Entering the Philippines has become simpler and faster, with protocols now based solely on your vaccination status. If you are fully vaccinated with or without a booster, your protocol will differ from those who are not vaccinated or whose vaccination status cannot be confirmed.
Let’s discuss the protocols for fully and unvaccinated travelers, whether you hold a Philippine or foreign passport, based on the latest IATF resolution. If you are a Filipino or foreign passport holder 15 years and above, there is no requirement to present a pre-departure COVID-19 test.
COMPLETE THE ONLINE REGISTRATION FORM
The Philippines has replaced the One Health Pass with the eTravel Card. The eTravel Card is a digital platform that streamlines the process of health declaration and contact tracing for travelers from the time they leave their home country to their arrival at their final destination in the Philippines. Before traveling to the Philippines, every foreign and Filipino traveler, including minors and children must individually register for the eTravel Card.
COVID-19 testing is no longer required upon departure from your country of origin, but you must complete the online registration form, also known as the eTravel, to enter the Philippines. You have two options for completing the form: either at least three days prior to your departure or upon arrival in the Philippines. It’s best to complete the form before your departure to avoid long lines.
The e-Travel registration can be accessed through the official government website etravel.gov.ph. There is no need to provide credit card information. The registration process is quick and simple, taking only a few minutes to complete. If you’re not comfortable with online forms, you can ask a family member to assist you with the registration as long as they have your necessary information.
Travelers, both vaccinated and unvaccinated, will receive a QR code after completing their registration. If you are fully vaccinated, you will receive a green QR code and it is best to screenshot it or save it in your phone or email. If you are unvaccinated or partially vaccinated, you will receive a red QR code and there may be a manual verification check upon arrival at the airport. Regardless of your vaccination status, you will still be able to travel and may be asked to present additional documentation for verification by airport personnel.
CAN YOU EDIT INFORMATION AFTER SUCCESSFUL REGISTRATION?
Yes, as long as your information has not been processed, verified, and tagged as arrived by the border health authorities (BOQ), you have the opportunity to modify certain details in your eTravel profile through the “Open My Profile” tab on the eTravel website. Once you have arrived, been verified, and tagged as arrived by the Quarantine Officer, you will no longer have the ability to edit your information. The main data that can be edited are those required for the issuance of your quarantine certificate, such as arrival date, address, and personal information.
VACCINATION CERTIFICATE
After completing the E-Travel, you will be required to present a vaccination certificate or card as proof of your vaccination status. The good news is, you do not need to upload the certificate on the e-travel system, simply carry it with you. If you are fully vaccinated with or without a booster, make sure you have either your WHO International Certificate of Vaccination or Prophylaxis, your yellow card, or if you were vaccinated in the Philippines, your vaccine Ph.
PROTOCOLS FOR FULLY VACCINATED FILIPINOS AND FOREIGN NATIONALS
If you were vaccinated in another country, you can present your government-issued vaccination card or certificate. For example, if you were vaccinated in the USA, you can present your CDC card, and if you were vaccinated in the UK, you can present your NHS card. Any other certificate or card accepted by the Philippines or the Philippine government will also suffice.
Also, you may be wondering if quarantine is required upon arrival in the Philippines. Good news, there is no quarantine required, whether it be at a hotel or your home. These are the protocols for fully vaccinated Filipinos and foreign nationals.
PROTOCOLS FOR UNVACCINATED FILIPINOS AND FOREIGN NATIONALS
If you are traveling to the Philippines and are partially or unvaccinated, you will need to provide a pre-departure COVID-19 test result taken within 24 hours prior to departure or arrival at the Philippine airport. This applies to both Filipino and unvaccinated foreign travelers.
This means that you must have a negative rapid antigen test result from a laboratory taken within 24 hours before departing or arriving at the Philippine airport. Previously, only Filipinos were allowed to enter the Philippines, but as of the end of last year, unvaccinated foreign nationals are now also permitted to enter.
If your test result is negative, you are good to enter the Philippines. However, if it is positive, you must undergo hotel quarantine. It is advisable to take the pre-departure COVID-19 test before departing from your origin. You may take either an RT-PCR test within 48 hours before your flight or a rapid antigen test within 24 hours before your flight. Both tests are acceptable for unvaccinated and partially vaccinated individuals 15 years old and above.
If you’re a fully vaccinated parent or guardian traveling with children, the minors will not be required to take a pre-departure COVID-19 test. However, if you are unvaccinated or partially vaccinated, the minors will need to take a pre-departure COVID-19 test. In both cases, the minors should complete the e-travel registration form either prior to boarding or in the Philippines. For the e-travel registration, guardians and parents can use their own contact details, such as email and phone numbers for infants or babies.
AFTER ARRIVAL TO THE PHILIPPINES
Upon arrival at any airport in the Philippines for Filipinos and foreign nationals, make sure you have all the forms the flight attendant asked you to complete, and all your belongings are ready to be retrieved from the plane. At the terminal, airport personnel will direct you to the correct signage. Fully vaccinated travelers can proceed directly to immigration, collect their luggage, and proceed to Customs if they have nothing to declare. Unvaccinated travelers will undergo manual verification and present the required documents before proceeding to immigration, collecting their luggage, and heading to Customs.