Marcos directs agencies to streamline e-visa process for Indians

President Ferdinand 'Bongbong' Marcos Jr. has ordered government agencies to review and streamline the e-visa system for Indian nationals during a meeting with the Private Sector Advisory Council (PSAC) Tourism Sector Group at Malacañang Palace on Wednesday.

Marcos emphasized that improving the efficiency of the e-visa process would enhance tourism in the Philippines, noting that India currently poses no significant issues and other Southeast Asian countries are offering visa-free entry to Indian travelers.

LT Group president Lucio Tan highlighted that Indian nationals still need to appear personally before the Philippine Embassy in New Delhi for e-visa processing, which can take up to a month and makes the country less attractive as a tourist destination.

Tan recommended engaging third-party service providers to manage the e-visa system under government supervision to ensure continuous monitoring and prompt resolution of any issues.

The PSAC Tourism Sector Group noted that Indian tourists are repeat visitors who spend an average of eight nights in the Philippines, contributing significantly to the economy with daily spending of $100 per person.

India's growing economy and rising middle class are projected to help outbound trips reach 78 percent for hotel stays by 2025, including activities such as shopping, sightseeing, beach holidays, diving, visiting friends and relatives, and investing in business.