First Chinese e-Visa holders welcomed in Manila
SHANGHAI – The Philippine Consulate General (PCG) in Shanghai earned a place in the annals of Philippine consular affairs by becoming the first -- and to date only -- Philippine overseas mission to process and issue the newly minted Philippine e-Visa.
Designated by the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) as locus for the e-Visa “soft launch”, PCG-Shanghai is currently on the second week of pilot testing that commenced on 25 August. The day prior, the e-Visa was ceremonially launched by DFA Secretary Enrique A. Manalo in Manila.
Co-developed by the DFA and the Department of Information and Communications Technology, the e-Visa allows foreigners to lodge visa applications and supporting documents online and pay the scheduled fees remotely. In lieu of a visa sticker on the passport, bearers need only present a digital (mobile) image or print-out to authorities. The e-Visa is already fully integrated with and verifiable using the Philippines’ e-Travel registration system, facilitating passage through immigration.
The ongoing “soft launch” in Shanghai marks the final phase of the beta-testing. As such, access to the online platform is currently limited to a controlled number of Chinese applicants.
During the trials within the PCG premises, Chinese applicants access and register onto the online e-Visa system from their respective devices. PCG officials and staff are on hand to assist, while also documenting applicants’ comments, system performance, and fine-tuning opportunities.
Though on beta, the ongoing trials generate full valid, working e-Visas which during the test period are issued exclusively to trial participants. Correspondingly, the Consulate General advise the broader public against applying via the platform remotely, until the system goes on full launch.
The test has so far been met with great success. The e-Visa system has been performing according to design parameters and delivering within the high-expectation context of Philippine visa issuance goals vis-à-vis the Chinese traveler market.
In post-trial feedback, the Chinese beta test participants are all praises for the e-Visa system. They find the platform convenient, user friendly and reliable. They also lauded PCG staff for being helpful throughout the process. The e-Visa site incorporates Chinese-language capabilities.
Following processing turnaround guidelines, the very first Philippine e-Visas were approved and issued a few days later to a mother-daughter tandem and a male traveler.
The three departed Shanghai and arrived in Manila in the early hours of 02 September, clearing immigration at both ends smoothly. At NAIA, they were warmly welcomed by Philippine Foreign Affairs and immigration officials.
“The ongoing e-Visa beta test in Shanghai anticipates the eventual full launch of a robust Philippine e-Visa System, built on a thorough inter-agency effort,” said Consul General Josel F. Ignacio. “The e-Visa portal extends beyond the digital sphere – it is a true portal to direct, visible and tangible people-to-people contact, business and tourism.” END
Press Release - Chinese Version
