Davao City: The Department of Foreign Affairs inform the public that it is temporarily suspending vise issuance in all its Foreign Service Post effective immediately and will be valid and effective until further notice.
The temporary suspension of visa issuance is in light of Proclamation no. 922, dated March 08, 2020 declaring a “State of Public Health Emergency” throughout the Philippines; and Proclamation no. 929, dated March 16, 2020, declaring a “state of Calamity” throughout the Philippines due to Corona virus Disease 2019 (COVIDF- 19).
With the temporary suspension, all visa-free privileges including those based on Visa Waiver Agreements, those under Executive Order 408, s.1960, and for holders of Hong Kong and Macau SAR passport, Macau-Portuguese passport, and British National Overseas passports, are likewise temporarily suspended, effective March 22, 2020.
It is to be noted, however, that foreign spouses and children of Filipino nationals are exempted from this temporary suspension. The temporary suspension of visa issuance will deem all previously issued visas canceled, and foreigners with visas issued by Philippine Foreign Service Posts (primarily 9a Temporary Visitors/ Tourist visas) will not be allowed entry into the country starting March 22, 2020.
However, visas previously issued to accredited Foreign Government and International Organization officials and their dependents will remain valid and will be honored when entering the country even after said date.
The same is true for previously issued visas to foreign spouses and children of Filipino nationals. This temporary suspension has no impact on foreign nationals that are already in the country or on holders of visas issued by other government agencies.