Boracay Island. FILE PHOTO
MANILA, Philippines–The Philippines will soon implement an electronic visa (e-visa) system for Chinese and Indian tourists, the Department of Tourism (DOT) announced Friday.
The e-visa system will allow tourists from these two countries to apply for and obtain a visa online, which will streamline the visa application process and make it more convenient for tourists to visit the Philippines.
The DOT said that the e-visa system will be implemented in phases, with China and India chosen for the pilot phase. Chinese tourists will be the first to benefit from this system and it will be available for Indian tourists by the end of the year.
Tourism Secretary Christina Garcia Frasco said that the e-visa system will “improve the experience of inbound travelers and tourists, and have a positive impact on our international arrivals especially in the Chinese and Indian markets.”
“The e-visa system will make it easier for Chinese and Indian tourists to visit the Philippines, which will help to boost our tourism arrivals,” Frasco said.
She added that the e-visa system will also “foster even closer people-to-people exchanges, cultural understanding, and vibrant tourism cooperation.”
The DOT said that the e-visa system will be available on the website of the Department of Foreign Affairs. Tourists from China and India will be able to apply for an e-visa online and pay the visa fee using a credit card or debit card.
The e-visa will be valid for a single entry and will allow tourists to stay in the Philippines for up to 30 days.
The agency said that the e-visa system is part of the government’s efforts to revitalize the Philippine tourism industry. Prior to the pandemic, China was the Philippines’ second top tourist market, while India was the seventh.
The DOT said that it is confident that the e-visa system will encourage more Chinese and Indian tourists to visit the Philippines.
(This article was generated using artificial intelligence and subsequently reviewed by an editor.)