Visiting the Philippine consulate for the first time.

Business VISA-Self Apply I didn’t want to use an agent because the process is simple and requires little work.

I was ignorant about how to obtain a Philippine visa. I asked my wife to find out from the consulate what business paperwork was needed. She made a phone connection and obtained the consulate’s email address [email protected]
I told them that this was my first time, and I asked for clarification on the documents that I needed to send. The following day, they replied with all the document details.

Given that the Google Maps reviews were not favourable, I was pleased with the details.

I gathered all the paperwork, and I will list all the documents of what is needed for a business visit in the last.

Started early to the consulate but made it there in time because of the traffic in Chennai. 

I was worried that I shouldn’t be paired with the same officer because, according to the Google reviews already in place, everyone was complaining about the office being harsh.
As soon as you arrive at the consulate, security will point you in the direction of another security for a queuing token.

  1. Register and a token will be assigned .
  2. There aren’t many chairs available for you to sit in the queue because the consulate is very small.
  3. My heart was pounding as I observed that only one officer was reviewing the paperwork
  4. When it was my turn, I wished him good morning and grinned broadly as I shared my documents.
  5. After quickly reviewing everything, he gave back my papers back since passport issued under a different city .
  6. Officer advised me to obtain confirmation from passport’s original city which was mumbai conculate if the visa forms can be submitted in chennai.
  7. This problem is unique since my working country is different and passport issued was also diffierent city in india. 
  8. I left the consulate feeling let down after travelling nearly 20 kilometres back.
  9. I sent an email to mumbai consulate but was unable to reach them by phone. I contacted again Chennai Conculate , they said would call me back after checking.
  10. After giving up hope and deciding to return home, I suddenly received a call from the Chennai Consulate, who instructed me to submit the document in chennai itself.
  11. That was fantastic, and I quickly went back to the Chennai consulate.
    By the time entry was closed, they permitted us with special authorization.
  12. The officer at the counter noticed us and reviewed all of the paperwork. He then said with a smile that all of my documents were clear. I was instructed to pick up my passport after 10 days. I was overjoyed. 

Application form and requirements as follows:

Make sure you have all the required the document before you enter the counsulate

Keep two copies of your forms and passport

From Nov 1, 2022 , the new DD amount has changed.

Visa applications should be submitted at least ten (10) working days before the scheduled arrival in the Philippines. The Consulate will not accept any visa application with incomplete documentary requirements.

Queries on flight schedules to the Philippines should be addressed directly to travel agents or airlines, including quarantine procedures and requirements in airports of transit.

Foreigners arriving in the Philippines will have to go through the required quarantine rules and procedures and should meet the following conditions:

Beginning 0001H, 01 April 2022, foreign nationals may enter the Philippines without need of an Entry Exemption Document (EED); provided they comply with the applicable visa requirements and immigration entry and departure formalities; provided further that they:

  1. Are fully vaccinated, as defined in Section 2 below, except only for minor children below twelve (12) years of age traveling with their fully-vaccinated foreign parent/s;
  2. Carry/possess an acceptable proof of vaccination, as set out in Section 3 below;
  3. Present a negative RT-PCR test taken within forty-eight (48) hours or a negative laboratory-based Antigen Test taken within twenty-four (24) hours, prior to the date and time of departure from the country of origin/first port of embarkation in a continuous travel to the Philippines, excluding lay- overs; provided, that, he/she has not left the airport premises or has not been admitted into another country during such lay-over;
  4. Have passports valid for a period of atleast six(6)months at the time of their arrival to the Philippines;
  5. Except for foreign spouses and/or children of Filipino citizens and former Filipino citizens with Balikbayan privileges under Republic Act No. 9174, including their foreign spouse and/or children who: (i) are not balikbayans in their own right, and (ii) are traveling with them to the Philippines, have valid tickets for their return journey to the port of origin or next port of destination not later than thirty (30) days from date of arrival in the Philippines; AND
  6. Obtain, prior to arrival, a travel insurance for COVID-19 treatment costs from reputable insurance providers, with a minimum coverage of USD 35,000.00 for the duration of their stay in the Philippines-Exemption for filipino spouse and kids.

All applicants are requested to wear face masks and shall be subject to thermal screening when entering the Consulate premises during their scheduled date of application. Any one showing any symptoms related to Covid-19 or is not wearing a face mask will NOT be allowed to enter the Consulate premises.

For Business Visa:

  1. Visa application form fully and legibly completed in English by the applicant.
  2. Original passport valid for at least 6 months beyond the contemplated stay in the Philippines
  3. One passport size photograph taken no more than 6 months ago. Scanned photos are not acceptable.
  4. One Passport photocopy (first and last data page).
  5. Original Notarized Letter of invitation from Philippines, mentioning the duration of stay and purpose of visit along with signing proof (passport copy and also latest visa copy for other than Filipino national).The Company should be registered with Securities and Exchange Commission of Philippines. A copy of the S E C should be submitted with the Letter of Invitation from Philippines.
  6. Covering letter from the Company in INDIA.
  7. Proof of Business – (a) Incorporation Certificate of the Company in India (b) Registration of the Firm.
  8. Financial standing of Business –Original Letter from the Bank certifying that the Company is maintaining Current Account and the transaction is satisfactory.
  9. To & Fro Air ticket.
  10. A travel insurance for COVID-19 treatment costs from reputable insurance providers, with a minimum coverage of USD 35,000.00 for the duration of their stay in the Philippines.-Photocopy
  11. Fully vaccinated proof copy.
  12. Visa fees-Single Entry Normal Rs.3,160/-,for Indian National Visa fees-Normal Rs.3,520/-(Effective 01 November),for Indian National

-Only demand drafts drawn from any bank In India with a branch in chennai are accepted. Pay to be” PHILIPPINE HONORARY CONSULATE GENERAL CHENNAI” payable at Chennai.

  1. Visa submission Timing: (refer attachment)
  2. Visa processing –normal- 5 working days. (AFTER the day the visa application has been filed and accepted by the Embassy or Consulate General as complete)

Note: Depending on the initial evaluation of the visa processors, other documents may be required. Applicants are advised to submit their documents at least ten days before scheduled departure to the Philippines. Kindly submit in person or through any accredited agents. Couriers are not entertained.

Philippine Honorary consulate chennai jurisdiction belongs to Tamil Nadu, Pondicherry, Kerala, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh,Telangana and Andaman & Nicobar Islands.

Any and all requests for expedite/early release of the visa will not be entertained and may result in the forfeiture/denial of your application.