Cover Philippine Passport (Photo: Shutterstock)
Philippine Passport (Photo: Shutterstock)
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Pack your bags and embrace the resurgence of global travel with your passport at hand
Summertime is just around the corner, and what better way to use the time than to travel? Whether in cities or regions across our islands, we experience different cultures—getting to know the people, trying out local food, and breathing in the air of a place unknown (or not). We sometimes take this up a notch by visiting places outside the country. 2023 marked a significant revival in international travel, with VFS Global revealing a 48 per cent growth compared to the previous year.
Before we get to leave, though, we need a passport.
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Above A passport on hand (Photo: Nappy / Pexels)
A passport on hand (Photo: Nappy / Pexels)
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It is more than an official means of identification; it is a travel document issued by the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA). They come in three types: maroon, red, and dark blue—colours that aren’t just for style, no. Maroon passports are for regular Filipino citizens, and members of the Philippine government hold red passports for use on official business. Lastly, blue passports mark one’s diplomatic status or membership to the executive cabinet of the country.
Not all passports are made equal; according to the Visa Index, “many believe the Philippine passport to be very weak,” shared Golden Visa Centrale president Vicky Magpantay once in an interview with Tatler. It requires a long process to gain entry to many countries, often requiring a tourist visa, student visa, or special residence visa, among others. However, some places allow little to no hassle for Filipinos.
What are the countries we can visit without a visa? From the fragrant harbour to the land of smiles, there’s a long roster of destinations we can quickly check off our bucket list.
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Above Seeing Angkor Wat for the first time (Photo: Anna Claire Schellenberg / Unsplash)
Seeing Angkor Wat for the first time (Photo: Anna Claire Schellenberg / Unsplash)
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According to the Guide Passport Ranking Index, the Philippine passport ranks 77th globally. This ranking allows Filipino citizens to enjoy visa-free travel privileges to 37 countries worldwide, mainly:
- Barbados
- Bolivia
- Brazil
- Brunei
- Cambodia
- Colombia
- Cook Islands
- Costa Rica
- Côte d’Ivoire (Ivory Coast)
- Dominica
- Fiji
- Gambia
- Haiti
- Hong Kong
- Indonesia
- Israel
- Kazakhstan
- Kiribati
- Laos
- Macao
- Malaysia
- Micronesia
- Mongolia
- Morocco
- Myanmar
- Niue
- Palestinian Territories
- Peru
- Rwanda
- Singapore
- St Vincent and the Grenadines
- Suriname
- Taiwan
- Tajikistan
- Thailand
- Vanuatu
- Vietnam
Countries requiring a visa on arrival:
- Burundi
- Cape Verde
- Comoros
- Ethiopia
- Guinea-Bissau
- Kyrgyzstan
- Madagascar
- Malawi
- Maldives
- Marshall Islands
- Mauritania
- Mauritius
- Mozambique
- Nepal
- Nicaragua
- Palau
- Saint Lucia
- Samoa
- Senegal
- Seychelles
- Tanzania
- Timor-Leste
- Togo
- Trinidad and Tobago
- Tuvalu
Countries requiring electronic travel authorisation (eTA):
- Kenya
- Pakistan
- Sri Lanka
Note: The list shows all the visa-exempt countries for Philippine citizens. However, it is crucial to recognise that the duration of stay and permissible purposes for travel for Filipino citizens in each country are subject to the nation’s regulations.
Above Exploring Sri Lanka (Photo: Fredrik Öhlander / Unsplash)
Above El Nido (Photo: Fredrik Öhlander / Unsplash)
Exploring Sri Lanka (Photo: Fredrik Öhlander / Unsplash)
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Indeed, travellers’ confidence and the gradual relaxation of restrictions played pivotal roles in the numbers. Filipinos are once again eager to explore international destinations. “Travellers’ confidence has been restored, and people are ready to explore their favourite global destinations again. We are confident that this positive travel momentum will be sustained in 2024 as well,” says Kaushik Ghosh of VFS Global.
So, exhaust the powers of your passport and embark on a journey beyond borders. Whether you find yourself strolling through the historical streets of Cambodia, savouring the flavours of Taiwanese cuisine, or basking in the natural beauty of Costa Rica, let your passport be the key to unlocking new adventures. The stage is set, and the destinations await.
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Angela Nicole Regis Guiral is the assistant digital editor of Tatler Philippines. She studied journalism and has since written features that look closely at how culture, lifestyle and social impact converge, while occasionally wandering into the worlds of style and travel.
