PH fully rolls out e-Visa for Indian travelers as part of Marcos’ digital push

DAVAO CITY (June 9) — In a move that underscores the Marcos administration’s digital transformation drive, the Philippine government has fully implemented its e-Visa system for Indian nationals, allowing them to apply for entry into the country online, anytime and anywhere.

The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) announced the milestone through an advisory dated November 29, following the successful soft launch and beta testing of the system in August 2023.

“This is part of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s directive to modernize government systems and enhance the ease of travel for strategic partners such as India,” the DFA said, citing the president’s policy issued in January 2023 to extend e-visa access to Indian and Chinese nationals.

The e-Visa system was officially rolled out across the Philippine Embassy in New Delhi and all three Honorary Consulates in Chennai, Kolkata, and Mumbai on October 28. Just three days after the launch, at least 7,259 Indian nationals had already been granted Philippine e-Visas.

Applicants can apply remotely via evisa.gov.ph, and pay the visa fees through secure online bank transfers. According to the DFA, feedback has been overwhelmingly positive, with Indian travelers noting the platform’s “convenience, user-friendliness, and reliability.”

The first Indian national granted an e-Visa under the pilot program entered the Philippines on April 13 without any issue at immigration counters, signaling the successful integration of the e-Visa with the country’s e-Travel registration system.

To further streamline the process, the DFA has collaborated with the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) to enhance the system’s functionality and user experience.

The rollout was highlighted as one of the key deliverables of the Marcos administration’s digital governance agenda during the President’s 2024 State of the Nation Address. It is seen as a vital step in boosting tourism and strengthening economic ties between the Philippines and India.