How to Apply for a Philippines Visa in Denver
UPDATED November 26, 2022 (Please see information below under "Other things to consider")
Denver, known as the “Mile High City” because of its elevation of 5,280 feet, is the capital of Colorado and is one of the fastest growing cities in America. The Denver Metropolitan area is the 19th most populous metro area in the U.S. and has a population approaching three million people. The metro area includes the towns of Arvada, Castle Rock, Centennial, Lakewood, Littleton, Thornton, Westminster, and Aurora. The region’s growing and diverse economy, along with its proximity to Rocky Mountain ski resorts and other outdoor recreational activities, make Denver one of America’s best places to live. Denver has a diverse economy and strong foundation of companies operating in various industries such as healthcare, financial services, media, apparel, electronics, mining, aerospace, energy, and foods. Although Denver still maintains a small population of immigrants from Asia and the Pacific Islands, there is an active community of about 15,000 Filipino Americans who proudly celebrate their cultural heritage and traditions. Denver is home to the Filipino-American community of Colorado, an organization that organizes an annual event—the Philippine Festival—which promotes Filipino culture and commemorates the Philippines' independence from Spain in 1898.
The Philippines, known as the Pearl of the Orient, 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 (a U.S. territory). The Philippines was a territory of the U.S. from 1898 – 1946 and maintained two large military bases here for over a century. American visitors to the Philippines therefore generally feel a sense of comfort in this English-speaking country that is known for its easy going and happy-go-lucky people. Many retired Americans come here to enjoy its friendly hospitality, warm climate, and low cost of living. The Philippines is a world-class setting for those Denver tourists seeking “Instagramable” tropical beaches. The island of Boracay and the municipality of El Nido on the northern end of Palawan are two of the most well-known destinations for idyllic white-sand beaches. The Philippines is also an attractive draw for American entrepreneurs, small business owners, and large corporations that provide services to the U.S. market. Cities such as Manila, Cebu, and Davao have millions of young college graduates ready to use their English language skills to work customer service jobs for some of America’s most famous companies operating in online retail, travel services, and the banking industry.
Obtaining a Philippines Visa from Denver
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 in Washington, D.C. along with seven consulates located throughout the United States. To apply for a visa from Denver, you will fill out the visa application and ship your original passport and supporting documents to their consulate in San Francisco. You can also send your application by US Mail or courier service using FedEx or UPS. Here is their address:
The Philippines Consulate General
447 Sutter Street, 6th Floor
San Francisco, California 94108
It is important to review the requirements for visas on the Philippine consulate website and ensure your application and all supporting documents are accurate. Here is the link to the consulate website with detailed information: Visa - Philippine Consulate General in San Francisco (pcgsanfrancisco.org)
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 Denver
If you are a citizen of the Philippines living in the Denver area with an emergency or require urgent assistance, you can reach the Philippines consulate in San Francisco by calling 415-269-2090 (the number for non-emergency inquiries is 415-433-6666). Filipino citizens requiring a new passport should appear in person at their office in San Francisco (by appointment only). More information can be found on the consulate website: Passport - Philippine Consulate General in San Francisco (pcgsanfrancisco.org)
We Can Help if You Need Assistance
If you live in Denver or anywhere in the state of Colorado or Wyoming 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 in Denver:
- Philippines Tourist Visa
- Philippines Business Visa
- Philippines Retirement Visa (SRRV)
- Philippines Hotel Accommodations
- Philippines Organized Tours