How to Apply for a Philippines Visa in Washington D.C.

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

Washington, D.C. is the capital of the United States and is an important global city that attracts visitors from all over the world.  The Washington, D.C. Metropolitan Area—which includes the District of Columbia and parts of Virginia, Maryland, and West Virginia—is America’s sixth-largest metropolis and has a population of 6.3 million people.  Cities within this area (apart from the District of Columbia) include Alexandria, Annandale, Arlington, Fairfax, Falls Church, and Reston—all in Virginia—along with the Maryland towns of Bethesda, College Park, Frederick, Gaithersburg, Rockville, and Silver Spring.  The Washington, D.C. Metropolitan Area has nearly 100,000 Filipinos residents and has over 100 organizations and programs that provide services to Filipino Americans and people of the Philippines.  Considering the close historical connections between the United States and Philippines, Washington, D.C. is one of the most important foreign capitals for Filipinos working in government and international politics.  During World War II, there were several hundred thousand Filipinos that fought alongside American troops to defeat Japan.  Today the contributions of Filipinos during the war is commemorated at the World War II Memorial, located on the National Mall in Washington, D.C.

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 (a U.S. territory).  The Philippines was a territory of the U.S. from 1898 – 1946 and maintained two large military bases there for over a century (Naval Station Subic Bay and Clark Air Base), therefore many Filipinos have strong knowledge of American culture and speak flawless English, albeit with their own unique accent.  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.  Manila is the capital of Philippines and commercial center of the country.  Although many parts of the city suffer from extreme poverty and crime, it is also a city with a rich tapestry of old and new that includes Spanish colonial-era landmarks along with gleaming office towers, upscale shopping malls, and plenty of swanky bars and restaurants.  Outside of the city, Philippines offers endless things to see and do: the island of Palawan has some of the most beautiful white sand beaches in the world; Tubbataha Reefs in Palawan is a premier diving spot; and Siargao Island is a surfer’s paradise.

Obtaining a Philippines Visa from Washington, D.C. 

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 Washington, D.C., you will fill out the visa application and bring your original passport and supporting documents to the embassy in Embassy Row.  You can also send your application by US Mail or courier service using FedEx or UPS.  Here is their address:

Embassy of the Philippines
1617 Massachusetts Avenue NW
Washington, D.C. 20036

When mailing in your documents to the embassy, 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 embassy website and ensure your application and all supporting documents are accurate.  Here is the link to the embassy website with detailed information: https://philippineembassy-dc.org/visa/

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 Washington, D.C.   

If you are a citizen of the Philippines living in the Washington, D.C. area with an emergency or require urgent assistance, you can reach the Philippines embassy in Washington, D.C. by calling 202-467-9300 or 202-368-2767.  Filipino citizens requiring a new passport must schedule an appointment with the embassy and appear in person at their office in Washington, D.C.  More information can be found on the embassy website: https://philippineembassy-dc.org/passport/.

We Can Help if You Need Assistance

If you live in Washington, D.C. or anywhere in the state of Virginia, West Virginia, or Maryland 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