- Entry Restrictions
International travel to the Philippines is currently restricted and entry is granted only to the following passengers:
- Nationals of the Philippines and their spouses and children;
- Parents of a minor child who is a national of the Philippines;
- Holders of the following visas: 9(d), 13(a), 13(b), 13(c), 13(d), 13(e), 13(g), 47(a)(2), RA 7919, EO226 and EO324;
- Holders of visas issued by Aurora Pacific Economic Zone and Freeport Authority, Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority, Authority of the Freeport Area of Bataan, Cagayan Economic Zone Authority, and Clark Development Corporation;
- Merchant seamen holding a 9(c) visa.
- Effective 7 December 2020, former Filipinos (Balikbayan Program) and their spouses and children
Travelers are currently not permitted to transit via the Philippines en route to their final destination. Additionally, all visa waiver/exemptions and visa on arrival arrangements are suspended until further notice, except for Non-Filipino spouses/children of nationals of the Philippines.
Passengers who are permitted to enter the Philippines are required to undergo a COVID-19 RT-PCR test (at their own expense; the costs are PHP 4,900.00 and passengers may pay via cash (in PHP) or Visa cards) at the time of arrival and will be required to present the following:
- Present a confirmed booking for at least two days at a hotel accredited by the Philippine Tourism and Health Agencies while waiting for their COVID-19 test results;
- “TRAZE” app installed on their personal device (the app must be installed prior to departure to the Philippines; travelers will need to generate and scan their QR code when entering in, boarding from, and upon arriving in all Philippine Airports); and
- For passengers arriving in Manila, present a completed Case Investigation Form and a COVID-19 RT-PCR pre-registration form completed within 3 days prior to the departure to the Philippines.
- For passengers arriving at Clark International Airport, passengers have to complete Health Declaration Card, Case Investigation Form and Affidavit of Undertaking
- For passengers arriving in Cebu, passengers need to complete the MCIA Passenger Arrival Registration Form within 5 days of the departure to the Philippines.
- Passengers travel to Davao International Airport must present a medical certificate showing a negative COVID-19 test taken within 72 hours prior to departure to the Philippines.
2. Quarantine/Self-Isolation Requirements
Travelers who are permitted to enter the Philippines are required to remain at their accredited quarantine hotel while awaiting their COVID-19 RT-PCR test results (test results are generally released within 24-48 hours). Passengers with negative tests can request a medical certificate from the Bureau of Quarantine and get clearance from their quarantine hotel. Cleared passengers will then need to complete the 14-day quarantine/self-isolation period at their final accommodation in the Philippines.
Passengers testing positive will be transferred to a designated hospital for further medical treatment by the Bureau of Quarantine.
Please note that this page is updated on an ongoing basis, but COVID-19 related restrictions and policies are subject to frequent and sudden change, often with little to no advance notice to the public. Therefore, to ensure that you have the latest updates, we recommend that you reach out to T&S at apac@tandslaw.com for additional information.
