By Ma. Teresa Montemayor
MANILA – The Philippine Embassy in The Hague has rolled out the Philippine electronic visa (e-Visa) system in the Netherlands, streamlining the process for Dutch residents and other eligible applicants who plan to visit the Philippines for temporary stays.
In a statement, the Embassy said travelers can submit their e-Visa applications online through the official portal evisa.gov.ph and pay the corresponding fees securely via direct bank transfer. Approved e-Visas will be accessible remotely and can be presented either in digital or printed format, eliminating the need for visa stickers on passports.
“The e-Visa will no longer be affixed to passports,” the Embassy said, clarifying, however, that Philippine e-Visas are strictly for short-term visits and cannot be converted into other visa types.
The visas’ authorized length of stay is also non-extendable. Those intending to travel to the Philippines for studies, employment, or non-tourism purposes are advised to apply for regular visa sticker directly at the Embassy.
To ensure smooth entry into the Philippines, e-Visa holders are further reminded to complete the online Philippine e-Travel registration form via etravel.gov.ph, only after their visa is issued and within 72 hours before departure.
The Embassy stressed that the new system is designed to make visa processing more convenient and efficient for travelers while supporting the Philippines’ tourism and economic growth. (PNA)