Exemption from the Temporary Suspension of Visa Issuance

Details: Published: 01 June 2021

The public is reminded that pursuant to the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF-MEID) Resolution No.14 dated 20 March 2020, as amended, Philippine visa issuance and visa-free privileges remain suspended. As a general rule, foreigners (non-Filipinos) are still prohibited from entering the Philippines, except for those who are exempted from current entry restrictions pursuant to the latest resolutions of IATF-MEID. For the latest rules and policies on travel to the Philippines, please refer to the Philippine Bureau of Immigration through:

Website: http://www.immigration.gov.ph/#advisory

Facebook: @officialbureauofimmigration

Hotline: (+632) 8465-2400

For foreigners who have urgent need to travel to the Philippines and want to apply for exemption from the temporary suspension of visa issuance, please send your request for exemption and coordinate directly with the following concerned Philippine National Government Agency (NGA) depending on the purpose of travel:

NGA	Email Address	Purpose
DENR	This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.	Emergency matters relative to natural resources
DOH	This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.	Medical and humanitarian concerns as delegated thru IATF Resolution Nos. 14 and 60 s. 2020, and technical assistance to health facilities (i.e. hospitals, medical centers)
DOE	This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.	Emergency matters critical to energy production, transmission and distribution
DND	This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.	Matters involving national security
DSWD	This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.	Family members in distress or other emergency social welfare matters
DTI	This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.	Emergency business or investment related matters
OCD	This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.	Providing humanitarian assistance relative to disasters other than the pandemic

If the NGA grants your request, the NGA will endorse it to the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) and the DFA in turn will issue the authorization for the Consulate to issue a visa. For the usual requirements and procedure for visa applications please refer to:

https://istanbulpcg.dfa.gov.ph/consular-services/visa/visa-application-guidelines

For urgent travel for the purpose of family reunification, a foreigner spouse of a Filipino may submit their request for exemption from the suspension of visa issuance to the Consulate. You must submit the following supporting documents:

i. Original Marriage Certificate from the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) duly apostilled by DFA, if married in the Philippines;

ii. Report of Marriage (ROM), if married abroad and the applicant has no PSA copy yet;

iii. Apostilled foreign Marriage Certificate by issuing country, or foreign Marriage Certificate authenticated by a Philippine Embassy or Consular Office;

iv. Proof of Filipino citizenship of spouse;

v. Proof that the spouse is indeed living and currently in the Philippines (e.g. barangay certificate).

vi. Other suppporting documents maybe required upon the assessment of the request by the Consular Officer or DFA.

Visa applications of diplomats and foreign seafarers continue to be processed under the normal procedures.

Please be guided accordingly.