DOT welcomes implementation of e-visa system for India

MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Tourism (DOT) welcomed the announcement of the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) that it has rolled out the electronic visa or e-visa system for citizens of India who wish to visit the Philippines.

The system has been made available in the Philippine embassy in India’s capital New Delhi, as well as the honorary consulates in Chennai, Kolkata and Mumbai since Oct. 28, according to a statement from the DFA.

E-visas have been issued to an estimated 7,259 Indian nationals as of Oct. 31.

Indian nationals can apply for visa at evisa.gov.ph, said the DFA.

Tourism Secretary Christina Garcia-Frasco praised the DFA’s announcement as the agency’s efforts to reach out to India through meetings with the embassy as well as sending Philippine delegations to India since 2023 has borne fruit.

“We are looking at India as a very robust outbound market to come to the Philippines,” she said.

The DOT is “excited to welcome our friends from India, especially that we offer tourism products that are very attractive to the Indian market such as weddings, health and wellness, luxury travel, gastronomy, sports tourism and dive,” said Frasco.

A meeting from the Private Sector Advisory Council last July revealed Indians were considered repeat tourists and spend an average of eight nights and $100 a day in the Philippines.

In 2023, the Philippines welcomed a total of 70,286 Indian tourists, making India the 13th top source of tourists based on country of residence.