Philippines and India ease travel restriction and prepare direct flights
Philippines President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. announced during a state visit to India last week that the Philippines and India have agreed to implement reciprocal visa-free travel schemes.
It will also resume direct flights starting October, as part of efforts to boost tourism and strengthen people-to-people ties. These measures come from the newly launched Strategic Partnership between the two nations.
In a joint press conference with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi at Hyderabad House in New Delhi, President Marcos said the Philippines has extended visa-free entry privileges to Indian nationals and invited more Indian tourists to explore the country’s diverse destinations.
“I reiterated our introduction of a visa-free country entry privileges and extended our invitation for more Indian tourists to visit the Philippines,” Marcos said.
Philippines President thanked Prime Minister Modi for introducing a parallel initiative that grants visa free-of-charge to Filipino tourists traveling to India, further promoting cultural exchange and tourism flows between the two nations. Both nations offer to their citizen a 14-day free visa on arrival.
“We welcome the resumption of direct flights from October this year. And we renewed our commitment to sustaining and expanding such direct air connectivity,” the President added.
Air India will consequently launch non-stop flights from Delhi to Manila on October 1st 2025. The flight will operate five days a week using Airbus A321neo aircraft. This new route makes Air India the only airline offering direct flights between India and the Philippines.
Tourism cooperation is among several bilateral agreements signed on the second day of President Marcos’ five-day state visit to India.
The initiatives reflect the mutual desire to build stronger people-to-people links. It encourages tourism, business travel, academic exchanges, and deeper cultural understanding between the Philippines and India.
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