Indians can enjoy 30 days of visa-free travel to Philippines

Indian travellers can visit the Philippines visa-free for up to 30 days for tourism purposes

Delhi | October 23, 2025 08:30 PM IST

4 min read

The Philippine government has introduced new visa-free travel policies for Indian nationals. (Source: Wikimedia Commons)

In a major boost to tourism ties with India, the Philippine government introduced new visa-free travel policies for Indian nationals, effective June 8, 2025. The move aims to make it easier for Indian tourists to explore the country’s white-sand beaches and tropical islands, with two convenient options depending on travel credentials.

30-Day Visa-Free Entry for AJACSSUK Visa Holders

For Indian nationals who already hold valid and current visas or residence permits for the United States, Japan, Australia, Canada, the Schengen Area, Singapore, or the United Kingdom (AJACSSUK), the Philippines offers an extended 30-day visa-free stay.

Similar to the 14-day policy, this stay is non-extendible and intended solely for tourism purposes. Travellers must carry:

A passport valid for at least six months beyond the intended stay
A confirmed return or onward flight ticket

The Banaue Rice Terraces, carved by ancestors of the Ifugao people. (Source: Wikipedia)

14-day visa-free entry

Indian travellers can visit the Philippines visa-free for up to 14 days for tourism purposes. This short-term, non-extendible, and non-convertible stay is ideal for leisure travellers and those seeking a quick getaway. To be eligible, travellers must present the following at the port of entry:

A passport valid for at least six months beyond the planned stay
Confirmed hotel accommodation or booking
Proof of financial capacity, such as recent bank statements
A return or onward ticket to another destination

How the policy works

These updated visa-free privileges can be availed of at any Philippine port of entry. However, travellers must not have any derogatory record with the Philippine Bureau of Immigration to be allowed entry.

It’s essential to note that these visa-free stays cannot be converted into other types of visas or extended into longer-term residence permits.

For longer stays and other purposes

Indian nationals planning to visit the Philippines for long-term stays, work, study, or non-tourism purposes must continue to apply for the appropriate visa through a Philippine Embassy or Consulate in their country of residence.

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For transit passengers

Indian travellers transiting through the Philippines en route to another country are required to hold a Philippine transit visa, even if they possess a visa for their destination country.

A gateway to island adventures

With this new policy, the Philippines opens its doors wider to Indian tourists eager to experience destinations like Boracay, Cebu, Palawan, and Manila. The simplified entry process is expected to make travel planning smoother.

In another recent development based on the revised Henley Passport Index for 2025, Indian passport holders can now enter 57 countries without a visa in advance — either visa-free, via a visa-on-arrival, or via an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA).

Even though India’s passport ranking has slipped to 85th on the Henley Passport Index, Indians can still travel visa-free to more than 50 countries. Earlier, Indians could travel visa-free to 59 countries. The index ranks passports by the number of international destinations holders can reach without prior visas.

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