New format for Philippine visa stickers

Muscat: The new Philippine visa stickers have been issued starting from October 2019. Stickers with a photo area/field and those without are both valid, said the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Oman in a statement.

"The Philippine Embassy in Muscat has approved the adoption of two machine-readable visas as of October 2019. The new visas are of two types, with or without the applicant's image, both of which are valid at present," Mofa added.

A Philippine Visa is an endorsement made on a travel document by a consular officer at a Philippine Embassy or Consulate abroad denoting that the visa application has been properly examined and that the bearer is permitted to proceed to the Philippines and request permission from the Philippine Immigration authorities at the ports of entries to enter the country.

The visa thus issued is not a guarantee that the holder will be automatically admitted into the country, because the admission of foreign nationals into the Philippines is a function of the immigration authorities at the port of entry.

Omani nationals travelling to the Philippines for business and tourism purposes are allowed to enter the Philippines without visas for a stay not exceeding thirty days, provided they hold valid tickets for their return journey to port of origin or next port of destination and their passports valid for a period of at least six (6) months beyond the contemplated period of stay.

However, Immigration Officers at ports of entry may exercise their discretion to admit holders of passports valid for at least sixty 60 days beyond the intended period of stay.

Indian nationals may be granted visa-free entry for an initial stay not exceeding fourteen (14) days, provided they possess the following:

The 14-day visa-free entry may be extended by an additional seven (7) days for a maximum of twenty-one (21) day stay.

Either a valid US, Japanese, Australian, Canadian, Schengen, Singapore or UK visa or permanent residence permit.

A national passport valid at least six (6) months, beyond the contemplated stay.

Return or onward ticket to the next country of destination.

No derogatory record with the Bureau of Immigration (BI), the National Intelligence Coordinating Agency (NICA), and the International Police (Interpol).

A Temporary Visitor's Visa (for pleasure or business) will allow the bearer to stay in the Philippines for up to 59 days.

Duly accomplished the visa application form (FA Form No. 2);

Passport valid for at least six (6) months;

Must be a resident in Oman with a valid visa for at least six (6) months (for non-Omanis only);

Personal appearance of the applicant is required;

Two (2) passport-sized photographs taken during the last six (6) months;

Photocopy of the passport (Personal Details, Validity and Oman visa page);

Letter of No Objection to travel from the sponsor/employer, (for non-Omanis only);

Copy of return air ticket or a ticket to the next country of destination.

Airline personnel who are holding an open ticket is required to submit a copy of their itinerary indicating the date of departure and return to Oman signed by the administration manager;

For Tourist - A copy of hotel booking advice is required

For Visit - an invitation letter from the sponsor in the Philippines has required as well as the complete name, address and contact number of the sponsor

For family visit - a proof of family ties in the Philippines has required as well as the complete name, address and contact number of the relatives in the Philippines

For Business - complete name, address and contact details of the reference in the Philippines or the Philippine-based agency; and

• Visa Fees: