Frasco: PH supports unified ASEAN visa ahead of 2026 summit

The Philippines has expressed support for a unified visa system among Southeast Asian nations, with tourism officials saying the proposal could improve travel access and regional mobility.

Tourism Secretary Christina Frasco said Thursday that the country remains open to the idea of a joint ASEAN visa, which has been discussed among member states as a way to boost tourism flows across the region.

“As early as the very first ASEAN meeting that I attended as Tourism Secretary, I expressed the Philippines’ desire to benefit from a unified ASEAN visa,” Frasco said during a media briefing in Makati City. “But of course, this is entirely up to the agreements of the nations. We maintain our stance in terms of desiring an ASEAN visa without compromising national security.”

The proposed regional visa would be similar to the European Schengen visa and the Gulf Cooperation Council’s joint visa system. Frasco said several Southeast Asian countries had shown openness to the idea in earlier discussions.

She added that the topic may be revisited when the Philippines assumes the ASEAN chairmanship in 2026.

Meanwhile, preparations are underway for the country’s hosting of the ASEAN Summit and related meetings next year. Frasco said the ASEAN Tourism Forum would kick off the meetings in January 2026.

“The Philippines’ hosting of the ASEAN in 2026 will be a very big boost to tourism for the country, and on the side of the Department of Tourism, we are very excited that the very first ASEAN meetings will be about tourism,” she said.

The unified visa proposal is part of broader discussions among ASEAN member states aimed at enhancing regional integration and economic cooperation through more seamless cross-border travel.