The Philippines has granted visa-free entry to Indian tourists. Starting on Sunday, June 8, Indian tourists will be able to stay in the country visa-free for a period of 14 days, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said on Saturday.

The visa-free arrangement is aimed at boosting tourism arrivals from India, which rose 12% in 2024 to nearly 80,000, according to data from the Department of Tourism. Despite the growth, Indian arrivals to the Philippines remain a small portion of the over five million who traveled to Southeast Asia last year.

Tourists will be asked to present a passport valid for at least six months beyond their stay, a confirmed hotel booking, proof of financial capacity, and a return or onward ticket to the next destination country.

Indian citizens with valid and current American, Japanese, Australian, Canadian, Schengen, Singapore or United Kingdom (AJACSSUK) visas or residence permits would be able to stay for 30 days visa-free and only need to show a passport valid for at least six months beyond their stay and a return or onward ticket to the next destination country.

Anyone transiting in the Philippines or entering the country for long-term visits and non-tourism activities is required to apply for an appropriate Philippine visa at a Philippine embassy or consulate in their country of origin, place of legal residence, or any country that requires entry visas for Indian citizens.

"These updated visa-free privileges for Indian nationals may be availed of at any Philippine port of entry and are not convertible to a visa-based stay or other admission status categories. Indian nationals must also not have any derogatory record with the Bureau of Immigration (BI) in order to be admitted into the country without a visa," the DFA said.

"Indian nationals who are eligible for e-Visas may also apply through the official Philippine e-Visa website evisa.gov.ph. The DFA reminds that e-Visas may not be extended or converted to other visa-based stay or other admission status categories," it added.

—Jiselle Anne Casucian/with a report from Reuters/VBL, GMA Integrated News

Source: GMA Network