How to get free entry into Philippines on an Indian Passport?
A lot of countries get free 21 days entry into the Philippines. But, these are European countries, ASEAN countries, Japan and/or United States of America/Canada. If you traveling on an Indian passport, you do not get these free 21 days entry into Philippines. Instead, you have to apply for a tourist visa from a Philippine embassy while following all the protocol, which would include documentation, travel bookings, 2-3 days of waiting and a visa fee.
However, even the Indian passport gets free entry into the Philippines. Though, this has a caveat. The catch is that you should have a valid USA, Canada, Singapore, UK and/or Japan visa stamped on your passport. This does not work if you have a visa stamp of any of these countries on your passport, but they were single entry and have expired. If you pass this condition and only if you fly into Manila’s Ninoy Aquino International airport, you will get free 14 days entry into the Philippines. This free entry can also be extended for a further 7 days, making it a 21 day stay in total. But, you need to pay for the visa extension. And like all free entries in the Philippines, you have to have a return ticket out of Philippines. In all probability, if you do not have a return ticket out of Philippines, they will let you board the aircraft. And the Philippines immigration officers are pretty strict about this one requirement.
I got such a free entry when I flew into Manila 5 days back. I have a valid United States and Singapore visa on my passport. Even though, I have both visas on my passport, they mentioned US Visa on the stamp they put on my passport. I had a ticket out of Philippines on day 19, but the immigration officer said that he can give me only 14 days free entry, but I could extend it in Manila or at any of the immigration offices in the country. Overall, this is a great bonus to have if you want to plan a last minute short holiday to the Philippines. The hassle of applying for a visa is nullified, which in itself is great. Paying no fee for entry is an added bonus.
However, even the Indian passport gets free entry into the Philippines. Though, this has a caveat. The catch is that you should have a valid USA, Canada, Singapore, UK and/or Japan visa stamped on your passport. This does not work if you have a visa stamp of any of these countries on your passport, but they were single entry and have expired. If you pass this condition and only if you fly into Manila’s Ninoy Aquino International airport, you will get free 14 days entry into the Philippines. This free entry can also be extended for a further 7 days, making it a 21 day stay in total. But, you need to pay for the visa extension. And like all free entries in the Philippines, you have to have a return ticket out of Philippines. In all probability, if you do not have a return ticket out of Philippines, they will let you board the aircraft. And the Philippines immigration officers are pretty strict about this one requirement.
I got such a free entry when I flew into Manila 5 days back. I have a valid United States and Singapore visa on my passport. Even though, I have both visas on my passport, they mentioned US Visa on the stamp they put on my passport. I had a ticket out of Philippines on day 19, but the immigration officer said that he can give me only 14 days free entry, but I could extend it in Manila or at any of the immigration offices in the country. Overall, this is a great bonus to have if you want to plan a last minute short holiday to the Philippines. The hassle of applying for a visa is nullified, which in itself is great. Paying no fee for entry is an added bonus.
