DFA warns vs fake e-visa websites

THE Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) on Monday, August 7 warned the public against spurious websites claiming to facilitate the issuance of Philippine electronic visas.

The DFA will soft-launch the Philippine e-visa system in Philippine foreign service posts in China on August 24.

“It has been reported that an active website containing misinformation on the e-visa and other regulations is being circulated,” the DFA said in a statement.

The department clarified that the information on the e-visa “will only be published through its official channels.”

The Philippine e-visa system is being developed and refined in partnership with the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT).

The DFA and DICT have been closely coordinating the development of the e-visa system since December 2022.

The DFA earlier said that the Philippines’ very first e-visa was in line with the directives of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., “to facilitate the ease in doing business and reinvigorate the country’s tourism industry.”

The issuance of e-visas aims to support the thrust of the Department of Tourism in augmenting tourism arrivals.

The Philippine e-visa will allow foreign nationals entering the country for tourism or business to apply for temporary visitors’ visas remotely through their personal computers, laptops and mobile device.

“The efficient and user-friendly e-visa service is expected to contribute to the Philippine government’s thrust to promote tourism and business mobility,” it added. (by Bernadette E. Tamayo/ManilaTimes.net) n