In an era of growing digital transformation regarding travel practices, the Philippines has now introduced an e-Visa for Chinese citizens. This latest initiative enhances the travel experience for foreign tourists and streamlines the Philippines visa application process.
By leveraging technology to reduce wait times and paperwork, the Philippines continues its drive to promote tourism and ensure a hassle-free visit for global travelers. Read on to discover more about the online visa application^ and who can use it.
Understanding the Philippines e-Visa Initiative
The Philippines Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA), in collaboration with the Department of Information and Communications Technology, developed the electronic visa system. It's a digital version of the traditional paper visa, stored electronically and linked directly to the traveler's passport.
“The Philippine e-Visa will allow foreign nationals entering the country for tourism or business to apply for temporary visitors’ visas remotely through their personal computers, laptops, and mobile devices,” the DFA revealed.
The Philippines e-Visa system is currently in a soft-launch phase, which started in Shanghai in August 2003.
"I am pleased to share that the Philippine e-visa system is ready to be soft launched for beta testing which will be led by the Philippine Consulate General in Shanghai", DFA Secretary Enrique Manalo said at the time.
"We’re beta testing because we’re testing the water, we want to be gradual," added DFA Assistant Secretary for Consular Affairs Henry Bensurto Jr.
However, the DFA has indicated that the e-Visa service will eventually be rolled out across China to other Filipino diplomatic missions in the country.
They also indicated that a full launch is not far off. Once fully launched, other nationalities, including Indian citizens, will eventually be eligible for the e-Visa as well.
Why the Philippines Has Launched the e-Visa
The development of an online visa service for the Philippines is a result of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s push for the digitalization of government services.
“The e-Visa system is part of the DFA’s strategic goal of optimizing its consular services and is aligned with the President's emphasis to embrace digitalization in government's transactions,” said DFA Undersecretary Jesus Domingo.
The country already launched a Philippines eTA visa waiver to make it easier for visa-exempt travelers to obtain travel authorization. This is also a fully online electronic application system.
However, at present the eTA system can only be used by citizens of Taiwan, who can enter the Philippines visa-free. The e-Visa system, on the other hand, aims to facilitate the application process for travelers who need a visa for the Philippines.
The e-Visa system, on the other hand, aims to facilitate the application process for travelers who need a visa for the Philippines. Chinese citizens in Shanghai can already apply for the e-Visa as part of the soft-launch.
Philippines e-Visa Launch in China and Future Plans
The soft launch of the e-Visa on August 24, 2023, is only the beginning.
The system is only initially available for use by Chinese citizens through the Shanghai consulate. However, it will be rolled out to other Philippine foreign service posts in China in the near future.
""We’re starting with Shanghai because among all, it has the highest number of applicants in China," Bensurto said.
By first launching for nationals of China, the DFA hopes to restore pre-pandemic figures that indicated China is the top source of foreign visitors to the Philippines. Prior to 2020, Philippine embassies and consulates in China processed around 250 to 300 visas per day.
How the Philippines e-Visa for Chinese Citizens Works
Traditional visa applications involve physical paperwork, in-person visits, or long wait times for a visa on arrival. The Philippines e-Visa for Chinese citizens seeks to simplify this. You can expect reduced processing times, fewer errors, and less manual intervention.
The current process requires Chinese applicants to:
- Pay the visa fee online
- Submit the printed and signed application form and supporting documents via courier or in person at the Shanghai consulate
- Wait for the e-Visa to be sent via email.
However, Bensurto has said that the Shanghai consulate may still decide to compel a candidate to go through a face-to-face interview with a visa officer.
"If the visa officer is of the view that there are certain points that need to be clarified or [if] there are certain questions that need to be amplified, then a visa interview can actually be required by the consular officer", Bensurto added. "They will be given a date and time".
As the system undergoes real-time tests and feedback, enhancements will be made to further refine the process. The full-scale launch of the Philippines e-Visa will be accompanied by comprehensive guidelines and instructions for travelers.
