India Tourist Visa on Arrival Guide for Filipinos

• Passport should have a minimum of 6 months validity
• Has a good financial standing which is shown by production of return ticket and availability of sufficient money on the duration of stay
• Photocopy of the first page of your passport
• 1 passport sized photograph
• Completed application form which is provided by VOA immigration officer
• Accomplished arrival card
• 60 USD or 3,300 INR visa fee

Also read: 10 Places to Visit for Your First Trip to India

• Go straight to the visa on arrival desk which is before the immigration counter. In Kolkata, I did not see a VOA desk so I approached an immigration officer regarding my concern and they gladly escorted me to their office.
• You can present supporting documents like bank certificate, itinerary and hotel bookings if you are not confident with the documents that you have.
• In some websites, visa application will cost 60 USD, but I highly recommend that you pay the exact amount of 3,300 INR instead to avoid hassle of causing a scene in the immigration counter and going out to exchange money in the airport arrival area. I don’t know what is up with the increase of VOA fee but IO told me that the updated amount they should receive is 3,300 INR.
• Immigration will ask you basic questions. They asked me what my purpose of visit was and I mentioned that I will be visiting an acquaintance and also I want to experience the Holi Festival (which I didn’t really experience since I came a day after it). They also asked me how many days I plan to stay, where I will stay, do I have plans of marrying an Indian and what my religion was. It is important to only give out the specific answers they are looking for when they ask you questions. Do not give out any other unnecessary information because this will only lead to further interrogation.
• Do not be surprised if the days of visa validity issued to you is not exactly 30 days like what is usually expected. The Immigration officer explained to me that I have roughly 28 days for my visa but then I frankly told them that I don’t need that much amount of time, and I only need 4 days since I have to head back to the Philippines because I have to report back to work ASAP.
• One should take in consideration that tourist visa on arrival depends on the discretion of the authorities. Rules and regulations change from time to time. It is still advisable and appropriate to get a tourist visa before travelling to India to avoid any problems.
• Do not leave without being issued an official receipt from the VOA you purchased.
• If you were able to submit everything they need, then it is very unlikely that Immigration officers will not give you a visa on arrival.