‘Cruise Visa Waiver’ by Philippines to Boost Tourism

To make the entry of foreigners into the country easier, the government of Philippines has announced a ‘cruise visa waiver’. The scheme is aimed at making the entry of foreigners on board cruise ships in the country easier.

Cruise Visa Waiver

The scheme allows visa-required foreigners to enter the country for a limited period of time only for cruise tourism purposes. This visa waiver is non-convertible and non-extendable. It was initiated by the Bureau of Immigration (BI) in collaboration with the Department of Tourism (DOT) and the Department of Justice (DOJ).

The Cruise Visa Waiver programme was institutionalised by the Immigration Memorandum Circular No. 2024-001 issued by commissioner Tansingco on January 25, 2024, and approved by justice secretary Remulla on March 14, 2024. This joint project between the BI, DOT, and DOJ aims to attract more cruise tourists to the Philippines by simplifying the visa process for those arriving on cruise ships. This initiative comes at a time when the Philippines has been recognized globally, winning awards such as the Best Cruise Destination at the World Cruise Awards in Dubai and Asia’s Best Ports of Call for 2024 at the 19th Asia Cruise Awards in Jeju, South Korea.

Talking at the announcement ceremony, Norman Tansingco, commissioner, Bureau of Immigration, said, “The cruise visa waiver programme supports our goal of making the Philippines the cruise hub of Asia. The cruise visa waiver is a significant step in revitalising our tourism industry after the pandemic. It ensures that cruise tourists can easily visit and enjoy our beautiful country.”

“With the implementation of the cruise visa waiver programme, we expect more tourists to arrive in the Philippines, especially now that the Philippines is well on its way towards becoming a preferred destination for luxurious expedition cruises to cruise ships that can accommodate a bigger number,” said Christina Garcia Frasco, tourism secretary, Philippines. 

According to figures, the Philippines’ ports bring in more than 101,000 passengers every year, and in 2024, the country expects to see more than 118,000 visitors.