The Philippines will allow Indian nationals to apply for e-visas as it looks to boost tourism and visitors to the country.
First launched as an effort to woo tourists from China, the e-visa will soon be expanded to include visitors from other nations.
During a diplomatic visit from Indian officials, the Philippines government confirmed India would be added to the e-visa list, according to a report by the government news agency PIA.
President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. said that the government is already fine-tuning some measures aimed at extending the electronic visas issued to foreigners who will be staying in the country.
President Marcos said: “We will find a way to do it. But we are doing it (extending the e-visa)”.
The remarks came during a visit from the Ambassador to the Philippines, Shambhu Kumaran, at the Malacañan Palace last week.
During the visit, Kumaran asked President Marcos to allow the extension of e-visas for Indian nationals who are staying in the Philippines.
President Marcos confirmed that provisions for e-visa extensions will be implemented, not only for nationals of the South Asian nation, but also for other foreigners who are staying in the Philippines.
He said: “It won’t be just India, we are doing it with. Several other countries as well to keep it. Again, we will just apply the same principles that we did with others – to India.
“That is something that’s easy for us. That’s going to be a good beginning of a good exchange between our two countries”.
2024 will mark the commemoration of the 75th anniversary of the Philippine-India diplomatic relations and the two countries are looking to strengthen ties.
The launch of an e-visa simplifies the process for travelling to the country, as it allows visitors to apply directly online for a visa, without having to first visit an embassy.
After submitting documentation and personal details online payments are made and, if approved, a visa is issued.
