Chinese travellers via Laos face uncertain Philippine visa-free entry in review

The Philippines will review whether its visa-free entry arrangement for Chinese nationals is being abused to support illegal offshore gaming operations, Malacañang said on 20 October 2026. Palace press officer Claire Castro said she had referred the matter to the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) for assessment.

Key facts

• The DFA will examine whether the visa-free arrangement is being exploited to commit crimes in the Philippines
• Chinese nationals can enter the Philippines without a visa for 14 days under the arrangement under review
• Authorities raided suspected illegal Pogo hubs in Zamboanga Sibugay
• Officials plan to deport 101 foreign nationals, including 82 Chinese nationals
• President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. signed a law banning all offshore gaming operations in October 2025

What prompted the review?

Authorities conducted separate raids on suspected illegal Philippine offshore gaming operator (Pogo) hubs in Zamboanga Sibugay and announced plans to deport 101 foreign nationals. Among them were 82 Chinese nationals who allegedly entered and stayed in the country under the 14-day visa-free arrangement.

Castro said she had raised with the DFA "the possible issues concerning visa-free entry for our Chinese friends". She said the DFA would look into the issues and determine whether the arrangement is having adverse effects, particularly whether it is being exploited to commit crimes in the Philippines.

What is the current visa-free arrangement?

The source describes a visa-free entry arrangement that allows Chinese nationals to enter and stay in the Philippines for 14 days. No start date, application process or conditions for the arrangement are given in the source.

What else is happening on illegal Pogos?

Castro said President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. wants to eliminate the remaining illegal Pogo operations in the country. She said the Philippine National Police (PNP), the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) and the Presidential Anti-Organized Crime Commission (PAOCC) are taking action against illegal Pogo operations.

In October 2025, Marcos signed into law a measure banning all offshore gaming operations in the Philippines, citing their severe social costs and associated criminal activities, which outweighed their economic contributions. Under that law, the work permits and visas of individuals engaged in offshore gaming operations — including those employed by Pogos, Pogo gaming content providers and Pogo-accredited service providers — are considered canceled.

What this means for travellers

Chinese nationals planning to use the 14-day visa-free entry should be aware that the arrangement is under review by the DFA. No changes have been announced, and the source gives no timeline for the review or any decision.

No deadline for the DFA's assessment or outcome has been announced. Travellers using the visa-free arrangement should watch for further announcements from Philippine authorities.