May 13, 1972

EXCHANGE OF NOTES BETWEEN THE REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES AND THE REPUBLIC OF CEYLON TO ABOLISH NON-IMMIGRANT VISA REQUIREMENTS

Note: The Agreement entered into force, May 13, 1972.

Reference: This Agreement is also published in XI DFA TS No. 1, p.59

13 May 1972

Excellency:

I have the honor to refer to the conversations between the representatives of our two Governments concerning the proposal to abolish non-immigrant visa requirements for the citizens of our two countries and to confirm the following understandings:

1. Citizens of Ceylon and the Philippines who hold valid passportsissued by their respective Governments and onward tickets or sufficient foreign exchange for the purchase thereof, and who wish to enter each other's territory for any legitimate' non-immigrant purposes such as  touring, recreation, sports, health, family  reasons, business or religious pilgrimage, shall be free to do so at any authorized port of entry without the necessity of obtaining a visa provided that a citizen of the Philippines does not stay for more than 30 days in Ceylon and a citizen of Ceylon does not stay for more than fifty-nine days in the Philippines.

2. The usual visa formalities for the citizens of either Ceylon or the Philippines will be required for a stay exceeding thirty days in the case of Ceylon and fifty-nine days in the case of the Philippines.

3. The waiver of visa requirements mentioned in paragraph 1 does not exempt the citizens of either Ceylon or the Philippines from complying with the laws and regulations of the host country concerning entry, residence, an employment or occupation of foreigners. Persons who are unable to comply with said laws and regulations may be refused entry by the host country.

4. Either country has the right to refuse entry or to expel any person which it considers to be undesirable.

5. Each country undertakes to re-admit to its territory at any time without formalities the holder of a valid passport issued by it who entered territory of the other on presentation of said passport

6.  With the exception of paragraph 5, either country may temporary suspend the operation of this agreement for reasons of public order. Such suspension shall immediately be notified to the other.

7. Either country may denounce this agreement by written notice to theother. The denunciation shall take effect at the end of one month from the date of receipt of such notice.

8. This agreement shall enter into force on 1 July 1972.

I have the honor to propose that this note and Your Excellency's reply concurring therein shall constitute an agreement between our two Governments.

Accept, Excellency, the renewed assurances of my highest consideration.

(Sgd.) LIBRADO D. CAYCO

Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary
of the Republic of the Philippines

13 May 1972

My No. Q. 240

Excellency:

I have the honour to acknowledge receipt of your letter dated 13th May, 1972 which reads as follows:

I have the honour to refer to the conversations between the representatives of our two Governments concerning the proposal to abolish non-immigrant visa requirements for the citizens of our two countries and to confirm the following understandings:

1. Citizens of Ceylon and the Philippines who hold valid passports issued by their respective Governments and onward tickets or sufficient foreign exchange for the  purchase thereof, and  who wish to enter each other's territory for any legitimate nonimmigrant purposes such as touring, recreation, sports, health, family reasons, business or religious pilgrimage, shall be free to do so at any authorised port of entry without the necessity of obtaining a visa provided that a citizen of the Philippines does not stay for more than thirty days in Ceylon and a citizen of Ceylon does not stay for more than fifty nine days in the Philippines.

2. The usual visa formalities for the citizens of either Ceylon or the Philippines will be required for a stay exceeding thirty days in the case of Ceylon and fifty nine days in the case of the Philippines.

3. The waiver of visa requirements mentioned in paragraph 1 does not exempt the citizens of either Ceylon or the Philippines from complying with the laws and regulations of the host country concerning entrv, residence, and employment or occupation of foreigners. Persons who are unable to comply with said laws and regulations may be refused entry by the host country.

4. Either country has the right to refuse entry or to expel any person which it considers to be undesirable.

5. Each country undertakes to re-admit to its territory at anytime without formalities the holder of a valid passport issued by it who entered the territory of the other on presentation of said passport.

6. With the exception of paragraph 5, either country may temporarily suspend the operation of this agreement for reasons of public order. Such suspension shall immediately be notified to the other.

7. Either country may denounce this agreement by written notice to the other. The denunciation shall take effect at the end of one month from the date of receipt of such notice.

8. This agreement shall enter into force on 1 July 1972.

"I have the honour to propose that this note and Your Excellency's reply concurring therein shall constitute an agreement between our two Governments."

I have the honour to confirm that the above correctly states the understanding reached between us, and that Your Excellency's note set out above and this reply concurring therein, shall constitute an agreement between our two Governments.

Accept, Excellency, the renewed assurances of my highest consideration.

(Sgd.) A. R. RATNAVALE

Permanent Secretary
 Ministry of Defense and External Affairs

Source: Supreme Court e-Library