Tutubi was able to visit India in April 2003 for a business trip sponsored by his former company who shouldered his business visa fees, requirements and certificate of financial capacity. He was able to tour the commercial capital of Mumbai, where you can find the Gateway of India, Taj Mahal Hotel, the house of Mahatma Gandhi and the the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Elephanta Caves. He was unable though to visit the romantic mausoleum in Agra near Delhi due to high prices of airfare and travel time required to reach most traveler's dream destination.
With the impending resumption of Philippine Airlines direct flights to New Delhi (plus 3 daily flights via Bangkok), India also relaxed it's rules to Filipinos applying for a tourist visa to entice more Pinoys to visit the Indian subcontinent.
herewith is the procedure on How to Apply for an Indian Tourist Visa:
1. Buy your round-trip tickets to India. Return date of ticket should be within 30 days from arrival.
2. Fly to India and present your passport at the immigration for a visa-on-arrival plus proof of availability of funds to spend during your stay.
3. Pay India Visa fee of $60.00. Tourist visa is valid for thirty days, is non-extendable and non-convertible. Maximum of two visas-on-arrival a year, with each visit spaced by at least two months.
Yes, it's that easy. it's a recently relaxing of Visa rules for Filipinos and other Southeast Asian nationals (Cambodia, Laos, Vietnam) to entice people from ASEAN to visit the culturally rich subcontinent
Just in case you need to apply for a different Indian visa, herewith is the procedure on how to apply for one in Manila:
1. Download the Indian visa Form
2. Submit the visa requirements to the Indian Embassy Manila
a. 2 passport size photos
b. Passport valid at least for 6 months w/ photocopy
c. Return Ticket or Airline Computer Print out with Ticket Numbers
did you notice they no longer require bank accounts or financial capability? :P
2 Pay the corresponding Visa fee price of P2,100.00 (cost is less than those for other foreign nationals)
3. Wait for you visa to be issued with processing time of 3 working days
4. Visa validity of 6 months (Tutubi's visa was still valid when he lost his passport)
Indian Embassy Manila:
Address: 2190 Paraiso Street
Dasmariñas Village, Makati City
Postal Address: P.O. Box 2123, MCPO, Makati City
Telephone No. (632) 843-0101/843-0102 and 8945767 (Trunk line)
Fax No. (63-2) 8158151 - Chancery
Fax No. (63-2) 8445757 - Ambassador's Office
Fax No.for consular section-8927301
Embassy Working Hours: Monday to Friday 0900 to 1300 hrs. and 1330 to 1730 hrs.
Source: www.embindia.org.ph
How to get to Indian Embassy, Manila:
Since it's inside Dasmariñas Village in Makati, you can ride the MRT up to Magallanes station then hail a taxi from there to take you to the embassy. No public transportation inside the exclusive subdivision.
It has been my long dream to visit India. What captivated me most is what I read about the fund and frolic of their fairs and festivals. Thanks for this post, this is a very important resource when my plan to visit that country will be materialized.
ReplyDeleteis it true that u need an authorization from india embassy so that the gate security (guard)in dasma will allow you enter?
ReplyDeleteanonymous, some friends of mine confirmed this. just standard operating procedures for security :P
ReplyDeletepinoy can now get visa on arrival at indian airport, no need waste time qeue in embassy
ReplyDeleteanonymous, that's just what i said if you read the post :P
ReplyDeletehi i just wanna ask if yhe indian tourist visa upon arrival they will allow u in philippine immigration?and what is therequirement of this system?pls reply
ReplyDeleteanonymous, a 14-day visa-free stay for Indian nationals who have a valid American, Japan, Australia, Canadian, Shengen, Singapore, or United Kingdom visa at the airport. If you don't have these visas on hand, you will have to apply for them in advance at the nearest Philippine embassy or consulate before you can fly here
ReplyDeletehi,i just want to ask if the embassy will give me a visa by having a sponsorship letter from my friend in india,its for tourist visa...i dont have any bank statement or account....hope u can help me...tnx
ReplyDeletehi! :) on the VISA UPON ARRIVAL how would you present that you have sufficient funds for your stay? do you need it to be in a bank account (with the print outs) or a cash (dollars) will do?
ReplyDeleteFor everyone's information:
ReplyDeleteIndian visa applications are now done online. Visit http://www.embindia.org.ph/index.php , there's a link in the HOMEPAGE that leads you to the application. DO NOT CLICK on the Passport and Visa Services link, since the information there is outdated. There is no need to download the Visa Application Form.
Visa apps are processed through BLS International which is located at the 6th Floor of One Corporate Plaza along Arnaiz Ave., Makati.
DO NOT even try to go to the embassy in Dasmarinas Cavite for visa apps, unless you're a delegate.
Wasted a lot of money and resources with outdated information found online. Best of luck to all of you.