Philippines Work Visa for Indian - Definitive Guide

The work visa is an endorsement that lets individuals enter the country to start working for an organization in the country. The permit can be issued for durations of one, two, or even three years depending upon the decision of the embassy. Since India does not have a visa-free arrangement with the Philippines, a Philippines work visa for Indian citizens is a mandatory document to be able to work in the country.

Applying for the Philippines work visa for Indian citizens involves a lot of legwork as the process is offline. As a result, it is easier and faster if you approach a travel agency for help. Before you start the application, you must ensure that you are eligible to apply for the work category. You can then proceed to make the application as follows - 

1. Arrange for your employer to obtain the approval for the work permit from the Philippines Ministry of Foreign Affairs. 
2. Get all the documents required for the work visa. 
3. Visit the website of the Embassy of the Philippines and download the Philippines visa application form. 
4. Fill in the form with all the relevant details. 
5. Affix a photograph and submit the application, documents, and fees at the embassy or one of the consulates of the Philippines situated across India. 

Note that you may have to attend an interview at the embassy/consulate. 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 work visa from India, you must meet the following eligibility criteria - 

• You must be living in India while lodging the application. If you are living on a residence permit in another nation, you will have to apply to the respective authority there.
• You must hold a passport valid for at least 6 months from the date of your entry in the country. 
• You must possess an approval from the MOFA in the Philippines.
• You must be travelling to work for a company that has sponsored you. 

As per the Philippines work visa requirements from India, the following documents are necessary for the application - 

• A passport valid for at least 6 months from the date fo entry into the Philippines.
• One photo as per the specifications. 
• Confirmed flight tickets.
• Bank statements for the past 6 months. 
• Approval for work from the Philippines Department of Foreign Affairs. 

The time for processing the work permit depends on the stay duration, the volume of applications at the embassy, and so on. Normally, you can expect a processing time of around 10 working days. In most cases, you can actually collect it after 8 working days from the date of submission. 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. Apart from the embassy/consulate processing time, it may take quite a while to get your work permit approved from the Philippines Foreign Affairs Department. Consider this into account while applying. 

The fees for the work permit has to be paid to the embassy/consulate in the form of a demand draft. Apart from the visa fee, there can also be other service charges levied by the travel agency. As a result, you must check the exact amount before starting the application.

Once you have submitted your work 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. During your submission, in most cases, you will have to attend an interview. Once a decision has been made, you can collect the passport from the embassy/consulate on the date mentioned on the stub. 

As the process for the work permit is entirely done offline, the Filipino embassy/consulate does not have a particular tracking system. However, if you have applied through a travel agency, you can contact them to know the status of your application. 

On successfully obtaining your work visa, you must keep in mind the following few points to ensure that you have a hassle-free journey -

• Before you travel - 
  • Note the validity and number of entries mentioned on your visa. You must not stay in the country beyond this period. 
  • Carry all your travel documents before you travel to the country. 
• At the border

• • You must show your passport with the visa to the immigration officer. Your entry stamp will be stamped on the passport.
  • You may be asked to show the copy of the other documents submitted as part of your application. 
  • You may be asked about the basic details of your visit. You may even be asked about the organization you are working for. Ensure that you answer honestly and without any hesitance. 
• When you enter the Philippines

• • You can extend this type of Filipino visa. 
  • Carry a copy of your visa/work permit while you are travelling within the country.
  • You must respect the culture and customs of the country, as well as abide by the immigration laws during your stay. 
  • You will be subjected to the tax laws in the country once you have started working.