Citizens of Azerbaijan must obtain a Philippines visa in advance. The Philippines admits citizens of more than 150 countries without a visa, but Azerbaijan is not on that list. On top of that, the Philippines has no embassy in Baku: Azerbaijan is covered by the embassy in Ankara. Those two facts complicate the Boracay and Palawan dream a little, though the process itself is clear.
This article explains how the 9(a) tourist visa is obtained, the ways of dealing with the Ankara embassy, the documents and the electronic registration that is compulsory before arrival.
Do you need a Philippines visa, and which kind?
Yes. For tourism and short business trips you obtain a 9(a) category temporary visitor visa. The standard version is valid for 3 months, allows a single entry and permits a stay of up to 59 days in the country. Multiple-entry versions exist at a higher fee. There is one exception: holders of a valid US, Japanese, Australian, Canadian or Schengen visa may enter the Philippines without a visa for up to 7 days.
| Visa type | 9(a) temporary visitor visa |
| Where to apply | The Philippine embassy in Ankara (which covers Azerbaijan) |
| Consular fee | About 40 dollars for single entry |
| Length of stay | Up to 59 days |
| Before arrival | eTravel electronic registration, compulsory |
| Direct flights | None; via Doha, Dubai or Istanbul |
How to get a Philippines visa from Ankara
The Philippine embassy in Ankara serves Azerbaijan and Georgia alongside Türkiye. There are three ways. The first is to take the documents to Ankara in person, which is possible since citizens of Azerbaijan travel to Türkiye visa-free. The second is to agree with the embassy in advance and send the documents by courier; Philippine embassies often allow this, but you have to ask for each application separately. The third is to wait for the embassy’s consular visits to Baku: the Ankara embassy periodically runs a mobile consular service in Baku and announces it on the official page of the Philippine embassy in Ankara.
Documents for a Philippines visa
The documents must be in English. The embassy usually answers within 5–10 working days; allowing for courier time, set aside 3–4 weeks for the process.
eTravel: the compulsory registration alongside the Philippines visa
Every passenger arriving in the Philippines must complete an electronic registration at etravel.gov.ph within 72 hours before the flight. It is free and produces a QR code, which both the airline and immigration check at the airport. Anyone arriving without it has to fill it in while queuing at the airport. Intermediary sites charge money for this free service; use only the official one.
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How to fly from Baku to Manila
There is no direct flight. People fly to Manila with Qatar Airways via Doha, Emirates via Dubai and Turkish Airlines via Istanbul, taking 14 to 17 hours in all. Boracay and Palawan are reached from Manila by domestic flight. Baku–Manila fares rise in December and January and around the Philippine Easter holiday.
First-time visitors to Southeast Asia often combine the Philippines with Thailand or Malaysia. Malaysia admits citizens of Azerbaijan visa-free for 30 days and Thailand issues an online visa, so on an Asia tour route the hardest visa is precisely the Philippine one, and preparation should start there.
What to know before the trip
- Season. December to May is the dry season. June to November is the rain and typhoon season, and inter-island flights can be cancelled.
- Money. The Philippine peso. Cards work in Manila and on the tourist islands; on the small islands you need cash.
- Language. English is an official language and is used everywhere, which is a great convenience for the region.
- Insurance. Not required, but medical help between the islands is limited, so do not travel without it.
Frequently asked questions about the Philippines visa
I have a Schengen visa — do I need a Philippines visa?
Holders of a valid Schengen, US, Japanese, Australian or Canadian visa may enter without a visa for up to 7 days. For a longer stay a 9(a) visa is needed.
Can the 59 days be extended?
Yes, by applying to the Bureau of Immigration inside the country and paying a fee.
In closing
The difficulty of a Philippines visa is not in the documents but in the distance: you have to deal with the Ankara embassy properly and plan the timing. The Viza.az team helps prepare the document file, establish contact with the embassy and arrange the courier shipment.
Read more about the Philippines as a destination and our service fees, or fill in the application form.
Note: the information here is accurate as of the publication date. Fees and the embassy’s intake procedure can change, so contact the embassy before applying.
