Philippines Visa RequirementsFor Egypt passport holders
Egyptian citizens require a Philippine tourist visa. Apply at the Philippine Embassy in Cairo. Fee $40, valid 59 days.
Egypt passport holders require a visa to enter Philippines.
Apply at the Philippine Embassy in Cairo. Required documents: valid Egyptian passport (6+ months validity), completed Philippine visa application form, 2 recent passport photos (3.5x4.5cm), round-trip flight itinerary, hotel bookings or invitation letter, bank statements (last 3 months), employment proof (contract, payslips or business registration), and Egyptian national ID. Fee: approximately $40 USD. Processing: 3-7 business days. The Philippines does not currently offer an e-visa for Egyptian passport holders; apply in person at the embassy.
Entry Requirements
Passport Validity
6 months beyond date of entry
Blank Pages
2 blank pages required
Multiple Entry
Single entry only
Work Permitted
No - requires work visa
Required Documents
Egyptian Passport
Valid for at least 6 months with sufficient blank pages
Passport Photos
2 recent photos (3.5x4.5cm, white background)
Completed Philippine Visa Form
Visa application form from the Philippine Embassy in Cairo; no VFS Global available
Round-Trip Flight Itinerary
Confirmed round-trip flight reservation
Hotel Bookings or Invitation Letter
Accommodation confirmation or invitation from Philippine host
Bank Statements
3 months recent statements
Employment Certificate and Payslips
Employer letter plus 3 months payslips, or business registration
Egyptian National ID
Copy of Egyptian National ID (both sides)
Current Travel Situation
Egypt to Philippines: What You Need to Know
The Philippines is a Southeast Asian archipelago of 7,641 islands offering some of the world's most spectacular beaches, coral reefs, and island scenery. Palawan's El Nido and Coron (consistently ranked among the world's most beautiful island destinations) are the primary draw: limestone karst formations, turquoise lagoons, and pristine diving. Cebu offers world-class diving with whale sharks at Oslob and pristine Malapascua Island. Boracay is the classic beach resort with powdery white sand. Manila, the capital, is a sprawling, chaotic city but has Intramuros (the Spanish colonial walled city) and vibrant nightlife in BGC (Bonifacio Global City). The Philippines has a predominantly Catholic population with significant Muslim communities in Mindanao.
How to Get There
The Philippines is a long way from Egypt: most routes fly via Singapore, Kuala Lumpur, or Doha. Philippines to Hong Kong 2h; Philippines to Japan 3-4h; Philippines to Singapore 3h. Combine the Philippines with other Southeast Asian destinations.
Money & Banking
Philippines uses the Philippine Peso (PHP). Cards accepted in Manila and tourist areas; cash needed on islands. Philippines is affordable: budget $40-80/day for midrange island travel. A grilled fish meal with rice at a local carinderia (informal eatery) costs PHP 100-200 ($2-4). Halal food available primarily in Mindanao and in Muslim neighborhoods of Manila; Cebu and Palawan have limited halal options; fresh seafood and rice-based dishes are widely available.
Practical Tips
El Nido, Palawan: fly to Puerto Princesa then van+ferry to El Nido (5h); island-hopping tours A, B, C, and D cover the best lagoons and snorkeling spots (book locally or online). Coron: fly direct from Manila or Puerto Princesa; world-class Japanese WWII shipwreck diving. Boracay: fly to Caticlan, ferry to Boracay; White Beach is stunning but crowded. Cebu: Oslob whale shark watching (controversial but popular), Tumalog Falls, Moalboal sardine run. Manila: Intramuros walking tour with bamboo bicycle, National Museum cluster. Philippine cuisine: lechon (roasted pig), adobo (vinegar-soy braised chicken/pork), sisig, and the world's best mango.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do Egyptian passport holders need a visa for the Philippines?
Yes. Egyptian citizens require a Philippine tourist visa. Apply at the Philippine Embassy in Cairo. Fee: approximately $40 USD. Processing: 3-7 business days. There is no eVisa option for Egyptian passports currently; apply in person at the embassy.
What makes the Philippines stand out among Southeast Asian destinations?
The Philippines stands apart in Southeast Asia for its 7,641 islands, English as a de facto national language (making navigation easy for travelers), extraordinary beach and marine biodiversity, and the unique Philippines archipelago experience. Unlike Thailand or Vietnam (single continuous landmass), the Philippines requires flights or ferries between island groups, giving it a more adventurous character. El Nido in Palawan is consistently ranked among the world's most beautiful destinations. The Philippines has the most vibrant coral reef ecosystems in the world (the Coral Triangle) and some of the cheapest world-class diving.
What documents are needed for a Philippine visa from Egypt?
Required: valid Egyptian passport (6+ months validity), completed Philippine visa application form (available at the Philippine Embassy Cairo), 2 passport photos (3.5x4.5cm, white background), round-trip flight itinerary, hotel bookings or invitation letter, bank statements (last 3 months), employment certificate and payslips or business registration, Egyptian national ID. Submit in person at the Philippine Embassy in Cairo. Fee: approximately $40 USD.
What is El Nido in Palawan and how do I get there?
El Nido is a municipality in northern Palawan, Philippines, anchored by dramatic karst limestone cliffs, emerald lagoons, hidden beaches, and pristine coral reefs. Island-hopping tours A, B, C, and D depart daily from El Nido town covering different clusters of islands and snorkeling spots. Access: fly from Manila to El Nido (1.5h direct, Air Swift) or to Puerto Princesa (1.5h with budget carriers) then 5-6h van to El Nido. Budget guesthouses and midrange beach bungalows are available at El Nido town and surrounding barangays. Best season: November-April (dry season); avoid May-October (typhoon season) for beach travel.
Is halal food available in the Philippines?
The Philippines has a 5% Muslim population (approximately 6 million), concentrated in Mindanao, Sulu Archipelago, and the BARMM autonomous region. Manila has halal restaurants particularly in Quiapo (historic Muslim quarter near the Golden Mosque), Taguig (BGC area), and Makati. Cebu and Palawan have very limited halal restaurants; fresh seafood and vegetarian options are practical alternatives. The Philippines Muslim community has grown halal certification awareness; ask at local restaurants about pork-free options (Filipinos call pork "baboy" and often add it automatically to dishes). Chinese-Filipino restaurants use pork extensively; Indian and Middle Eastern restaurants in Manila are safer choices.
What is the best diving in the Philippines?
The Philippines has some of the world's best diving. Tubbataha Reef Natural Park (Palawan): UNESCO-listed pristine reef, only accessible by liveaboard during a limited season (March-June). Apo Island (Negros): one of Southeast Asia's best shore-diving sites with excellent turtle encounters. Coron (Palawan): world-class Japanese WWII shipwreck diving (10 wrecks sunk in 1944 Battle of Coron Bay). Malapascua (Cebu): the world's only reliable thresher shark diving site (dawn dives, sharks visible most mornings). Anilao (Batangas, near Manila): muck diving heaven with rare critters. PADI Open Water certification in the Philippines costs $200-350.
How affordable is the Philippines for Egyptian tourists?
The Philippines is very affordable. Daily budget: $30-60 for midrange travel including accommodation, meals, and island-hopping tours. Accommodation: PHP 500-2,000/night ($9-36) for guesthouses to midrange hotels. Filipino rice meals (tapsilog, pork adobo, sinigang soup): PHP 100-250 ($2-5). Beer (San Miguel): PHP 60-80 at restaurants. Island-hopping tours: PHP 800-1,500/person ($14-27). Inter-island budget flights (Manila to El Nido, Manila to Cebu): PHP 1,000-4,000 ($18-72). The peso's value makes the Philippines excellent value for Egyptians and other international travelers.
What is Manila like for Egyptian tourists?
Manila is a chaotic, sprawling megacity of 13 million people that surprises many visitors with its energy, history, and food diversity. Intramuros: the original Spanish colonial walled city (1571), now a UNESCO World Heritage Site with Fort Santiago prison (Rizal Museum inside), Manila Cathedral, and horse-drawn carriage (kalesa) rides. Rizal Park: National Monument to Jose Rizal (Filipino national hero, executed 1896). Bonifacio Global City (BGC): ultra-modern business district with international restaurants and shopping malls. The National Museum of the Philippines (free entry) has excellent collections of Filipino art and natural history. Manila Bay sunset from Baywalk Promenade is a local favorite.