Now Open To Foreigners- Can I Travel To The Philippines Right Now?

Overview- Can I travel to the Philippines Right Now?

Yes. The borders of this beautiful Archipelago Nation are now open to ALL foreign international travelers. Finally, some good news for foreign tourists and expats waiting to enter the Philippines and enjoy the country's gorgeous white sand beaches and famous islands.

The IATF-EID (Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases) has updated the requirements for who can enter the Philippines. As of October 4th, the National Government lifted the nonessential travel ban. The entry, testing, and quarantine protocols for foreign citizens entering the Philippines for business or tourism are now as follows:

*HINT- The United States, United Kingdom, Canada, and Australia are on the approved visa-free list.

Please note the information in this article is correct as of the date of publication. However, the situation is fluid, and the country's public health authority can change the travel advisory or issue a travel warning at any time. 

Other Guides On Expat Life In The Philippines

Who can travel to the Philippines?

As of October 4th, per IATF Resolution No. 2, all unvaccinated, partially vaccinated, and fully vaccinated Filipinos and Foreign Nationals can enter the Philippines. 

Again, unvaccinated foreign nationals are now allowed to enter the Philippines.

Under IATF Resolution 159, the Bureau of Immigration changed the entry restrictions to allow returning Philippine citizens, former Philippine citizens, and all fully vaccinated foreign nationals to travel the Philippines regardless of their country of origin. As of February 10th, restrictions still existed for NON-VACCINATED foreigners. However, as of October 4, 2022, restrictions for non-vaccinated foreigners has been lifted. 

You can read the specific entry procedures for Filipino Nationals, foreign nationals from visa-free countries, and foreign nationals from visa-required countries below.

Can US Citizens Travel To The Philippines Right Now?

Yes. As of February 10th, the Bureau of Immigration changed the entry restrictions to allow fully vaccinated Americans to travel to the Philippines for tourism or business purposes without a visa or Entry Exemption Document (EED). To enter the Philippines, US citizens will need acceptable proof of vaccination, a Negative RT-PCR test within 48 hours prior to the date and time of departure, and a departure ticket no later than 30 days from the date of arrival.

Documentation, Quarantine, Testing, and Vaccination Requirements For Foreigners Traveling To The Philippines

Travelers Entering The Philippines Visa-Free Must:

1. Be a citizen from one of 157 Visa-Free countries (*Hint: the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, and Australia are on the visa-free list);
2. Fully vaccinated travelers must present valid proof of vaccination; OR
3. Show a negative RT-PCR test result taken no more than 24 hours from departure of your first flight. The 24-hour timeline excludes layovers, as long as you did not leave the airport or enter the transit country; 
4. Purchase a departure ticket leaving the Philippines no later than 30 days from your arrival date. Exemptions for onward tickets are:
   • Foreign spouses and children of Filipino citizens,
   who are traveling with Filipino citizens; and
   • Former Filipino citizens with Balikbayan privileges
   under Republic Act No. 9174, including their spouse
   and / or children, who are traveling with Filipino citizens;
5. Hold a valid passport with an expiration date at least 6-months from the time of entry into the Philippines;
6. eARRIVAL CARD- As of December 2nd, 2022, the One Health Pass has been officially replaced with the electronic ARRIVAL CARD (eARRIVAL CARD). The eArrival card should be filled out 72 hours prior to your trip  to the Philippines. The eArrival card is free of charge. If a website is asking for a registration fee, you are on a scam website. Use the official eArrival website
   
7. Philippines medical insurance is no longer required but is recommended. Travel insurance is inexpensive (some plans cost $1 per day) and can be a literal lifesaver. You can get a free quote from Allianz international travel health insurance by clicking here. 

Note- Minor children under 15 years old follow the quarantine protocols of parents or accompanying adult.

Travelers Entering The Philippines From A Visa-Required Country Must:

1. Be a foreign citizen NOT on the list of 157 visa-free countries (*Hint India and China are visa restricted countries);
2. Acquire a valid 9a Temporary Visitor visa from the Philippines Embassy or Consulate of their home country  (check with your country's Philippine Consulate General for the specific visa application form and requirements) ;
3. Fully vaccinated travelers must present valid proof of vaccination; OR
4. Show a negative RT-PCR test result taken no more than 24 hours from departure of your first flight. The 24-hour timeline excludes layovers, as long as you did not leave the airport or enter the transit country; 
5. eARRIVAL CARD- As of December 2nd, 2022, the One Health Pass has been officially replaced with the electronic ARRIVAL CARD (eARRIVAL CARD). The eArrival card should be filled out 72 hours prior to your trip to the Philippines. The eArrival card is free of charge. If a website is asking for a registration fee, you are on a scam website. Use the official eArrival website.
6. Philippines medical insurance is no longer required but is recommended. Travel insurance is inexpensive (some plans cost $1 per day) and can be a literal lifesaver. You can get a free quote from Allianz international travel health insurance by clicking here. 
7. As of April 1, 2022, Securing an entry exemption document (EED) is no longer required;

Note- Minor children under 15 years old follow the quarantine protocols of parents or accompanying adult.

Can a foreigner with a valid visa travel to the Philippines right now?

All foreigners (visa-free or visa-restricted countries) who meet the proper entry protocols (either fully vaccinated with certificate or present a negative Covid-19 test) can enter the Philippines.

Quarantine Requirements For Foreign Nationals

Any inbound traveler , whether Filipino or foreign national , who shall test positive for COVID - 19 through rapid antigen test , shall be subjected to the latest prevailing quarantine and isolation protocols of the DOH .

• Starting with five days of facility-based quarantine until testing negative on an RT-PCR test taken on the 5th day (Day 1 is your date of arrival). 
• Continue a home quarantine until after the 14th day from their arrival date into the Philippines. 
• International inbound air travelers who require facility-based quarantine must check into an approved Bureau of Quarantine facility at the first port of arrival entering the Philippines, regardless if transiting to another destination in the Philippines.
  
  As an example, if you are an international inbound traveler entering the Philippines in Cebu City, with plans to transfer to Dumaguete City, you must start your 5-day facility-based quarantine in Cebu City.  After a negative RT-PCR test result on the 5th day, you may transit to Dumaguete to complete your quarantine at home until the 14th day. 

How do I get an Entry Exemption Document (EED) for the Philippines?

NOTE: As of April 1, 2022, an Entry Exemption Document (EED) is no longer required by any foreigners entering the Philippines.

To get an EED, visa restricted foreigners first need to find an endorsing Philippine government agency (like the PRA for a retirement Visa EED) to petition the Philippine Department of Foreign Affairs for an EED. Once approved, you can request an entry visa (9a) from your nearest Philippine Embassy or Consulate with an EED.

The endorsing government agency you need to contact depends on the type of visa you are requesting:

1. Retirement (SRRV) = Philippine Retirement Authority
2. Marriage Visa = No need for EED request a 9a directly from the Philippine Embassy or Consulate of your country of residence
3. Working Visa = Department of Labor and Employment 
4. Student Visa (Primary up to Secondary Level) = Department of Education
5. Student Visa (College and University Students) = Commission on Higher Education (CHED)
6. Investor's Visa (SIRV) = Board of Investments
7. Tourism = Department of Tourism 
8. Business = See section below

How do I get an EED if I want to do business in the Philippines?

To get an EED to enter the Philippines for business related purposes (sales calls, client meetings, business prospecting, etc. ) you will need to request an EED petition from the Philippines government agency with jurisdiction over your business/company.

The endorsing government agency depends on the type of business you will be engaging in.

For example, if your client's business is registered under the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), EED has to be requested at the DTI. If you wanted to sell telecommunication equipment, you would contact the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC).

The endorsing government agency must submit your entry exemption request directly to the Philippine Department of Foreign Affairs Office of Consular Affairs (DFA-OCA).

Not all government agencies are willing to provide EED.

Travel Requirements For Foreigner With Existing Visas Other Than 9a

Foreigners with valid visas (such as the SRRV, 13a, or 13g) that are NOT temporary visitor visas (such as a visa on arrival or a 9a tourist visa) have fewer requirements to enter the Philippines. If you have a previously issued SRRV, 13a, or another visa, you are allowed to enter the Philippines under the following conditions:

1. Are fully vaccinated or have a negative antigen test
2. eARRIVAL CARD- The One Health Pass has been officially replaced with the electronic ARRIVAL CARD (eARRIVAL CARD). The eArrival card should be filled out 72 hours prior to your trip  to the Philippines. The eArrival card is free of charge. If a website is asking for a registration fee, you are on a scam website. Use the official eArrival website
3. No COVID insurance is required;
4. No onward departure ticket is required.

Outbound Ticket Requirements For Leisure Travelers

Inbound air travelers must prove they have booked valid return tickets to their port of origin or onward tickets to their next port of destination no later than 30-days from their arrival date to the Philippines.

Exceptions to the onward travel ticket requirement are inbound travelers who are foreign spouses or minor children of Filipino citizens or former Filipino citizens under the Balikbayan program. 

As defined by the BI, Balikbayans are former Filipinos naturalized to any of the 157 countries under the amended 1960 Executive Order No. 408. Balikbayans, their spouse, and children traveling together to the Philippines are entitled to a one-year visa-free entry, which they can extend.

Can foreigners travel to the Philippines for more than 30-days?

Yes. Foreigners from visa-free countries can extend their stay in the Philippines past the initial 30-days. However, even if you plan on staying longer than 30-days, you must still show proof of an onward ticket no more than 30-days after your arrival date.

Ensure that you extend your visa prior to the expiration date. If you are in the Philippines on an expired visa, you are considered an "overstaying foreigner" and are subject to potential penalties and fines. 

What does the National Government consider acceptable proof of vaccination to enter the Philippines?

Proof of vaccination must be valid under existing IATF regulations. Acceptable proof includes World Health Organization International Certificates of Vaccination and Prophylaxis, VaxCertPH, or a digital vaccination certificate of a foreign country that has accepted VaxCertPH under a reciprocal agreement.

What is the vaccine requirement to travel to the Philippines right now?

All foreigners entering the Philippines must be fully vaccinated. Fully vaccinated means receiving 2-shots of a 2-dose vaccine or 1-shot of a single dose vaccine at least 14 days before entering the Philippines. Acceptable vaccines must be on the emergency use authorization (El-JA) list, compassionate special permit (CSP) issued by the Philippine Food & Drug administration; OR the World Health Organization (WHO) emergency use list. 

Where can I get health insurance that covers the COVID coverage requirement to enter the Philippines?

Can someone help me with my visa to travel to the Philippines?

Yes. I can help you with a marriage visa, retirement visa, or work visa? I've partnered with a Philippines Visa Specialist with experience relocating embassy personnel and corporate expats since 2011. If you don't want to deal with the hassle and complexity of the visa process, they can help. 

My partners are visa specialists certified by the Philippine Retirement Association (PRA) to handle your visa application, document submission, local appointments, and much more. They will simply your immigration process and make getting your visa easier. 

Can unvaccinated US citizens travel to the Philippines?

Yes. US citizens are allowed visa-free entry into the Philippines regardless of vaccination status. However, unvaccinated, partially vaccinated, or those with a vaccination status that cannot be
validated must present an antigen test taken within 24-hours prior to departure from country of origin.

Failure to present tests, shall be required to undergo antigen test upon arrival at the airport.

Can Foreign Travelers enter the Philippines?

Yes, all foreign travelers with a valid visa or are allowed visa-free entry into the Philippines can enter the country regardless of vaccination status. 

However, unvaccinated, partially vaccinated, or those with a vaccination status that cannot be
validated must present an antigen test taken within 24-hours prior to departure from country of origin.

Failure to present tests, shall be required to undergo antigen test upon arrival at the airport.

Documentation, Quarantine, Testing, and Vaccination Requirements For Returning Filipino Nationals To Enter The Philippines

All returning Filipino Nationals traveling to the Philippines from abroad must register on the eArrival card. 

The eARRIVAL CARD officially replaced the One Health Pass. The eArrival card should be filled out 72 hours prior to your trip  to the Philippines. The eArrival card is free of charge. If a website is asking for a registration fee, you are on a scam website. Use the official eArrival website.

Filipino Nationals Entering The Philippines Must:

1. Must provide valid proof of vaccination accepted under existing IATF regulations
   a. World Health Organization International Certificates of Vaccination and Prophylaxis;
   b. VaxCertPH; OR 
   c. National/state digital vaccination certificate of the foreign government that accepts the VaxCertPH under reciprocal arrangement unless otherwise permitted by the IATF; OR
2. A show a supervised rapid antigen negative test taken by a professional in a healthcare facility no more than 24 hours before your departure flight leaving your country of origin. The 24 hours from departure time excludes any time spent at airport layovers, as long as you did not leave the airport or cross the border into the transit country; OR
3. Take an antigen test upon arrival at the airport.

If my RT-PCR tests positive, can I still travel to the Philippines?

Filipino nationals who test positive on their pre-departure RT-PCR test can still enter the Philippines under the following testing and mandatory quarantine conditions:

Testing Requirements After A Positive RT-PCR Test:

1. The positive test was between 10 days and 30 days before departure from your country of origin OR
2. The positive test was within 48-hours before departure, AND
3. You obtain a Medical Certificate from a licensed Physician stating you were asymptomatic or had a mild, moderate, severe, or critical case Of COVID-19, but completed mandatory isolation, are no longer contagious, and are allowed to travel.

You can exclude any time you spent in an airport for a layover from the 48-hour test timeline, as long as you did not leave the airport at any time and did not enter the transit country.

Quarantine Requirements After A Positive RT-PCR Test:

• Fully vaccinated returning Philippine citizens must complete seven days of self-monitoring for symptoms (date of arrival counts as day 1)
• Returning Filipinos who are unvaccinated, partially vaccinated, or have an undetermined vaccination status cannot be determined must check into an authorized quarantine facility until they test negative on an RT-PCR test taken on the 5th day; AND
• Continue a home quarantine until after the 14th day from their arrival date into the Philippines.