PGasia | Visa Requirements Tightening: Philippines Targets Chinese Tourists
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The Philippines is set to implement stricter visa requirements this week for Chinese tourists, in response to what the Department of Foreign Affairs describes as a significant influx of fraudulent visa applications detected at the nation’s embassy and consulates in China. This move was outlined by Jesus Domingo, the Undersecretary for Civilian Security and Consular Affairs, in various local media reports.
Quality Over Quantity: Targeting Legitimate Visitors
During a press briefing on Thursday, Mr. Domingo highlighted the need to amend visa issuance protocols due to previous incidents involving the fraudulent acquisition of visas by Chinese applicants in mainland China, and the targeting of some Chinese tourists by criminal groups for illegal employment in Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGOs). He emphasized the diplomatic posts’ efforts to focus on attracting higher-quality tourists rather than POGO workers.
New Measures: Stricter Visa Requirements
Under the new visa regulations, applicants will be required to present social security documentation issued by the Chinese government. Mr. Domingo mentioned that the Philippine Department of Foreign Affairs will continue to demand employment certificates and bank statements from applicants from China, scrutinizing them more rigorously. Moreover, the minimum group size for Chinese tourists traveling together will increase from three to ten.
E-Visa Pilot and Tourism Statistics
In August of the previous year, the Philippine government initiated a pilot program for an electronic visa system tailored for Chinese visitors, which was subsequently suspended in November. China remains one of the top sources of foreign tourists for the Philippines, contributing approximately 141,153 visitors in the first four months of this year, about 6.5% of total arrivals, marking an increase of 104.8% compared to the same period last year.
