Philippine Consulate in Dubai starts issuing e-visas for UAE residents from 37 visa-required countries
The Philippine Consulate General in Dubai began offering electronic visas on 26 October, letting eligible UAE residents from 37 visa-required countries apply online for short visits to the Philippines.
The Philippine Consulate General in Dubai has started issuing electronic visas, letting eligible foreign residents of the UAE apply online for short visits to the Philippines instead of routinely visiting the consulate in person. Consul General Ambrosio Brian Enciso III and Consular Section head Vice Consul Paola Belle Ebora announced the service at a press briefing on Monday, 26 October, The Filipino Times and Gulf Today reported.
The service expands e-visa access in the UAE beyond the Philippine Embassy in Abu Dhabi, which began issuing electronic visas in March 2025, according to Expat Media. Gulf Today reported that the Dubai consulate had issued 10 e-visas during its own two-week beta test, and that it joins 94 other Philippine diplomatic and consular missions offering the system.
Who it is for
The system covers eligible nationals of 37 visa-required countries who hold UAE residence documentation. The consulate identifies Bangladesh, India, Iran, Iraq, Egypt, Lebanon, Palestine, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Syria, Ukraine and Yemen among the nationalities commonly applying for visas through its Dubai mission, Expat Media reported.
The e-visa covers 9(a) temporary visitor visas for tourism, business, medical treatment, training, conferences, meetings, workshops and seminars. It does not cover employment or student visas and cannot be extended or converted into another visa category. Enciso said extending visas in the Philippines is a Bureau of Immigration function, not a DFA one, according to Gulf Today.
Fees and processing times
| Visa | Fee | Indicative processing |
|---|---|---|
| Single entry | AED 260 | 7–12 working days |
| Multiple entry, six months | AED 420 | 15–40 working days |
| Multiple entry, one year | AED 580 | 15–40 working days |
The fees are unchanged, and approval for multiple-entry visas remains subject to the relevant authority in Manila, Expat Media reported. Applications go through the official portal at evisa.gov.ph, where applicants create an account, complete the form, upload documents and pay by bank transfer, according to The Filipino Times.
What stays the same
The traditional sticker visa will keep running alongside the e-visa and remains the option for travellers who need a visa that can be extended. Documentary requirements still apply, and Ebora said visa officers "reserve the right to request original documents of the scanned requirements submitted online," adding that a personal interview may be scheduled in some cases. E-visa holders must also complete the free e-Travel registration at etravel.gov.ph within 72 hours before arrival, Expat Media reported.
Read the web like we doTurn any page into clean, ready-to-use data with FirecrawlKey facts
- The Philippine Consulate General in Dubai announced its e-visa service at a press briefing on 26 October.
- The e-visa covers 9(a) temporary visitor visas and cannot be extended or converted into another visa category.
- Fees are AED 260 for a single-entry visa, AED 420 for a six-month multiple-entry visa and AED 580 for a one-year multiple-entry visa.
- Sticker visas remain available alongside the e-visa system.
Official sources
Kislap reports this story for general information only. Nothing here is immigration, legal, financial, tax, medical, employment, or other professional advice; check official sources and speak with a qualified professional before acting.