E-Visas for Chinese suspended by Philippines and here’s why

MANILA – Following a three-month trial period, the Department of Foreign Affairs of the Philippines has surprised the Chinese government by announcing that e-visa applications would be temporarily suspended in China until further notice.

In a statement on Friday, the DFA said it was conducting a “reassessment” of the system for improvements, “including for its payment processing systems.”

The department has now informed the visa seekers to get in touch with the closest Philippine embassy or consulate as the e-visa service is no longer available.

Before this latest reform, Chinese citizens could use the official web portal or an app to apply for an e-visa; however, the liberty has now ended for the Chinese.

Back in September, a 38-year-old woman and her three-year-old daughter from China were the first foreigners to enter the Philippines using the e-visa system igniting hopes that the e-visa might attract more visitors to the country known for its picturesque views and diverse culture.

China is a significant source of tourists for the Philippines and in 2019, about 1.7 million Chinese nationals visited the Philippines, making China the second-largest tourism market for the country.

The Philippines is famous among tourists due to its beautiful beaches like Boracay and Palawan, where people love to relax. The country also draws history buffs due to its historic sites like Intramuros in Manila, and others.