How to apply for an Indian Tourist Visa in Philippines

The Indian Embassy in Philippines outsources its visa applications to an agency, BLS International.  You need to go to 601-A, One Corporate Plaza, Arnaiz Avenue, Makati City, Philippines to process your application.

Prepare the required documents:

1. Application Form (http://www.embindia.org.ph/Forms/visaform_new.pdf)
   • Write  NO for items that you don’t have/need answers for.   Do not put N/A or No details  in the form.
2. Two recent passport size colour photographs
3. Passport with a minimum validity of six months
4. Photocopy of the passport bio page
5. Return ticket or computer print-out with ticket number
6. Proof of financial standing / recent bank statement
7. Signed Invitation letter from family / friend / sponsor in India
   • Financial statement of family / friend / sponsor in India
   • Passport photocopy of sponsor
8. **Optional**  Letter of Intent – The lady at BLS requested us to write a letter of intent since we were heading to a non-touristy destination, Bangalore.   I think she was used to Filipino tourists heading to Mumbai, Kerala, Delhi & Rajasthan area.  Since our purpose was to visit a friend in Bangalore, we had to indicate her name, address and company.
9. **Optional** Authorization Letter – If you need someone to submit your visa application on your behalf, you need to provide a signed letter.

Submitting your application

Submission Schedule :  9:00 AM to 1:30 PM (cut-off time is 12:30pm)

Bring  enough cash for the Visa Fee

• We paid Php 2,358 for our 3-month Tourist Visa (Php 2,210 for the visa and Php 148 processing fee).

Picking  Up your Passport

Passport Pickup Schedule : 4:30 PM to 5:30 PM

Processing takes 4 – 5 days.  We submitted our application on September 17 and got our passports with visas back on September 24.  That’s exactly 5 days.

TOURIST VISA ON ARRIVAL (VOA)

For Philippine passport holders who are entering India via Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai and Kolkata airports, you can get a Visa On Arrival which is valid for 30 days with single entry for USD 60.

Bring 2 passport size photographs and a photocopy of your passport if you are planning to obtain VOA in any of the airports mentioned above.

For more information on VOA, click here.

If you have any queries, you can contact BLS International:
Tel #: +63 2 5555 060/ +63 2 478 9152
Email: info@blsindiavisa-ph.com

Other useful notes:

• Make sure ALL your documents are prepared.  There is a desktop computer, printer and photocopier that you can use in case you lack requirements but they impose a hefty charge. (around Php 20/page)
• The submission process is not efficient.  It took 3.5 hours to submit requirements so you need a lot of patience.
• The office is tiny and uncomfortable. Make sure you bring a fan to fight the heat and a book to distract you while waiting.

Hope this helps! Happy travels!

– Desigirl