The Department of Foreign Affairs recently issued an advisory to Filipino travelers to India, including transiting passengers, to be in possession of proof of legal entry, usually a visa, when in the country, in addition to the possession of a valid Philippine passport or travel document.

The advisory stemmed from the cases of Filipino travelers who lost their Philippine passports and whose visa to India could not be ascertained by Indian authorities.  The Philippine Embassy in New Delhi reported that while it could expedite the issuance of a Travel Document or a Philippine passport in lieu of a lost passport, it could not certify the possession of proof of legal entry as the latter is issued at the country of origin of the traveler.

“And the process of getting confirmation of legal entry could be expensive, cumbersome, and time consuming; thus the advisory to Filipino travelers to be more careful and even vigilant in the safekeeping of their passports”, Acting Secretary Rafael Seguis warned upon receipt of the report of the hassle a Filipino had to undergo in Mumbai, India due to the loss of her passport and the needed proof of legal entry stamped on the said passport.

Nevertheless, the Philippine Embassy in New Delhi and the Philippine Consulate in Mumbai would like to assure Filipino travelers to India of assistance when confronted with problems concomitant to the loss of Philippine passport or the requirements to the grant of exit permits.