek special permission for travel to Mindanao or the Sulu Archipelago. Travelers to these areas should remain vigilant and avoid congregating in public areas. Some foreigners who reside in or visit Mindanao and the Sulu Archipelago hire their own security.
The Department of State remains concerned about the continuing threat of terrorist actions and violence against Americans and interests throughout the world. The Worldwide Caution, http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/pa/pa_1161.html, reminds Americans that terrorism can occur anywhere.
The Department strongly encourages Americans in the Philippines to register with the Consular Section of the US Embassy in Manila through the State Department's travel registration website, https://travelregistration.state.gov. The US Embassy is located at: 1201 Roxas Boulevard, Manila, Philippines, tel. 63-2-301-2000. The American Citizen Services (ACS) section's fax number is 63-2-301-2017 and the ACS web page is at http://manila.usembassy.gov/wwwh3004.html.
For information on general crime and security issues, US citizens should also consult the Department of State's Country Specific Information for the Philippines and the Worldwide Caution, located at http://travel.state.gov/. American citizens may also obtain up-to-date information on security conditions by calling 1-888-407-4747 from the United States and Canada, or 202-501-4444 from overseas.

Infant MR total: 24.24 deaths/1,000 live births
Life expectancy at birth: TOTAL 69.6yrs (male 66.74/ female 72.61).

Required: None Recommended: Hep A & B, Typhoid, Rabies, Japanese Encephalitis, Polio, Boosters: MMR, DPT, as needed.

Malaria risk area in Philippines: Risk exists in areas below 600 m (<1,969 ft), except no risk in Bohol Island, Borocay Island, Catanduanes Island, and Cebu Island. No risk is considered to exist in Manila or other urban areas.

Adequate medical care is available in major cities in the Philippines, but even the best hospitals may not meet the standards of medical care, sanitation, and facilities provided by hospitals in the US. Medical care is limited in rural and more remote areas.

Dengue, chikungunya, filariasis, Japanese encephalitis, and plague are diseases carried by insects that also occur in this region.

Do not swim in fresh water (except in well-chlorinated swimming pools) to avoid infection with schistosomiasis. Leptospirosis is common in tropical areas of Southeast Asia. An outbreak was reported in Borneo among expedition travelers in 2000.

Measles transmission persists in the region, although vaccination coverage is improving in some countries in Southeast Asia. Influenza infections can occur throughout the year in tropical areas.

Polio resurfaced in Indonesia in 2005. Imported cases in neighboring countries have occasionally occurred.

Highly pathogenic avian influenza (H5N1) continues to cause outbreaks in domestic and wild bird populations and has caused human cases in several countries in Southeast Asia. In 2006, the virus continued to spread in poultry populations in Indonesia. Avoid all direct contact with birds, including domestic poultry (such as chickens and ducks) and wild birds, and avoid places such as poultry farms and bird markets where live birds are raised or kept. For a current list of countries reporting outbreaks of H5N1 among poultry and/or wild birds, view updates from the World Organization for Animal Health (OIE), and for total numbers of confirmed human cases of H5N1 virus by country see the World Health Organization (WHO) Avian Influenza website.

Country Code:  +63
Internet Code:   .ph