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 | 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):
LIST: Eligible countries
  1. Andorra
  2. Angola
  3. Antigua and Barbuda
  4. Argentina
  5. Australia
  6. Austria
  7. Bahamas
  8. Bahrain
  9. Barbados
  10. Belgium
  11. Belize
  12. Benin
  13. Bhutan
  14. Bolivia
  15. Botswana
  16. Brazil
  17. Brunei Darussalam
  18. Bulgaria
  19. Burkina Faso
  20. Burundi
  21. Cambodia
  22. Cameroon
  23. Canada
  24. Cape Verde
  25. Central African Republic
  26. Chad
  27. Chile
  28. Colombia
  29. Comoros
  30. Congo
  31. Costa Rica
  32. Cote d’Ivoire
  33. Croatia
  34. Cyprus
  35. Czech Republic
  36. Democratic Republic of the Congo
  37. Denmark
  38. Djibouti
  39. Dominica
  40. Dominican Republic
  41. Ecuador
  42. El Salvador
  43. Equatorial Guinea
  44. Eritrea
  45. Estonia
  46. Ethiopia
  47. Fiji
  48. Finland
  49. France
  50. Gabon
  51. Gambia
  52. Germany
  53. Ghana
  54. Greece
  55. Grenada
  56. Guatemala
  57. Guinea
  58. Guinea Bissau
  59. Guyana
  60. Haiti
  61. Honduras
  62. Hungary
  63. Iceland
  64. Indonesia
  65. Ireland
  66. Israel
  67. Italy
  68. Jamaica
  69. Japan
  70. Kazakhstan
  71. Kenya
  72. Kiribati
  73. Kuwait
  74. Kyrgyzstan
  75. Lao PDR
  76. Latvia
  77. Lesotho
  78. Liberia
  79. Liechtenstein
  80. Lithuania
  81. Luxembourg
  82. Madagascar
  83. Malawi
  84. Malaysia
  85. Maldives
  86. Mali
  87. Malta
  88. Marshall Islands
  89. Mauritania
  90. Mauritius
  91. Mexico
  92. Micronesia
  93. Monaco
  94. Mongolia
  95. Morocco
  96. Mozambique
  97. Myanmar
  98. Namibia
  99. Nepal
  100. Netherlands
  101. New Zealand
  102. Nicaragua
  103. Niger
  104. Norway
  105. Oman
  106. Palau
  107. Panama
  108. Papua New Guinea
  109. Paraguay
  110. Peru
  111. Poland
  112. Portugal
  113. Qatar
  114. Republic of Korea
  115. Romania
  116. Russia
  117. Rwanda
  118. Saint Kitts and Nevis
  119. Saint Lucia
  120. Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
  121. Samoa
  122. San Marino
  123. Sao Tome and Principe
  124. Saudi Arabia
  125. Senegal
  126. Seychelles
  127. Singapore
  128. Slovak Republic
  129. Slovenia
  130. Solomon Islands
  131. South Africa
  132. Spain
  133. Suriname
  134. Swaziland
  135. Sweden
  136. Switzerland
  137. Tajikistan
  138. Thailand
  139. Togo
  140. Trinidad and Tobago
  141. Tunisia
  142. Turkey
  143. Turkmenistan
  144. Tuvalu
  145. Uganda
  146. UAE
  147. UK and Northern Ireland
  148. United Republic of Tanzania
  149. USA
  150. Uruguay
  151. Uzbekistan
  152. Vanuatu
  153. Vatican
  154. Venezuela
  155. Vietnam
  156. Zambia
  157. Zimbabwe
  • 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. 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.

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