Beijing: The Philippine eVisa operations have officially resumed in China with a soft launch on Saturday, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) announced. The Philippine Embassy in Beijing and other foreign service posts in China will commence full implementation on November 3.

According to Philippines News Agency, under the new system, Chinese nationals residing in mainland China, Macau, and Hong Kong can apply for Philippine eVisas for tourism and business purposes. These visas will be valid for entry through Ninoy Aquino International Airport in Metro Manila and Mactan-Cebu International Airport in Cebu. The eVisa permits a single, non-extendable, and non-convertible 14-day stay.

In addition to the eVisa, Chinese nationals and other eligible foreign residents in China can apply for conventional (sticker) visas through nearby Visa Application Centers (VACs) operated by VFS Global in locations including Beijing, Chongqing, Fuzhou, Guangzhou, Hong Kong, and Shanghai. Applicants are able to submit online applications for eVisas via designated websites for Mainland China and Hong Kong and Macau, which operate around the clock.

The DFA has collaborated with VFS Global for the resumption of eVisa operations across mainland China and its Special Administrative Regions, under a memorandum of agreement signed in Beijing on October 15. VFS Global is responsible for managing the online application platform, ensuring complete submission of documentary requirements, and securely transmitting information to the embassy and consulates for assessment and issuance of the eVisa in compliance with DFA guidelines.

The eVisa system, developed by the DFA in partnership with the Department of Information and Communications Technology, has been in use since 2024 at selected foreign service posts in the Middle East, Africa, Asia-Pacific, and Europe. The DFA emphasized that the development of the eVisa aligns with President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s directive to streamline government processes, promote tourism, advance digitalization, and boost tourist arrivals in the Philippines. Furthermore, it supports the country’s ongoing efforts to enhance people-to-people exchanges and facilitate trade and tourism cooperation.