Philippines Grants 14-Day Visa-Free Entry to Chinese Tourists and Business Travelers

Beginning January 16, Chinese passport holders traveling to the Philippines for tourism or business purposes may enter the country without a visa for stays of up to 14 days. The initiative, which will remain in force for one year, is limited to arrivals through two major gateways: the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) in Metro Manila and the Mactan-Cebu International Airport (MCIA) in Cebu.

The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) announced the new arrangement on Thursday, describing it as a move that is “in line with the President’s directive to facilitate trade, investments, and tourism, as well as strengthen people-to-people exchanges between the Philippines and China.”

Under the program, Chinese nationals entering through the designated airports are required to present a passport that is valid for at least six months beyond their intended stay, proof of a confirmed hotel or accommodation booking, and a return ticket or onward ticket to a destination outside the Philippines.

Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, China ranked as the Philippines’ second-largest source of foreign tourists and business travelers, with approximately 1.7 million arrivals, trailing only South Korea. However, by December 2025, China had slipped to sixth place among inbound markets, recording a total of 262,144 arrivals.

By fLEXI tEAM