The Philippine passport gives visa-free entry to most of Southeast Asia and a good number of island destinations, which makes short holidays from Dubai or Abu Dhabi easy. Further away, you usually need a visa — but if you already hold a US, UK or Schengen visa, several more countries open up. This page puts it in one place, written for Filipinos living in the UAE.
Checked on 21 October 2026. Each row links to our full country guide, where the official sources are listed. Rules change, so always confirm on the destination’s official website before you book.
Visa-free in Asia
| Destination | Philippine passport | Our guide |
|---|---|---|
| Thailand | Visa-free, 30 days (new rule from 15 September 2026) | Thailand |
| Vietnam | Visa-free, 21 days | Vietnam |
| Malaysia | Visa-free; fill in the MDAC arrival card within 3 days before arrival | Malaysia |
| Singapore | Visa-free | Singapore |
| Indonesia (Bali) | Visa-free; Bali levy applies | Bali |
| Hong Kong | Visa-free, 14 days | Hong Kong |
| Taiwan | Visa-free, 14 days, until 31 July 2027 (trial) | Taiwan |
| Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, Brunei, Macao | Visa-free | — |
| Maldives | Free 30-day visa on arrival (all nationalities) | Maldives |
| Nepal | Visa on arrival, from US$30 | Nepal |
Easy with an online authorisation
| Destination | What you need | Our guide |
|---|---|---|
| Kenya | ETA, about US$34 | Kenya |
| Seychelles | Travel Authorisation, €10 (no visa for any nationality) | Seychelles |
| Sri Lanka | ETA before travel | Sri Lanka |
| Russia | Unified e-visa, US$52 (Philippine passports eligible) | Russia |
| Tanzania and Zanzibar | E-visa, plus US$44 Zanzibar insurance | Tanzania |
More places if you hold a US, UK or Schengen visa
Many Filipinos in the UAE already have a US visa (often 10 years), a UK visa or a Schengen visa from an earlier trip. These visas work as a key for other countries too:
| Destination | Which visa counts | Stay |
|---|---|---|
| Mexico | Multiple-entry US, UK, Canada, Japan or Schengen visa | Up to 180 days |
| Serbia | Valid Schengen, UK, EU or US visa | 90 days in 6 months |
| Montenegro | Valid Schengen, US, UK and some other visas | 30 days |
| Albania | Multiple-entry Schengen, US or UK visa, already used once | 90 days in 180 |
| Cyprus | Multiple-entry Schengen visa | Within the Schengen visa’s validity |
See the Balkans with a US, UK or Schengen visa for a full comparison.
Where Filipinos need a visa in advance
Popular destinations that need a visa before you fly, and our guides for applying from the UAE:
- Japan — apply through VFS in Dubai or Abu Dhabi.
- South Korea — apply at the Korean Consulate in Dubai or Embassy in Abu Dhabi.
- Schengen (Europe) — our Filipino-specific guide.
- United Kingdom, United States and Canada — compared by nationality.
- Australia and New Zealand.
- China — note that the 240-hour visa-free transit does not cover Philippine passports.
Family visiting you in the UAE? Since 25 June 2026, Filipinos with a valid US, EU, Canadian, Australian, Japanese, Singaporean, Korean or New Zealand visa or residence permit, or a US green card, can get a UAE visa on arrival. See bringing family to the UAE.
Before any trip from the UAE
- Passport validity: most countries want at least 6 months left. Renew early — see Philippine passport renewal in Dubai and Abu Dhabi.
- UAE residence: make sure your residence visa is valid on the day you return.
- Return ticket and hotel booking: visa-free does not mean no questions. Carry both.
- Going home to the Philippines first? See OFW vacation from the UAE: OEC exemption, eTravel and travel tax.
Questions people ask
How many countries can Filipinos visit without a visa?
The Henley Passport Index for 2026 counts about 65 visa-free destinations for the Philippine passport, plus others with visa on arrival or an online authorisation. The exact number changes during the year.
Does UAE residence give Filipinos extra visa-free countries?
Rarely. Most visa rules follow your passport. A US, UK or Schengen visa opens far more doors than UAE residence does.
Can Filipinos visit Taiwan visa-free?
Yes, for up to 14 days, under a trial that Taiwan extended until 31 July 2027.
Sources
- Official sources for each country are listed in the linked Sifqa guides.
- Taiwan Bureau of Consular Affairs, as reported by GMA News on 17 July 2026 (visa-free trial for Philippine nationals, 1 August 2026 to 31 July 2027)
- Henley Passport Index 2026, as reported by Gulf News on 26 July 2026
Written by Asad Waleed M, Dubai. Asad has lived in the UAE for nine years and researches visa rules from government sources. He is not an immigration lawyer or consultant, and Sifqa does not process applications. Read the editorial policy.
Last checked 21 October 2026. Found an error? Email ionicwaleed@gmail.com — it gets fixed and logged.