Tourism Secretary Christina Frasco welcomed the upcoming launch of electronic visa (e-Visa) application at the Philippine Embassy in Beijing for Chinese nationals in November.

In a statement on Friday, Frasco said the “milestone policy” signals the country’s efforts to improve accessibility for travelers.

Frasco, however, cautioned that a significant increase in tourist arrivals may not be immediate due to the timing and external factors affecting travel.

“While we do not expect immediate surges in arrivals given the timing of implementation and broader external factors, this policy milestone provides a strong signal to the market that the Philippines is taking steps to improve accessibility,” she said.

“It restores confidence, not only among travelers but also among our tourism stakeholders who depend on timely and enabling government action,” she added.

Frasco said the Department of Tourism (DOT) would continue working closely with stakeholders to align policies with the needs of the market.

She noted that the suspension of the e-Visa system in 2023 hindered the Philippines’ ability to meet its tourism targets, particularly from China, one of the country’s strongest pre-pandemic markets.

“This development is therefore both necessary and overdue. The relaunch of the e-Visa system directly responds to persistent market demand and industry feedback, and addresses a gap that has constrained our regional competitiveness for nearly three years,” she said.

“We extend our appreciation to the Department of Foreign Affairs and the Philippine Embassy in Beijing for acting on this long-standing call,” she added.

In a previous message to the Philippine News Agency, the DOT said visa facilitation remains a “decisive factor in capturing travelers from major markets such as China.”

“While many of our ASEAN neighbors have eased or waived requirements and reaped significant gains, the suspension of the Philippines’ e-visa program, combined with strict daily visa caps for free independent travelers (FITs), constrains our ability to serve charter flights that typically operate two to three times a week,” it said.

The DOT said appointment slots for FITs or those who book their own flights and hotels were “limited” while group visa applications were “restricted to only twice a week.”

Frasco said this reinstated e-Visa policy will help streamline and enhance the travel experience, making the Philippines more accessible to leisure and business travelers from China.

Before the pandemic, China was the Philippines’ second-largest source of tourists, with 1.7 million visitors in 2019, trailing only South Korea.

From January to September 2025, the Philippines has recorded 203,923 Chinese arrivals, according to the DOT. (PNA)