What exactly are the procedures if you want to travel to the Philippines?
In all my experiences before, I have never had encountered a problem at any international airports because in every corner of them has a signage that we can follow very easily.
These are the NEW ENTRY GUIDELINES/REQUIREMENTS of the Philippines for INBOUND TRAVELERS:
A.) IF FULLY VACCINATED (Filipino and Foreign Travelers)
- No pre-departure COVID-19 Test requirement
- Must have received the 2nd dose in a 2-dose series or a single dose COVID-19 vaccine more than fourteen (14) days prior to the date and time of departure from the country of origin/port of embarkation.
B.) IF UNVACCINATED or PARTIALLY VACCINATED (Filipino and Foreign Travelers)
1. Travelers 15 years and older shall present a remotely supervised/laboratory-based Rapid Antigen Test administered and certified by a healthcare professional in a healthcare facility, laboratory, clinic, or other similar establishment taken 24 hours prior to the date and time of departure from country of origin/first port of embarkation in a continuous travel to the Philippines, excluding lay-overs; provided that, he/she has not left the airport premises or has not been admitted into another country during such lay-over.
2. Travelers 15 years and older who fail to present a negative pre-departure testing shall be required to undergo a laboratory-based Antigen Test UPON ARRIVAL at the airport.
3. ACCOMPANIED minors below 15 years of age who are NOT VACCINATED for any reason whatsoever shall follow the quarantine protocols of their parent/s or an accompanying adult/guardian traveling with them.
4. UNACCOMPANIED minors below 15 years of age who are NOT VACCINATED for any reason whatsoever shall follow the protocols set forth inSection B (1) and (2) above.
NOTE: 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.
C.) REGISTER AT ETRAVEL PORTAL FOR ARRIVAL QR CODE- You may only register within 72 hours prior to your arrival or departure in the Philippines. Travelers are enjoined to present their eTravel QR code to flight boarding.
D.) PASSPORT - must be valid over 6 months.
Additional Requirements For Foreign National:
E.) RETURN TICKET
F.) VISA - Visitors from 157 countries are permitted visa-free entry for periods ranging from 14 to 59 days.
Holders of passports of the following jurisdictions do not require a visa for Philippines:
59 days (2 countries)
- Brazil
- Israel
30 days (152 countries)
- All
ASEAN nationals - All
European Union citizens
14 days (3 countries)
- Hong Kong
- Macau
- Portugal (for passports issued to permanent residents of Macau only)
What countries need a Philippine visa?
If you come from any of the countries listed below, it is necessary to acquire a visa prior to entering the Philippines.
- Afghanistan
- Albania
- Algeria
- Armenia
- Azerbaijan
- Bangladesh
- Belarus
- China
- People’s Republic of China
- Cuba
- Egypt
- Georgia
- India
- Iran
- Iraq
- Jordan
- Republic of Kosovo
- Lebanon
- Libya
- Macedonia
- Moldova
- Nauru
- Nigeria
- Pakistan
- Palestine
- Serbia
- Sierra Leone
- Somalia
- Sri Lanka
- Sudan
- Syria
- Timor-Leste
- Tonga
- Ukraine
- Yemen
NOTE:
- NO NEED TO APPLY FOR A VISA IF TRAVELLING TOGETHER WITH FILIPINA SPOUSE UNDER THE BALIKBAYAN PROGRAM
- IF FILIPINA SPOUSE OR MINOR CHILD IS IN THE PHILIPPINES, A VISA MUST BE APPLIED
- THE INFORMATION PROVIDED ABOVE IS BASED ONLY ON MY RESEARCH. FOR YOU TO BE SURE IF YOU NEED VISA OR NOT, PLEASE CONTACT THE NEAREST PHILIPPINE EMBASSY IN YOUR COUNTRY
Additional Requirements for Foreign Spouse of a Filipino National:
G.) Original and one photocopy of Marriage Certificate from the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA), if married in the Philippines
H.) Original and one photocopy of Report of Marriage (ROM), if married abroad and has no PSA copy yet
I.) Proof of Filipino citizenship of Spouse (e.g. copy of Philippine passport)
J.) Proof that spouse is currently in the Philippines (e.g. Certification from the local government [Barangay/Municipality] stating their presence and residency in their locality)
Additional Requirements for Foreign Parent of Minor Filipino Children:
K.) Original and one photocopy of Birth Certificate from the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA), if born in the Philippines
L.) Original and one photocopy of PSA issued Report of Birth (ROB), if born abroad
M.) Proof of Filipino citizenship of child (e.g. copy of Philippine passport)
N.) Proof that child is currently in the Philippines (e.g. school/enrollment records)
TRAVELLING TO THE PHILIPPINES- Step by Step Guide
1) PREPARE ALL THE DOCUMENTS NEEDED - see mentioned above.
2) CHECK-IN - Familiarize your flight number which can be found on your ticket and find the check-in counter by checking it in the big screen displayed monitor that can be found inside in every corner of the aiport.
3) IMMIGRATION - Prepare your passport and boarding pass.
4) BOARDING GATE - Go to your designated boarding gate. Your gate number can be found in your boarding pass. Follow the visible airport signage to find your boarding gate.
5) BOARDING TIME - Prepare your passport and boarding pass to board the plane.
NOTE: Focus on the announcements that you will hear at the airport because sometimes there are changes of designated gates or changes of your flight.
ARRIVAL IN THE PHILIPPINES - Step by Step Guide
1) ETRAVEL ARRIVAL QR CODE CHECKING - prepare your eTravel QR Code
2) IMMIGRATION- prepare your passport
3) BAGGAGE CLAIMING-
4) EXIT- If there is someone to pick you up, you will see them immediately upon exit
NOTE: For example, you arrived in NAIA Terminal 3 and then you have a connecting domestic flight that will be departed in NAIA Terminal 1. At the Airport, they have a free bus working 24/7 to transfer you to another terminal for free. Upon exit, you just need to ask the security guard to guide you if where you can wait for the free bus.
