In this article about the travel advisory Philippines 2021, we provide you a comprehensive guide before you travel to the Philippines.
There are several exceptions to travel for foreign nationals that you will understand as you read this blog.
To be clear, traveling to the Philippines on a tourist visa is not yet permitted as per the latest guidelines.
Without further ado, let me update you with the following:
- Types of visa holders allowed to enter the Philippines.
- Travel guidelines.
- Upon-arrival guide at the airport.
- Quarantine guide.
- A list of countries banned.
Types of Visa Holders allowed to enter the Philippines.
Note that the processing and the requirements for everyone holding any of these visas below may vary.
The best approach is to verify with the nearest Philippines embassy in your country to validate your travel entry and other mandatories before your travel.
Here are the lists of Visas allowed to enter the Philippines,
- Dual Citizen passport holders.
- Balikbayan Program. (accompanying with Foreign Spouses And Children Of Filipino Citizens And Former Filipino Citizens).
- Permanent (Immigrant) Visa Holders.
- Incoming Foreign Government Officials (FGOS) traveling for Posting And Assignment.
- Foreign nationals endorsed by the Department Of Trade And Industry (DTI), the Philippine Economic Zone Authority (PEZA), and the Department Of Transportation (DOTr).
- Foreign Seafarers (for Ship Rotation purposes).
- Special (Non-immigrant) Visa Holders with Valid Visas.
- Foreign Nationals Allowed Entry under the Inter-Agency Task Force Resolution Number. 98.
- Foreign Nationals Eligible For the issuance Of 9(G) And 47(A)(2) Visas.
Travel Guidelines Philippines
Suppose that you hold any of those visas as mentioned above, ensure your health and safety.
Make sure that you are medically acceptable and have no symptoms of any diseases whatsoever.
Here are the travel guidelines before traveling that you must know :
- Register for the electronic Case Investigation Form (eCIF) led by the Philippines Government and the Philippine Red Cross for a unique QR code that you must present at the airport upon arrival.
- Make a pre-booking in the Bureau of Quarantine accredited hotels for a minimum of ten days from your arrival date.
- For Overseas Filipino workers and foreign nationals, prepare additional cash for transportation and RT-PCR testings.
- For passengers arriving at terminal 2 PAL, you can register for the RT-PCR test here.
- For Terminals 1 and 3 passengers coming by foreign airlines, register for the RT-PCR test here.
Upon-Arrival Guide In The Airport
- Present the accomplished health declaration form (Download here) to the Bureau of Quarantine officials upon arrival.
- Head to the OSS briefing area conducted by the Philippines Coast Guard on the quarantine measures and distribution of affidavits of the undertaking. (Get here).
- Validate your quarantine hotel facility at the Department of Tourism (DOT) desk.
- Head to the Private laboratory desk for the data process and payment for the RT-PCR testing at your chosen quarantine hotel facility.
- Head to the Bureau of Immigration for clearance and passport verification.
- Get your luggage.
- Present your affidavit of the undertaking.
- Book the airport taxi to your quarantine hotel, and maintain a strict quarantine.
Quarantine Guide
While on quarantine, after the seventh day of arrival, take an RT-PCR swab test at your hotel or quarantine facility as assigned by the Private laboratory (COVID-19).
Ensure to observe strict quarantine protocols while you wait for the swab results, mostly sent via email.
With negative swab results, you need to wait for the Bureau of Quarantine Health certificate and the number of days left on quarantine.
During this period, prepare for a bus or airline ticket, travel pass from the Philippines national police from your point of departure, and letter of acceptance from the local government unit.
Report your Barangay officials upon arrival in your locality for further instructions.
Upon their instructions, you will undergo a home quarantine for the required 14 days quarantine at your Barangay.
Once approved from the quarantine by I-GU, ensure to observe health and safety measures such as wearing facial masks, maintaining social distance, washing hands regularly, or sanitizing.
A list of countries banned.
Please note that the following information can change anytime.
Hence, the best advice is to follow and check the DFA’s official website and pages for new updates.
Travelers from these countries, departing and who have been to these nations in the last fourteen days before any scheduled arrival are NOT ALLOWED banned for entry in the Philippines until August 15, 2021.
- India.
- Indonesia.
- Pakistan.
- Nepal.
- Sri Lanka.
- Bangladesh.
- Oman.
- United Arab Emirates (UAE).
- Thailand
- Malaysia
Note that the information above is constantly changing, so make sure to check DFA’s website and pages for updates.
