I recently travelled to the Philippines for a conference and had to go through the visa process myself. Since then, I’ve assisted many people with their visa applications. While the official Philippines eVisa facility provides most of the information, I realized that as a first-timer, it can be a bit tricky to figure things out. So, I decided to write this blog post to make things easier for people like yourself planning their trip!
Read about my experience at WordCamp Asia 2025!
Whether you’re visiting for business, leisure, or an event, obtaining a visa is one of the first steps. The Philippines offers an eVisa facility for citizens of India, UAE, Kenya, and Nigeria. If you’re from one of these countries, good news, you can apply from the comfort of your home without visiting an embassy or consulate!
Who needs a Visa? Check if you are eligible for visa-free entry, here.
This guide will walk you through the process step by step.
Getting Started: Creating Your Account
To apply for an eVisa, visit the official government website: evisa.gov.ph. Sign up and create an account. This will be your profile where all visa-related information is stored.
You’ll need to enter some basic details like:
- Full name, birth date, and place of birth
- Parents’ details
- Occupation and address
- Residency proof (any government-issued document works!)
- Passport details (front and back page images, passport number, date of issue, etc.)
For Indian applicants, an Aadhaar card or a driving license works well as both ID and residency proof. Keep in mind that once submitted, these details cannot be edited, so double-check everything before proceeding!
Starting Your Visa Application
Once your profile is set up, you can begin your visa application. In India, four consulates process Philippines visas: Mumbai, Chennai, Kolkata, and New Delhi. Choose the consulate that corresponds to your jurisdiction. As you start, you’d have to select the consulate; if you’re unsure, check the bottom line once you select any, and you’ll find name of states that particular consulate deals with.
Tip: You can apply for yourself or for family members who are unable to apply on their own, as long as you have valid proof of relationship (which you will need to upload).
Important: Once you start the application, you have a 48-hour window to complete it. If you don’t finish within this timeframe, the application gets cancelled, and you’ll have to start over. The best way to avoid this? Gather all necessary documents beforehand! Keep reading to know more about them.
Itinerary Tip
It is recommended that even if your trip is shorter than a week, make an itinerary of 7 days or beyond. The Philippines embassy gives visas either for 7 days or 30 days, for the same amount. So it’s always a good idea to have space for a change in plans later.
There are multiple islands, but they are at a distance from each other, and one would want to explore beyond their primary schedule (even if not initially). For example, I had work in Manila, but I wanted to visit El Nido later. Unfortunately, I couldn’t due to the time constraints on my eVisa. If I had planned for a 30-day visa, I would have had the flexibility to extend my stay and explore more.
Choosing the Right Visa Type
The eVisa is available for different purposes, including:
- Business trips
- Tourism/Leisure visits
- Medical treatment
- Conferences and workshops
Since I was attending a conference, I applied for a Temporary Visitors Visa (Tourism/Leisure Visitors).
Check the type of eVisas available here.
Required Documents
Now comes the most crucial part, uploading the required documents. Here’s a checklist:
1. Travel Details
- Port of entry (usually Ninoy Aquino International Airport in Manila)
- Dates and length of stay
- Accommodation details
- Travel history (if applicable)
2. Proof of Financial Capacity
- Verified bank statements for the last six months (sealed)
- Balance certificate (recommended)
Tip: If you’re travelling with someone, you can also submit their bank statement along with yours, to strengthen your application. Mention in your cover letter how expenses will be managed (like they will be shared).
3. Flight and Hotel Bookings
- Flight reservation: You can either book refundable tickets or use a dummy ticket booking service. One may use this website.
- Hotel reservation: Book hotels with free cancellation just in case your plans change, or worst case scenario, your visa gets rejected.
4. Invitation Letter / Cover Letter
If you’re travelling for a conference, like I did, your invitation letter (aka visa letter) &/ its ticket is crucial, to authenticate your purpose. The cover letter is particularly useful because it allows you to explain details that don’t fit anywhere else.
For instance, if you don’t have a formal employment certificate, you can mention that here and provide alternative proof. Similarly, if you’re traveling with others, mention in your cover letter that you’re traveling as a group and that expenses will be shared.
Along with your financial proof, you can also submit a verified bank statement of a travel companion under Proof of Financial Capacity for additional reference.
All they need to know is that you have a base in your home country and that you will return back.
5. Employment certificate (if applicable)
If you’re employed, a certificate from your employer, an ID card works best. But if you’re a freelancer, self-employed, or don’t have a traditional employment document, do what one applicant I helped did, she mentioned her freelance work in her cover letter and attached her pay slips as proof. You may also use business registration documents if you want.
This way, even if your situation is different from the standard, you’re still covering all bases.
6. Additional Documents
- Photo: Follow the ICAO format that they’ve provided. It’s easy. you can click the picture at home, no worries.
- Digital signature
- Add Your Travel History: If you have prior international travel, list them under the designated space.
- Security Questions: Read the security questions carefully before responding. Mention Your Travel Companions. List the people accompanying you, as this strengthens and authenticates your application. Also, indicate whether they require a visa or not for convenience.
For example, when I applied, I was traveling with a friend who had a US visa and didn’t need to apply for a Philippines visa. I mentioned this in my application to clarify our travel plans.
Making the payment
The visa fee varies based on your country and travel duration. To find the latest fee details, check the official page here. Once you make the payment, keep a copy of the payment proof handy and upload it to your application.
Waiting for Approval
It usually takes about a week for the application to be processed. You’ll get an email notification once your visa is approved (or if they need additional documents).
Pro Tip: If your application includes a stay of more than 7 days, you’ll likely get a 30-day visa. Sometimes, they ask for additional details after submission, this is normal. Just respond promptly and ensure your application looks genuine.
Received your eVisa? Now what?
Firstly, Congratulations! But wait, there’s one last step.
Before flying, register for e-travel within 48 hours of your departure (both ways). This is mandatory for all travelers. Here’s the link to it. This will streamline your immigration process at the airport.
That’s it! The eVisa process is simple if you have all your documents ready.If you found this guide helpful, share it with fellow travelers! Have more questions? Drop them in the comments below, and I’ll be happy to help.
PS. Featured image is taken by from Conrad Manila of the Bay. Philippines is beautiful and so are its people! Loved every bit of it.
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