Asia's leading beach destination starts offering visa-free entry for Indians

By Reuters June 8, 2025 | 06:05 pm PT

Tourists at White Beach in Boracay Island, Aklan province, Philippines, Nov. 30, 2021. Photo by Reuters

The Philippines said over the weekend that Indian nationals will be allowed to enter the country without a visa for tourism purposes beginning June 8.

The visa-free arrangement is aimed at boosting tourism arrivals from India, which rose 12% in 2024 to nearly 80,000, according to data from the Department of Tourism.

Despite the growth, Indian arrivals to the Philippines remain a small portion of the over five million who traveled to Southeast Asia last year.

Under the visa-free policy, Indian nationals can enter the Philippines without a visa for up to 14 days.

Those holding valid visas or residence permits from the United States, Australia, Canada, Schengen countries, Singapore, or the United Kingdom can stay in the Philippines visa-free for up to 30 days.

The Philippines, named "Asia's Leading Beach Destination" at the 2024 World Travel Awards, welcomed 1.93 million visitors in the first four months this year, a 0.83% decrease year-on-year.