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Indian expats in UAE with Filipina spouses welcome initiative
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New travel policy eases visits for Indian spouses and children of Filipinos, strengthening family ties
Indian expats in the UAE married to Filipino spouses have warmly welcomed the Philippines’ new visa-free entry policy for Indian passport holders, effective June 8. The policy permits Indian nationals to enter the Philippines without a visa for up to 14 days, provided they hold a passport valid for at least six months beyond their stay, confirmed accommodation, proof of finances, and return or onward tickets. Indian travellers with valid visas or residence permits from AJACSSUK countries (US, Japan, Australia, Canada, Schengen states, Singapore, UK) qualify for a longer stay of up to 30 days. The move aims to boost tourism and deepen bilateral relations between India and the Philippines, reported gulfnews.com.
This new visa-free entry rule offers Indian-Filipino families in the UAE smoother, faster travel, easing previous visa delays and fostering closer cultural connections.
UAE-based couples, such as Ravi Karumat from Ajman, expressed personal relief, sharing how difficult visa processes have affected family emergencies. Karumat, part of the Phil-India United community, recalled a friend missing a funeral due to visa delays. Other couples like Varun Harry and Rachelle Ann Bonsol Harry celebrated the change, noting how it eliminates “visa stress” and helps them visit loved ones more easily. Sharjah resident Pramod echoed these sentiments, highlighting the new policy’s simplification of a previously month-long visa process.
Despite the welcome change, some, including Sandeep Kurup and wife Mary Joy, pointed out that long-term visa options for spouses remain limited and the process still time-consuming. They suggest that a permanent solution, akin to India’s Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) scheme for foreign spouses, would better serve Filipino-Indian couples.
