Bangladeshi 9(a) applicants must now use Philippines e-Visa portal

How the Dhaka e-Visa rollout works

The Philippine Embassy in Dhaka switched Bangladeshi applicants to an online 9(a) Temporary Visitor Visa process on June 8, replacing passport stickers with electronic approvals downloaded from evisa.gov.ph. Applicants create an account on the portal, complete the form, upload supporting documents and receive the visa digitally, presentable on a phone or as a printout.

Payment still happens in person. The Embassy confirmed e-Visa fees must be settled at its Dhaka office "until further notice," so the process isn't fully online yet. Approved e-Visas can't be extended in country and can't be converted to any other visa category.

Who the change reaches

The 9(a) covers short-term, non-immigrant visits, so the shift hits Bangladeshi tourists, business travelers and remote workers entering on visitor status. Family visitors and short-course students fall under the same category.

Digital nomads working remotely for non-Philippine employers typically use this visa and are directly affected. Because the e-Visa locks the authorized stay and blocks in-country status changes, anyone planning a longer move to the Philippines for work, study or residence still needs to apply through a separate non-immigrant or immigrant track.

Expats already holding other visa types aren't touched by this change.

What applicants need to do

Bangladeshi residents planning trips from mid-June onward should lodge applications through the portal before booking non-refundable flights. Standard 9(a) documentation applies:

• Passport valid at least six months beyond the intended stay
• Recent passport-size photo
• Proof of legal residence in Bangladesh
• Flight itinerary and accommodation bookings
• Bank statements or other proof of financial capacity
• Employment letter, business registration or student certificate
• Invitation or guarantee letter for sponsored visits, where applicable

The Dhaka post hasn't published a public fee schedule for the e-Visa, so applicants should confirm the current amount with the Embassy before traveling to pay.

One more step sits outside the visa itself. Holders must complete the Philippine e-Travel registration within 72 hours before departure, after the e-Visa is issued. The e-Travel form is required at Philippine ports of entry and is separate from the visa approval.

Read our full Philippines guide for the complete picture.