India to offer free e-visa for Filipinos

PCO

By Darryl John Esguerra, Philippine News Agency

NEW DELHI – India will grant free e-visa to Filipino tourists as the two countries continue to elevate their partnership and cooperation.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi made the announcement Tuesday, following his bilateral meeting with President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., who is on a five-day state visit here.

The initiative aims to boost tourism and people-to-people exchanges between the two countries, alongside the resumption of direct flights between India and the Philippines starting October 2025.

New Delhi’s move follows Manila’s visa-free entry policy for Indian nationals starting June this year.

Marcos welcomed the move and thanked Modi for the initiative and extended invitation for more Indian tourists to visit the Philippines.

“I thank Prime Minister Modi in turn for the introduction of a scheme to grant visa free of charge to Filipino tourists traveling to India,” Marcos said.

The two leaders also affirmed their commitment to enhance maritime security and cooperation in the Indo-Pacific, citing shared interests and past cooperation, including India’s 2024 rescue of Filipino seafarers attacked by Houthi rebels.

“We recognize India’s influence as a first responder in this critical area,” Marcos said, adding that both countries “have high stakes in the future of our Indo-Pacific region and in the world.”