The Department of Foreign Affairs on Thursday released details on the additional requirement for Chinese citizens applying for a temporary visitor’s visa.
The DFA stressed that Chinese nationals applying for a 9(a) Temporary Visitor’s Visa at Philippine Foreign Service Posts will be required to submit their Chinese Social Insurance Record Certificates.
The department explained that the certificates must be registered for at least six months at the time of the visa application.
Those exempted from the visa requirement are Chinese citizens who are currently enrolled in primary, secondary, or college education—who will be required to submit proof of enrollment—and retirees over 55 years old.
The DFA also said that other exceptions will be considered on a case-by-case basis.
“The additional visa requirement is part of the DFA’s continuing efforts to enhance its visa policies and regulations for the safe and efficient entry of foreign visitors,” the department said, in a statement.
Last month, the DFA said the Philippines would tighten its visa requirements for Chinese tourists amid many fraudulent applications received in its embassy and consulates in China.
The DFA said it would require a visa applicant to submit a social insurance certificate as proof of identity.
Other requirements are proof of financial capability, such as bank statements, a notarized letter of support from a host in the Philippines if applying for an individual visa, and hotel and airfare bookings. A personal interview is required for individual applicants.
Foreign Affairs Undersecretary Jesus Domingo had explained that the stricter visa requirements intend to “weed out” the “illegitimate and unsavory” tourists from the legitimate ones.
Several Chinese nationals have reportedly been involved in organized crimes such as human trafficking, prostitution, kidnapping, and fraud.
Data from the Department of Tourism showed that over 140,000 Chinese individuals arrived in the Philippines in the first four months of 2024, double the number in the same period last year.