In the nick of time

I started writing this on the plane to India, our second destination.  We just spent almost a week in Kuala Lumpur with nothing planned for our long journey except for plane tickets to India.  It was my third time to visit Malaysia and Benj’s first.  We both had a great time catching up with friends and of course, enjoying Malaysia’s amazing cuisine.  On our down time in KL, we’ve booked some tickets and made some plans on our long(ish) journey.

Benjamin and I are good at organizing but for this trip, we surprised ourselves with the most random things prior to our departure on October 11.  Let me tell you what happened last week.

I was on my normal routine on my last week at home – playing tennis, cycling, seeing people and just hanging out with my family.  I knew that I had to pack and clean up but I always postpone my packing up to the last minute.  I had my list and I had almost everything bought already.  Two days before leaving Naga,  I was looking my travel documents and I realized I haven’t had some vaccinations done.  I am going to on a long trip and I missed on getting Hepa A, Hepa B, Tetanus and Chickenpox boosters. What was I thinking?  I had my Yellow Fever, Rabies and Typhoid shots done before I left Hong Kong but these 4 important vaccines were skipped.  I was home for three months and didn’t bother re-checking! Later that day, I searched the whole city of Naga to secure these vaccinations but since I live in the countryside, they didn’t have all four shots.  I had to get them all in Manila.  I had only 2 days left to sort it all our when I get to Manila.

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.