Traveling to the Philippines: New Entry, Testing, and Quarantine Protocols

Note: Travel requirements are subject to change at short notice. The content below is only a guide — travelers are encouraged to confirm requirements directly with the offices/official websites of your place of origin and destination.
by WindowSeat.ph | March 15, 2022

Have plans to travel to the Philippines? Read on to learn more about the travel requirements to Manila, Bohol, Cebu, Clark Davao, Laoag, Subic, and other Philippine international ports.

(Source: IATF Resolution No. 160-A and 160-B)

All inbound passengers shall register for OneHealth Pass prior to their arrival in the Philippines. Passengers with international to international connections are not required to register for One Health Pass (OHP).

I. Protocols for Filipino Nationals Traveling to the Philippines

1. For Fully-Vaccinated Filipino Nationals

• Present a negative Reverse Transcription – Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-PCR) test taken within 48 hours prior to departure from point of origin.
• Facility-based quarantine shall no longer be required.
• Self-monitor for 7 days from the day of arrival. If symptoms occur, report immediately to the local government unit.

2. For Unvaccinated, Partially Vaccinated, and Filipino Nationals Whose Vaccination Status Cannot Be Independently Validated

• Present a negative Reverse Transcription – Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-PCR) test taken within 48 hours prior to departure from point of origin.
• Facility-based quarantine shall be required until the release of the negative RT-PCR result taken on the 5th day from date of arrival.
• Upon the release of the negative RT-PCR result, they shall be required to undergo home quarantine until the 14th
• Local government units and Barangay Health Response Teams shall monitor the arriving individuals undergoing home quarantine.

3. Unvaccinated Minor Filipino Nationals

• Filipino nationals below 12 years old shall follow the quarantine protocols of their parent/guardian.
• Filipino nationals from 12 years old to 17 years old shall follow the procedure according to their vaccination status (vaccinated or unvaccinated).
• Unvaccinated minors must be accompanied by a parent/guardian during their facility-based quarantine.

4. Fully-Recovered Filipino Nationals With Positive RT-PCR Pre-Departure Test Results

Filipino nationals who have recovered from COVID but tested positive for the 48-hour pre-departure RT-PCR test shall be allowed to enter the country provided that the following documents will be presented prior to their arrival in the Philippines:

• A positive RT-PCR test taken within 10-30 days prior to the date of departure from the country of origin;
• A positive Reverse Transcription – Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-PCR) test taken within 48 hours prior to departure from point of origin;
• A medical certificate issued by a licensed physician stating that the Filipino national:
  1. was an asymptomatic/mild/moderate/severe or critical case of COVID-19;
  2. has completed the mandatory isolation period;
  3. is no longer infectious;
  4. iv. has been allowed free movement and travel

The COVID-19 positive Filipino national shall be subject to the following protocols prior to their arrival in the country:

• If fully vaccinated, facility-based quarantine shall no longer be required. Self-monitor for 7 days from the day of arrival. If symptoms occur, report immediately to the local government unit.
• If unvaccinated, partially vaccinated, or the vaccination status cannot be independently determined, facility-based quarantine shall be required until the release of the negative RT-PCR result taken on the 5th day from the date of arrival. Upon the release of the negative RT-PCR result, they shall be required to undergo home quarantine until the 14th

II. Protocols for Foreigners Traveling to the Philippines

FAQ: Are foreigners allowed to enter the Philippines now?

Starting February 10, 2022, foreign travelers are allowed to travel to the Philippines visa-free (if eligible).

FAQ: Is quarantine required for foreign travelers?

For FULLY VACCINATED foreign travelers: Facility-based quarantine shall no longer be required. Self-monitor for 7 days from the day of arrival. If symptoms occur, report immediately to the local government unit.

For UNVACCINATED/PARTIALLY VACCINATED foreign travelers: Foreign nationals who fail to present acceptable proofs of vaccination shall be required to undergo facility-based quarantine until the release of the negative RT-PCR result taken on the 5th day from date of arrival. Upon the release of the negative RT-PCR result, they shall be required to undergo home quarantine until the 14th day. Local government units and Barangay Health Response Teams shall monitor the arriving individuals undergoing home quarantine.

1. For Foreign Nationals Entering the Philippines Visa-Free

Foreign nationals traveling to the Philippines for business and tourism purposes may enter the country without visas provided they:

• Qualify as former Filipino citizens with Balikbayan privilege under R.A. No. 9174. Their spouse and/or children who are not balikbayans shall also be involved in their right, provided they are not restricted nationals; OR
• Are a citizen/national of the following countries entitled to a stay of not more than 30 days (Executive Order 408, S. 1960):

• Are fully vaccinated, except for minors below 12 years old traveling with their fully vaccinated parent/s. “Fully vaccinated” is defined in the following:
  • Received the 2nd dose in a 2-dose series or a single dose of COVID-19 vaccine more than 14 days prior to their departure from their country of origin;
  • Their vaccine is listed in any of the following: Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) List or Compassionate Special Permit (CSP) issued by the Philippine Food and Drug Administration; OR Emergency Use Listing of the World Health Organization.
  • Carry/possess an acceptable proof of vaccination as listed in the following:
    1. World Health Organization International Certificate of Vaccination and Prophylaxis; OR
    2. VaxCertPH; OR
    3. National or state digital certificate of the country/foreign government which has accepted VaxCertPH under a reciprocal arrangement; OR
    4. Other proofs of vaccination that are permitted by the IATF.
• Have an acceptable proof of vaccination;
• Present a negative Reverse Transcription – Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-PCR) test taken within 48 hours prior to departure from point of origin;
• Except for foreign spouses and/or children of Filipino citizens and former Filipino citizens with balikbayan privilege under R.A. No. 9174, who:
  1. are not balikbayans in their own right;
  2. are travelling with them to the Philippines; and
  3. have valid tickets for their return journey to the next destination not later than 30 days from their arrival in the Philippines;
• Have passports valid for a period of at least 6 months at the date of their arrival in the Philippines; and
• Obtain a travel insurance for COVID-19 treatment costs with a minimum coverage of USD 35,000.00 for their stay in the Philippines.

Failure to comply with the conditions and requisites listed above shall be denied admission into the Philippines and shall be subject to the appropriate exclusion proceedings.

Foreign Children Travelling With Filipino Nationals

• Unvaccinated foreign child or children below 12 years old travelling with their Filipino parent, shall follow the entry, testing, and quarantine protocols of their parent.
• Foreign nationals from 12 years old to 17 years old travelling with their Filipino parent, shall follow the procedure according to their vaccination status (vaccinated or unvaccinated).
• Unvaccinated minors must be accompanied by parent/guardian during their facility-based quarantine.

Foreign Nationals Entering Through 9(a) Visa

For foreign nationals of the countries listed above who intend to stay in the Philippines for more than 30 days for purposes other than business and leisure, OR not covered or qualified under the balikbayan privilege, OR foreign nationals from visa-required countries OR restricted foreign nationals may enter the country through an entry exemption document (EED) issued by the IATF, provided they:

1. Are fully vaccinated as defined in the following:
   • Received the 2nd dose in a 2-dose series or a single dose of COVID-19 vaccine more than 14 days prior to their departure from their country of origin;
   • Their vaccine is listed in any of the following: Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) List or Compassionate Special Permit (CSP) issued by the Philippine Food and Drug Administration; OR Emergency Use Listing of the World Health Organization.
   • Carry/possess an acceptable proof of vaccination as listed in the following:
     1. World Health Organization International Certificate of Vaccination and Prophylaxis; OR
     2. VaxCertPH; OR
     3. National or state digital certificate of the country/foreign government which has accepted VaxCertPH under a reciprocal arrangement; OR
     4. Other proofs of vaccination permitted by the IATF.
2. They present a negative Reverse Transcription – Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-PCR) test taken within 48 hours prior to departure from point of origin.
3. Foreign spouses and children of Filipino citizens who (i.) are not nationals of the countries listed above, whether or not traveling with a Filipino citizen; OR (ii.) are from visa-required countries; OR (iii.) are restricted nationals may enter the country without entry exemption document (EED), provided they have been issued a 9(a)visa with the appropriate visa notation and they comply with the following requisites:
   1. 1. Are fully vaccinated, except for minors below 12 years old travelling with their fully vaccinated parent/s;
      2. Have an acceptable proof of vaccination;
      3. Present a negative Reverse Transcription – Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-PCR) test taken within 48 hours prior to departure from point of origin;
      4. Except for foreign spouses and/or children of Filipino citizens and former Filipino citizens with balikbayan privilege under R.A. No. 9174, who:
         1. are not balikbayans in their own right;
         2. are travelling with them to the Philippines; and
         3. have valid tickets for their return journey to the next destination not later than 30 days from their arrival in the Philippines;
      5. Have passports valid for a period of at least 6 months at the date of their arrival in the Philippines; and
      6. Obtain travel insurance for COVID-19 treatment costs with a minimum coverage of USD 35,000.00 for their stay in the Philippines.

Foreign Nationals with Other Types of Visas

Foreign nationals with valid and existing visas aside from 9(a) visas may enter the country, provided they:

1. Are fully vaccinated as defined in the following:
   • Received the 2nd dose in a 2-dose series or a single dose of COVID-19 vaccine more than 14 days prior to their departure from their country of origin;
   • Their vaccine is listed in any of the following: Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) List or Compassionate Special Permit (CSP) issued by the Philippine Food and Drug Administration; OR Emergency Use Listing of the World Health Organization.
   • Carry/possess an acceptable proof of vaccination as listed in the following:
     1. World Health Organization International Certificate of Vaccination and Prophylaxis; OR
     2. VaxCertPH; OR
     3. National or state digital certificate of the country/foreign government which has accepted VaxCertPH under a reciprocal arrangement; OR
     4. Other proofs of vaccination permitted by the IATF.

Failure to comply with the conditions and requisites listed above shall be denied admission into the Philippines and shall be subject to the appropriate exclusion proceedings.