NextGen Day

The extension of online visa applications for visitors from China, South Korea, Japan, and India has been ordered by President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., Malacaang said on Thursday.

According to a statement from Communications Secretary Cheloy Garafil, Marcos gave the order during a meeting with representatives of the Private Sector Advisory Council’s (PSAC) Tourism Sector on Thursday at Malacaan Palace in Manila.

In order to tap into the tourism markets of China, India, South Korea, and Japan, President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. instructed government agencies to move on Thursday about the extension of e-visa.

Garafil stated that the PSAC requested Marcos allow Indian nationals in the visa-upon-arrival program and the e-visa application, which is now only available for Taiwanese, Chinese, Indian, South Korean, and Japanese people. This request was made during the meeting in the Malacaan Palace.

According to Garafil, the suggestion was made to help the government reach its economic goals, especially in the vital industries that the nation depends on.

Enrique Manalo, secretary of the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA), who was in attendance at the conference, stated that his office is already working with the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) on the creation of the technical blueprints for the e-visa.

Ivan John Uy, the secretary of the DICT, stated that there are still a number of connectivity issues that need to be worked out in relation to the other countries that will use the Philippine e-visa platform.

According to Garafil, who cited Uy’s comments, “It will take at least a semester to establish the capability because there are so many anti-fraud elements that need to be unified with the platform, the many countries that will be interacting with the system, and the transactions.”

Upon arrival, a visa

Manalo claimed that in the interim, the DFA has a scheme for some Chinese citizens who are eligible for visas upon arrival.

A 14-day visa may also be issued upon arrival to other foreign nationals, including Americans, Japanese, Australians, Canadians, and Europeans, according to Garafil.

According to information provided by the Presidential Communications Office, the Philippines hosted almost 2.65 million visitors between February and December 2022, including 2.02 million foreign tourists and 628,445 Filipinos living abroad (PCO).

According to Garafil, the most recent statistic is higher than the projected 163,879 visitor arrivals for 2021 but remains below the 8.26 million pre-pandemic average.

In 2023, the Department of Tourism (DOT) anticipates 4.8 million tourists, which could bring in PHP2.58 trillion in income.

strategic suggestions for the near future

The DICT might accept India’s offer to use its application for visa requirements, Marcos proposed, according to Garafil.

According to Garafil, the PSAC also issued “short-term” strategic recommendations, including enhancing airport operations and infrastructure, encouraging tourism investment, and controlling the national brands or images.

She continued by saying that the PSAC had also advocated the abolition of the One Health Pass (OHP) or the requirement that only one form be used for health, immigration, and customs by 2024, as well as the establishment of a Value-Added Tax (VAT) Refund Program for international visitors.

Additionally, according to Garafil, the council pushed for the cancellation of out-of-date messages and advisories over loudspeakers at airports, as well as the “automatic” inclusion of travel tax in all airline tickets.

Save/Share this story with QR CODE

---

Disclaimer

This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute endorsement of any specific technologies or methodologies and financial advice or endorsement of any specific products or services.

📩 Need to get in touch?

📩 Feel free to Contact NextGenDay.com for comments, suggestions, reviews, or anything else.

---

We appreciate your reading. 😊Simple Ways To Say Thanks & Support Us:
1.) ❤️GIVE A TIP. Send a small donation thru Paypal😊❤️
Your DONATION will be used to fund and maintain NEXTGENDAY.com
Subscribers in the Philippines can make donations to mobile number 0917 906 3081, thru GCash.
3.) 🛒 BUY or SIGN UP to our AFFILIATE PARTNERS.
4.) 👍 Give this news article a THUMBS UP, and Leave a Comment (at Least Five Words).

---

AFFILIATE PARTNERS

World Class Nutritional Supplements - Buy Highest Quality Products, Purest Most Healthy Ingredients, Direct to your Door! Up to 90% OFF.
Join LiveGood Today - A company created to satisfy the world's most demanding leaders and entrepreneurs, with the best compensation plan today.

---