Nowadays, I do not see that we, Filipinos are really left behind. Although ordinary working Filipinos may find it hard to have vacation outside the country because many first-world nations would require stringent visa requirements for nationals coming from a third-world like us, I have found out, that there are still, equally beautiful and colorful places in this world, where Filipinos can enjoy without the dreaded visa applications.
Definitely, the USA, Canada, Japan, Australia, New Zealand, UK, European Nations, and certain nations in the Northern Hemisphere will require Pinoys to obtain tourist visas, but many countries (which I will mention later), entered into a visa-exemption treaty between their citizens and ours. I have noticed this because, my own family, my father, and siblings who happen to be US Citizens, and nationals, have no difficulty whatsoever entering other countries since their US passport would make it easy for them. I remember, when we applied US Citizenship claim for my sister she remarked, “Why are we applying for a blue (US) passport, can it go to HongKong? Green Passports (Phils), I know can go to Hongkong, why apply here at the Embassy when we can apply easily at Pasay?” Oh, yes that remark came from my youngest sister who is just barely 12 years old. Little did she know, her US passport can make her enter virtually all countries in this world, without the requirement of any visa (of course for tourist, visitor visa only).
I was amazed that certain places that I really want to see are countries which we have Visa-Free treaties, take for instance, Israel. If you have arranged a trip going to the Holy Land, just to witness for yourself the footprints and the life of our Lord Jesus, you need not apply for visa. Just arrange a tour, roundtrip ticket and hotel accommodation, you can go there, reflect the life of Jesus, without the hassles of piling a queue for a tourist visa. But of course, working there would be another thing. The visa-free treaties only allows certain nationals to enter a territory for a certain number of days as pleasure visitor or tourist; working or investing there would mean obtaining a working, trading visa as the case may apply.
Another is Peru, if you want to see the Aztec ruins and the Maya civilizations, you can enter Peru without any problem. Again, just arrange a roundtrip ticket, a cheap package tour and voila! you will have the sights and wonders of the old Mayan civilization.
I understand that nations have their own way of securing their own borders. This fact I comprehend well. But, some of our rich Asian neighbors were allowed to enter visa-exempt treaty just like any other rich nations, like Brunei, Malaysia and Singapore. Understandably, the Philippines, (being the largest migrant worker sending nation of the world) cannot enter into such visa-free treaty with other equal sovereign states, due to the possibility of Filipinos, working and, or residing indiscriminately or illegally to these first-world nations. Commonly, rich countries’ social security, border protection and economic statures where strictly monitored and implemented—by entering a visa-free treaty to poorer nations, they will risk themselves, attracting illegal migrants (perhaps escaping their plight in their own nations) which may collapse their own economic and social systems. Normally, the problem of illegal migration is one of the most difficult problem a nation can face, considering serious implications of diplomatic relationship in deporting, possible human rights violations, economic viability, employment competition, food and shelter security are factors at risk. Australia for instance was reported, paying huge sums to Tonga to allow certain Vietnamese refugees to enter Tonga instead of Australia for the fear of possible unwanted immigration. Similarly, USA is facing difficulty curing the immigration defects and loopholes in border security with their own neighbor, Mexico and other illegal migrants (which includes illegally staying Filipino TNT’s).
Before I give the list of visa-free countries where Filipinos may tread. My personal advice to my own kababayan: If you want to stay, work or reside in any country strictly follow their immigration rules. Do not try to circumvent their own laws. Obtaining working visas may be difficult but getting it properly will not only give you a problem-free status but the protection that country affords to its visitors, nationals and citizens. It is a basic rule in International Law, that those migrants, foreign workers, diplomats and visitors in an alien country enjoy their protection. Do not allow other Filipinos, who may be similarly situated find it difficult to get the proper visa just because another stupid Filipino violated their immigration laws. The problem is that 145 countries can enter our country without a visa, but not more than 50 countries we can enjoy to enter. While they frolic and swim in our pristine beaches and trek in our beautiful mountains and sceneries, while they take pleasure in our clubs, purchase endlessly in our shopping malls, we cannot even reciprocally enter their countries the same way they cross our borders almost hassle-free.
If we can project to the world and convince them that though we are poor, we are not lawbreakers, who knows? they may enter visa-free arrangements with us, and we may also enjoy their countries as they can easily enjoy ours, visa-exempt.
But before we enjoy our world neighbor’s gardens and their wonders, I must not fail to mention that our own local tourism must not be forgotten. Remember that, we have the best beaches in the world, the widest range of shops and stores, the cheapest tours, and have the most scenic places in the world. I recommend, Boracay, Dakak, Bohol, Cebu, Davao, Guimaras, Pagudpod Ilocos, Batanes, La Union, Palawan, Mindoro and others. As your Ate Regine would say, “tara na byahe tayo!” Enjoy the trip.
The following countries and territories allow Philippine Passport Holders to enter without visa however, certain aspects need to be arranged in certain countries. To be sure, plan your trip with return ticket, accommodation and proof of funds. Or visit their official websites for more information:
LEGEND: VOA- Visa On Arrival (the tourist will have to fill-out the visa application at the point of entry normally it has no denial provided, funds, accommodations and outbound tickets are secured)
ASIA
(Up to 30 days except stated)
Cambodia,
China (only Shenzen via HK not more than 3 days),
HongKong-SAR,
Indonesia,
Malaysia,
Singapore,
Brunei,
Laos (VOA),
Macau (VOA),
Maldives (VOA)
Mongolia (21 days)
Sri Lanka,
Thailand
Vietnam
MIDDLE EAST
Israel only (59 days)
NORTH AMERICA
Costa Rica, (30 days)
Guatemala (30 days)
EUROPE
Macedonia only (VOA), (30 days)
CARRIBEAN
(15-30 days tourists)
Barbados,
Bermuda (prior arrangement with British Embassies),
Cuba (prior arrangement with Embassy, VOA)
Haiti,
Jamaica (VOA)
Saint Vincent and Grenadines (VOA)
SOUTH AMERICA
(days specified)
Bolivia (90)
Brazil (60)
Colombia (180),
Ecuador (90)
Peru (90)
Suriname (VOA)
AFRICA
Madagascar (VOA)
Morroco (90 days)
AUSTRALASIA
The following countries are VOA. However if you are required to land to New Zealand or Australia to get to any of these countries a transit visa to the changing airport is required. If not, no visa is required unless otherwise stated:
Cook Islands
Fiji
Marshall Islands
Niue (VOA)
Palau
Papua New Guinea
Samoa (VOA)
Solomon Islands (VOA, but needed transit visa from NZ)
East Timor (VOA)
Tokelau (obtain VOA through Samoa)
Tonga (VOA)
Tuvalu (VOA through Fiji)
Vanuatu
0 comments:
Post a Comment