The Philippines is a beautiful country made up of over 7,000 islands, known for its stunning beaches, friendly people, and delicious food. If you’re planning a trip to this tropical paradise, this guide will help you with everything you need to know about Philippines Visa, flights, and apps to make your journey smooth and fun. Let’s dive in!
Your Ultimate Philippines Travel Guide from Pakistan: Visa Tips, Flight Hacks, and Must-Have Apps for a Stress-Free Adventure!
Table of Contents
1. Visa Guide for the Philippines
If you’re traveling from Pakistan, you’ll need a visa to visit the Philippines. Here’s a simple list of documents you’ll need:
- Visa Application Form: Two printed copies.
- Photos: Two passport-sized color photos with a white background. Stick them on the form (no staples, please!).
- Passport: Original passport with at least 6 months of validity. Also, two photocopies of the first page.
- National ID: Two printed copies of your National ID on an A4 page.
- Hotel Reservation: Two printed copies of your hotel booking.
- Travel Plan: A day-by-day itinerary on an A4 page, listing the places you’ll visit.
- Employment Proof:
- If employed: A letter from your company stating your job, travel purpose, and dates.
- If self-employed: A business registration certificate.
- If unemployed: A notarized affidavit on a 100-rupee stamp paper.
- Police Clearance Certificate: Original and photocopy, attested by the Foreign Office of Pakistan.
- Bank Statement: Original and two copies of your 6-month bank statement (with at least 600,000 PKR balance), attested by the Foreign Office.
- Previous Visa: Two copies of any previous Philippine visa (if you have one).
- Flight Reservation: Two copies of your round-trip flight reservation (no need to buy the ticket yet).
- Polio Certificate: Two printed copies of your polio vaccination certificate.
- Extra Documents: Anything else the consular officer asks for.
Where to Submit Your Application
You can submit your visa application in three cities:
- Lahore: Call 0300-8546379 or 0300-8543237 for an appointment.
- Islamabad: No appointment needed. Just take the visa shuttle van to the Philippine Embassy.
- Karachi: Submit directly.
Visa Fees and Processing Time
- Fee: 15,000 PKR (cash only, paid at the embassy).
- Processing Time:
- Islamabad: 2–3 weeks.
- Lahore and Karachi: 3–4 weeks.
2. Flight Guide
There are three main flight options to reach the Philippines:
- Thai Airways: Fly via Bangkok.
- China Southern Airline: Fly via Guangzhou.
- Batik Air + Air Asia: Fly via Kuala Lumpur.
The third option is the cheapest, but you’ll need a Malaysia e-visa because Batik Air and Air Asia use different airports. Here’s what I did:
- Bought a Lahore-Kuala Lumpur-Lahore return ticket with Batik Air.
- Bought a Kuala Lumpur-Manila-Kuala Lumpur ticket with Air Asia.
- Applied for a Malaysia e-visa twice (once before leaving Lahore and again after arriving in the Philippines).
3. Must-Have Apps Before You Arrive
Make your trip easier by downloading these apps:
- Philippines Government App: Visit https://etravel.gov.ph/, create an account, and fill out the arrival card before your flight. Generate an e-QR code to show at the airport.
- Bike Taxi Apps: MOVE IT and ANGKAS.
- Car Taxi Apps: Grab and InDrive.
- Car Rental App: TREVO (don’t forget your local and international driving license).
My Final Thoughts
Traveling to the Philippines is an adventure worth every bit of effort. From preparing your visa to booking flights and downloading apps, this guide has you covered. Just remember, the Philippines is all about relaxation and fun—so don’t stress too much! And hey, if you forget something, just smile and say, “It’s all part of the adventure!”
Happy travels, and don’t forget to try the mangoes—they’re so good, you might want to pack some in your suitcase!
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Traveling with the green 💚 passport
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