The Republic of the Philippines is one of the most booming economies in the world, making it an ideal destination for business. The Philippines business visa precisely aids to this. With an excellent industry in electronic products, transport equipment, etc, the Philippines is currently one of the top economies in Southeast Asia.
The business visa is an endorsement that lets individuals enter the country to take part in business-related activities. The permit can be issued as a single-entry or multiple-entry valid for 6 months, or as a multiple-entry for 1 year with a maximum stay duration of 60 days. Although a lot of nationalities actually do not require a visa, India is not a part of them. As a result, a Philippines business visa for Indian citizens is a mandatory document.
Applying for the Philippines business visa for Indians is done offline. However, before you start the application, you must ensure that you are eligible to apply for the business category. You can then proceed to make the application as follows -
Note that to ease the application, it is recommended that you apply through a travel agency as they are allowed to make the application on your behalf. Also, ensure that you provide correct details and attach genuine documents. Providing fake documents can lead to visa rejection.
In order to apply for the Philippines business visa from India, you must meet the following eligibility criteria -
According to the Philippines business visa requirements from India, you must submit the following documents -
According to the Philippines business visa photo requirements, the photograph must meet the following specifications -
The time for processing the business permit depends on the number of entries, the volume of applications at the embassy, and so on. You can expect a processing time of around 10 working days. However, you may check the expected processing time on the stub you receive after submission. To be on the safer side, it is recommended that you apply well in advance.
The fees for the business permit depends on the number of entries, as well as includes other service charges levied by the travel agency. The exact fees may also vary depending on the foreign exchange rates. As a result, you must check the exact amount before starting the application.
Entry | Stay Duration | Validity | Fees |
---|---|---|---|
Single entry Normal | 30 days | 3 months | 3200.0 |
Once you have submitted your business visa application, you will receive a stub containing a tracking number and the date of collection. Your application will then be processed by the embassy/consulate. Note that you cannot modify the application once you have submitted. Once a decision has been made, you can collect the passport from the embassy/consulate on the date mentioned on the stub. If you are using a travel agency, you can avoid the leg work and save the time spent standing in long queues at the embassy/consulate.
As the process for the business permit is entirely done offline, the Filipino embassy/consulate does not offer much in terms of tracking. However, if you have applied through a travel agency, you can contact them to know the status of your application.
On successfully obtaining your business visa, you must keep in mind the following few points to ensure that you have a hassle-free journey -
Your stay in the Philippines can be extended in most cases. To extend your business visa, you will have to visit the Bureau of Immigration in the country and apply for an extension. You may have to explain why you need an extension as well. If you are unable to extend it, you will have to leave the country immediately.
Once you have expired the business permit, you cannot stay back any longer in the country. You may apply for an extension if you wish to stay longer. However, staying back in the country without a proper authorization is considered as an offence and can lead to fines and even possible deportation.
As per the regulations, there are no medical tests necessary for the business visa application. However, certain other nationalities may require a medical report or vaccination. In either case, it is suggested that you get a medical test done before travelling to a foreign country.
No, it is not possible or permitted to convert the business visas into a work permit. You are also not allowed to work while you are on this permit. If you do require to work, you can apply for a work permit once you are back in your home country.
The embassy requirements do not necessitate a specific amount required for applying for the business visa. As per the requirements, you are simply expected to possess sufficient funds to support the entire duration of your stay. You must also make sure that the funds are easily accessible to you and that your transaction history is stable.
Since the Filipino embassy tries to adhere to its processing time as strictly as possible, you can expect the visa to take about 10 days. As a result, you are expected to apply with sufficient time left. As per the recommendation, you must apply for the business permit at least 2 weeks before your intended travel date.