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sri_bom
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Location: Singapore
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 Posted: Fri Dec 14, 2012 1:52 pm Post subject: Philippines Offers Conditional Visa Free Travel To Indians |
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Philippines aiming to become destination of choice for Indian tourists
Philippines’ Department of Tourism (DOT) said the Philippines is aiming to become a destination of choice for Indian tourists (Rappler.com, 13-Dec-2012). DOT said, “By 2020, India is predicted to have 50 million outbound travels. By that time, we should have already deepened our stake as a choice destination.” Philippines has implemented new strategies recently to assist in its aim to increase international tourism including with a 14-day visa-free entry for Indian tourists as well as for those from selected other countries.
Visa-Free Entry of Indian Nationals with AJACSSUK Visa
Posted on Sunday, 27 May 2012
Pursuant to Foreign Service Circular No. 36-12, Indian nationals may be granted a visa-free entry for an initial stay not exceeding fourteen (14) days, provided that they possess the following:
•Either a valid US, Japanese, Australian, Canadian, Schengen, Singapore or UK visa or permanent resident permit;
•A national passport valid at least six (6) months, beyond the contemplated stay;
•Return or onward ticket to the next country of destination; and
•No derogatory record with the Bureau of Immigration (BI), the National Intelligence Coordinating Agency (NICA), and the International Police (Interpol).
The 14-day visa-free entry may be extended by an additional seven (7) days or a maximum of twenty-one (21) day stay.
This policy only applies for those entering the Philippines through NAIA I, II, and III airports in Manila, and admission will be non-convertible to other visa categories.
A copy of the applicable Bureau of Immigration Memorandum Circular may be viewed at http://immigration.gov.ph/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=1672<emid=103 |
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jasepl
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| Posted: Fri Dec 14, 2012 2:11 pm Post subject: |
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They've been doing it for a while now.
In addition to the Philippines, a lot of countries in Asia have gone the extra mile to make it easier for Indians (and others) to travel there, including the likes of Taiwan, Vietnam, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Indonesia, Cambodia, Turkey, Burma, Egypt (for the Sinai), Laos, Jordan, Brunei, China, Iran, Singapore, Korea, Mongolia, Tajikistan...
Many other countries such as Ireland, Jamaica, Croatia, Mauritius, Mexico, Trinidad, Kenya etc also have implemented measures ranging from no visa at all to visa on arrival.
Of course, our country sees merit only in reciprocity for the sake of reciprocity. Reality is never a factor.
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Last edited by jasepl on Fri Dec 14, 2012 2:42 pm; edited 2 times in total |
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Nimish
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| Posted: Fri Dec 14, 2012 2:16 pm Post subject: |
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I've never heard of Philippines as a major tourist destination - even friends who've been to Manila don't talk about any "Charm" there. Is there really much tourist potential in the PH?
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jasepl
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| Posted: Fri Dec 14, 2012 2:19 pm Post subject: |
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| Nimish wrote: | | I've never heard of Philippines as a major tourist destination - even friends who've been to Manila don't talk about any "Charm" there. Is there really much tourist potential in the PH? |
Some of the beaches are brilliant, apparently.
Either way, it's a good policy, that won't do harm and will only help.
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four years free of jetya punti! |
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The_Goat
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| Posted: Fri Dec 14, 2012 2:30 pm Post subject: |
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Only a matter of time before Philippines realizes that the arrivals from India far exceed the departures , and then they will put a stop to it.
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-Jasepl |
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jasepl
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| Posted: Fri Dec 14, 2012 2:36 pm Post subject: |
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| The_Goat wrote: | | Only a matter of time before Philippines realizes that the arrivals from India far exceed the departures , and then they will put a stop to it. |
Hahah!
Like some of the other countries, they have effectively outsources the visa application and scrutiny process to the Americans, British and Europeans.
Basically, they're feel the risk of allowing someone who has already been cleared by the Canadians is minimal, compared to the potential benefit from said endeavour.
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four years free of jetya punti! |
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sshank
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| Posted: Mon Dec 17, 2012 4:27 am Post subject: |
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| Nimish wrote: | | I've never heard of Philippines as a major tourist destination - even friends who've been to Manila don't talk about any "Charm" there. Is there really much tourist potential in the PH? |
Not Manila per se. Cebu and Boracay rival anything even Thailand can dish out. But from India, Philippines is much harder and more expensive to get to.
Even Bali is quite expensive to get to from India. |
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iah87
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| Posted: Tue Dec 18, 2012 8:12 pm Post subject: |
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| This is not exactly visa free entry like Thailand or Hong Kong, where you can get in without a US/Schengen/UK/Japan/Canada visa or permit. If you already have a visa from one of the countries, why would you bother going to Phillippines which is not a very big tourist attraction. |
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jasepl
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| Posted: Tue Dec 18, 2012 8:16 pm Post subject: |
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| iah87 wrote: | | This is not exactly visa free entry like Thailand or Hong Kong, where you can get in without a US/Schengen/UK/Japan/Canada visa or permit. If you already have a visa from one of the countries, why would you bother going to Phillippines which is not a very big tourist attraction. |
I'm afraid I don't see any logic at all in your argument.
People should go to the Philippines only because they're unable to go to America? That such countries are only a poor man's Britain?
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iah87
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| Posted: Wed Dec 19, 2012 10:27 pm Post subject: |
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No what I am trying to say is that it is not visa free travel actually to Philippines like Thailand or Hong Kong.
To go to Philippines either you have to get a visa from a Philippine embassy/consulate, which is always the case before, or you have to possess a valid visa (to US/Canada/Uk & other countries).
For most travellers who want to visit Philippines for tourism, that is hassle compared to Thailand or Hong Kong. |
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stealthpilot
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| Posted: Fri Dec 21, 2012 3:26 pm Post subject: |
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| iah87 wrote: | | For most travellers who want to visit Philippines for tourism, that is hassle compared to Thailand or Hong Kong. |
It's just a step to make things simpler.
The Philippines has been pushing their It's More Fun in the Philippines advertising campaign. Good for them, one could only wish India would learn a thing or two.
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