How to Apply for a Philippines Visa in Chicago

UPDATED November 26, 2022 (Please see information below under "Other things to consider")

Chicago is America’s third-most-populous city and its metropolitan area, known as Chicagoland, has a population approaching 10 million people.  Chicago is a vibrant international city with a robust economy that is the corporate headquarters for 57 Fortune 1000 companies.  While manufacturing and food processing provide a strong foundation for its economy, the city is also an important financial center and is home to the Chicago Stock Exchange, Chicago Board Options Exchange, and the Chicago Mercantile Exchange. The Chicago metropolitan area covers 14 counties across three states—Illinois, Indiana, and Wisconsin—and includes cities like Aurora, Naperville, Joliet, Elgin, Waukegan, Cicero, Skokie, Gary (Indiana), and Kenosha (Wisconsin).  Filipino people have lived in Chicago for over 100 years and have a thriving immigrant community that includes over 125,000 residents. Chicago is home to the Philippine American Cultural Foundation, a nonprofit organization that is very active promoting cultural events and activities throughout the year such as Piyesta Pinoy.  The city is home to dozens of Filipino restaurants, including chains like Jollibee, Max’s Restaurant, and Red Ribbon.  Chicago also has a Seafood City supermarket location offering Filipino food brands and ingredients.

The Philippines is a country in Southeast Asia made up of over 7,100 islands in the western Pacific Ocean, located about 1,500 miles west of Guam and 800 miles east of Vietnam.  The Philippines was a territory of the U.S. from 1898 – 1946, so English is spoken fluently by most educated Filipinos.  The country was also under Spanish rule for over 300 years, bringing Christianity to this part of the world.  There are about 180 indigenous languages and dialects spoken throughout Philippines, with Filipino (Tagalog), Cebuano (Visayan), Ilocano, and Hiligaynon (Ilonggo) being the most widely spoken among the country’s 110 million residents.  Most visitors from Chicago will fly into Ninoy Aquino International Airport in Manila, the capital of Philippines and commercial center of the country.  American companies have strong business ties with the Philippines and some of our top exports—many of which come from the Chicago area—include machinery, electronic components, chemicals, and agricultural products.  Although business opportunities abound, the Philippines is probably even more attractive for those Chicagoans wanting to escape their harsh Midwest winters for a bit of rest and relaxation at one of the country's tropical beach resorts in Boracay, Palawan, Bohol, or Mactan Island.  

Obtaining a Philippines Visa from Chicago 

Visas for the Philippines are issued by the government of the Philippines in the United States.  The government of the Philippines is represented by their embassy located in Washington, D.C. along with seven consulates located throughout the United States.  To apply for a visa from Chicago, you will fill out the visa application and ship your original passport and supporting documents to their consulate located on South Michigan Avenue by US Mail or courier service using FedEx or UPS.  Here is their address:

Consulate General of the Philippines
122 South Michigan Avenue, Suite 1600
Chicago, Illinois 60603

When mailing in your documents to the consulate, you should include a self-addressed USPS (US Postal Service Express Mail or Priority Mail), FedEx, or UPS prepaid envelope so the consulate can return your passport and visa to your home or office.   

It is important to review the requirements for visas on the Philippines consulate website and ensure your application and all supporting documents are accurate.  Here is the link to the consulate website with detailed information: http://www.chicagopcg.com/visa.html

Other things to consider: 

  • U.S. citizens do not require a visa for stays of up to 30 days if they are traveling for tourism, pleasure, short-term business meetings, or visiting family.
  • U.S. citizens should have a valid passport that does not expire within six months of their date of arrival into the Philippines, AND an onward/return ticket that shows they are leaving Philippines within 30 days (if traveling to the Philippines without a visa) AND proof of accommodations for at least 2 nights.
  • Pre-departure COVID testing is no longer required for fully vaccinated travelers.  For unvaccinated or partially vaccinated travelers, a laboratory-based rapid antigen negative test result within 24 hours prior to the date and time of departure from the country of origin is required for entry to the Philippines.
  • The Philippine government requires all arriving passengers to complete a BOQ electronic Arrival Card (eArrival Card) .  You can register up to three days in advance of your departure for the Philippines through the website.  Remember to save a copy of the transaction number and QR code, which will be required by Philippine immigration authorities.
  • It is recommended to purchase travel insurance before any international trip in case of medical emergencies.  We advise getting the Geo Blue Voyager Single Trip Plan.
  • Please visit the website of the U.S. Embassy in the Philippines for the latest information: COVID-19 Information | U.S. Embassy in the Philippines (usembassy.gov)

Emergency Assistance for Filipinos in Chicago   

If you are a citizen of the Philippines living in the Chicago area with an emergency or require urgent assistance, you can reach the Philippine Consulate General in Chicago by calling 312-583-0621.  Filipino citizens requiring a new passport must schedule an appointment with the consulate and appear in person at their office in Chicago.  More information can be found on the consulate website: http://www.chicagopcg.com/passport.html.

We Can Help if You Need Assistance

If you live in Chicago or anywhere in the state of Illinois, Indiana, or Iowa and have difficulty applying for a visa for the Philippines or require assistance with any part of the visa process, please give our office a call at 404-682-5445 or schedule an appointment with our company.  We are a private agency in Atlanta providing Philippines visa services for Americans and other U.S.-based residents.  Our number one goal is to ensure your application documents for a visa are submitted accurately to the Philippine government.  Our services eliminate delays and give you the peace of mind to focus on your travel plans. 

We provide the following Philippines visa services for our customers:

  • Philippines Tourist Visa
  • Philippines Business Visa
  • Philippines Retirement Visa (SRRV)
  • Philippines Hotel Accommodations
  • Philippines Organized Tours