The Philippines Opens for Foreign Travellers! Here’s What You Need to Know

Spread the love

Fully vaccinated travelers from non-visa-required nations will be granted admission into the Philippines beginning February 10, 2022, and will not be required to quarantine.

The following standards must be met by qualified travelers:

  • At the time of arrival, your passport must be valid for at least six months.
  • A return or outgoing ticket to the traveler’s country of origin or next destination is required.
  • Except for youngsters under the age of 18, all travelers must provide proof of vaccination
  • Travelers must present a negative RT-PCR test performed within 48 hours of leaving their home country.

Here is a list of nations that do not require a visa.

Furthermore, Filipino nationals’ overseas spouses and children, as well as Balikbayans or former Filipino citizens (including their spouses and children) are allowed visa-free entry into the country with a Philippine visa.

Children under the age of 12 who are traveling with fully vaccinated parents are exempt.

Travelers must complete a onehealth pass and obtain a copy of the “Traze” contact tracing software. Unvaccinated tourists must stay in a quarantine facility that has been approved in advance.

With limited exclusions, all passengers must be fully vaccinated to enter the Philippines as of February 16, 2022.

ACCEPTABLE PROOF OF VACCINATIONS

Traveler must possess and present any of the following proofs of vaccination:

  • World Health Organization International Certificate of Vaccination and Prophylaxis (WHO ICV)
  • For travelers from countries/territories who have NOT accepted VaxCertPH under a reciprocal agreement must be able to present WHO ICV
  • WHO ICV application procedure for may vary from country to country. To apply for the WHO ICV, contact your local health care provider or your country’s health ministry office.
  • International Filipino travelers (outbound PH) who are fully vaccinated against COVID-19 that are required by the country of destination/principal/employer to present a proof of COVID-19 vaccination may:

Request for an International Certificate of Vaccination (ICV) from the Bureau of Quarantine (BOQ). To book an appointment, go to www.icv.boq.ph. For more information, contact the BOQ hotline: (632) 5318-7500 loc. 121.

In the Philippines, what are the quarantine regulations?

The following are the quarantine protocols for arriving passengers, regardless of nation of origin, as of February 1st, 2022:

Quarantine is not necessary for fully vaccinated tourists, but they must self-monitor for symptoms for seven days after their arrival.

Travelers who are unvaccinated, partially vaccinated, or whose vaccination status cannot be verified must stay at a facility until their negative RT-PCR test results are released on the fifth day. They will be obliged to remain in quarantine at home until the 14th day, with the first day being the date of arrival.

Travelers must remain in designated quarantine facilities or Bureau of Quarantine (BOQ) approved quarantine hotels while waiting for the results of their testing.

The rules of each hotel govern movement within the hotel and the usage of its facilities. Violations of the protocols and quarantine restrictions will result in fines and/or incarceration. The full list of quarantine hotels in the Philippines may be seen here.

The Philippines opened its doors to fully vaccinated international tourists, a move that is expected to boost tourism and companies in the country and aid the economy’s recovery after two years of border restrictions and lockdowns.

The Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF) announced in its updated regulations that foreign nationals from visa-free nations who want to spend longer than 30 days in the Philippines would be allowed to enter the country using an entry exemption document.

Foreign Nationals Entering PH with Visa Free

Travelling with the purpose of business or tourism, provided they are:

  • Former Filipino Citizens (Balikbayan) under Republic Act No. 9174 including their spouse and/or children who are not balikbayans provided they are not restricted nationals
  • Citizens of the following countries
  • Fully Vaccinated, except for minors below 12 years old
  • Proof of vaccination
  • Negative RT-PCR test result taken within 48 hours prior to departure from the country of origin
  • Valid return tickets to the original port of origin or next port of destination for not more than 30 days from the date of arrival in the Philippines

Exemptions are:

  • Foreign spouses and/or children of Filipino Citizens; and
  • Former Filipino Citizens (Balikbayan) under Republic Act 9174
  • Including spouse and/or children who are not balikbayans in their own right
  • Valid passport for at least 6 months on the time of arrival in PH.
  • Travel Insurance for COVID-19 treatment with minimum coverage of USD35,000
  • The insurance policy presented must reflect the minimum coverage of USD35,000 for COVID 19 treatment

Foreign Nationals Entering Through 9(a) Visa

These are the passengers who may enter the country using an Entry Exemption Document (EED)

  • Foreign nationals of the following countries (E.O. 408) intending to stay more than 30 days for the purpose other than tourism or leisure
  • Foreign nationals who do not qualified under balikbayan privilege,
  • Foreign nationals of the following countries (E.O. 408) that is entitled to stay not exceeding 30 days,
  • Foreign nationals from visa-required countries; or
  • Restricted foreign nationals

Provided they:

  • are Fully Vaccinated, except only for children below 12 years old
  • have Proof of vaccination
  • have a Negative RT-PCR test result taken within 48 hours prior to departure from the country of origin
  • No facility-based quarantine required
  • Self-monitor for any sign or symptom until the 7th day from arrival
  • Foreign Nationals who are unable to present acceptable proof of vaccination
  • Facility-based quarantine until the release of the negative results
  • 5th day swabbing
  • Self-monitor for any sign or symptom until the 14th day from arrival
  • Foreign Spouses and children of Filipino Citizens
  • Who are not nationals of the following countries (E.O. 408),
  • Who are from visa-free required countries; or
  • Who are restricted national

May enter the country without the need of and Entry Exemption Document (EED), provided they have been issued a 9(a) visa with appropriate visa notation.

Requirements

  • Fully Vaccinated, except for minors below 12 years old
  • Proof of vaccination
  • Negative RT-PCR test result taken within 48 hours prior to departure from the country of origin
  • Valid return tickets to the original port of origin or next port of destination for not more than 30 days from the date of arrival in the Philippines
  • Valid passport for at least 6 months on the time of arrival in PH.
  • Travel Insurance for COVID-19 treatment with minimum coverage of USD35,000
  • The insurance policy presented must reflect the minimum coverage of USD35,000 for COVID 19 treatment
  • No facility-based quarantine required
  • Self-monitor for any sign or symptom until the 7th day from arrival

Foreign Nationals with Other Types of Visa

  • Foreign Nationals with valid and existing visa other than 9(a) visa
  • Fully Vaccinated
  • Proof of vaccination
  • No facility-based quarantine required
  • Self-monitor for any sign or symptom until the 14th day from arrival
  • Unvaccinated Foreign National are not allowed to enter the country
  • Foreign Nationals who are unable to present acceptable proof of vaccination
  • Facility-based quarantine until the release of the negative results
  • 5th day swabbing
  • Self-monitor for any sign or symptom until the 14th day from arrival

Note: Fully vaccinated foreign nationals shall not be included in the arrival quota set by the Department of Transportation (DOTR) and its One-Stop-Shop (OSS)

CHECK IN PROCESS:

  1. All travelers should register to the Bureau of Quarantine e-Health Declaration Card (e-HDC) including children. Declare your personal information, health status, and travel history.

Register as early as 3 days within your departure date through https://www.onehealthpass.com.ph/e-HDC. The BOQ will determine the number of quarantine days upon arrival depending on the complete documents presented by the passenger.

Accurately and completely fill-out all required fields including the e-HDC. Upon completion, please ensure to save a copy of your unique transaction number and your QR code which will be required upon check-in. Failure to present the OHP QR code may result to non-acceptance to the flight.

For non-OFWs, you may also pre-pay for your RT-PCR Test. Your test may be conducted by our DOH-accredited partner, Detoxicare Molecular Diagnostics Laboratory. A payment portal link is available after successfully registering to the One Health Pass. If your travel plans change, you may also request for a refund of your prepaid test anytime. Please follow the refund guidelines found in the payment confirmation email.

Payment may also be made at the hotel on your swab day via cash in PHP or USD, card, AliPay, WeChat Pay, GCash, and PayPal.

  1. Ensure to have a confirmed booking at a hotel accredited by Tourism and Health Agencies.
  2. Upon check-in, sign the Declaration and Waiver Form presented by our check-in agent, indicating that you are healthy and fit to travel.
  3. Accomplish the Bureau of Customs Form and Arrival Card.
  4. For fully vaccinated passengers, you must proceed to gate number 2

For passengers with connecting flight, you must proceed to gate number 3.

  1. Undergo a temperature check, present the BOQ One Health Pass QR Code and your proof of vaccination to the dedicated Bureau of Quarantine (BOQ) representative for re-verification at the Department of Transportation One-Stop-Shop (OSS).
  2. For fully vaccinated passengers, you may proceed to immigration for your clearance.
  3. For passengers with connecting flight, you may proceed to Transfer desk for assistance.
  4. Clear with immigration and submit the Arrival Card.
  5. Claim your baggage at the designated carousel and clear with Customs Check. Submit the Bureau of Customs Form.
  6. Proceed to your home/hotel through your preferred mode of transportation.

If you test positive, the BOQ shall transfer you to a designated hospital for further medical management.

If you test negative, your test result will be released within 24 hours after your swab test is taken. Your Unified BOQ Quarantine Certificate is autogenerated in the OHP. You will be able to download and print this certificate through the “Track Swab Test”< https://onehealthpass.com.ph/e-HDC/Track-Swab-Test> portal in the OHP website by entering your QR code reference number and last name. For other concerns, you may send an email to [email protected] or [email protected].

For non-Filipinos: In compliance with Philippine regulations, laboratory partners must secure a photocopy of your passport and proof of accommodation/residence in the Philippines.

If you develop COVID-19 symptoms (e.g., dry cough, shortness of breath, loss of taste and/or smell, etc.) at any time before your scheduled test, please inform the hotel you are staying in so a medical or BOQ officer can assess and check up on you immediately. You may be required to undergo an RT-PCR test.

You may call the BOQs landline at (02) 5318-7500, or through these mobile numbers: 0961-899-0779, 0951-210-8105, or 0926-629-0723.

Effective February 01, 2022

For fully vaccinated passengers

You can undergo a self-monitoring for any sign or symptom until the 7th day from arrival.

Effective February 10, 2022

For Foreign Nationals who are unable to present acceptable proof of Vaccination

Once cleared, you can call your relatives and respective Local Government Units (LGU) to pick you up or arrange for your transportation going home. You are required to undergo home quarantine until the fourteenth day, with the day of arrival being the first day.

This post is sponsored by Wotif. For your upcoming holiday flights, stays, or travel packages, be sure to visit this link here. This will help us to contribute more travel-related content and tips. Use the discount code “TravellersLabs.com” for added savings.