Overview- Philippine Tourist Visas
QUICK SUMMARY- Requirements For Mandatory COVID Travel Insurance For The Philippines?
Get your vacation travel plans set. Book your favorite hotel. The Philippine islands are opening up to all fully vaccinated international tourists. As of April 1st, entry exemption documents (EED) are no longer required to enter the Philippines.
Am I required to purchase Covid travel insurance for the Philippines?
No. As of May 30, 2022, the IATF-MEID (Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases) lifted the requirement for foreigners traveling to the Philippines to purchase mandatory COVID-19 insurance. While not required, health insurance coverage is still highly recommended.
Previously (as of April 1st, 2022), all foreign tourists traveling to the Philippines were required to have travel insurance that covers COVID-19 treatment to enter the Philippines. The previously mandatory COVID-19 insurance was required before arrival from a reputable insurance carrier and be valid for the duration of their stay.
A foreigner citizen with a valid visa, other than a 9a tourist visa/visa on arrival, such as a marriage visa, SRRV retirement visa, or SIRV investor visa is exempt from the COVID insurance requirement.
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QUICK TIPS- PHILIPPINES
Show a mandatory departure ticket. You cannot enter the Philippines on a one-way ticket if you only have a tourist visa or visa on arrival. You will need a flight ticket with a date leaving the country before your visa expires. Save money by showing immigration you have a cheap onward travel ticket for just $14.
Get help with your visa. The Philippines visa process can get complicated. The rules and regulations change frequently. Avoid the hassle of dealing with the immigration bureaucracy by speaking with a Philippines Visa Specialist.
Learn some basic Tagalog phrases. While nearly everyone speaks some English, learning some basic Tagalog is always appreciated by Filipinos. Get a FREE Language Lesson using the same learning technique used by the US State Department, FBI, and overseas military.
Save On Moving Costs. Save up to 40% on your international moving costs. Nomadic FIRE has partnered with 10,000+ pre-screened global moving companies to save you time and money. Fill out our 60-second form and get 5 free quotes from accredited moving companies competing for your business.
Get Free Expat Health Insurance Quotes. Your home insurance will not cover you while abroad. However, you can find affordable international health insurance for less than what you would pay in the United States.
How To Find The Cheapest Flights To The Philippines
Other Guides On Expat Life In The Philippines
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What are the different types of insurance for travel?
Generally, three types of insurance are sold under the term "travel insurance:" travel medical insurance, international medical insurance, and plain-ole travel insurance. It is critical to understand the insurance's specific medical coverage and purpose, as they are far from equal.
- 1Travel Insurance ($)- Sometimes called trip insurance, these policies may not necessarily cover any medical treatments. This insurance is primarily for protecting your belonging from sneaky thieves, airlines losing your luggage, or even travel delays and trip cancellations. This type of insurance does not typically cover COVID medical treatment and is unlikely to meet the travel insurance mandatory to enter the Philippines.
- 2Travel Medical Insurance ($$)- If you get sick eating suspect street food or break a leg hiking in the jungle, this type of expat insurance covers you when you need to see a doctor, visit a clinic, or otherwise unplanned medical assistance. Primarily, travel medical covers you are outside your home country and requires you to maintain health care insurance in your country of residence.
- 3International Medical Insurance ($$$)- If you are an expat living abroad, international medical insurance is a more complete healthcare solution. Expat Medical Insurance is a substitute for the health insurance you have in your home country, but with coverage overseas. International Medical Insurance can cover pre-existing conditions, chronic health conditions, planned check-ups, and emergency medical care.
you can Compare Costs for all three types Of Insurance Here
What are the benefits of Philippines COVID health insurance from your insurance partners?
Get An Onward Departure Ticket Within 60 Seconds For Only $14
Visitors entering the Philippines must also show a departure ticket leaving the country within 90 days. Nomadic FIRE has partnered with the most trusted Onward Ticket Provider on the web. They will make a confirmed flight reservation on your behalf and provide you Proof Of Onward Travel to show visa or immigration officials.
For $14, it's the cheaper, smarter option for traveling with complete freedom.
What are the benefits of getting international medical insurance instead of cheaper travel medical insurance?
Both policies meet the COVID insurance requirement for the Philippines. The key differences are international medical are more expensive annual insurance plans that provide more complete coverage, including chronic conditions, preventive care, routine check-ups, and non-emergency medical treatment.
In contrast, travel medical insurance is cheaper for short-term trips, does not allow for pre-existing conditions, and only covers emergency medical treatment.
What medical expenses are typically covered by trip insurance for international travel?
The chart below provides a side-by-side comparison of what is usually commonly by travel insurance versus international/expatriate insurance plans:
Trip Insurance
DOES NOT MEET PHILIPPINES REQUIREMENTS FOR COVID COVERAGE
Global Medical
Expats living abroad for an extended period who need comprehensive coverage
Travel Medical
Simple, fast, and affordable coverage ideal for short trips.
INSIDER TIP : You may hear different terminology for the same type of coverage. International Medical Insurance for expats living abroad is sometimes called expatriate health insurance, international health insurance, or global insurance, depending on the carrier.
How much does COVID travel insurance cost for the Philippines?
Travel insurance monthly premium costs depend on several factors: your age, how long you are staying in the Philippines, your co-insurance and deductible (how much you would pay out-of-pocket before insurance kicked in), your maximum coverage, and the insurance provider underwriting your policy.
The IATF requires your travel insurance to the Philippines to include a minimum of $35,000 USD (roughly 1.8 million PHP) of coverage specifically for COVID-19 medical treatment.
I was able to get a 30-day $50,000 COVID policy for the Philippines for $50 per month.
INSIDER TIP : Duration of COVID Travel Insurance Coverage- Technically, the insurance policy must be valid for your entire stay in the Philippines. However, there have been no reports of the Bureau of Immigration checking for COVID medical insurance coverage when you extend your visa.
The deductible and co-insurance on the Philippines Covid travel insurance plan vary by provider and underwriting company. It is critical to read through the details carefully to understand what is covered and how the dollar amounts the insurance pays are calculated.
INSIDER TIP : Important Terminology-
- Deductible- What you will have to pay out-of-pocket before your insurance company begins to reimburse you for covered expenses.
- Co-insurance- The percentage of each claim you will be responsible for after meeting your deductible.
Why should I buy international trip insurance from your insurance partners?
- Includes a travel insurance visa letter explicitly stating COVID-10 coverage (click here for a quote)
- Coverage can start as early as today or pick any date in the future
- Many plans cover the acute onset of a pre-existing condition.
- No medical exam is required
- Some policies can cover applicants up to 80 years old
How to get mandatory COVID coverage for travel to the Philippines
The process is simple. It only takes 5 minutes to get the required COVID travel insurance to enter the Philippines. Start by clicking the red button below and filling out a short form about your trip. Next, pick from a list of policies that cover your needs and best fit your budget.
Follow the instructions and pay your premium and that's it, done! We make it easy to be covered today with no waiting period. You can download the visa letter to show immigration immediately.
Steps to compare and buy travel insurance online
Finding the international travel insurance plan that best fits your needs
Complete the short 5-minute quote with your personal details, trip information, and insurance requirements to get a price list of quotes that meet your travel insurance requirements.
Compare the different options for travel insurance coverages
It is vital to look at price and coverages to compare and contrast plans. The tools give you a good idea of what each policy offers. The good news is that all the plans offered have a worldwide network of hospitals and doctors, so you can get the care you deserve in an emergency.
Buy the best travel insurance for your budget and lifestyle
The best health insurance for travel offers comprehensive coverage for medical expenses and fits your lifestyle. This means buying an insurance policy to cover your medical costs and overnight hospital stays, medical transportation, and incidentals while fitting your risk level and budget.
Review the travel insurance policy documents and print the Visa Letter
Check your email for the login information to your account. Here you can find all the insurance policy documents, including the travel insurance visa letter required by the Philippines Bureau of Immigration, policy coverage details, and important phone numbers.
Get online access to all required documentation
Visa Letter -ID Card -PPO Network (Provider Directory) -Policy Certificate -Claim Forms -Cancellation / Refund Procedure -Make Corrections / Changes to Policy -Purchase Receipt
Satisfies the requirement to Enter the Philippines
This policy more than satisfies the $35,000 USD mandatory coverage set by the Inter-Agency Task Force to enter the Philippines
No waiting period
Your coverage starts when you are ready to leave for the Philippines.
Easy & Quick
Getting a policy from our partner takes less than 3 mins! Fill out a short form about your trip to the Philippines, pay on the secure site, and your new policy is sent immediately to your email.
RELATED POSTs ON Visas IN The Philippines
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What is the best international travel health insurance for the Philippines?
There is no one-size-fits-all answer to finding the best travel insurance for the Philippines. Everyone has different needs. Do you plan on risky activities, like jet-skiing or scuba diving, with a higher risk for potential injury? Do you need coverage for pre-existing conditions?
Your lifestyle and risk tolerance will change your insurance needs. I pay extra to cover surfing, diving, and mountain climbing. The additional coverage gives me peace of mind when enjoying all the fun activities the Philippines offers.
Additionally, with the low healthcare costs in the Philippines, I don't mind paying out of pocket before my insurance kicks in. My health insurance plans have high deductibles but low monthly costs.
My choice for the best international travel health insurance is IMG Patriot International. For my risk tolerance, as a single 48-year old male with additional "Adventure Sports" coverage, I pay roughly $60 per month for my travel health insurance.
INSIDER TIP : Cheap Travel Insurance- Cheaper is not always better. Pick the policy covering the activities you want to enjoy while in the Philippines. Our partners offer an extensive range of insurance plans to fit your budget, activity level, and risk tolerance..
FAQs: Travel Insurance Philippines Covid-19 Policy
D the Filipino healthcare system accept American Medicare as health insurance?
Also, I have certain medical conditions that require medications for pain and anxiety management. Can I access prescriptions for these, such as Tramadol and Xanax?
Thank you po. Much appreciated.
Hi Sal,
Great questions. Regrettably, Medicare doesn’t cover expat healthcare costs outside the US and some US territories (Puerto Rico, Guam, the U.S. Virgin Islands, American Samoa, and the Northern Mariana Islands are eligible). Guam has the two closest Medicare hospitals I am aware of. Additionally, there is Tricare coverage in the Philippines if you are a US military veteran.
The good news is Philippine healthcare coverage is much cheaper than in the US. In my article on living in the Philippines, you can see some examples of the price of Philippine healthcare coverage.
Additionally, you can get a quote for expat health insurance covering you in the Philippines and providing global coverage when you travel. You can get a free quote at https://insurance.nomadicfire.com/intl/health/main
On your prescription drug question, I know that Tramadol is available for roughly $0.60 cents USD per 50 mg capsule, but I am unsure about Xanax. I would email Mercury Drugs or Watsons Drugstore and ask them specially about Xanax.
If you need any help with getting a Philippines Visa, feel free to reach out for assistance.
https://nomadicfire.com/philippines-visa-consultation
Cheers,
Marco
My DOB is Feb 11 1946 is it possible to get the mandatory C/19 Ins
for my holiday, I am requesting requesting 1 year.
Hi Jon,
I checked with my health insurance partners and they recommend these international health insurance companies given your DOB. I did a quick quote for someone 76 years old and found coverage between $100 – $275.
https://link.nomadicfire.com/philipppines-covid-nolimit
Let me know if you have any questions.
Cheers,
Marco