TRAVEL TAX is a levy imposed by the government to those individual who leaves the country either for business

or leisure. RATES OF TRAVEL TAX

FIRST CLASS FULL RATE REDUCED RATE OCW DEPENDENT Php 2,700.00 Php 1,350.00 Php 400.00 ECONOMY Php 1,620.00 Php Php 810.00 300.00

COVERED BY TRAVEL TAX (Full Rate)

Filipino Citizen Permanent Resident Alien Alien who stayed in the Philippines for more than one (1) year.

NOT COVERED
Alien who stays in the Philippines for less than one (1) year.

EXEMPTED ON TRAVEL TAX (TEC)

Officials/ personnel/ employees of the Philippine government on official tour/s Foreign diplomats Filipinos residing abroad/ Filipino immigrants Person whose fare was paid up by the Philippine government UN employees International Carrier Crew Infants (less than 2 yrs old) US Military Officers/ and dependents Authorized by the President of the Philippines Students with scholarship abroad Oversees Contract Worker (OCW) Scientist Grantees abroad

REDUCED RATE (RTT)

Filipino journalist on official assignment Legitimate spouse/ unmarried children of an OFW Authorized by the President Minors (2-12 years old)

COLLECT TRAVEL TAX

Travel Agency DOT Carriers TIEZA/PTA

TRAVEL TAX GO TO:

TIEZA/PTA National Parks Development Committee Philippine Committee on Cultural Arts Other Government programs

EXEMPTED FROM TERMINAL FEES (airport terminal)

Overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) Athletes Foreign diplomats Transit passengers Refugees Pilgrims Airline cabin crews Deportees

Filipinos are adventurers by heart so it is a given that we love to travel and explore new places. One of the limitations though for those who want to visit other countries is the visa restrictions. Some countries like the United States of America require non-US citizens to acquire a valid tourist visa before they can be allowed to enter a US territory. The good news is that not all countries are as strict as America. There are many countries that allow non-citizens to visit even without a visa but there are conditions regarding the length of stay.

Visa-Free Countries 1. Bolivia- 60 days 2. Brazil - 90 days (for holders of diplomatic, official, and service passports, visa-free for (a) duration of tour of duty or (b) 180 days for official business or tourism) 3. Brunei- 14 days 4. Colombia 5. Costa Rica- 30 days 6. Ecuador- 90 days 7. Hong Kong SAR - 14 days 8. Indonesia- 30 days 9. Laos- 30 days 10. Malaysia- 30 days

Check out the list below to see the countries where Filipinos and other foreigners can visit even without a tourist visa, you would only need a passport and a plane ticket:

11. Palau- 30 days, visa upon arrival (provided that the Filipino national has a return/onward plane ticket) 12. Peru- 60 days 13. Saint Vincent and the Grenadines 14. Singapore- 30 days 15. Suriname 16. Thailand- 30 days 17. Tuvalu- 30 days, visa upon arrival (provided that the Filipino national has a return /onward plane ticket) 18. Vanuatu- 30 days, visa upon arrival (provided that the Filipino national has a return / onward plane ticket) 19. Vietnam- 21 days 20. Zambia- visa upon arrival; 3 months for tourism, 1 month for business

Important Note: Many Filipinos use a tourist visa to visit a country but their real intention is to seek for viable employment opportunities. Please note that this system is illegal and if ever hired makes you an undocumented OFW. An undocumented OFW is more prone to abuse and you may not enjoy the benefits given to legal OFWs. Aside from the risk of deportation, you may also serve some time in a prison or pay a huge fine. It also taints the image of Filipino tourists so many countries where a tourist visa is required are reluctant to give tourist visa to Filipinos. Do not abuse the visa-free policy of other countries and resort to legal means if you want to work overseas. Doing that would make you a better Filipino citizen. Take note also that the visa polices of the countries listed above may change anytime so it is recommended to always double check the immigration rules of the country you intend to visit