The Philippines has officially announced the relaunch of its electronic visa (e-Visa) system for Chinese nationals, beginning in November at the country’s embassy in Beijing. The move aims to revitalize travel flows and strengthen tourism ties between the two nations.
Tourism Secretary Christina Franco described the policy as a “milestone” that signals the Philippines’ renewed commitment to improving accessibility for international travelers. She emphasized that the decision “restores confidence not only among travelers but also among tourism stakeholders who rely on proactive government measures.”
The e-Visa system was suspended in 2023, leading to missed tourism targets. Franco acknowledged that the system’s revival is “both necessary and overdue,” adding that it “directly responds to persistent market demand and industry feedback.” According to her, the relaunch also “addresses a gap that has limited the country’s competitiveness across the region for nearly three years.”
Although the program will resume next month, Franco noted that the government does not expect an immediate surge in tourist arrivals, citing seasonal trends and broader global factors.
According to data from the Department of Tourism (DOT), the Philippines received over 203,900 Chinese tourists in the first nine months of 2025. By comparison, 1.7 million visitors from China arrived in 2019, making it the second-largest foreign tourist market after South Korea.
With the relaunch of the e-Visa program, the government hopes to gradually rebuild visitor confidence, stimulate the hospitality sector, and restore pre-pandemic travel volumes over time.
