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Passport
A valid passport for at least 6 months from your date of arrival in the Philippines.

Visa
A valid Philippine visa. If you are a non restricted national and your country has diplomatic ties/ bilateral agreement with the Philippines, you are not required to secure an entry visa and can stay for 21 days. However, if you are classified as a restricted national you are required to secure a visa from a Philippine Embassy/ Consulate prior to your entry to the Philippines. For more information on whether you are a restricted or non restricted national, and regarding visa extensions, please see the Philippine Immigration website (http://www.immigration.gov.ph).

Medical History.
Your surgeon will require a copy of your medical history or other medical information that you may have, including a list of your current medications and how much you are taking of each, the name, address and telephone nos. of your referring physician (if applicable), authorization or referral from your HMO if accredited with the hospital.

Relevant Photography
If you have any photographic examples of your desired new look, be sure to bring these with you for your consultation.


Arriving/ After stepping off the plane at The Ninoy Aquino International Airport, Philippines:

  • For transit passengers, proceed to the Transit/Transfer Desk in front of the entrance to the arrival immigration area. Present your passport, check-in stub and onward flight ticket.
  • If you’re not a transit passenger, go to the Immigration Officer to get your passport validated.
  • After having your passport validated, proceed to the Baggage Claim Area. There are baggage trolleys dispensers located near both sides of the immigration exit gates.
  • Each conveyer belt has a flight information board over it that tells you which flight the luggages are from. Claim your baggage and move on to Customs.
  • Surrender your baggage declaration form to the Customs examiner.
  • If you have any dutiable items, tell the examiner about them. Otherwise they may be seized. At any rate, be sure your bags are ready for inspection. If you have sealed your boxes in duct tape, remove it or cut the tape before you get to the examiner.
  • If you have any taxes or duties to pay, proceed to the Customs cashier located near exit gates 1 and 2. You’ll get a receipt for your payment.
  • Before finally leaving the Customs area, a Customs Officer stationed at the exit gates will collect your declaration form, and/or gate pass.
  • Next you’ll enter the arrival lobby. Some guards will probably collect your baggage tags here. There’s also a moneychanger here, if you’d like to cash in a hundred dollars or so for pesos. If you’re not expecting anyone to meet you at the airport, and you’re staying in Manila, you can also arrange for an airport taxi in this section. If you do this, get a receipt for your taxi and take it to the desk outside. Ignore anyone who tries to usher you into their taxi. There will be a desk with an attendant who will take your receipt and arrange for your taxi.
  • If you’re meeting someone, however, before you go to a hotel or elsewhere, you’ll head outside to the “greeter’s area”. The trick here is to find the person who’s supposed to meet you, since there are quite a number of people anxiously awaiting friends and family. Make sure the person has a good photo of you, and you a good photo of them. If possible, wear something distinctive that will make it easier for them to identify you. A distinctive hat of some kind is one idea.

  • Dress for the hot weather during March to May. Never leave home without your rain gear, umbrella, and heavy clothing during the rainy months from June to October as well as when setting out to the mountainous areas.
  • Comfortable yet sturdy footwear are best, as traveling the islands will often involve some walking.
  • Prepare to hop in a jeepney, tricycle, or pedicab – modes of land transport that are the most commonly available for going around. Always bring loose change when taking public transport.
  • Know the transport schedules. Some destinations are only being serviced intermittently, not to mention extreme weather conditions that will affect these schedules.
  • Casual clothing is acceptable inside churches and business offices. Dining establishments and hotels impose no dress code but shorts and slippers are deemed improper.
  • For tourist information and assistance, get in touch with the Department of Tourism and any of its accredited offices nationwide.