The term foreign government official refers to an accredited officer of a foreign government recognized by the Philippines, who is a citizen of the country or government represented, and who is proceeding to the Philippines on official government business. This category includes:

• officials of the United Nations (UN) and its specialized agencies who are traveling to the Philippines on business of the UN or at the request or invitation of the Philippine government;
• officials of institutions duly accorded the status of official international organizations, such as the Asian Development Bank; and
• officials coming to the Philippines for training, study, or as exchange professors

PROCEDURES

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs, or the Head of the Diplomatic Mission or International Organization which has direct authority over the concerned official, may send a note verbale to the Consular Section of the Embassy to request for the issuance of a 9(e) visa for a qualified government official.

REQUIREMENTS:

1. Official written notification of the impending assignment of the concerned official, via a diplomatic Note at least thirty (30) days in advance of expected travel to the Philippines. The Note should state:

• the particulars of the visa applicant;
• his/her official designation in the mission/consular office in the Philippines;
• his/her expected departure date from the country of origin;
• expected duration of assignment in the Philippines; and
• the complete name and designation of the official he/she is coming to replace (or if he/she is an additional official being deployed in the Sending State’s mission/consular office in the Philippines).
• In the case of qualified dependents: that the visa applicant is travelling to the Philippines to join and live with the principal for the duration of the principal’s assignment.

2. Duly filled-out application form

3. One (1) colored photo, 4” x 4”, taken within six months before the date of application with white background, pasted in the designated box in the application form

4. Clear photocopy of the visa applicant’s diplomatic/service/official passport.

5. Supporting documents to establish family ties, marital union, employee-employer relations, etc. as may be deemed necessary, in order to properly ascertain appropriate visa type per existing rules and regulations.

NOTE: Appropriate 9E visas can only be issued to arriving FGOs, qualified dependents and members of the official’s household only after the receipt of appropriate authority from the Department of Foreign Affairs in Manila.

A representative of the foreign government official may submit the visa application documents at the Consular Section, upon presentation of a duly-signed letter of authority.

Holders of diplomatic or official passports who intend to travel to the Philippines for personal reasons should apply instead for a 9(a) or 9(b) visa.