North Macedonia Passport Holders in UAE Eligible for Philippines e-Visa

North Macedonia nationals living in the United Arab Emirates with a valid UAE residence visa can now apply for a Philippines electronic visa (e-Visa) online instead of visiting a consulate for a traditional sticker visa. The Philippine Consulate General in Dubai announced the launch of the service at a press conference on Monday, opening it to citizens of 37 countries.

Key facts

• Who: Citizens of 37 countries — including North Macedonia — holding a valid UAE residence visa
• What: An e-Visa for short-term visits to the Philippines, available alongside the traditional sticker visa
• Where to apply: The eVisaPH website, built by the Philippines' Department of Information and Communications Technology
• Use: Single or multiple-entry applications for business, tourism, medical treatment, training, conferences, meetings and workshops
• Key limits: The e-Visa is non-extendable and non-convertible

What is changing?

The Philippine Consulate General in Dubai (PCG-Dubai) has started offering e-Visa services through the eVisaPH website, an alternative to the sticker visa for short-term trips. Applicants can complete the process from home or the office, removing the requirement to appear in person at an embassy or consulate general.

PCG-Dubai is the 95th Philippine diplomatic or consular mission to offer the service, joining 94 others. The Philippine Embassy in Abu Dhabi launched the system in March 2025, the first such mission in the Middle East and North Africa. The e-Visa programme is part of the Department of Foreign Affairs' digitalisation and modernisation effort; it was beta-tested for a month and officially launched at the Philippine Consulate General in Shanghai on 24 August 2023.

PCG-Dubai conducted its own two-week beta test and issued 10 e-Visas during that period.

Who is eligible?

The service covers nationals of 37 countries who hold valid UAE residence visas. The full list is published on eVisaPH; the countries named in the announcement include Yemen, Ukraine, Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Tonga, Syria, Cuba, East Timor, North Macedonia, Somalia, Pakistan, Egypt, Iran, Iraq, Jordan, Lebanon and Palestine.

Why is the e-Visa non-extendable?

Consul General in Dubai and the Northern Emirates Ambrosio Brian Enciso III said the Department of Foreign Affairs works closely with the Bureau of Immigration, an agency attached to the Department of Justice that decides on the admissibility of foreigners into the Philippines. Extending visas in the Philippines is no longer a Department of Foreign Affairs function but a Bureau of Immigration function, which is why the e-Visa policy was coordinated with that agency.

What do applicants need to watch for?

Consular Section head Consul Paola Belle Ebora said the in-person requirement can still apply. Visa officers reserve the right to request original versions of the scanned documents submitted online, and they may schedule a personal interview, particularly where names are common among nationals of the 37 countries or where records need checking. Applicants were advised to enter their details, including given names and surnames, correctly to avoid delays in processing.

What this means for travellers

North Macedonia nationals planning a short trip to the Philippines who live in the UAE now have an online route to a visa, without visiting a consulate. Those choosing the e-Visa should note that it cannot be extended or converted, so travel plans requiring a longer or different stay would fall outside this option. Checking eligibility on eVisaPH before booking is the natural first step.

The announcements did not include visa fees or a permitted length of stay. The Philippine Consulate General in Dubai said it hoped the system would make travel to the Philippines faster and more accessible, particularly for tourism.