How to Apply for Tourist Visa on Arrival to India

In an unfortunate event last week, we were denied to board the plane by Cathay Pacific from Hong Kong to New Delhi, citing that effective December 2014, Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) is now required for Indian Tourist Visa on Arrival (TVoA).  This means that even the visa will be issued upon arrival, application must be done online prior to entering India, an ETA is mandatory.

Looking at the website of http://www.blsindiavisa-ph.com and that of the Indian Embassy in Manila, http://www.indembassymanila.in  it clearly states that:

Tourist Visa on Arrival (TVoA) for Philippine nationals

Philippine passport holders, travelling for the purpose of tourism only, can avail of the visa-on-arrival facility at Delhi, Chennai, Mumbai and Kolkata airports.  With effect from 15th August 2013, this facility has also been extended at Trivandrum, Bangalore, Hyderabad, and Kochi airports.  

For inquiries, you may email the embassy of India in Manila: cons@indembassymanila.in

Guide to Applying for Visa for South Africa for Filipinos

Our personal experience with applying for a visit visa for South Africa is quite simple for as long as the following requirements are met.  I called up the embassy and emailed them for inquiries.  Sometimes they reply, many times they don't.  This post should answer most of your inquiries about a visit visa to South Africa for Philippine Passport holders.

One can apply for a visa directly at the embassy  at least 90 days before departure.  Personal appearance is not required.  However, it is best that someone who is knowledgeable with the itinerary would submit it as the consular service agent asks a few questions.

I made my way to the Yuchengco Tower, RCBC Plaza.  Do bring an ID, as the guards requires one to register before you can go up the embassy.  Figure out which elevator to take that would stop on the 29th floor.  Once you get to the 29th floor, there is a security guard manning the door of the embassy. There aren't too many applicants however, the only drawback is, they limit the number of applicants inside the embassy by the number of seats available.  There aren't too many, let's say less than 10.  Since I arrived around 10 in the morning, the seats were already occupied and I was asked to go down the lobby and wait down there after 5 more people on the waitlist.  There is no guarantee that you will be entertained that day for as long as you're not seated inside by 12 noon.  I went up and down for several tries to check if there is a vacant seat.  A few minutes before 12 noon, I stood there by the door, I'm the next in line.  I was trying to win the security guard to accommodate me, since I'm coming from out of town, I was hoping he'd soften and let me in.  The clock strikes 12 and still he won't let me in so I just waited there, refused to leave and stood by the door, begging.  With a sheer of good luck, the Honorary Consul arrived.  She asked her staff what I was doing there, along with two other guys.  She ordered her staff to bring out more chairs and let us in!!!  With vindication and a sigh of relief, I was accommodated inside.  Afterall, that cut-off time was not the embassy's policy but probably just between the guard and staff who do not wish to extend their working hours, what a shame.  It took another hour before I was entertained.  She had a few questions.  Actually, it was our second attempt to submit the documents.  The first time, they returned them because the bank certificate needs to be at least 200,000 pesos, the pictures have to be pasted on the application and we were asked to revise requirement #9, it has to be separate from #4.

 Visitor Visa Requirements include:

1. A valid passport
2. Two passport size photographs
3. A fully complete Visa Application Form (BI-84) downloadable at www.dha.gov.za
or download from here http://south-africa.visahq.ph/South_Africa-Tourist-visa-application.pdf
4. Flight itinerary
5. Proof of accommodation (hotel booking/address of SA contact)
6. No visa fee for visit of less than 30 days while a visa fee of P2,525 for a visit exceeding 30 days.
7. Proof of sufficient fund (bank statement or bank certificate)
8. Employment Certificate.  If self-employed, business details.
9. Statement and/or documentation confirming the purpose and duration of visit (this is a written letter addressed to the embassy, expressing the type of visa, intent to visit (which is tourism), purpose of visit (sights to see) and length of stay in South Africa)
10. If coming from or traveling through a yellow fever area prior to arrival to South Africa, a yellow fever vaccination certificate is required.  If you are coming from the Philippines, this is not required.

FAQ:
1.  How long is the validity of the visa?  South African visa has a maximum validity of 90 days from the date of issue.
2.  Is personal appearance required?  No, you can send a representative to submit your application on your behalf.
3.  How long is the processing? 5 working days.  However the lady asked me if it would be fine if she is able to process it for 7 days instead.
4.  Is a 35,000 bond required?  It is not required for all applicants.  We were not asked for a bond other the proof of financial capacity like a bank certificate of at least 200,000 pesos and maybe our passport with several foreign stamps also made a statement.
5.  Can you apply any day?  Application is accepted only between 9am  to 12nn from Monday to Thursday.
6.  Can you pick up any day?  A claim stub will be given to you stating the earliest day available (5 working days) and pick up hours is only between 130pm to 330pm Monday to Thursday.

7.  When is yellow fever certificate required? A yellow fever vaccination certificate is required for      entry into South Africa when traveling from or in transit from Angola, Argentina, Benin, Bolivia, Brazil, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Chad, Colombia, Guinea-Bissau, Congo, Côte d’Ivoire, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ecuador, Equatorial Guinea, Ethiopia, French Guyana, Gabon, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Guyana, Kenya, Liberia, Mali, Mauritania, Niger, Nigeria, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Rwanda, Sao Tome and Principe, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Somalia, Sudan, Suriname, Togo, Trinidad and Tobago, Uganda, United Republic of Tanzania, Venezuela, and Zambia.  This also applies to those who have traveled to low risk countries such as Soa Tome and Principe, Somalia, Tanzania and Zambia or have transited through a yellow fever risk country.

Since we were traveling to Kenya then Zambia before entering South Africa, we were required to submit the yellow fever vaccination certificate issued by the Bureau of Quarantine.

For more information, the embassy of the Republic of South Africa in the Philippines can be reached at:

EMBASSY  OF THE REPUBLIC OF SOUTH AFRICA
29/F Yuchengco Tower, RCBC Plaza
6819 Ayala Avenue, Makati City, Philippines
Tel No. (+632) 8899383
Fax No. (+632) 8899379
custodiol@foreign.gov.za
www.dha.gov.za
www.dfa.gov.za/

Applying for Russian Visa in the Phillipines

This is probably the longest open ticket I have ever held. We got our ticket a year ago, as a compliment from the HSBC free flights promo. If you did not hear about it, you missed out a lot. I got to fly to London and sent my nieces and nephews to visit disney world and now, I get to visit Russia. All these wasn't part of my bucket list but if given free flights, my itchy feet simply can't resist it.

Applying for Russian Visa

The official website of the Russian embassy in Manila, Philippines is http://www.philippines.mid.ru/

The Russian Embassy in the Philippines is in Manila but I have read quite a number of testimonies that red tape is at its finest at the embassy. Since they open only three times a week and accommodate very few people a day, one shall wait in queue the night before or very early in the morning. We could not find a travel agency who would process the application without booking a tour with them. As such we were constrained to go with a tour.

The Russian Visa Application Form is probably is the most simple visa application form I've filled up and it does not require one to submit any proof of financial capacity.  The only document required is a visa support issued by accredited hotel or travel agent in Russia.  The dates specified on the visa support are the exact dates for the validity of the visa. Regardless of one's financial capacity, the visa support is necessary.

In our case, a visa support was issued by our tour operator (via Cosmos tour) and since the starting tour date does not coincide with our flight schedules, we had to book pre-tour accommodation on our own and secured a separate visa support. With email consultation by the consulate office in Cebu, those two visa support were sufficient, however, the embassy in Manila declined to accept two separate visa support. The travel agent advised us to appear personally at the embassy at five in the morning to queue and to explain. According to the agency, embassy officials are normally rude and hostile towards travel agents and more accommodating to the applicant themselves. At this point, I was given the option to line up at five in the morning or take chances of submitting the papers through the agency inspite of the embassy's warning. I did not want to line up at five the morning so I took chances of emailing Cosmos USA and Australia, fortunately, the latter swiftly responded to our request and ammended the visa support. It just took them a day to amend it, the local travel agent wasn't helpful or should I say lack the knowledge of all possibilities.

After two weeks and paying rush visa fees (including travel agency fees) of P10,144, we got our visa. The validity dates are exactly as specified on the visa support, no more no less.

During our arrival at the airport, tourists need not fill-up any immigration arrival cards. Instead, the immigration officer prints out your arrival card. Such arrival card will be photocopied by your hotel, I would assume they have the responsibility to register your entry and during exit, such card will taken by immigration. It is important that you don't lose it.

EMBASSY OF THE RUSSIAN FEDERATION
IN THE REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES

Address: 1245 Acacia Road, Dasmariñas Village, Makati, Manila
Phone: 817-5406 (Operator), 893-0190, 810-9581 (Consular)
Fax: 810-9614 (Chancery); 810-9581 (Consular)
E-mail: RusEmb@i-manila.com.ph
E-mail: Consdasmader@i-manila.com.ph(Consular)

Working hours: 
Monday – Thursday 08.00-15.15 Friday 08.00-15.00

Visa Application to Japan from the Philippines

How to Apply for Visa to Japan from the Philippines:

     

Effective 30 th of July, 2007, visa applications at the Consulate-General of Japan at Manila must be made through agencies accredited by the Consulate-General. Applications through these accredited agencies will be processed at the Consulate-General of Japan at Manila.  

Here's a list of accredited agencies:

A. For ANY visa application
COMPANY NAME		ADDRESS	PHONE #
UNIVERSAL HOLIDAYS http://www.universalholidays.com	Manila Branch	Ground Flr., Shopping Arcade, Century Park Hotel  P. Ocampo Sr. St., Malate, Manila	02-525-0606 02-522-9074 02-524-4370
	Makati Branch	Mezzanine Flr., Dusit Thani Hotel, EDSA cor. Arnaiz Ave. Ayala Center, Makati City	02-859-3811 to 15 0922-8403785 0906-4665899
	Cebu Branch	2nd level, JY Square Mall, 1 Salinas Dr., Lahug, Cebu City	032-505-6227 032-505-6228 0932-9174873
RAJAH TRAVEL CORPORATION http://www.rajahtravel.com	Manila Branch	Ground Flr., GLC Bldg., A. Mabini cor. T.M. Kalaw St. Ermita, Manila	02-523-8801 to 07
RELI TOURS & TRAVEL AGENCY http://www.relitours.ph	SM Mall of Asia Branch	SM Department Store South Building, SM Mall of Asia, Bay City, Pasay City	0906-513-6777 　 02-556-1445 to 47 02-556-0546
	SM Megamall Branch	5th Flr., Bridge way, SM MEGAMALL, Bridge way, EDSA Mandaluyong City	0906-513-6555 02-637-4694 to 96 02-637-5020 02-632-9207
	SM Southmall Branch	SM SOUTHMALL, Las Pinas City	0906-513-6222 02-800-4948 to 50 02-805-3588
ATTIC TOURS PHILS., INC. http://www.attictours.ph/index.html	Traders Hotel Branch (For inquiries/ Direct Receiving Documents/ Releasing)	Ground Floor, Traders Hotel Manila, 3001 Roxas Blvd., Pasay City 1305	02-984-0566 02-668-9845
	Roxas Blvd. Manila Office (Receiving documents through Courier only)	Unit 203 Coko Bldg. 1, Patio Madrigal Compound, 2550 Roxas Blvd., Pasay City 1302	02-556-6301 to 6305
	Cebu Office	Lobby, Waterfront Airport Hotel 1, Airport Road, Lapu-lapu City, Mactan Island Cebu	032-341-2299 032-341-2011 032-341-2012 032-341-2015
FRIENDSHIP TOURS AND RESORTS CORPORATION http://www.friendshipmanila.com	Main Office	3rd Flr., Dusit Thani Manila, Ayala Center, Makati City	02-840-1060 02-818-8896 02-819-5644
	Cebu Branch	Unit 101 Bldg.1, Oakridge Business Park, 880 A.S. Fortuna St., Banilad, Mandaue City	032-345-3459 032-344-4825
B. For application WITHOUT Japanese Guarantor　- cannot accept applications with documents written in Japanese (koseki tohon / family registration, juminhyo / residence certificate, invitation letter written in Japanese, etc.)
COMPANY NAME		ADDRESS	PHONE #
PAN PACIFIC TRAVEL CORPORATION  http://www.panpacifictravel.ph	Main Office	353 E.T. Yuchengco St., Binondo, Manila	02-243-6666
	Ermita Branch	Space A, Ground Flr. & 2nd Flr., Pacific Pace Apartelle suite, 539 Arquiza St., Ermita, Manila	02-521-3141 to 46
	Makati Branch	LG01, Herrera Tower Condo, 98 V.A. Rufino St. (Herrera St.) cor. Valero St.,  Salcedo Village, Makati City	02-810-8551 to 56
	Cebu Branch	Diplomat Hotel, 90 F. Ramos St. Cebu City	032-254-0343/ 0345/ 0347/ 0349

※ If you apply through non-accredited travel agencies, the latter is still required to go through these accredited agencies.  Personal appearance is not required however, in certain instances, the applicant may be required to appear in person for interview.

Exceptions for application through accredited agencies:

Direct applications may be accepted at the Consulate-General at Manila, Consular Offices in Cebu and Davao for the following specific cases: 

(1) Diplomatic or Official visas

(2) Visas for invitees by the Japanese government organization/ institution, independent administrative agencies of Japan

(3) Visas for invitees of Japan local governments or national/municipal educational institutions of Japan to participate in educational/cultural exchange programs and youth exchange programs

(4) Visas for scholarship awardees sponsored by the government of Japan

(5) Visas for commercial purpose of employees of a joint venture company or a branch office of a Japanese enterprise listed in the Japanese Stocks Exchange or a member of the Japanese Chamber of Commerce and Industry in the Philippines

(6) For cases requiring humanitarian consideration such as serious illness of relative in Japan （ This include cases wherein the applicant has custody of the biological child of a Japanese national and the purpose is to raise that child in Japan by himself/ herself. ）

 

(note) The existing registered agencies of the Consulate Office in Manila for entertainer visas and Nikkeijin applications will retain their accreditation. For Nikkeijin (Japanese descendants born before the end of World War II) who have a Certificate of Eligibility, the Consulate-General at Manila, Consular Offices in Cebu and Davao will continue to accept applications filed directly by these applicants.

Visa Fees and application:

There is no visa fees.  However, a handling fee will be collected by the agents in accordance with the fees set by each agent. The Embassy does not meddle with the handling fees being charged by the accredited agencies.   Accredited agencies normally collect P1,200 per person.  Non accredited agencies normally collect P2,500 per person inclusive of the P1,200 the accredited agencies collect.

On separate occasions, I've personally dealt with Universal Holidays in Cebu and Reli Tours & Travel in SM Megamall.  Since I live in Cebu, I personally handcarried my documentary requirements to Universal Holidays in Cebu.  For Reli Tour & Travel, I called them and they gave me their account number where I will pay for the fees and gave mailing instructions.  I mailed through LBC (their preferred courier) my documents (one mail for several applicants), including the original passport and enclosed a prepaid return envelope also with LBC.  They will call you once approved.  In both agencies, I received my approved visa in less than a week.

Additional documents may be requested where necessary. Applicants are given three (3) months to submit additional requirements. Otherwise application will be terminated. Documents submitted for application will not be returned. Applicants can get information from accredited agencies when his/her application is pending.

When visa is granted, VISA FEE is gratis for this category. (Philippine passport holder) When visa is not granted, the reasons of denial will not be disclosed. Applicants may apply again after six (6) month with the same purpose, unless there are emergency / humanitarian reasons, or application for different purpose.

For Inquiries:      

MANILA

    ENGLISH/ TAGALOG
( 02 ) 834-7514         JAPANESE
(+ 63-2 ) 834-7508      

CEBU

    (+ 63-32 ) 231-7321 / 7322      

DAVAO

    (+ 63-82 ) 221-3100 / 3200      

FAX service by Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Tokyo

    03-5501-8490        

E-mail Inquiries 

ryoji@ma.mofa.go.jp

Documentary Requirements:

1.  Philippine Passport    

•   Broken lamination of the photo part is not accepted.     •   Must have at least two (2) blank pages.          

2.  Visa Application Form

    •   Also available at the entrance of Embassy.          

3.   Photo

    •   Specs: 4.5cm x 4.5cm with white background     •    Photo must be pasted on the application form.       

4.  Birth Certificate of applicant     

    •   Must be from NSO Main Office / Serbilis Outlet Center (Nationwide) issued within one (1) year.     •   In case of non-record, you must submit certificate of non-record together with the one from Local Civil Registrar.               

EXEMPTION OF BIRTH CERTIFICATES

If the applicant is visiting friend/distant relative and has his/her passport (old or valid) with a used Japanese Visa

             

ADDITIONAL DOCUMENTS

If Birth Certificate from NSO is unreadable, or If there is no record in NSO, (in addition to "Certificate of Non-Record" from NSO Headquarter)   SUBMIT:  Birth certificate from Local Civil Registrar If Birth Certificate (NSO) is "Late Registration" SUBMIT:  Birth certificate School Record (From 137) School Yearbook (If applicable) Please indicate complete address and landline number (if applicable) of the church in the baptismal certificate, and of the school in school record.

5. Marriage Contract (if the applicant is married)       Must be form NSO Main Office/Serbilis Outlet center (Nationwide) issued with one (1) year.      

6. Daily Schedule in Japan    

        •   It shall contain detailed itinerary, as to inclusive dates, day to day itinerary, hotel reservation and contact numbers.  Please refer to their sample format.

7. Bank Certificate       

8. Certificate of Reservation issued from Airline Company     •   One issued from Travel Agency is not accepted.           9. Valid Visa of the Country of Final Destination        

 

Note: It is the applicant's responsibility to ensure that he/she meets all the requirements for the grant of a visa. Submission of any supporting documents not listed above is encouraged (e.g. applicant's economic or social ties with the Philippines).
 

Submission of requirements does not guarantee issuance of visa.

Validity of Documents is three (3) month from the date of issue unless otherwise stated.

Visa Requirements for Korea

Here's the visa application form for South Korea in the Philippines:

Effective April 1, 2011, to attract more tourists from South East Asian countries, the Ministry of Justice in Korea has simplified the Korean tourist visa requirements and has started issuing double entry visa and extended multiple entry visa category and validity from1 year to 3 years.

•      Basic requirements:

1. Application form
2. Passport sized photo
3. Original Passport (6 monthls valid), a copy of the first page of the passport

A.  Short-term Visas(C-3) for Tourists: Single Entry

• For short term visitors to Korea

• Visa Requirements 
• Employment Certificate or Business Registration issued by SEC or DTI. 
• Personal Bank Certificate 
• Individual ITR or Form 2316 Copy (the previous year).

※    Notes

-          In case the applicant cannot submit one of the above mentioned requirements, he/she can submit additional documents such as Land Titles, vehicle registration, Country Club or Golf Membership , and Pension Certificates

-          For an applicant who has traveled or has valid visa to any one of the OECD member countries within the last 5years, applicants are only required to submit the requirements number ⑴ & OECD countries visa copy and arrival stamps

-          If applicants are students, applicants are required to submit their School Certificate, Birth Certificate and Parents’ Documents (1,2,3).

-          In case of incentive tours supported by a company that is listed in the Philippine stock exchange market, applicants can submit only the guarantee letter from the company.

B. Double Visa

• For Visitors who plan to visit Korea 2 times within 6 months.
• Visa Requirements: Same requirements with Single Entry Visa
• Issuance Details: Status(C-3), Validity (6Mons.), Entry (Double)

C.  Short Term Multiple Entry Visa

• Qualified applicants

u  Applicants who have obtained a permanent residency in any OECD member countries (except Korea) or people who visited OECD member countries more than 2times within the last 4years, or people who visited Korea more than 4 times within the last 2years.

u  Group Tour Guides who has travelled to Korea more than once for the last 2 years

u  Philippine Government Officials ,

u  High Rank Officials/employees of International Airline Companies to Korea.

u  Applicants who earn more than $10,000 annually or has Platinum international credit card

u  Applicants who are invited for contract and consultation by Korean public agencies in connection to resources and energy development

u  Applicants who are invited by the Korean Government to attend international forums, international conferences, international conventions.

u  Executive or high ranking staff of a company that is listed in the Philippine Stock Exchange market

u  Reporters,PD,  journalists, news editors etc. people who works in major media company for more than one year

u  Professionals : i.e  lawyers, doctors, accountants, professors( PRC or IBP card holders)

u  Popular Celebrities ; Artist/Athlete/writers who can be searched or viewed in Philippine major media websites

u  Retired workers aged 55 years above who are receiving pensions of more than P20,000 monthly

u  People who obtained a two year college degree or bachelor’s degree, master’s and doctorate degree from Universities in Korea.

u  Spouse, minor aged children and Parent’s in law of a Korean national

u  Dependent(Spouse, Children etc) of Multiple visa holders

For the list of OECD member countries , please refer to http://www.oecd.org/

Visa Requirements

Targets	Requirements
Applicants who visited OECD member countries 2times within the last 4years	Original & Photocopy of  visiting records in the  applicants’ passports (visa and arrival stamps)
High rank officials of  a Philippine Government office or government owned companies	Employment Certificate
Applicants who earn more than $10,000 annually or Platinum International credit card holders	Official documents proving the financial status of the applicant and original and photocopy of platinum card
Consultants or Contractors for Energy/Resource Development	Employment certificate, related contracts or guarantee letter from invitors
Applicants who are invited by the Korean government for international forums, conferences, conventions	Employment Cetificate, Invitation letter
Executive and high rank employees who are working for more than 1 year in a company that is listed in the Philippine Stock Exchange market	Business Permit or Employment Certificate, individual ITR
Applicants who are employees Applicants who are businessmen Applicants who are students Applicants who are retiree	Original employment certificate, personal bank certificate, copy of recent ITR, marriage contract if applicable Business Registration, Mayor's Permit, Personal Bank Certificate, Copy of Recent Income Tax Return, marriage contract Original School Certification, copy of school ID, original bank certifcate (personal or parents), parents' proof of income  Bank Certificate, Copy of Senior Citizen Card and Retirement Documents
Applicants who are working in a major media company in the Philippines for more than 1 year	Identification card and Employment certificate(the period of employment should be indicated), ITR
Professionals ie Lawyers, Doctors, Accountant, Professors	Employment Certificate, PRC Id copy or IBP copy
Celebrities of social prominence, artists, athletes, writer etc	A membership card or an ID, Media Records or Records of concerned activity
Pension receivers (over 55 years old) Applicants who acquired a Bachelor’s degree in Korea or a Two years college course in Korea Dependent(Spouse, children , parents, parents in law, etc) of Multiple Visa Holders Parent’s in Law of a Korean Nationals	Any supporting document which proves he/she is a Pension receiver College diploma from Korea Multiple Visa Copy and proof of relationship documents ; i.e. Birth Certificate, Marriage Certificate Korean couples marriage contract and  Korean Marriage History

Contents: Short-term Visas (C-3), Term of Validity (3Yrs)

Visa fees are as follows

• Base on visa fees exemption agreement, 59 days or less stay in Korea → Gratis
• More than 59days stay in korea  
• Single entry: Php1500 
• Double Visa: Php3000 
• Multiple entry: Php4000

  Notes

• Applicants could be asked to submit additional documents as per consul’s evaluation
• All visa applications are subject for approval

For more information:

South Korea Consulate, Philippines

122 Upper McKinley Road, McKinley Town Center,
Fort Bonifacio
Taguig city
1634
Philippines
Phone:
(63-2) 856-9210
Fax:
(63-2) 856-9024
Email:
ph04@mofat.go.kr
Website URL:
http://embassy_philippines.mofat.go.kr