DIY Philippine Visa

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Photo of DIY Philippine Visa by Hina Nainani

Attention Indian travelers seeking an extraordinary adventure!

Are you dreaming of the enchanting beauty of the Philippines but worried about the visa process?

Fret not, for your ultimate guide to a DIY Philippine Visa is here. Embark on a journey filled with culture, pristine beaches, and captivating landscapes. Discover the rich history of Manila, bask in the sun-kissed shores of Boracay, and dive into the vibrant marine life of Palawan.

With this step-by-step instructions and insider tips, you'll navigate the visa application like a pro. Don't let paperwork hinder your wanderlust—empower yourself and seize the opportunity to explore the wonders of the Philippines. Start planning your dream escape today!

Step 1: Prep the documents

General Documents Required:

Visa application form is fully and legibly completed in English by the applicant.

Two passport-size photographs (3.5 X 4.5 cm) with white backgrounds taken no more than 6 months ago. Scanned photos are not acceptable.

Original passport that is valid for at least 6 months beyond the contemplated stay in the Philippines.

For temporary visitor's visa and transit visa holders: Your return or onward journey plane ticket is no more a mandatory requirement for Phili visa.

Travel Insurance for Covid-19 treatment costs from the reputable insurance providers with a minimum coverage of USD 35,000 for the duration of the stay in the Philippines. (I personally prefer Tata AIG, but you can make your choice using policybazaar or relevant platforms)

Copy of final Covid-19 vaccination certificate

Financial Documents Required

Visa Fee Rs. 3,520- by Bank Draft drawn in favor of “Consulate General Republic of the Philippines” payable at Mumbai (for Mumbai consulate) at the time of submission.

Original updated Bank Statement with sufficient balance (50,000 is the sufficient balance that needs to show as available in the account at the time of taking the bank statement)

Bank statements for the last six months stamped and signed by a banking official

Income Tax Returns / Form 16 for the last 2 years (please ignore if not applicable)

Supporting Documents

If employed,

Applicant's Certificate of Current Employment from Employer to include employer's full name, address and telephone number, applicant's length of service and salary details

6 months payslip with company seal and signature

NOC letter from employer on company's letterhead with seal & sign - mentioning that they have granted leaves from this date to that date

If self-employed,

Photocopy of latest Income Tax Return and copy of Personal Assessment Number (PAN) Card

If student,

School/College ID Card Copy

Applicant's Certificate of Enrollment or Letter of Acceptance from School

Bonafide certificate from school/college (comment for template)

NOC from parents (comment for template)

Step 2: Submitting Documents - The Process

In Person:

The visa application can be submitted to the Philippine Embassy in New Delhi or the Philippine Consulate General in Chennai, Kolkata or Mumbai by walking-in, only one month before the travel date. For example, if you are traveling on Sep 3, you can only apply for visa after August 3 at the Consulate in your jurisdiction.

The Process:

Collect all your documents

Walk-in to the consulate in your jurisdiction (eg. - if you live in Surat, your jurisdiction is Mumbai Consulate) before 9 am, and get the token.

Document Submission takes place the same day based on token-calling between 10am and 12pm, Monday to Friday (except during Philippine/Indian holidays and other special days when the consular section would have to be closed)

Wait for 5-6 working days after the date of submission (in this duration the consulate may reach out for any additional documents that may be required)

After the wait, call and check if your passport is ready for pick up. Collection of visa and passport in person happens between 4pm and 5pm, Monday to Friday (except holidays)

Contact details for Phili Consulate (Call them if any doubts)

Delhi: 011 2688 9091

Mumbai: 022 2202 4792

Chennai: 044 2235 4063

Through a Travel Agency:

You may seek the services of any reputable travel agency to forward the application to the Philippine Embassy, New Delhi, in which case you are not required to make any visits - the travel agency will do the job for you of submitting and collecting passport and documents.

Please note: Even if you will submit the application form through a travel agent, it is still expected that you, the visa applicant, fill out the visa application form yourself to avoid any discrepancy between the data on the application form and other related supporting documents and/or the omission of information which may result in the disapproval of the visa application.

FAQs

Which visa form to use?

Visa form for Mumbai - for all the other jurisdiction, please call the respective consulate, they will ask you to send an email, and will reply with the form.

My passport was issued in Delhi, but I moved to Bangalore - which consulate should I visit?

If you have a rental agreement or any such relevant proof that shows you have been living in Bangalore for over a year, then you can visit the Chennai consulate along with the said document proof, otherwise you will have to travel to Delhi.

Does passport collection also happen in person?

Yes, you need to visit the consulate in person after 5-6 working days to collect your passport. You can call them beforehand to confirm your passport is ready for pick up and then visit. In case, you don’t live in the city - for example, you are living in Bangalore and don’t want to go again to pick up the passport in Chennai, then you can authorise someone to collect it at the time of submission of passport, ask them the process in person, while you are there.

How long will it take to get my visa?

All visa applications will require at least five working days of processing time from the time of receipt. It is highly encouraged that ALL applicants submit the applications one month prior to their intended date of travel to the Philippines. The 5-6 working days of processing time will only commence once the applicant has submitted all requirements, including additional ones requested by a Philippine consular officer.

What are the financial documents to be submitted by the visa applicant?

Income tax statements, credit card statements, pay slips, bank statements and/ or any financial certificate that will show proof of income and capability to finance the applicant’s travel expenses in the Philippines.

How can I avail myself of the visa-free privilege to enter the Philippines?

Indian nationals are eligible for visa-free entry into the Philippines tourists if they have ALL of the following:

i. Applicant possesses a valid tourism/ business/ student visa OR if he/she is a permanent resident of any of the following countries: Australia, Japan, Canada, Singapore, Schengen area, USA, and the United Kingdom (AJACSSUK);

ii. Applicant’s passport must be at least six (6) months valid from the time of departure from the Philippines;

iii. Applicant possesses an onward travel ticket to India or the next country of destination; and

iv. Applicant has no derogatory record with the Philippine Bureau of Immigration.

I have a single-entry Singapore tourist/business visa, can I avail myself of the visa-free entry privilege?

Yes, you are eligible for visa-free entry for 14 days as a tourist visiting the Philippines, as long as the Singapore single-entry visa is unused and valid.

This also means that you can directly apply for a Singapore e-visa, which costs 1856 (SGD30). It is an easier process but can only be applied within a month before the date of arrival. (For example, you apply for Singapore visa in start of August with starting travel date of Sep 3, that means your Singapore visa is valid for 63 days from Sep 3. In which case, you can be in Philippines for 14 days, max till Sep 16. In case, you want to stay extra in Phili, you can go to the consulate and ask for an extension of one more week. After Phili, you can travel to Singapore and explore for up to 30 days from the date of arrival, on the same visa.) - if this is complicated, DM me I will explain.

Can I book through an agent?

My agent can help with Singapore visa, he doesn’t do Phili visa. Phili visa agents, generally, charge a lot because it is all in-person process. My agent charges 3500 per person for Singapore visa single-entry, this includes visa and courier back to your address. You will have to courier him the documents along with the passport, rest of the process he will take care of, including dummy bookings. If interested, email on .

For any other queries, as usual, feel free to DM me 🙂

Cycling around on the white sand of Boracay!

Photo of DIY Philippine Visa by Hina Nainani