DFA eyes expanding e-visa system to India

The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) is eyeing to expand the implementation of the e-visa system to India after its pilot test in China, Foreign Affairs Secretary Enrique Manalo disclosed at a Senate hearing Tuesday.

During the Senate finance committee hearing on DFA’s proposed P24.06-billion budget for 2024, Senate President Pro Tempore Loren Legarda asked the department where else they are planning to implement the program after its launch in China.

“I think we have to see how it works with China, then we would probably go to the next biggest tourism country which would be India, according to DOT [Department of Tourism]. But we would like to see first how this works in some cities in China,” Manalo told the senators.

According to Manalo, they are “guided mainly” by the DOT plan.

“We're [only] following that, implementing it, but we are guided by their plans and programs,” he said.

In August, Manalo announced that the DFA has launched the e-visa system which allows foreign tourists to apply for visitor’s visas online.

According to the DFA, the convenience from using the e-visa system will encourage more tourists to visit the Philippines.

Manalo earlier said that the soft launch of the e-visa system would be conducted in Shanghai. — BM, GMA Integrated News