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Updated Advisory: Traveling to the Philippines and the U.S.

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TRAVELING TO THE PHILIPPINES

As of September 12, 2022, wearing of face masks is voluntary in open spaces and non-crowded outdoor areas with good ventilation in the Philippines.

For travel into the country, those who have been vaccinated need to carry an acceptable proof of vaccination and their passport, valid for a period of at least 6 months at the time of their arrival to the Philippines.

Since April 1, the Philippines has been open to all fully vaccinated foreign tourists. They won’t be required to any quarantine anymore. Children below 12 years old do not need to be fully vaccinated.

Most of the Philippines continues to be in the lowest Alert Level 1.

Unboosted individuals still need to provide a negative RT-PCR test, but if they have received at least one booster shot, they no longer need to present this.

A BOQ e-Health Declaration Card (e-HDC)  is still required to be filled up upon arrival.  This includes children.  

It can be filled up three days in advance of your departure through the BOQ’s One Health Pass webpage .  

Save a copy of the transaction number and QR code, which will be required by Philippine immigration authorities.

Unvaccinated and partially vaccinated travelers are still required to quarantine and are required to obtain travel insurance which covers treatment costs for COVID-19 from a “reputable insurance provider.” 

The requirements state that the plan must provide a minimum coverage of $35,000 USD for the duration of their stay in the country.

Monkeypox has been detected in the Philippines, but so far it has not been declared as a public health emergency. There is still no monkeypox vaccine available in the Philippines.

TRAVELING TO THE UNITED STATES

As of June 12, the United States CDC no longer required travelers into the states to present a negative COVID-19 test result or documentation of recovery from COVID-19.

Proof of vaccination is still required for non-US citizen nonimmigrants.

Non-immigrant and non-US citizen travelers still need to be fully vaccinated and must show proof of this before boarding the plane to the states.

Check the U.S. Centers for Disease Control (CDC) website for additional information and our Health Alert. 

The CDC will consider exceptions to COVID-19-related vaccination and testing requirements on an extremely limited basis. 

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Updates

Updated Advisory: Traveling to the Philippines and the U.S.

updated-advisory-travel-philippines-united-states-august-2021
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TRAVELING TO THE PHILIPPINES

Entry restrictions remain in place. According to the guidance issued by the Philippines Bureau of Immigration (BI), individuals in the following categories should be allowed to enter the Philippines, subject to the maximum capacity of inbound passengers at the port and date of entry, until further notice:

  1. Foreign nationals with valid and existing visas at the time of entry.
  2. Foreign nationals allowed entry under the Balikbayan Program (RA6788), provided they are nationals from non-visa-required countries under Executive Order 408:
    • Former Filipino citizens, together with their foreign spouses and children, regardless of age, who are travelling with the former Filipino citizens; and
    • Filipino citizens’ spouses and children, regardless of age, who are travelling with the Filipino citizen.
  1. Foreign nationals who are holders of valid and existing Special Resident Retiree’s Visas (SRRV) may be allowed entry without the need for an Entry Exemption Document (EED).
  2. Foreign nationals who are holders of valid and existing 9(a) or Temporary Visitor’s Visas, provided they present, upon arrival, an EED issued by the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA), except for foreign spouses, parent/s, and/or children of Filipino citizens with valid 9(a) visas who are allowed entry to the Philippines without the need of an EED as of August 1, 2021, per IATF Resolution 128

The IATF recently approved the following revised rules for “Green Lanes” that will apply to fully vaccinated international passengers arriving in the Philippines as of July 26, 2021, except for Section 9(e) visa holders. These rules apply only to those whose point of origin is a Green List country/jurisdiction/territory.

NOTE:  The United States is NOT included in the list of “Green” countries per IATF Resolution 124-A.

Quarantine Information:

Individuals granted permission to enter by the Philippine authorities must undergo a 14-day quarantine and must have a confirmed booking for the first ten days at a hotel accredited by the Philippine Tourism and Health Agencies while awaiting their COVID-19 test results. The remaining four days will be a home quarantine under the local government unit of destination.   U.S. citizens must stay at the booked hotel until they receive a Philippine Bureau of Quarantine medical certificate. 

Per IATF Resolution 123-C, all arriving individuals fully vaccinated in the Philippines regardless of travel history, and those vaccinated abroad who stayed exclusively in “Green” countries/jurisdictions (see IATF Resolution 124-B) in the past fourteen days immediately preceding arrival, shall be required to undergo a seven (7) –day facility-based quarantine upon arrival, with the date of arrival being the first day. Note that the United States is not included as one of the green countries.

TRAVELING TO THE UNITED STATES

All airline passengers to the United States (including U.S. citizens and Lawful Permanent Residents) ages two years and older must provide either a negative COVID-19 viral test taken within three calendar days of travel or provide a positive test result and documentation from a licensed health care provider or public health official of having recovered from COVID-19 in the 90 days preceding travel.  Passengers must also attest, under penalty of law, to having received a negative qualifying test result or to recovery from COVID-19 and medical clearance to travel.  

U.S. citizens in countries where adequate COVID-19 testing is not available or may not be able to satisfy the requirements, should depart immediately or prepare to be unable to return to the United States until such time as they can meet the requirements.   

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Updates

Business/Tourist (B1/B2) Visa Interviews Cancelled Through September 30, 2021

The U.S. Embassy in the Philippine announced that it has canceled visa interview appointments for B1/B2 visa applicants through September 30, 2021.
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The U.S. Embassy in the Philippines announced that it has canceled visa interview appointments for B1/B2 visa applicants through September 30, 2021. This cancellation was made in response to the continued significant worldwide challenges related to the COVID-19 pandemic. Interview waiver renewals are not affected by this cancellation.

According to the U.S. Embassy applicants who were affected by this cancellation may request for a rescheduling of their appointment interview by contacting the Embassy once routine visa services resume but not at this time.  There is no fee to change an appointment. In fact, validity of the visa fee payment (MRV fees) is extended until September 30, 2022. Hence, there is no need to pay for a new fee when rescheduling a visa appointment.

Other non-immigrant or temporary visa interviews will continue as U.S. Embassy continues to prioritize travelers with urgent (i.e., matter of life and death) travel needs, foreign diplomats and certain mission critical categories of travelers, such as students and exchange visitors (F-1, M-1 and J-1) and temporary employment visas (H-1B, H2B and L nonimmigrants.

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Updates

Updated Advisory: Traveling to the Philippines and the U.S.

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TRAVELING TO THE PHILIPPINES

Entry restrictions remain in place. All arriving passengers remain subject to guidelines set by the Philippines’ Inter-Agency Task Force Against Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF) in Resolution Nos. 97, 98,103,  113 and 114.

According to the guidance issued by the Philippines Bureau of Immigration (BI), individuals in the following categories should be allowed to enter the Philippines, subject to the maximum capacity of inbound passengers at the port and date of entry, until further notice:

  1. Foreign nationals with valid and existing visas at the time of entry;
  2. Foreign nationals allowed entry under the Balikbayan Program (RA6788), provided they are nationals from non-visa-required countries under Executive Order 408:
    • Former Filipino citizens, together with their foreign spouses and children, regardless of age, who are travelling with the former Filipino citizens; and
    • Filipino citizens’ spouses and children, regardless of age, who are travelling with the Filipino citizen.
  3. Foreign nationals who are holders of valid and existing Special Resident Retiree’s Visas (SRRV), may be allowed entry without the need for an Entry Exemption Document (EED).
  4.  Foreign nationals who are holders of valid and existing 9(a) or Temporary Visitor’s Visas, provided they present, upon arrival, an EED issued by the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA).

Quarantine Information:

Individuals granted permission to enter by the Philippine authorities must undergo a 14-day quarantine and must have a confirmed booking for the first ten days at a hotel accredited by the Philippine Tourism and Health Agencies while awaiting their COVID-19 test results. The remaining four days will be a home quarantine under the local government unit of destination.   U.S. citizens must stay at the booked hotel until they receive a Philippine Bureau of Quarantine medical certificate.  For more information, see IATF Resolution No. 114 on the Philippine Official Gazette website.

Per IATF Resolution 123-C, all arriving individuals fully vaccinated in the Philippines regardless of travel history, and those vaccinated abroad who stayed exclusively in “Green” countries/jurisdictions (see IATF Resolution 124-B) in the past fourteen days immediately preceding arrival, shall be required to undergo a seven (7) –day facility-based quarantine upon arrival, with the date of arrival being the first day. Note that the United States is not included as one of the green countries.

TRAVELING TO THE UNITED STATES

All airline passengers traveling to the United States, including U.S. citizens and Lawful Permanent Residents (LPRs), are required to provide proof of a negative COVID-19 viral test or recovery from COVID-19.

Effective January 26, 2021 all airline passengers to the United States ages two years and older must provide either a negative COVID-19 viral test taken within three calendar days of travel or provide a positive test result and documentation from a licensed health care provider or public health official of having recovered from COVID-19 in the 90 days preceding travel.  Passengers must also attest, under penalty of law, to having received a negative qualifying test result or to recovery from COVID-19 and medical clearance to travel.   

Airlines must deny boarding to passengers who do not meet these requirements.   

U.S. citizens in countries where adequate COVID-19 testing is not available or may not be able to satisfy the requirements, should depart immediately or prepare to be unable to return to the United States until such time as they can meet the requirements.    

Categories
Featured

Updated Advisory: Traveling to the Philippines and the U.S.

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Traveling to the Philippines

According to the guidance issued by the Philippines Bureau of Immigration (BI), individuals in the following categories should be allowed to enter the Philippines, subject to the maximum capacity of inbound passengers at the port and date of entry, until further notice:

  1. Foreign nationals with valid and existing visas at the time of entry;
  2. Foreign nationals allowed entry under the Balikbayan Program (RA6788), provided they are nationals from non-visa-required countries under Executive Order 408:
    • Former Filipino citizens, together with their foreign spouses and children, regardless of age, who are travelling with the former Filipino citizens; and
    • Filipino citizens’ spouses and children, regardless of age, who are travelling with the Filipino citizen.
  3. Foreign nationals who are holders of valid and existing Special Resident Retiree’s Visas (SRRV), may be allowed entry without the need for an Entry Exemption Document (EED).
  4. Foreign nationals who are holders of valid and existing 9(a) or Temporary Visitor’s Visas, provided they present, upon arrival, an EED issued by the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA).

Except for Section 9(e) visa holders who are covered by different testing and quarantine protocols, the entry of all other foreign nationals shall be subject to the following conditions:

  • With pre-booked accommodation for at least ten nights in a quarantine hotel/facility; and
  • Subject to COVID-19 testing at the quarantine hotel/facility on the seventh day from date of arrival.

Arriving passengers who are fully vaccinated in the Philippines shall be required to undergo a seven-day facility-based quarantine upon arrival, with the day of arrival being the first day.

A fully vaccinated individual must carry his or her vaccination card, which must be verified prior to departure, as far as practicable. This document must be presented to the dedicated Bureau of Quarantine (BOQ) representative for verification at the Department of Transportation One-Stop-Shop (OSS) upon arrival in the Philippines.

Traveling to the United States

All airline passengers traveling to the United States, including U.S. citizens and Lawful Permanent Residents (LPRs), are required to provide proof of a negative COVID-19 viral test or recovery from COVID-19.

Effective January 26, 2021 all airline passengers to the United States ages two years and older must provide either a negative COVID-19 viral test taken within three calendar days of travel or provide a positive test result and documentation from a licensed health care provider or public health official of having recovered from COVID-19 in the 90 days preceding travel.  Passengers must also attest, under penalty of law, to having received a negative qualifying test result or to recovery from COVID-19 and medical clearance to travel.   

Airlines must deny boarding to passengers who do not meet these requirements.   U.S. citizens in countries where adequate COVID-19 testing is not available or may not be able to satisfy the requirements, should depart immediately or prepare to be unable to return to the United States until such time as they can meet the requirements.    

(This update is current as of June 4, 2021.)

Categories
Updates

Updated Advisory: Traveling to the Philippines and the U.S.

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Traveling to the Philippines

The Philippine government has suspended the entry of all foreign nationals with certain exemptions through April 21, 2021. In addition, the number of inbound international passengers has been limited to 1,500 per day.

As per the latest directive from the National Task Force Against COVID-19 (NTF), only the following foreign nationals may be allowed to enter the Philippines during the period 22 March – 21 April 2021:

  1. Holders of 9(e) or 47(a)(2) visas;
  2. Foreign nationals for medical repatriation and their escort/s duly endorsed by the Department of Foreign Affairs-Office of the Undersecretary for Migrant Workers Affairs (DFA-OUMWA) or the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA);
  3. Foreign seafarers with valid 9c crew list visa;
  4. Foreign spouses, children, and parents of Filipino nationals who are travelling with them and with valid visas upon entry;
  5. Foreign nationals with emergency, humanitarian, and other analogous cases approved by the NTF COVID-19.

Foreign nationals who have emergency, humanitarian, and other similar cases may seek approval by sending an email request to:

Those who comply with the above and who are allowed to enter the Philippines will have to comply with the mandatory 7 days quarantine upon arrival at approved Department of Health (DOH) facilities. This rule applies despite negative COVID tests upon arrival. On the sixth (6th) day of arrival, the traveler will have to take a mandatory COVID-testing. 

Make sure before traveling and before making a hotel reservation that the hotel is an accredited quarantine hotel/facility by the Philippine Department of Health. For a list of accredited quarantine hotels and facilities, travelers should exercise due diligence by researching only on reputable information sources. Or they may contact their airlines for any list of their partner quarantine hotels for recommendation. 

Traveling to the United States

All airline passengers traveling to the United States, including U.S. citizens and Lawful Permanent Residents (LPRs), are required to provide proof of a negative COVID-19 viral test or recovery from COVID-19.

Effective January 26, 2021 all airline passengers to the United States ages two years and older must provide either a negative COVID-19 viral test taken within three calendar days of travel or provide a positive test result and documentation from a licensed health care provider or public health official of having recovered from COVID-19 in the 90 days preceding travel.  Passengers must also attest, under penalty of law, to having received a negative qualifying test result or to recovery from COVID-19 and medical clearance to travel.   

Airlines must deny boarding to passengers who do not meet these requirements.   U.S. citizens in countries where adequate COVID-19 testing is not available or may not be able to satisfy the requirements, should depart immediately or prepare to be unable to return to the United States until such time as they can meet the requirements.    

(This update is current as of March 22, 2021.)