The Philippines, with its 7,641 beautiful islands, stunning white-sand beaches, and rich cultural traditions, has long been a coveted destination for Indian tourists. Whether it’s the limestone cliffs of El Nido or the busy streets of Manila, the desire to travel has never been greater. But the burning question is: Can Indians apply for an E-visa to the Philippines?yes. In a major step to increase tourism and improve relations, the Philippine government has formally extended its electronic visa (e-Visa) program. This guide will take you through the process of applying for a Philippines e-visa from India and other options.
Is the Philippines E-visa Available for Indians in 2026?
The Philippines has completely integrated Indian nationals into their e-Visa website. Although the website was first launched as a pilot project, it has now become the main way for Indian tourists and businessmen to obtain their entry permits online. This means that you will not have to schedule an appointment at the embassy in New Delhi or the consulates in Mumbai, Chennai, or Kolkata for a standard tourist visa.
Is There a Philippines Visa on Arrival for Indians?
The Truth: there is no dedicated “Visa on Arrival” counter where you pay and collect your visa at the airport.
The 14-Day Visa-Free Entry: the Philippines allows Visa-Free entry for 14 days to all Indian passport holders for tourism. This is what most people are looking for when they search for “Visa on Arrival.”
The AJACSSUK Privilege: if you have a valid visa or residence permit from the US, Japan, Australia, Canada, Schengen, Singapore, or the UK, you are eligible for Visa-Free entry for 30 days.
What Are the Different Types of Philippines e-Visas for Indian Citizens?
Before you apply, you must choose the visa type that matches your travel intent. The Philippine Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) offers several sub-categories under the Temporary Visitors Visa.
Visa Type
No. of Entries
Max. Stay
Validity
Temporary Visitors Visa
Single
30 days
90 days
Temporary Visitors Visa
Multiple
30 days
180 Days
Temporary Visitors Visa
Multiple
30 days
1 Year
When Do Indians Require a Philippines Transit Visa?
You require a Philippines Transit Visa if you are traveling to a third country (such as Australia or the USA) and have a layover in Manila.
When is it required? You require a Philippines Transit Visa if you intend to go out of the airport terminal or if your connecting flight is not on a single “through-ticket.”
How long is it valid? The Philippines Transit Visa is valid for a stay of up to 72 hours.
What about minors? Even for transit, minors under 15 years of age traveling without parents require a Waiver of Exclusion Ground (WEG).
Is the Philippines Visa-Free for Indians?
Indian passport holders are eligible for visa-free entry for a stay of 14 days, provided they fulfill certain tourism requirements. Additionally, if you hold a valid and existing visa/residence permit from any of the AJACSSUK countries (America, Japan, Australia, Canada, Schengen, Singapore, or the United Kingdom), you can stay in the Philippines visa-free for 30 days.
What Are the Required Documents for a Philippines E-visa?
To get a high approval rate, the following electronic documents should be prepared by Indian nationals:
Passport Bio Page: A scanned color copy of your passport’s first and last pages. Your passport should be valid for at least six months after your stay in the Philippines.
Passport Photo: A recent digital photo with a white background (usually 2×2 inches, ICAO format).
Accommodation Proof: Hotel reservations or an invitation letter from a host in the Philippines.
Travel Itinerary: A comprehensive plan of your trip, including return or onward flight tickets.
Proof of Funds: Bank statements for the past six months, signed and stamped by a bank representative.
Can I Pay Using GPay or Apple Pay for the Philippines E-visa?
Yes, the new e-Visa website has extended its payment options to suit the online behavior of Indian nationals. Although bank wire transfers were the first norm, the new website now allows payments using GPay (Google Pay) and Apple Pay through international payment processors. This enables immediate confirmation of your payment for the visa fee without having to wait for bank wire transfers. Make sure your bank card connected to GPay or Apple Pay allows international transactions.
What Are the Specific Bank Statement Requirements for Indians?
The Philippine Consulate is very particular about financial documentation. Your bank statements should have the following requirements:
Duration: It should cover the last 6 months consecutively.
Authentication: Each page should be signed and stamped by a bank representative. Online PDF downloads without stamps are often disapproved.
Healthy Balance: Although there is no “official” minimum, it is advisable to have a balance of at least ₹80,000 to ₹1,00,000 per individual to demonstrate your ability to finance your stay.
How Do Minor Travelers Handle Transit Visas and Entry?
If a minor (under 15 years old) is traveling to the Philippines, there are special requirements:
Unaccompanied Minors: Must have a Waiver of Exclusion Ground (WEG).
Transit Visa: If the minor is only transiting and staying within the airport terminal for less than 24 hours, a transit visa is required if they are not eligible for visa-free entry.
Parental Consent: A notarized Affidavit of Support and Consent from both parents is required for any minor who is not traveling with both biological parents.
What Are the Hotel Stay Rules for Indian Tourists?
When applying for the e-Visa, you are required to submit a Confirmed Hotel Booking. The Bureau of Immigration has the following requirements:
The hotel should be approved by the Department of Tourism (DOT).
The length of stay in the hotel should be the same as your travel dates.
If staying with a friend, you will need an “Affidavit of Invitation” notarized in the Philippines instead of a hotel voucher.
How Do I Apply for a Philippines e-Visa Step-by-Step?
It is very easy to apply for a Philippines e-Visa. Just follow these steps:
Fill Out the Online Form: Fill out your personal, travel, and passport information.
Upload Documents: Upload your documents in PDF or JPEG format.
Pay the Visa Fee: Choose your payment option, including GPay and Apple Pay.
Get Your e-Visa: After approval, your e-Visa will be delivered to your registered email address.
Are There Any Mandatory Vaccines for Travel to the Philippines?
the following health protocols are in place:
Yellow Fever: Mandatory only if you are arriving from a country where Yellow Fever is a risk.
Polio/Measles: Although not always mandatory for entry, the WHO recommends boosters in light of global outbreaks.
COVID-19: No longer requires mandatory vaccination cards, but registration on the e-Travel portal is a 100% requirement for all arrivals.
How Do Professional Agents Speed Up Philippines E-visa Approvals?
Visa-philippines.info is one of the platforms that many people use to expedite their visa process. The agents speed up the process in the following ways:
Pre-screening of documents: They make sure that your bank stamp and photo are of the highest quality before they submit them to avoid “Requests for Evidence” that may take weeks to resolve.
Priority slots: Professional agents have optimized their processes with the consulate to ensure that the visa is processed quickly.
Error correction: They identify common errors in names and passport numbers that result in instant rejections.
How Long Does the Philippines Visa Processing Take?
Standard Processing: 10-17 Working Days
Rush Processing: 7-15 Working Days
Super Rush Processing: 5-7 Working Days
What is the Refund Policy for a Philippines e-Visa?
Non-Approval of Visa: In case of non-approval, applicants may be eligible for a refund of the visa fee, but service fees are non-refundable.
Cancellation: If you cancel before the government processing begins, a partial refund may be issued. After the government processing has begun, all fees are forfeited.
Conclusion: Is Your Adventure Ready?
With GPay and Apple Pay making payments easier and the e-