MANILA — Visa applications from the Philippines have surged beyond pre-pandemic levels by a remarkable 35%, as reported by visa service firm VFS Global on Tuesday (06 Feb 2024).
This surge reflects a restored sense of travel confidence among Filipinos, according to Kaushik Ghosh, VFS Global’s head for Australasia.
During a briefing in Taguig, Ghosh highlighted the significant growth in visa applications in 2023, surpassing the levels seen in 2019 before the pandemic. He expressed optimism about the sustained positive momentum for travel throughout 2024.
Notably, the Philippines leads Southeast Asia in terms of the volume of visa applications, with the highest growth rate in the region. Comparatively, Indonesia follows with an 8% increase.
While specific visa figures were not disclosed due to restrictions, VFS Global identified popular international destinations among Filipino applicants, including Australia, Belgium, Canada, Denmark, Finland, Italy, Germany, the Netherlands, Saudi Arabia, and Switzerland.
Ghosh’s report also emphasized the increasing demand for contactless and personalized visa services, marking a significant trend in the visa application patterns of 2023. He noted a shift in travelers’ preferences towards user-friendly and personalized services.
VFS Global provides administrative visa services for various countries to travelers from the Philippines, including Australia, Austria, Belgium, Canada, Croatia, Czech Republic, Denmark, the United Arab Emirates, Finland, Italy, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Lithuania, Malaysia, Malta, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Nigeria, Norway, Saudi Arabia, Slovenia, South Africa, Sweden, Switzerland, the United Kingdom, Ukraine, and the United States.
(el Amigo/MNM)