We can all agree that it takes an extra amount of time and effort to travel or live abroad. More so for Philippine passport holders who usually need to obtain a visa to go to the UK, US, or Europe for example. If you’re traveling soon or planning to migrate or study in any of those above destinations, here’s a guide on where to apply for a visa.

What you need to know: Visa requirements are pretty standard. Just remember, once you have your visa, you can tango your way into Argentina, the origin of this very sensual dance. Get lost in the country’s historic architecture and fantastic nightlife. More than that are the various activities you can do especially if you’re into nature like fishing, hiking, and even skiing.

What you need to know: The Embassy of Australia is your gateway to one of the most diverse cultures in the world. It’s all standard procedure here. From enjoying Outback adventures or sightseeing at the Sydney Opera House, Australia simply astounds. Whether you enjoy wine tasting in Swan Valley, or shopping endlessly at The Rocks --a historic area in Sydney, you know Australia has something for everyone. If you're already planning for a trip down under, you can find hotels in Australia here.

What you need to know: Austria is a very cultural country, and your artistic side is bound to take flight in this country. Stay in the picturesque cities of Salzburg and Vienna for a few weeks, and immerse yourself in Austria’s beautiful landscapes and culture. Like many European countries that require a Schengen visa, the Austrian embassy requires you to answer this form (http://www.vfsglobal.com/austria/philippines/) for a smooth interview.

What you need to know: It’s not that hard to get a Schengen visa to enter Belgium. Just submit the requirements (original and photocopy) and you’re good to go. Favorite tourist activities include church hopping to admire the different types of architecture, taking selfies in front of Manneken Pis, and going on a shopping tour around Brussels, the country’s capital.

What you need to know: You don’t need a visa to go to Brazil! Sports lovers and fiesta fanatics know that Brazil is the place to be for colorful events. Hike your way up to the Corcovado Mountain and have a photo with Christ the Redeemer, or walk along the sands of Ipanema. If you want to get a taste of Brazil without leaving the Philippines, attend their annual BrasiPilipinas, an event showcasing Brazilian culture and cuisine. Dance to the lively beat of samba, learn Capoeira, or play a bit of football!

What you need to know: Canada is known for its beautiful landscapes. Taking a hike around Stanley Park or the Canadian Rockies should be in your itinerary. The Canadian Embassy can assist you in creating your itinerary so you won’t miss out on anything. Philippine passport holders now have the option to submit their applications online via Canada’s centralized MyCIC website.

What you need to know: According to the Embassy website, Filipino citizens holding ordinary passports don’t need a visa as long as they don’t stay beyond 15 days in China. If you decide to join a group tour, it has to be organized by international travel services approved by the National Tourism Administration of China. Your tours will often include walking along the Great Wall of China, going around the Forbidden City, and several stops at food hubs offering exotic dishes.

What you need to know: Visiting the Czech Republic should be on every traveler’s bucket list because of the country’s well-preserved architecture and infrastructure. The country is basically fairytale-come-to-life, boasting beautiful castles dotting the countryside. You’ll need a Schengen visa to be able to enter the Czech Republic.

What you need to know: The Embassy requires applicants to wear corporate attire and bring a valid ID during their appointment. Other than that, the Danes are more than happy to hear that you’d like the visit their country. Rich in history, Denmark houses well-preserved castles and modern museums. Don’t forget to take a photo of the Little Mermaid, inspired by a character of Denmark’s most famous storyteller, Hans Christian Andersen.

What you need to know: Egypt and the Philippines established bilateral relations after WWII. Today, a good number of Filipino students study in Egypt every year, and there is a growing number of travelers going to the land of the pyramids of late. Egypt offers visa-on-arrival.

What you need to know: The Embassy of France is known for its calendar of social events, including the French Film Festival, Fete de la Musique, and Gout de France, which celebrates French cuisine. They’re very supportive as well of local artists through their Artist-in-Residence programs.You can actually study French at the Alliance Francaise de Manille and immerse yourself in the world’s most romantic language. If you’re planning to take a trip to France, remember this: Paris is always a good idea. You’ll need a Schengen visa to enter France.

What you need to know: Culture is at the heart of the German people, and they wish to share theirs with the rest of the world. Through the Goethe Institute Philippinen, Filipino students can learn the German language through formal classes, film shows, art exhibitions, and so much more. This will definitely prepare you for big events in Germany like the Oktoberfest and Bach Fest, a musical festival paying homage to the best in classical music. You’ll need a Schengen visa to enter Germany.

What you need to know: Their website doesn’t look like it is being regularly updated. But rest assured that their visa section is not outdated. A Schengen visa is pretty much all you'll need. Include in your itinerary a trip to the Pantheon and Acropolis, seek some sort of respite in Meteora, and soak up the Mediterranean sun in Crete’s beautiful beaches.

What you need to know: India and the Philippines’ relationship goes way back before the age of colonization. We’ve been trading wares with the Indians, and even adopted some words and beliefs from them. If you are planning to visit India anytime soon, do some temple hopping, take a selfie with the Taj Mahal, and explore India’s street food (be sure to have a local with you just to be on the safe side). Oh yes, drink only from a bottled water. You won’t need a tourist visa to enter India, but you will need an electronic tourist visa before going to India.

What you need to know: You absolutely don’t need to have a visa to go to Indonesia, but do check out the website only to find out how you can be better prepared when you visit the country.While Bali is the place to be, Java and Sumatra are also fantastic places to venture off into if you’re looking for a different ‘jungle’ beat. For your next trip, you can check out hotels in Indonesia here.

What you need to know: You can enjoy the sights and sounds of Israel visa-free for 90 days. Israel is known for good food and good beaches, so do make time to have a food tour or a pub crawl in this country rich in culture and history. Depending on where you are, you’ll be wowed by the sights of the Sea of Galilee and the white beaches along Tel Aviv.

What you need to know: Like most European countries, you’ll need a Schengen visa to enter Italy. They require a personal appearance when you submit your documents. The embassy mounts annual film festivals and other events for Filipinos to learn more about Italian culture, so you’re more prepared to have a Roman adventure in the near future.

What you need to know: It’s easier to get a Japanese visa nowadays --just apply through Embassy-accredited agencies. Visit Tokyo’s busy streets and sneak into its surrounding districts like Harajuku and Shinjuku. Shopping along Omotesando, visiting the Tsukiji market for the best sushi, and taking a picture with Hachiko’s statues in Shibuya is not to be missed. For affordable deals, book Japan hotels here.

What you need to know: You don’t need a South Korean Visa if you’re entering through Jeju Island. But if you’ve entered South Korea four times already with a visa, then you can tour Seoul, for instance, without one. The winter and spring months are popular seasons when it comes to tourist arrivals. December features festivals like the Hwacheon Mountain Trout Festival and Mt. Taebaek Snow Festival in Gangwon-do. To get cheaper deals in the future, book hotels in South Korea in advance.

What you need to know: Malaysia, like many other ASEAN countries, doesn’t require a visa for Philippine passport holders. If you know how to get around Malaysia, you know that it’s one beautiful shopping paradise on this side of the world. Go to Bukit Bintang in KL for great bargains. For accommodations, you can find hotels in Malaysia here.

What you need to know: Visa requirements are pretty standard. If you’re traveling to Mexico any time soon, prepare your belly because you’re going to have a lot of fun eating.Be sure to eat at Nicos for Mexican comfort food on a budget, and Pujol, if you want something more upscale. To eat like a local, hang out in several cantinas like Cantina El Sella.

What you need to know: The Netherlands invites Filipinos to live, work, and study in their country. But to get there, you need a Schengen visa. Tourists going to the Netherlands will have a good time museum-hopping. Visit the Rijksmuseum, an art museum housing several European works of art; the Van Gogh Museum, which houses the biggest collection of Vincent Van Gogh’s work; and the Anne Frank House, where Anne Frank went into hiding and wrote her famous diary during WWII.

What you need to know: Better check out the website first and fill out a form in order to find out the requirements for visa application. Once you’ve submitted all the requirements, you’ll cruise through the interview. Once in New Zealand, you’ll enjoy hiking, big game fishing, and taking part in Maori rituals.

What you need to know: Filipinos are welcome to live and work in Norway. Getting a visa should be done through their Visa Application Site (http://www.vfsglobal.com/norway/philippines/). Tourists can expect a lot of hiking, kayaking and visiting quaint fishing villages and wharfs.

What you need to know: The Embassy of Qatar has no website. Best to email them for information about visa application. Expect a lot of shopping when you’re in Qatar. The best place to shop is at Souq Waqif. Prepare to be wowed as well when visiting the country’s tall skyscrapers and street scenes.

What you need to know: Romania is one of the underrated countries for many Filipino travelers. If you want to get to know more about Eastern Europe though, make this your first stop. And your first order of business in Romania should be visiting Bran Castle, the so-called inspiration of Bram Stoker’s Dracula. With that off the list, you can visit other castles like the Peles Castle and the Corvin Castle. They require the regular documents for visa application.

What you need to know: Whether you’re visiting Russia for pleasure or business, you’ll need to get a visa. You may do so by completing the requirements at authorized Russian travel agencies. If it’s your first time to visit Russia, be sure to go to the Winter Palace, the former residence of Russia’s great emperors. Do watch a ballet performance at the Bolshoi theater --a definite must. For avid anglers, go to the Kola Peninsula for great salmon fishing.

What you need to know: The Saudi Arabian Embassy doesn’t have a website. Note that there’s a lot of procedures when getting a visa to enter Saudi Arabia.The age of a woman matters --a woman tourist, who is 30 years of age, can be issued a tourist visa. Otherwise, in order to enter the Kingdom, she is required to be accompanied by a legal chaperone. Tourists should come in groups, no less than four members.

What you need to know: If you’re holding a Philippine passport, you don’t need to secure a visa. But you’ll need to contact the Embassy if you plan to study or work in Singapore. The city-state is a favorite travel destination by many Filipinos as Singapore is known to be a shopping mecca for luxury goods and gadgets. If you're planning a trip, you can find hotels in Singapore here.

What you need to know: The Spanish Embassy regularly helps the Philippines in its many cultural, economic, and humanitarian efforts. Yearly, the Embassy hosts Spanish food and film festivals, reminding Filipinos of our shared cultures and traditions. Like other European countries, Spain requires tourists to get a Schengen visa.

What you need to know: Through the Swiss Embassy, you can get a Schengen visa for short-term courses or simply to visit and admire the country’s beautiful landscapes. When visiting Switzerland, explore Matterhorn and the Swiss Alps, among others.

What you need to know: You don’t need a visa to enter Thailand, but you can visit the Embassy to inquire about studying and doing business in the country. If you're thinking of going on a vacation, plan in advance and check out hotels in Thailand here.

What you need to know: There are three easy steps to apply a visa here: apply, pay, and download. More information can be found here: https://www.evisa.gov.tr/en/.The embassy usually highlights visits to the various mosques in the country, including the Sultan Ahmed Mosque and Christian churches such as the Chora Church.

What you need to know: Like other Middle Eastern embassies, the Embassy of the UAE doesn’t have a website. Unlike Saudi Arabia, UAE is easier to enter. They have the usual requirements for visa application.

What you need to know: The Embassy provides Filipinos with many opportunities to study and even find work in the UK. Contrary to popular belief, acquiring a UK visa is easy, but still requires a Schengen visa to enter. Drop by their website to learn more.

What you need to know: We can all agree that applying for a US visa can be quite difficult compared to other countries. But it doesn’t hurt to try. A tip here is to have your interview mid-morning. Interviewers usually have more patience during this time. If you plan to study in the US, the Embassy offers annual scholarships and exchange programs for both Filipino students and professionals.

What you need to know: If you hold a Philippine passport, you don’t need a visa to enter Vietnam. You can however check the website regularly for events they host together with Philippine museums and cultural centers. Also, you can look for hotels in Vietnam here to prepare for your getaway.

Excited to plan your next trip? Discover cheap hotel deals and cheap flights from carriers like Philippine Airlines, AirAsia, and more with Traveloka!