Visa Applications Surge as More Filipinos Travel Abroad

New data shows that visa applications in the Philippines jumped by eight percent in 2025, and experts at VFS Global expect even more people to head overseas in 2026.

"This healthy rise in visa applications from the Philippines last year indicates that travelers’ confidence has been restored and people are exploring their favorite global destinations again," VFS Global Head for North Asia Atul Lall said.

While many still love a quick Asian getaway, with the Philippines as the second-largest source of tourists in Southeast Asia, more Filipinos are now setting their sights on long-haul destinations. Lall said that the top favorites for 2025 included a mix of scenic European spots and big bucket-list countries: Australia, Canada, Germany, Greece, Japan, Saudi Arabia, Switzerland, the Netherlands, and the United Kingdom.

Plus, Japan has become so popular that a new visa center even opened in Quezon City just to keep up with the demand. Last year alone, 885,100 Filipinos visited the Land of the Rising Sun, which is 8.1 percent more versus 2024.

Interestingly, Filipino travelers are changing how they apply for visas. Instead of waiting in long lines, many are now willing to pay extra for a bit of peace and quiet. There has been a huge 62 increase increase in people using the "Visa At Your Doorstep" (VAYD) service. This lets you finish your application without having to leave your house. VAYD is available for 18 countries, namely, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Croatia, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Japan, Malta, Saudi Arabia, Slovenia, Switzerland, Türkiye, the UK, and the Netherlands.

Others are choosing to use the Premium Lounge, which provides personalized assistance, or booking Prime Time, which lets applicants submit the paperwork outside of working hours and on weekends.

Still, Lala emphasized that while these perks make the process much easier, they don’t actually make the visa come out faster—that is still up to the embassy.

"These services enhance the overall visa application experience for applicants by avoiding the need for them to stand in a queue. We foresee higher demand for such premium services, prioritizing safe travel this year as well," he added.

If you’re planning a trip for later this year, the best advice is to start early. You can actually apply for most visas up to six months before your flight. Slots are filling up fast.

Finally, a quick warning for everyone: be careful of "fixers" or websites that charge you just to book an appointment. Booking a slot on the official VFS website is always free. If someone asks for money just to get you a schedule, it’s likely a scam.

VFS Global also services the governments of Bulgaria, Canada, Denmark, Gambia, Greece (representing Portugal), Ireland, Italy, New Zealand, Nigeria, Norway (representing Iceland), Oman (Attestation Services), Qatar, South Africa, Sweden, the United Arab Emirates (Dubai visa and Attestation Services), and Ukraine.

It operates 61 visa application centers in eight cities, namely, Batangas City, Cebu, Davao, Makati, Paranaque, Pasay, Quezon City, and Taguig.

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