Visitors from foreign countries can now be allowed into the Philippines, provided they are eligible for travel.
However, we’re not out of the woods yet. Vaccination rollouts are still ongoing. Likewise, only those who are vaccinated are allowed to travel freely within the country. Of course, new arrivals must still be subject to appropriate quarantine protocols at least for 14 days.
Continue reading below to know more about the requirements and procedures when traveling to the Philippines.
Who is eligible for travel?
List of banned countries
Before August 15, people coming from this list of countries were NOT ALLOWED to travel to the Philippines:
- India
- Pakistan
- Nepal
- Sri Lanka
- Bangladesh
- Oman
- United Arab Emirates
- Indonesia
- Malaysia
- Thailand
Documents and other requirements
There are several requirements depending on your circumstances. Additionally, for foreign nationals, the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF-EID) has extra conditions for you. Read them here.
Filipino Nationals
Filipino nationals must present the following:
- Philippine Passport
- Proof of citizenship
- Pre-booked quarantine hotel accredited by Tourism and Health Agencies for at least 10 days*
- RT-PCR Test on the 7th day of arrival/quarantine (at traveler’s expense, except for OFWs, which shall be shouldered by OWWA/LMAs)*
*unless fully vaccinated, whether in the Philippines or abroad, and are coming from a “Green” country, then must only hold a 7-night booking; upon check-in, travelers must present proof of their vaccination.
Non-Filipino/Foreign spouse and children, or children with special needs of a Filipino national
If they’re traveling with the Filipino national:
- Foreign Passport only, no visa needed
- Any of the following:
- For spouses: authentic marriage certificate
- For children (regardless of age): authentic birth certificate
- Must meet the additional conditions of the IATF-EID
If they’re not traveling with Filipino national, or the Filipino national is currently residing in the Philippines at the intended date of travel:
- Foreign Passport with Philippine valid entry visa or long-term visa2
- Any of the following:
- For spouses: authentic marriage certificate
- For minor children only (below 18 years old) and children with special needs (regardless of age): authentic birth certificate
- Must meet the additional conditions of the IATF-EID
Non-Filipino/Foreign parent of a minor Filipino child (below 18 years old) or a child with special needs (regardless of age)
- Foreign Passport with Philippine valid entry visa or long-term visa2
- Authentic birth certificate of the minor Filipino child or child with special needs
- Must meet the additional conditions of the IATF-EID
Former Filipinos (Balikbayan Program), Dual Citizens
- Foreign Passport AND actual valid, old, or expired Philippine Passport; OR
- Foreign Passport AND any of the following documents:
- Authentic Birth Certificate
- Identification Certificate
- Certificate of Reacquisition/Retention/Recognition
- Must meet the additional conditions of the IATF-EID
Spouse/Children of Former Filipino Nationals (Balikbayan Program)
If they’re traveling with the Filipino national:
- Foreign Passport only, no visa needed1 (see notes)
- Any of the following:
- For spouses: authentic marriage certificate
- For children (regardless of age): authentic birth certificate
- Must meet the additional conditions of the IATF-EID
If they’re not traveling with Filipino national, or the Filipino national is currently residing in the Philippines at the intended date of travel:
- Foreign Passport with Philippine valid entry visa or long-term visa2
- Any of the following:
- For spouses: authentic marriage certificate
- For children (regardless of age): authentic birth certificate
- Must meet the additional conditions of the IATF-EID
Accredited foreign government and international organization officials and their dependents
- 9(E) visa
- Subject to arrival and quarantine procedures set by the Philippine Department of Health. Click here for the arrival guide.
- No need for DFA authorization/endorsement
- Diplomats are exempted from the arrival quota
Non-Filipino/Foreign seafarers with 9(c) visa
- Foreign Passport/Seaman’s Book
- Must meet the additional conditions of the IATF-EID
Non-Filipino/Foreign nationals in possession of valid certificates
- Recognition Certificate (RC) OR
- Citizenship Retention and Reacquisition Act of 2003 (CRPC) under RA9225 Certificate
Non-Filipino/Foreign nationals with an eligible visa
- Foreign Passport with valid and existing visa at the time of entry
- 9 (a) visas will need DFA or NTF authorization/endorsement or entry exemption document*
- Must meet the additional conditions of the IATF-EID
*Entry Exemption Documents (EEDs) and/or Letters to the Bureau of Immigration (LBIs) issued by the Department of Foreign Affairs (until February 7, 2021) or National Task Force shall be valid until May 31, 2021, only. EEDs and LBIs issued by the DFA starting February 8, 2021, shall have a validity of 90 days from the date of issuance.
Investors granted with Special Investor’s Lane Authority
- Passport with valid and existing visa at time of entry
- Submission of certificate of full vaccination with the completed dose dispensed more than two weeks from intended date of departure
- An RT-PCR test taken within 48 hours prior to departure from country of origin
- An RT-PCR test administered upon arrival
- Quarantine stay at an accredited quarantine hotel or facility until a negative RT-PCR test result is released
- Transfer to the identified hotel after quarantine clearance
- No travel history from countries under travel restriction within the last 14 days prior to entry in the Philippines
– Alex/WhatALife.ph
Also Read: PH Bureau of Quarantine: Arrival Guide for OFWs, Non-OFWs, Non-Filipinos
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