Friday, March 2, 2012

60+ Countries Without Visa For Filipinos

I love to travel but as a Filipino, it is mandatory to obtain a visa to visit some countries, even for a short holidays. I was delighted to find out that Filipinos can visit 61 countries (as of January 2012) or even more (in the future) without a visa...

Thanks to the blog entry of twentyfive!
<http://twentyfive.hubpages.com/hub/Visa-Exemption-for-Filipinos>


No Visa Required for Filipinos in the Following Countries…

ASIA

ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations)

Brunei Darussalam - 14 days
Cambodia - 21 days
Indonesia - 30 days
Laos - 30 days
Malaysia - 30 days (sufficient fund must be at least 500USD)
Singapore - 30 days
Thailand - 30 days
Vietnam - 21 days

Non- ASEAN

Azerbaijan - 30 days visa issued upon arrival
Taiwan - 30 days if holding a valid visa for Australia, Canada, Japan, New Zealand, Schengen countries, United Kingdom or United States. Check at https://nas.immigration.gov.tw/nase/ to meet the requirements.
Georgia – 90 days visa issued upon arrival, 360 days visa free to those who have temporary residence of Qatar, Oman, Bahrain and Kuwait
Hong Kong - 14 days
India - 30 days visa issued upon arrival
Iran - 15 days visa issued upon arrival if holding an e-visa pre-approval code obtained via email from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs at www.mfa.gov.ir
Israel - 90 days (3 months)
South Korea (if arriving at Jeju Island only) - 30 days
Macau - 30 days
Maldives - 30 days visa issued upon arrival, extension of maximum 90 days is possible by paying MVR 750
Mongolia - 21 days
Nepal - 15/30/90 days visa issued upon arrival for around US$25/40/100
Sri Lanka - 30 days visa obtain upon arrival if holding Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA). You can get this prior to arrival at www.eta.gov.lk
Timor-Leste - 30 days single entry visa issued upon arrival for around US$30, extension is possible up to 90 days

EUROPE

Kosovo - 90 days

OCEANIA

Cook Islands - 31 days
Fiji - 120 days Visitor's Permit issued upon arrival and can be extended
Marshall Islands - 30 days visa issued upon arrival and can be extended
Micronesia - 30 days
Niue - 30 days
Palau - 30 days visa issued upon arrival, additional USD 50 for extension
Samoa - 60 days Visitor's Permit issued upon arrival
Tuvalu - 30 days visa issued upon arrival
Vanuatu - 30 days

NORTH AMERICA

Bermuda - 31 days before but since May, they now require visas for Philippine passport holders
Costa Rica - 30 days Visitor's Permit issued upon arrival
Dominica - 21 days
Haiti - 90 days
Nicaragua - 90 days visa issued upon arrival
Saint Lucia – 6 weeks Visitor's Permit issued upon arrival
Saint Vincent and the Grenadines - 30 days visa issued upon arrival
Turks and Caicos Islands - 30 days

SOUTH AMERICA

Bolivia - 90 days
Brazil - 90 days
Colombia - 90 days
Ecuador - 90 days
Peru - 183 days
Suriname - 90 days

AFRICA

Burundi – 1 month visa issued upon arrival
Cape Verde Islands – visa issued upon arrival around £ 25
Comoros – visa issued upon arrival
Djibouti – 1 month visa issued upon arrival
Gambia – visa issued upon arrival
Kenya - 90 days visa issued upon arrival for US$50
Madagascar - 90 days visa issued upon arrival for MGA140,000
Morocco - 90 days
Mozambique - 30 days visa issued upon arrival. Extension of 30 days is possible around USD 66
Saint Helena - visa issued upon arrival
Seychelles – 1 month Visitor’s Permit issued upon arrival if holding return ticket, sufficient funds (minimum USD150 per day of stay, and proof of accommodation)
Tanzania - visa issued upon arrival for around USD50 to USD200
Togo - 7 days visa issued upon arrival if with return ticket, 3 passport photos, and yellow fever vaccination certificate
Uganda - visa issued upon arrival for US$50
Zambia - 90 days visa issued upon arrival for USD 50/80/160 single/double/multiple entry


**UPDATED and CHECKED: January 3, 2012
**Information is intended for tourist visit purpose only
**Details may change anytime after the update due to new laws so double-check the immigration rules of the country you’re planning to visit
**Transit visa may be required when you're not on a direct flight
**Sources: International Air Transport Association (IATA), Qantas, Wiki, Visalink, VisaHq.ph



Philippine Travel And Tour Expo 2012

I went to the Philippine Travel Expo 2012 last February 17. It's a 3-day event but I only managed to go on the first day. There were different travel promos such as flights, hotels and package tours. Also, a number of countries showed cultural presentations such as scenic exhibits and ethnic dance. Personally, I was not impressed at all as most airlines or agencies would only have around 20% discount for the rates. But then, I found one agency that offered Manila-Paris-Manila roundtrip via Malaysia Air for only 30,000 pesos only! (too bad I was not prepared to buy a ticket as that day was the same day as my flight to Shanghai - and I did not want to be an impulsive globe-trotter).

DETAILS:

Date:
February 17 to 19, 2012

Venue:
SMX Convention Center Halls 1,2,3 &4
Seashell Drive, Mall of Asia Complex, Pasay City

Opening Hours:
February 17 - Friday (10:00 AM to 9:00 PM)
February 18 - Saturday (10:00 AM to 9:00 PM)
February 19 - Sunday (10:00 AM to 7:00 PM)

* There's an entrance fee of 50 pesos
** Some travel agencies do not accept credit cards, so you might have to withraw and bring cash.




With my friend Mayen











NEW ERA TRAVEL & TOURS - The agency I found the 30,000 Pesos all in Manila-Paris-Manila flight !