Effective 28 January 2026, Chinese nationals can enter the Philippines visa-free for stays of up to 14 days, provided they arrive through Ninoy Aquino International Airport in Manila or Mactan-Cebu International Airport. The one-year pilot programme, detailed by the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) and highlighted by the Department of Tourism, aims to accelerate visitor-number recovery ahead of the Lunar New Year peak. (fragomen.com)
Eligible travellers must hold passports valid for at least six months, confirmed hotel bookings and return or onward tickets; the privilege is non-extendible and cannot be converted to other visa categories. Security screening and background checks will continue, and the DFA will review the scheme before its expiration in January 2027.
Travellers and corporates who need assistance navigating these requirements—or arranging alternative visas for longer stays—can turn to VisaHQ. The company’s China portal (https://www.visahq.com/china/) provides real-time updates, customised document checklists and expedited processing for Philippine and other international visas, making it easy to stay compliant if trip plans change or extend beyond the 14-day waiver.
![Philippines Opens 14-Day Visa-Free Corridor for Chinese Travellers Via Manila and Cebu]()
Tourism Secretary Cristina Frasco said Chinese visitors were the country’s second-largest source market pre-pandemic, and regaining that traffic is “critical to hitting 2026 revenue targets.” Airlines including Philippine Airlines and Cebu Pacific plan to up-gauge aircraft on Shanghai, Guangzhou and Xiamen routes, while resort groups in Boracay and Bohol are rushing to recruit additional Mandarin-speaking staff.
For corporates, the waiver simplifies short customer-service trips to manufacturing zones in Calabarzon or meetings at Metro Manila headquarters. However, employees on longer assignments will still need 9(g) work visas or special work permits. Companies should also note that entry is limited to the two designated airports—arrival via Clark or Kalibo is not covered.
Immigration advisers expect the DFA to monitor overstay and security metrics closely; strong compliance could see the stay period extended to 30 days or the programme expanded to additional airports such as Clark and Davao in 2027.
Eligible travellers must hold passports valid for at least six months, confirmed hotel bookings and return or onward tickets; the privilege is non-extendible and cannot be converted to other visa categories. Security screening and background checks will continue, and the DFA will review the scheme before its expiration in January 2027.
Travellers and corporates who need assistance navigating these requirements—or arranging alternative visas for longer stays—can turn to VisaHQ. The company’s China portal (https://www.visahq.com/china/) provides real-time updates, customised document checklists and expedited processing for Philippine and other international visas, making it easy to stay compliant if trip plans change or extend beyond the 14-day waiver.
Tourism Secretary Cristina Frasco said Chinese visitors were the country’s second-largest source market pre-pandemic, and regaining that traffic is “critical to hitting 2026 revenue targets.” Airlines including Philippine Airlines and Cebu Pacific plan to up-gauge aircraft on Shanghai, Guangzhou and Xiamen routes, while resort groups in Boracay and Bohol are rushing to recruit additional Mandarin-speaking staff.
For corporates, the waiver simplifies short customer-service trips to manufacturing zones in Calabarzon or meetings at Metro Manila headquarters. However, employees on longer assignments will still need 9(g) work visas or special work permits. Companies should also note that entry is limited to the two designated airports—arrival via Clark or Kalibo is not covered.
Immigration advisers expect the DFA to monitor overstay and security metrics closely; strong compliance could see the stay period extended to 30 days or the programme expanded to additional airports such as Clark and Davao in 2027.
