Dennis Gaviola

Article (news)

Zen Hernandez

ABS-CBN News

<div><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1768467438254600283672_1371888168319769_5172489344748806056_n.jpg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="960"/>Travelers arrive at Ninoy Aquiino International Airport in December 2025. Jekki Pascual, ABS-CBN News</div>MANILA — The Philippines will allow Chinese nationals to enter the country visa-free for up to 14 days beginning January 16, the Department of Foreign Affairs announced on Thursday.The DFA said the move is in line with President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.&#x27;s directive to facilitate trade, investments, and tourism, and to strengthen people-to-people exchanges between the Philippines and China.Under the new policy, Chinese nationals traveling to the Philippines for tourism or business purposes may avail of the visa-free entry privilege.The 14-day stay is non-extendable and cannot be converted to any other Philippine visa category.The visa-free entry will be valid only for arrivals through the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) in Metro Manila and the Mactan-Cebu International Airport (MCIA) in Cebu.Chinese travelers are required upon arrival to present a passport valid for at least six months beyond the intended stay, confirmed hotel accommodation or booking, and a return or onward ticket to the next country of destination.The DFA said checks on derogatory records will continue to apply to ensure security and public order.The visa-free entry arrangement will be in effect for one year and will be reviewed before its expiration, the DFA said.China is among the top sources of tourists to the Philippines despite a decline in arrivals from there in 2025. Most visitors to the Philippines last year were from South Korea, the US, or Japan.Filipinos traveling to China generally need to apply for visas to go there.

The Department of Foreign Affairs said the move is in line with President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.'s directive to facilitate trade, investments, and tourism, and to strengthen people-to-people exchanges between the Philippines and China.

The Department of Foreign Affairs said the move is in line with President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.'s directive to facilitate trade, investments, and tourism, and to strengthen people-to-people exchanges between the Philippines and China.

Chinese tourists, business visitors to get 14-day visa-free entry from January 16

News

Entertainment

Lifestyle

Sports

Metro.Style

More

Traffic

Manila

Horoscope

Nation

Chinese tourists, business visitors to get 14-day visa-free entry from January 16

Zen Hernandez,

ABS-CBN News

Published Jan 15, 2026 05:01 PM PHT

|

Updated Jan 15, 2026 09:35 PM PHT

Read More:

Department of Foreign Affairs

China

Chinese travelers

Visas

Visa-free entry

Tourism

ABS-CBN is the leading media and entertainment company in the Philippines, offering quality content across TV, radio, digital, and film. Committed to public service and promoting Filipino values, ABS-CBN continues to inspire and connect audiences worldwide.

Corporate

Investors

Governance

International Distribution

Corporate

Governance

Investors

International Distribution

NPC Seal of Registration

Privacy Policy

AI Policy

Terms of Service

Advertise with Us

© 2026 ABS-CBN Corporation. All Rights Reserved.

NPC Seal of Registration

Privacy Policy

Terms of Service

AI Policy

Advertise with Us

© 2026 ABS-CBN Corporation. All Rights Reserved.

NPC Seal of Registration

Privacy Policy

Terms of Service

AI Policy

Advertise with Us

© 2026 ABS-CBN Corporation. All Rights Reserved.