Indian nationals may start entering the country visa-free for tourism purposes starting June 8, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) announced on Saturday, June 7.
Foreign and local tourists at the Puerto Princesa Airport (Photo from the Department of Tourism)
In a public advisory, the DFA said that Indian nationals may now stay in the Philippines without a visa “for a non-extendible and non-convertible period of 14 days for tourism purposes.”
This, the DFA added, is “in pursuit of (the Philippines’) objective of enhancing tourism arrivals from India.”
The visa-free privilege may be availed by Indian nationals upon presenting a passport valid for at least six months beyond their stay, together with a confirmed hotel accommodation, proof of financial capacity, and return ticket to India or onward ticket to the next country of destination.
Indian nationals with valid and current American, Japanese, Australian, Canadian, Schengen, Singapore, or United Kingdom visas or residence permits may also enter the country visa-free for a non-extendible stay of 30 days for tourism.
“These updated visa-free privileges for Indian nationals may be availed of at any Philippine port of entry, and are not convertible to a visa-based stay or other admission status categories,” the DFA said.
“Indian nationals must also not have any derogatory record with the Bureau of Immigration (BI) in order to be admitted into the country without a visa,” it added.
The DFA reminded, however, that Indian nationals transiting in the Philippines or entering the country for long-term visits and non-tourism activities must apply for an appropriate visa at a Philippine Embassy or Consulate.
Indian nationals eligible for e-visas may also apply through evisa.gov.ph, but the agency warned that e-visas may not be extended or converted into other visa categories.
This came after India’s leading global airline Air India’s announcement of direct flights between Manila and Delhi starting Oct. 1 in a bid to boost the tourism, trade, and cultural exchanges between the two countries.