Considering to spend your next holiday in the serene landscapes of the Philippines?

To do so, you must also be wondering if it’s necessary to get a Philippines visa for Indians? Well, the answer is not quite simple. Under normal circumstances, any Indian entering the country must apply for a Philippines tourist visa for Indians.

Anyone considering to go on vacation to the Philippines or cruising off the shore on the azure tranquility of the Pacific Ocean should know the details of Philippines visa process along with the required documentation and fees.

Yes, Indian citizens with regular passports need a tourist visa to enter the Philippines for tourism purposes. However, those holding diplomatic passports can enter without a visa for stays under 30 days.

Indian nationals possessing a valid multiple-entry visa or permanent residence permit from the USA, Singapore, the Schengen area, the United Kingdom, Australia, Canada, or Japan can enter the Philippines without a visa for up to 14 days, which can be extended by another 7 days.

Currently, the Philippines do not offer the option of visa-on-arrival for Indian nationals. As a result, you must apply for a visa before travelling to the country.

With no availability of a Philippines visa on arrival for Indian citizens, it is advisable to apply for a visa as soon as you can. Generally, it takes 8-10 days to process an application. However, this might extend to a longer time period, depending on the embassy.

Currently, the Philippines do not offer the option of visa-on-arrival for Indian nationals. As a result, you must apply for a visa before travelling to the country.

With no availability of a Philippines visa on arrival for Indian citizens, it is advisable to apply for a visa as soon as you can. Generally, it takes 8-10 days to process an application. However, this might extend to a longer time period, depending on the embassy.

No, travel insurance is not mandatory to get Philippines tourist visa for Indians. Even if it’s not a mandate by the law, it is always advisable that you protect yourself with a suitable travel insurance plan before travelling abroad.

To avail a temporary visitor’s visa, you can apply at the Philippine Embassy or Consulate in your own country of origin or legal residence. The minimum requirements for applying for the Philippines tourist visa include:

• A valid passport or travel document with at least 6 months validity beyond the intended period of stay in the Philippines

• Duly filled visa application forms

• Passport sized photos 

• Proof of identity as a tourist or businessman

• Confirmed round-trip tickets or tickets of onward journey to a third country

• Proof of payment of visa fees

The different documents which are necessary to fulfil the Philippines tourist visa requirements for Indian citizens are listed below.

Valid Passport:

Indian passport which must be valid for at least 6 months. Your past passports and visas may also be required.

Application Form:

Visa application form which must be duly filled in English. 

Photograph:

2 passport-sized coloured photographs taken not more than 6 months before. 

Cover Letter:

Letter from the applicant describing the purpose of his/her visit. 

Financial Proof:

Provide a copy of your credit cards and/or traveler’s checks, or include a foreign exchange endorsement on your passport. Bank statement of 6 last months and your salary slips of last 3 months prior to application are also required.

Invitation Letter:

Submit the original, signed letter from the inviting party, including their complete address and telephone number. The letter must be notarized in the Philippines.

Tickets:

Your hotel booking and flight ticket details will be required.

Employment Verification:

For employed applicants, provide a Certificate of Current Employment from your employer, detailing the employer’s full name, address, and telephone number, along with your length of service and salary details.

Self-Employment Verification:

If self-employed, submit a photocopy of your latest Income Tax Return and a copy of your Personal Assessment Number (PAN) Card.

Student Verification:

For students, provide a Certificate of Enrollment or a Letter of Acceptance from your school.

Spouse of a Philippine Citizen:

Unmarried Minor Child of a Filipino Parent:

For unmarried minor children of a Filipino parent, provide a copy of the birth certificate and a copy of the parent’s valid passports.

Minor Travel Authorization:

For minors (under 18 years of age) traveling alone or with someone other than a parent, provide an Affidavit of Support and Consent to Travel. This affidavit must be signed by either or both parents, indicating the minor's traveling companion and the address in the Philippines. 

It must be notarized by a local Notary Public, attested by the MEA, and consular officer of the Philippine Embassy. Present this affidavit to immigration officials upon arrival in the Philippines.

Among Philippines visa requirements for minors with Indian passport, further documents regarding leave and other necessities from school or college are necessary as well.

Note: Please be notified that additional documents may be asked for at the consular office to support your application apart from those mentioned in the above list of documents required for Philippines visa.

You will need to apply for Philippines visa from India offline. After arranging the document and Philippines tourist visa fees for Indian citizens, you can easily apply for it yourself or employ a broker or travel agent. 

If you are applying for it yourself, you must visit the Philippines embassy or consulates in New Delhi, Kolkata, Mumbai, or Chennai. The steps include:

First, Download Application Form for Philippines Tourist Visa and Fill It Up:

You will need to download the application form from the official website of Philippines embassy, print it out and fill in the form. 

Next, Submit the Form for Your Philippines Visa for Indians at the Embassy:

Once you fill up the form accurately, submit it with all documents to the embassy or your nearest consular office. No prior appointment is required. However, you can contact them in advance to confirm their availability.

Make Payment of Your Philippines Tourist Visa Fee:

Settle your visa fee through demand drafts drawn from a bank. Remember that cash payment is not accepted.

You might have to visit and check the completion of your application process, though typically the approval is notified by email. While it generally takes 8 -10 days to process, it can be extended too. In case there are pending documents, they must be submitted within 5 days of the application.

How to Apply for Philippines Visa Through an Agent?

In case you do not want to go through the hassle of applying for your Philippines visa for Indian citizens yourself, you can avail the services of a travel agent or a broker.

Generally, they collect the documents and your personal information to apply for the visa. Availing the service of a broker or a travel agent will also require additional charges.

With the option for a Philippines visa on arrival for Indian passport holders not being available as of yet, you should apply for the visa approval well ahead of the vacation.

The processing time for Philippines visa applications is around 10 working days. Unless there are unexpected issues or extra documents needed, you can pick up your passport on the eighth working day after you submit it. Processing doesn't include Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays in the Philippines or India.

• You need to submit a temporary visitor's visa application in person. 

• A responsible adult can submit the application for minors under 18, as approved by the consular officer. 

• Minors, except for infants in arms, should attend the Consulate interview with the adult applying on their behalf. 

• You should complete the electronic Customs Baggage Declaration Form (e-CBDF) and the electronic Currencies Declaration Form (e-CDF) using the e-Travel website or the eGovPH app, within 72 hours before arriving or leaving.  

• If you bring in or take out more than USD 10,000, or its equivalent or you carry more than PhP 50,000 into or out of the Philippines, you must mention these in the e-CDF. 

•  If a visa application is denied, or if it is approved after the applicant’s intended departure date, there will be no visa fee refund.

In case any Indian has a maligned past record with the Philippine Bureau of Immigration, he/she might be denied entry. 

Additionally, if key aspects such as strong ties to your home country, enough financial resources for your stay in the Philippines, and a clear intention to follow the rules of a temporary visitor's visa are not adequately demonstrated, the visa application can be denied. 

Your application can also be rejected due to suspicion of misrepresentation, submission of fraudulent documents, inconsistencies between your application form and supporting documents, and failure to submit pending documents within the given 5-day period.

If your visa application for the Philippines from India is rejected, you have the option to reapply. It is recommended that you fully understand the reasons for rejection as communicated by the consular office, address these issues, and then reapply for the visa. You should wait at least 6 months before reapplying.

You can lessen the likelihood of your Philippines visa application being rejected by ensuring you adhere to the following guidelines:

Meet Eligibility Criteria:

Make sure you meet both the general and specific requirements for the type of visa you are applying for. 

Complete Application Carefully:

Verify that your application form is filled out accurately and, in its entirety, leaving no sections incomplete. 

Valid and Genuine Documents:

Submit all required documents as specified by the embassy, ensuring they are valid, genuine, and accompanied by clear copies. 

Proof of Adequate Funds:

Show evidence that you have sufficient financial means to cover your expenses during your stay in the Philippines. 

Onward/Return Ticket:

Provide a confirmed ticket for your return or onward journey, highlighting your planned exit from the Philippines. 

Accommodation Details:

Offer confirmation of your accommodation arrangements for your visit.

Yes, a few visa categories including the tourist visa for Philippines are available for a period of time extending from 1 to 2 months to up to 36 months, though tourists must provide flight and accommodation details to avail such visa for tourism purposes. 

To extend your Philippines visa, you need to visit the Philippine Bureau of Immigration, Manila, or their field/regional office.

International Travel insurance is not mandatory for Philippines. However, availing travel insurance while beginning the visa process for the Philippines from India can ensure it is effectively ready during your trip with the following basic benefits.

• Medical emergencies can come up anytime, even due to a small slip while walking on a rocky cliff. In case any such medical emergency arises, insurance offers medical cover and evacuation.

• Adventure sports are a must-to-do activity in Philippines and despite being safely controlled, they can suddenly turn rogue. Consequently, any emergency due to a single day adventure sports is also covered by insurance providers.

• You might be in an accident during a road trip where you end up injuring another individual or damaging his/her property. Under such circumstances the travel insurance covers the third-party liabilities including any damage to the rental car. 

Unlike Philippines visa for Indians which is compulsory, these are not a mandate. Nevertheless, having them in place can make the journey safer. 

Disclaimer - The information above has been collected by consulting various internet sources. Please make sure you visit the official government website of the Philippines and verify the information before making any reservations or applying.