Philippine e-Visa Soft-Launched
Foreign Affairs Secretary Enrique Manalo (L) and DICT Undersecretary David Almirol, Jr. (R) symbolically soft-launching the Philippine e-Visa system. (Photo courtesy of DFA-OPCD James Ryan Artiaga)
PASAY 30 August 2023 – The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) marked the soft launching of the Philippine e-Visa system in a symbolic ceremony on 24 August 2023 at the DFA-Aseana Building.
The milestone event was led by Foreign Affairs Secretary Enrique Manalo and Undersecretary David Almirol, Jr. of the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT). The soft launching was also witnessed by Bureau of Immigration Commissioner Norman Tansingco and Undersecretary Verna Buensuceso of the Department of Tourism.
The DFA announced that the e-Visa system will be soft-launched for beta testing, which will be led by the Philippine Consulate General in Shanghai, China. “This inevitable move toward digitization of visa services is aligned with the Philippines’ commitment to Initiative 13 of the Master Plan on ASEAN Connectivity (MPAC),” Secretary Manalo said.
Foreign Affairs Secretary Enrique Manalo delivering his message on the soft launching of the Philippine e-Visa system. (Photo courtesy of DFA-OPCD James Ryan Artiaga)
Through the e-Visa system, foreign nationals can lodge their online visa applications faster and remotely. Philippine e-Visa holders will no longer have visa stickers affixed to their passports, making their journey to the Philippines smooth, convenient, and expeditious.
The soft launching of the e-Visa system is the product of the strong partnership between the DFA and DICT, which was formalized through a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) signed in April 2023. Undersecretary Almirol noted that the e-Visa system will “utilize the power of digital transaction and automation to ensure fast processing and real-time decision making.”
DICT Undersecretary David Almirol, Jr. delivering a message on the partnership between the DFA and DICT on the soft launching of the Philippine e-Visa system. (Photo courtesy of DFA-OPCD James Ryan Artiaga)
The thrust for the digitalization of visas was affirmed by the policy directive of President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. on 26 January 2023 to rollout e-visas to reinvigorate the country’s tourism sector. Foreign Affairs Undersecretary Jesus S. Domingo remarked that the DFA is ready to extend its support to partner agencies in fulfilling the presidential directive of increasing tourism arrivals while protecting our country’s borders.
Foreign Affairs Undersecretary Jesus Domingo welcoming the guests of the e-Visa soft launching. (Photo courtesy of DFA-OPCD James Ryan Artiaga)
The e-Visa signifies the transition of the DFA’s primordial mandate of issuing visas for foreign nationals entering the country in a secure digital environment. DFA Assistant Secretary Henry S. Bensurto, Jr. underscored that the DFA “continues to innovate the ways in which it delivers quality consular services that would strengthen the Philippines’ tourism sector and reinvigorate the economy.”
Foreign Affairs Assistant Secretary Henry S. Bensurto, Jr. emceeing the soft launching of the Philippine e-Visa system. (Photo courtesy of DFA-OPCD James Ryan Artiaga)
The soft launching ceremony was also attended by representatives of the Private Sector Advisory Council, who were also present when the presidential directive to issue e-Visas was declared in January 2023. END
Foreign Affairs Secretary Enrique Manalo (4th from left) and DICT Undersecretary David Almirol, Jr. (5th from left) with representatives of the Private Sector Advisory Council (PSAC). (Photo courtesy of DFA-OPCD James Ryan Artiaga)
Foreign Affairs Secretary Enrique Manalo (3rd from left) and DICT Undersecretary David Almirol, Jr. (4th from left) with DFA Undersecretaries. (Photo courtesy of DFA-OPCD James Ryan Artiaga)
Foreign Affairs Secretary Enrique Manalo and DICT Undersecretary David Almirol, Jr. (center, 2nd row) with the DFA Office of Consular Affairs – Visa Division and DICT technical team. (Photo courtesy of DFA-OPCD James Ryan Artiaga)