Philippines Visa for Indians in 2026: 14-Day Visa-Free, the AJACSSUK Rule & e-Visa
By Saanvi Iyer (Saanvi Iyer is a Southeast Asia travel writer for FlightGPT who has applied for — and helped friends apply for — most of the region's e-visas and visa-on-arrival schemes. She tracks ASEAN visa-policy changes for Indian passport holders and translates the official portals into plain, step-by-step English.) · Published · Last updated · 11 min read
Philippines visa rules for Indians changed in mid-2025 — 14 days visa-free for tourism, a longer 30-day visa-free window if you hold an AJACSSUK (US/UK/Schengen/etc.) visa, and an e-Visa at evisa.gov.ph for everything else. Here's how it works.
Quick answer
As of 2026, Indian passport holders can enter the Philippines visa-free for 14 days for tourism or business — this took effect on 8 June 2025 and needs no prior visa. If you hold a valid AJACSSUK visa or residence permit (American, Japanese, Australian, Canadian, Schengen, Singapore or UK), you instead get a longer 30-day visa-free stay. For longer or non-tourism trips, apply for a Philippine e-Visa at evisa.gov.ph (around PHP 1,500 / ~USD 26). All arrivals must also complete the free eTravel arrival card. Both visa-free windows are non-extendable and non-convertible. Verify on the official site before travel. See our Philippines visa page.
What changed in 2025 — the new visa-free policy
For years Indians needed a visa for the Philippines unless they held a visa/residence from a major economy. That changed: following an announcement by the Philippine Embassy in India on 7 June 2025, with rules effective 8 June 2025, Indian nationals can now enter the Philippines visa-free for up to 14 days for tourism and business — no foreign visa required, no online visa application.
There are now effectively two visa-free tiers for Indians, plus the e-Visa for everything else:
- Standard 14-day visa-free — any Indian passport holder, for tourism or business, on presenting a passport valid 6+ months, confirmed accommodation, proof of funds, and a return/onward ticket.
- Enhanced 30-day visa-free — Indians holding a valid and current AJACSSUK visa or residence permit (American, Japanese, Australian, Canadian, Schengen, Singapore or UK) enter visa-free for 30 days for tourism.
- e-Visa — for stays/purposes not covered above (or if you simply prefer a pre-approved visa), apply online at evisa.gov.ph.
Both visa-free windows are explicitly non-extendable and non-convertible — you cannot stretch them into a longer stay or switch to another status inside the country. If you need more than 14 (or 30) days, plan for the e-Visa or a consular visa from the start. This is a genuinely big upgrade for Indian travellers and pairs well with a Palawan/Cebu/Bohol island trip — see our 10-day Philippines itinerary.
Which option applies to you — at a glance
| Your situation | Entry route (as of June 2026) | Stay |
|---|---|---|
| Indian passport, tourism/business, short trip | 14-day visa-free (no application) | 14 days |
| Indian passport + valid US/UK/Schengen/AU/CA/JP/SG visa or residence | 30-day visa-free (no application) | 30 days |
| Want a longer or pre-approved tourist stay | e-Visa at evisa.gov.ph | Per visa grant |
| Work, study, long-term, or transit not covered above | Consular visa at a Philippine Embassy/Consulate | Per visa |
The 30-day route is the one many Indians miss: if you already hold, say, a valid UK or Schengen visa from an earlier trip, carry it (and any residence card) — it doubles your free stay from 14 to 30 days. Both windows still require the eTravel card (next section). Compare flights for any of these in the FlightGPT chat, or read our Cebu Pacific from India guide for budget routings.
The eTravel arrival card — mandatory and free
Whether you enter visa-free or on an e-Visa, every traveller to the Philippines must complete the eTravel registration before arrival. It is the Philippines' digital arrival card (health and travel declaration), it is free, and it is filled online at the official etravel.gov.ph portal.
- Fill it within 72 hours before arrival (and you can also do a departure registration when you leave).
- You receive a QR code — screenshot it and show it at immigration if asked.
- It is free — ignore any site charging for the eTravel card.
This is separate from the visa question entirely. People sometimes assume "visa-free" means "nothing to do online" — but the eTravel card is still required. Skipping it can slow you down at Manila (MNL), Cebu (CEB) or Clark (CRK) on arrival.
The Philippine e-Visa — when and how
If the 14- or 30-day visa-free windows do not fit your trip, the Philippine e-Visa is the online route. Apply at the official portal evisa.gov.ph:
- Register on evisa.gov.ph and choose the tourist (9a) visa.
- Upload documents — passport bio-page, photo, return/onward ticket, hotel bookings, bank statements/proof of funds, and your Indian employment or business proof.
- Pay the fee — around PHP 1,500 (~USD 26, roughly ₹2,200) as of June 2026, by card. Treat this as a date-stamped figure and confirm the current amount on the portal.
- Wait ~3–5 working days for processing, then download the e-Visa.
Carry a printed e-Visa plus all supporting documents, and still complete the eTravel card. For a longer multi-island trip the e-Visa can make sense; for a one-week beach holiday, the 14-day (or 30-day) visa-free route is simpler and cheaper. Note that fees and the exact document list change — verify on evisa.gov.ph before applying.
What immigration checks on arrival
Visa-free does not mean unconditional — Philippine immigration at Manila (MNL), Cebu (CEB), Clark (CRK) and other ports of entry will check that you genuinely qualify. For the 14-day visa-free entry, have ready:
- Passport valid at least 6 months beyond your stay
- Confirmed return or onward ticket to your next destination, within 14 days (or 30 if using the AJACSSUK route)
- Proof of accommodation — hotel bookings
- Proof of financial capacity — card and/or cash, bank statement if asked
- eTravel QR code
- If using the 30-day route, your valid AJACSSUK visa/residence — carry it physically
Indian travellers should note that the visa-free entry is for genuine tourism/business; immigration can deny boarding or entry to anyone who looks set to overstay or work. Solo younger travellers occasionally get more questions — answer simply ("tourism, 10 days, Palawan and Cebu") and have the documents above to hand.
Common mistakes Indian travellers make
- Thinking you still need a visa — since 8 June 2025, Indians get 14 days visa-free for tourism/business; no prior visa needed for short trips.
- Missing the 30-day upgrade — if you hold a valid US/UK/Schengen/AU/CA/JP/SG visa or residence, carry it for a 30-day visa-free stay instead of 14.
- Skipping the eTravel card — it is mandatory and free; fill it within 72 hours of arrival at etravel.gov.ph.
- Trying to extend a visa-free stay — both windows are non-extendable and non-convertible; plan an e-Visa or consular visa for longer trips.
- Booking one-way — you need proof of onward travel within your visa-free window.
- Paying for the free eTravel card on a lookalike site — use etravel.gov.ph only.
For the current rules and fees, see the FlightGPT Philippines visa page and the official evisa.gov.ph and etravel.gov.ph portals.
Frequently asked questions
Do Indians need a visa for the Philippines in 2026?
Not for short tourism or business trips. Since 8 June 2025, Indian passport holders get 14 days visa-free. If you hold a valid US, UK, Schengen, Australian, Canadian, Japanese or Singapore (AJACSSUK) visa or residence, you get 30 days visa-free instead.
How long can Indians stay in the Philippines visa-free?
14 days for standard tourism/business entry, or 30 days if you hold a valid AJACSSUK visa or residence permit (US/UK/Schengen/Australia/Canada/Japan/Singapore). Both windows are non-extendable and non-convertible to other visa types.
How much does the Philippine e-Visa cost for Indians?
As of June 2026, the tourist e-Visa is around PHP 1,500 (about USD 26, roughly ₹2,200), applied for at evisa.gov.ph with processing in about 3–5 working days. Verify the current fee on the official portal, as fees change.
What is the eTravel card and is it mandatory?
Yes, the eTravel card is mandatory for all arrivals, including visa-free Indians. It is a free digital arrival/health declaration filled within 72 hours before arrival at etravel.gov.ph. You get a QR code to show at immigration. Do not pay any third-party site for it.
Can I extend my 14-day visa-free stay in the Philippines?
No. The 14-day (and 30-day AJACSSUK) visa-free windows are explicitly non-extendable and non-convertible. If you need a longer stay, apply for the e-Visa at evisa.gov.ph or a consular visa before you travel.
Does a UK or Schengen visa help Indians in the Philippines?
Yes. A valid and current US, UK, Schengen, Australian, Canadian, Japanese or Singapore visa or residence permit upgrades your visa-free stay from 14 to 30 days for tourism. Carry the physical visa/residence card to show at immigration.
What documents do I need at Philippine immigration?
A passport valid 6+ months, a confirmed return/onward ticket within your visa-free window, proof of accommodation, proof of funds, and your eTravel QR code. If using the 30-day route, also carry your valid AJACSSUK visa or residence.