The Philippines, populous with beautiful sands of the sea, rich culture, and friendly people has slowly and gradually garnered the attention of Indians. Whether it is the breathtaking tour to the Pitogo Islands of Palawan the discovery of the Cordillera Mountain’s Banaue Rice Terraces, or the life and color of Manila, it is important to first understand the visa requirements for hassle-free travel. In this guide, you will learn all there is to know about how to get a Philippines visa for Indians and focus more on the tourist visa.
Understanding Philippines Visa Types for Indians
Before we proceed into details about the Philippines tourist visa for Indians, it is pertinent to know that the Philippines has many types of visas. These include:
- Tourist Visa
- Business Visa
- Student Visa
- Work Visa
- Retirement Visa
For this guide, it will just be most relevant to consider the Tourist visa since this is more commonly granted to Indian visitors who are planning to go to the Philippines for pleasure.
Philippines Tourist Visa for Indians
For those who want to travel to the Philippines for tourism, there is a tourist visa available. Here are a few crucial details:
- Validity: As for the most popular type of American visa – the tourist one- as a rule the visa has a validity period of thirty days.
- Entry: The visa may be obtainable for single entry or multiple entries, which depends on the one that you apply for.
- Extension: One is allowed to stay up to 59 more days after arrival in the Philippines.
- Visa-Free Option: For now, citizens of the USA, Japan, Australia, Canada, Schengen Area, Singapore, UK can visit the Philippines without a visa for up to 14 days if their visa from the mentioned country is still valid.
How to Apply for a Philippines Tourist Visa
There are various processes involved in applying for an Indian passport to the Philippines:
- Gather Required Documents: Gather all pertinent records (further discussion on this is in the following section).
- Download and Fill the Application Form: The visa application form is available on the Philippines Embassy website therefore one can download it.
- Schedule an Appointment: To attend the appointment visit the Embassy or the Consulate of the Philippines in India for visa application.
- Submit Documents: Book an appointment also make sure that with the application form that has been filled, you present all the necessary documents.
- Pay the Visa Fee: Attach the visa application fee as per the requirement of the embassy or consulate.
- Wait for Processing: Normally, processing the visa takes between 5-7 working days As mentioned above, depending on the kind of visa applied for.
- Collect Your Visa: If the application is approved then you will be informed that it is ready for collection at the embassy/consulate.
Required Documents for Philippines Tourist Visa
Indian nationals wishing to apply for a tourist visa to the Philippines must gather and submit the following paperwork:
- Passport: A passport that is valid for at least six months from the expected date of arrival in the Philippines.
- Visa Application Form: Filled up and duly accomplished the Philippines visa application form.
- Passport-sized Photographs: We prefer recent passport-sized photographs that seem to be taken on a white background.
- Proof of Travel Plans: Round trip airfare tickets or flight schedule.
- Hotel Reservations: Cleared receivables on confirmed hotel accommodations on your vacation in the Philippines.
- Proof of Funds: Passport copy and bank statements of the last 6 months to ensure the applicant is capable of supporting himself or herself during his or her stay.
- Employment Details: Letter from your employer stating your company’s name, your employment status, salary, and approved leave or business registration documents if you run your own business.
- Income Tax Returns: ITR for the last two years.Travel Insurance: Sometimes it is mandatory to have travel insurance, sometimes it is not but in any case, for traveling to the Philippines it is strongly advised to have travel insurance.
Tips for a Successful Philippines Visa Application
Take into consideration these suggestions to improve your chances of getting a visa to the Philippines:
- Apply Well in Advance: It is recommended that you should apply for your visa two weeks before the date of your traveling.
- Provide Accurate Information: However, make sure that every detail entered in the application corresponds with the information in your passport and all the supporting documents.
- Have a Clear Travel Plan: An attempt to make the itinerary clear can solidify your application to a significant extent.
- Ensure Sufficient Funds: Prove to them that you have enough financial capacity to support you throughout your stay in the Philippines.
- Be Prepared for an Interview: The embassy may invite you for an interview. Do not fake details about one’s self or makeup stories to entice the employer/organization to hire you.
- Keep Copies: It is recommended to make copies of all the documents to be submitted and they should always be with you when you are on the move.
Exploring the Philippines: What to Expect
After obtaining a tourist visa for the Philippines, an array of adventures is in store for you. Here are a few standouts:
- Manila: It is a city that most tourists are interested in due to the fusion of historical sites contemporary architecture and great nightlife.
- Boracay: Being the most visited tourist attraction site it is well-known for its white sand and clear water which is ideal for sun basking and other water activities.
- Palawan: Well known for its Underground River voted as one of the New 7 Wonders of Nature and unique island terrains.
- Banaue Rice Terraces: This site is also known as the “Eighth Wonder of the World” and these terraces are about 2000 years old and are also a must-visit.
- Cebu: Immerse in both the urban setting and the ancient architecture as well as enjoy the beachfront and sand.
Conclusion
All in all, getting a Philippines tourist visa for Indians is not very complex if one prepares himself/herself well in advance. But by knowing these and following the application process and procedures as contained here, you will be able to easily gain entry to this beautiful archipelago.
Just as a quick reminder, this guide is designed to contain as much information about the Philippines visa for Indians as possible but there’s always a possibility that something about visa regulations may be changed. This must be confirmed from the official website of the Philippines Embassy or the country’s consulate in the intended destination.
You’re now ready to take advantage of your visa and capture the beauty of the Philippines starting from their beautiful sandy beaches, forests, cultural relativism, and their famous Filipino hospitality.
