MANILA, Philippines, Nov 11, (Agencies): The Philippines is set to introduce electronic visas (e-visas) for foreigners in a strategic move aimed at bolstering international visitor numbers. President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. made this announcement during a diplomatic meeting with Shambhu Kumaran, the Indian Ambassador to the Philippines, at the presidential Malacañan Palace.

Expressing the government's commitment to extending e-visas for Indian nationals and foreigners from various countries, President Marcos highlighted the potential of this initiative to enhance tourism, facilitate business activities, and strengthen bilateral relations. The decision to implement e-visas follows a formal request from Ambassador Kumaran during his courtesy visit.

The Philippine e-visa, launched in August 2023, allows foreign nationals entering the country for tourism or business to apply for temporary visitors' visas remotely through personal computers, laptops, and mobile devices. This digital approach aligns with the government's emphasis on embracing digital services in governance, with the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) and the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) leading the development of the e-visa system.

President Marcos assured uniform application of e-visa extensions for nationals from various countries. The President emphasized the ease with which this extension could be implemented, stating, "We will find a way to do it. But we are doing it (extending the e-Visa)."

Ambassador Kumaran's visit aimed to strengthen bilateral ties, coinciding with the upcoming 75th-anniversary commemoration of diplomatic relations between India and the Philippines. The initiative aligns with the broader tourism vision, with Secretary Christina Frasco of the Department of Tourism emphasizing the need for visa reforms to address tourism bottlenecks.

The e-visa application process involves simple and streamlined steps, including registering on the e-visa website, inputting personal information, uploading necessary documents, and making the e-visa fee payment through available methods.

Recognizing China and India as key contributors to potential tourism growth, the proposed extension of e-visas is expected to enhance the tourism experience for foreign visitors, boost business ties, and foster international relations. In 2022, India ranked eighth among the top foreign visitors to the Philippines, with 51,542 arrivals, and China recorded over 1.7 million Chinese visitors.

The Philippines, recently awarded three accolades at the 2022 World Travel Awards, including World’s Leading Beach Destination, the World’s Leading Dive Destination, and Asia’s Leading Tourist Attraction (Intramuros), continues to garner recognition as an Emerging Muslim-Friendly Destination at the Halal in Travel Awards 2023 in Singapore.

To apply for a Philippine visa, foreign nationals can file their visa applications online through https://www.visa.gov.ph. The e-visa, with a duration of 15-59 days, is available to eligible nationals, with processing times ranging from 2 to 10 working days based on the specific Embassy or Consulate. US citizens can stay in the Philippines for up to 30 days without a visa, with an option to obtain a visa for longer stays.