The Philippine government is set to attract more tourists arriving by cruise ships with the introduction of a new program designed to simplify the visa process for visitors from countries requiring visas. The Department of Tourism (DOT), Department of Justice (DOJ), and Bureau of Immigration (BI) jointly launched the cruise visa waiver program on Tuesday.
The program aims to streamline visa procedures and attract more international cruise ships to the country. According to the DOT, tourists must arrive and depart on the same cruise ship, be managed by a BI-accredited cruise tour operator, and hold a passport valid for at least six months from their arrival date.
“The cruise visa waiver is non-convertible and non-extendable and would require the bearer to arrive and depart on the same cruise ship,” stated the BI. The application for the cruise visa waiver is accessible at e-services.immigration.gov.ph.
BI Commissioner Norman Tansingco emphasized the significance of the initiative, saying, “The cruise visa waiver program supports our goal of making the Philippines the cruise hub of Asia and demonstrates our commitment to providing secure and hassle-free entry for tourists, which is crucial for boosting our tourism sector.”
The BI implemented the cruise visa waiver program through Immigration Memorandum Circular 2024-001, issued on January 25 and approved by Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla on March 14.
The DOJ expressed optimism about the program’s potential to enhance the country’s tourism industry. “This partnership will lead to a simplified and streamlined visa processing for cruise visitors, which will definitely be a key factor in boosting the country’s tourism economy,” the DOJ said in a statement.
Tourism Secretary Christina Garcia-Frasco highlighted the program’s benefits, noting that it makes the Philippines “more accessible, welcoming, and attractive to the world.” She added, “It is imperative for us to fully harness the potential of our destinations, as well as to open up opportunities to all of our region’s provinces, cities, and municipalities.”
Both the DOT and the BI project 117 port calls by cruise ships in the Philippines in 2024, bringing in approximately 118,000 passengers.