Philippines Visa For Indians

The Philippines archipelago offers a range of experiences to travelers making it a highly popular destination, especially among Indian travelers. However, to experience the magic of the 7600+ island archipelago, you need to apply for a visa. There is Philippines e Visa for Indian travelers although the process happens to be partially online, and it is only available for the 9(a) Temporary Visa (Tourist Visa).

This means you can apply through the official DFA website, but, after you have submitted your application through the portal, you must contact the Embassy or Consulate concerned for further instructions on how to submit your visa application officially.

Fortunately, the offline process to apply for a visa to the Philippines is simple. You can opt for a single-entry for three months, multiple-entry for six months, multiple-entry for one year, and long duration stay visa based on your plans. Make sure that you understand the process and documents needed to get your visa in a hassle-free manner.

There is no Philippines visa on arrival for Indians. Hence, you need to apply for a visa before going on your trip. There are two ways in which you can apply for a Philippines visa. You can either apply in person or through a travel agency. Remember, the Philippines visa application process is offline and you will have to visit the embassy office for submission. Here is a quick look at the process:

• Visit the official website of the Embassy of The Philippines in India
• Download the visa application form for India
• Fill out the form and provide your recent photographs and the specified documents
• Submit the application at the embassy office in Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, or Chennai

Typically, the processing time for a Philippines visa is around 10 days. Hence, make sure that you apply in advance.

Philippines visa requirements for Indian citizens living and working in foreign countries

You can also apply for a Philippines visa as an Indian living in another country by visiting the Philippines Embassy Office there. In fact, the Philippines government offers visa-free entry for 14 days to Indians with a return/onward ticket to their next country of destination or if they hold a visa or permanent residence in one of the following countries:

• Canada
• The USA
• The UK
• Japan
• Australia
• Singapore
• Schengen countries

If you are planning to travel to the Philippines for a temporary visit (non-immigrant), then you need to apply for one of the Section 9 visas. These include:

• Philippines Tourist Visa – These visas are ideal for people planning a short vacation in the Philippines. It is issued for a default period of 14 days and can be extended for an additional seven days.
• Philippines Business Visa – This is a short-term visa offered to people entering the Philippines for business or work. You will have to provide the relevant documents to ascertain the purpose of your visit and the duration of your stay.
• Philippines Temporary Religious Workers’ Visa – People going to the Philippines for religious work or as missionaries can apply for a temporary visitor’s visa under this category. You will need a letter from the inviting individual/entity.
• Philippines Seaman’s Visa – Philippines has a major port with hundreds of ships leaving its harbor every year. Seamen, from around the world work on these ships. If you have landed a job on a ship and need to board it from the Philippines, then you can apply for the Seaman’s visa.
• Philippines Transit Visa – If you are taking a short stopover in the Philippines not exceeding 72 hours, then you can apply for the Philippine Transit Visa.
• Philippines Student Visa – If you are planning to pursue an educational course in the Philippines, then you can opt for the Student Visa. The duration of the visa will depend on the duration of the course enrolled in.

Remember, the Philippines does not offer visas on arrival for Indian travelers. Therefore, you are required to apply for a Philippines visa before you reach the country. While Indian citizens living and/or working in the US, UK, Australia, Canada, Japan, Singapore, and any of the Schengen countries can get a 14-day visa-free entry into the country. However, make sure that you check with the local Philippines Embassy before embarking on your trip.
While applying for a visa, it is important to consider the purpose and duration of your trip. Also, make a list of all the documents that you would need for the application process. Remember that you will not be able to get through immigration without your Philippines visa, so ensure you have the visa with you before boarding the flight.

**When Should One Apply For A Philippines Tourist Visa From India? **

You can apply for a Philippines visa offline. Therefore, it is prudent to begin the application process well in advance. The processing time depends on the type of visa and your documents. If you are applying for a tourist visa and all your documents are in order, then you can expect the visa to arrive (if approved) within 10 days. However, the processing time can be different for different types of visas. Hence, make sure that you check with the Embassy before planning your trip.

Here is a detailed list of documents needed to apply for a Philippines visa:

• The completed and signed visa application form
• An Indian passport, valid for at least 6 months from the date of the commencement of your trip. Your passport must have a minimum of two blank pages for the Philippines visa stamp.
• Two colored passport-size photographs.
• A letter mentioning the purpose of your visit
• A bank account statement or credit card statement with a balance of a minimum of USD500
• Bank account statement for six months immediately preceding your date of travel
• For salaried professionals: Salary slips for three months immediately preceding your date of travel
• For self-employed professionals: registration documents of the business
• Flight tickets and hotel booking details
• Income Tax returns for the last three years
• Proof of the payment of your visa fees

The Philippines visa cost for Indian travelers varies depending on the type of visa and the duration of your travel. These charges have been tabulated for your convenience.

Disclaimer: Visa fee rates are subject to change based on external factors such as immigration laws, additional service charges and currency conversion rates. Please be advised to check current rates from official sources before proceeding with any payment services
*The Philippines tourist visa cost for Indians varies depending on the Indian rupee and Philippine Peso conversion rate.

Traveling exposes us to new experiences, sights, and cultures. Hence, most travelers try things that they have never done before. They step out of their comfort zones and attempt things that they have not done before. Also, to truly enjoy your vacation, it is important to be free of any worries. However, when you are in a foreign land, things can go wrong. Medical and non-medical emergencies can dent your finances and cause undue stress.

However, with the right travel insurance plan, you can get coverage for all travel-related emergencies during your trip. Imagine losing your baggage while taking a flight from one city to another in the Philippines. It can derail your plans and cause an unnecessary financial burden. However, when you opt for a travel insurance policy for the Philippines, you get approved compensation for the same. If you get injured or fall ill, then the policy offers compensation for treatment and hospitalization costs.

While it is not mandatory for travelers to have a travel medical insurance plan, it is recommended to have one to get coverage for medical and non-medical emergencies. This can help you feel secure no matter what situation you face.
Tata AIG offers Philippines Travel Insurance plans to help you manage exigencies during your trip. We offer affordable plans that can help you get the protection you need. We offer a range of features and benefits that make us a top choice for most travelers.

On July 21, 2023, the President declared the lifting of the Public Health Emergency throughout the Philippines due to COVID-19. Masks are no longer mandatory but are still encouraged if you are visiting public health facilities like hospitals or clinics and when taking public transport.
Also, repeated negative COVID-19 testing nor medical certificates (your vaccine certificate) are not mandated.

If you are asymptomatic with a confirmed case of COVID-19 or have a confirmed diagnosis of COVID-19 with mild to severe symptoms – You will be required to self-isolate for 5 to 10 days and wear a well-fitted mask for 10 days. To end your period of quarantine, you must be fever-free for at least 24 hours without using antipyretics (e.g., Paracetamol).

The Philippines is a tourism-friendly country and approves visa applications without a lot of fuss. However, there are certain scenarios under which your Philippines visa application can be rejected as listed below:

• Incomplete application the information provided therein by you is incorrect (the primary reason behind most rejections)
• Violation of the rules and documentation process
• An expired or invalid passport
• If you are a proven immigration law offender
• If there are indications that you may use your visa incorrectly

Traveling to a new country is an opportunity to explore different geographies, cultures, languages, and traditions. If you are planning a trip to the Philippines, then here are some interesting facts that you should know to make your trip more interesting and memorable:

• There are 7641 islands that constitute the Philippines archipelago
• The Philippines was the first Southeast Asian country to gain independence after the Second World War
• Spain has colonized the Philippines for over three centuries
• The USA colonized the country for 48 years after the Spanish occupation
• Filipino is the official language of the Philippines
• It is the world’s top supplier of nurses
• Locals are very passionate about boxing as a sport
• Most of the people in the Philippines are Christians
• It is the texting capital of the world with over 400 million text messages sent every day
• Jeepneys are the most common mode of public transport in the Philippines
• Tropical cyclones are common in the country and can come at any time
• The capital city of Manila has the highest population density in the world
• A volcanic eruption at Mt. Pinatubo in the Philippines created a sulfuric acid haze in the world for nearly two years
• The largest pearl in the world was found at Palawan in the Philippines
• Karaoke machines originated from the Philippines
• The national attire of the country – the Barong Tagalog is made from pineapple fiber
• Cock fighting is common in the country
• The Zambales Mango that grows naturally in Masinloc Zambales is the sweetest mango in the world

While we recommend travelers to create an itinerary of the places they want to visit and activities that they want to participate in, here is a quick list to help you get started:

1. Take a boat ride along one of the world’s largest underground rivers at Puerto Princesa
2. Spend an entire day island-hopping in this magical archipelago.
3. Explore the historical city of Cebu
4. Soak in the culture of Manila
5. See Tarsiers and Chocolate Hills in Bohol
6. Indulge in surfing, rock climbing, and cave exploration at Siargao Island
7. Go scuba diving. The Philippines is one of the best destinations for exploring the marine world
8. Visit the old town of Vigan. A UNESCO World Heritage Site, Vigan has a unique architectural design that is unparalleled anywhere in Southeast Asia
9. Go for a sunset cruise
10. Go firefly-watching in the jungle. Make sure that you have a guide with you.
11. Take a Calauit Safari tour
12. Indulge in a range of adventure sports
13. Explore the local cuisine including the world-famous dish Adobo, Kinilaw, Kare-Kare, Halo Halo, and Ube Puto Cheese

Information last updated Sep 22. While this information is sourced reliably, visa requirements can change. For the most current visa details, visit the official Consulate/Embassy website.