Philippines at a glance
| Visit with an ESTA (Visa Waiver Program) | No: a visitor visa is needed |
| E-1 treaty trader visa | Available |
| E-2 treaty investor visa | Available |
| Own line in the Visa Bulletin | Yes: some categories move more slowly |
| Green card lottery (last published list, DV-2026) | Not eligible |
| Entry restrictions | None |
| Temporary Protected Status (TPS) | Not designated |
| Where visas are processed | U.S. Embassy Manila processes all immigrant and nonimmigrant visas. |
Green card lottery: registration for DV-2027 had not opened as of mid-October 2026. A federal court ordered the State Department to open it, and that order may be appealed.
What is specific to Philippines right now
- The Philippines has its own line in the Visa Bulletin, so some family and employment green card categories move more slowly than for most countries.
- The Philippines was not eligible for the DV-2026 green card lottery.
- No country-specific entry restrictions were in place as of October 2026.
Common U.S. immigration paths for people from Philippines
Family petitionSponsor children, adult sons and daughters, or siblingsEB-3 green cardEmployer-sponsored green card through PERM labor certificationH-1B visaWork visa for specialty jobs, sponsored by a U.S. employerH-2A / H-2B visasSeasonal and temporary farm and non-farm work visasF-1 student visaStudy at a U.S. college, university or language schoolK-1 fiancé(e) visaBring your fiancé(e) to the U.S. to marry and stayE-2 investor visaTreaty investor visa to run a business you invest in
How MyUSVisa helps
- Answer a guided questionnaire in your language and upload your documents once — we read, sort and assemble them into a clear case file and timeline.
- Your organized case is offered to licensed U.S. immigration attorneys who handle this type of case. Interested attorneys send you offers, and you compare and choose — or don't.
- Once you choose, you and your attorney work in one place: messages, documents, deadlines and automatic USCIS status updates, on the web and in the mobile app.
Frequently asked questions
Can people from Philippines visit the U.S. with an ESTA?
No. Philippines is not in the Visa Waiver Program, so a visitor visa (B-1/B-2) from a U.S. embassy or consulate is usually needed.
Can people from Philippines get an E-2 investor visa?
Yes. Philippines has an E-2 treaty with the United States, so its nationals can qualify for the E-2 treaty investor visa by making a substantial investment in a U.S. business they will run.
Can people from Philippines enter the green card lottery?
Philippines was not eligible in the last published program (DV-2026). Eligibility is set again every year, and someone born in Philippines may still qualify through a spouse born in an eligible country.
Where do people from Philippines have their visa interview?
U.S. Embassy Manila processes all immigrant and nonimmigrant visas.
Can I work with a U.S. attorney while I am still in Philippines?
Yes. MyUSVisa works online: you tell your story from anywhere, licensed U.S. immigration attorneys review it and send proposals, and you choose. This works before you travel or once you are already in the United States.
More countries in Asia
Last checked by the MyUSVisa team and counsel in October 2026. Country rules change often, especially entry restrictions, TPS and parole programs. Always verify on travel.state.gov and uscis.gov, or ask your attorney.
MyUSVisa is not a law firm and does not provide legal advice. Not affiliated with USCIS or any government agency.