Philippines boosts tourism for Indian travellers- Is it visa-free?

 

Philippines makes travel easier for Indian tourists with e-visas and visa-free entry

The Philippines is making travel easier for Indian tourists by speeding up e-visa processing and offering visa-free entry for travellers with valid visas from certain countries.

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has introduced faster e-visa processing and visa-free entry for certain Indian tourists, making it easier to travel to the Philippines. The move is aimed at promoting tourism and cultural exchange.

Indian tourists can now enter the Philippines without a visa for up to 14 days if they meet certain conditions:

Eligibility for visa-free entry:

- Valid visa or residence permit:** Travellers must have a valid visa or permanent residence permit from the US, Japan, Australia, Canada, Schengen Area countries, Singapore or the UK.

- Passport validity: Passport must be valid for at least six months after their stay in the Philippines.

Return or onward ticket: Tourists need a return or onward ticket.

Clean record: Visitors must not have any negative records with the Philippine Bureau of Immigration, the National Intelligence Coordinating Agency or Interpol.

Eligible Indian tourists can extend their 14-day visa-free stay by 7 more days, making a total of 21 days. This visa-free entry is for tourism only and cannot be converted to other visa types. Business travelers must obtain the appropriate visa.

Faster e-Visa processing

President Marcos Jr. has also ordered faster e-Visa processing for Indian visitors. This new policy aims to reduce processing time, making it quicker for Indian citizens to make travel plans.

Application submission: Indian travelers can apply for an e-Visa online or at the nearest Philippine consulate or embassy.

Processing time: The e-Visa process, which previously took several days, will now be much faster, although exact times may vary.

Visa Application Process in India

Indian citizens planning to stay longer than the visa-free period or need a specific visa for other purposes may apply depending on their region:

- Delhi and Northern Region: Apply at the Philippines Embassy in New Delhi.

- Mumbai and Western Region: Submit the application at the Philippines Consulate General in Mumbai.

- Chennai and Southern Region: Visit the Philippines Consulate General in Chennai.

- Kolkata and Eastern Region: Apply at the Philippines Consulate General in Kolkata.