Travel Blog

Philippines Arrival Guide for Fully Vaccinated Travelers

Because of the current situation in the Philippines, travelers should follow recommendations or requirements. Here's our comprehensive guide before you plan to travel to the Philippines.

UPDATE: January 28, 2022

* Effective Feb 1, fully vaccinated passengers will be required to present a negative RT-PCR test taken within 48 hrs prior to departure from the country of origin, and they will no longer be required to undergo facility quarantine.
* Unvaccinated or partially vaccinated travelers would be required to undergo facility-based quarantine until the release of their negative RT-PCR test taken on the 5th day.
*Effective Feb 10, fully vaccinated nationals of non-visa-required countries shall be allowed to enter the Philippines, subject to several conditions. (Click here to read Philippines Revised Travel Protocol)


Health advice is continually changing as we learn more about COVID-19 and new variants are discovered. Rules and restrictions to prevent outbreaks can change quickly. It’s important to regularly check the rules in the destinations you’re traveling to and transiting through, as well as the requirements at the Australian border. These may differ between state and territory jurisdictions.

Always check global health advisory and a step-by-step guide to travel during COVID-19 for more information.

We advise:

  • Reconsider your need to travel to the Philippines overall due to the impacts of COVID-19.
  • Reduced quarantine requirements may apply if you’re vaccinated and coming from a ‘green’ listed country (read more details below). A range of COVID-19 measures is in place throughout the country. These can change regularly. Follow the Philippines Department of Tourism for the latest advice.

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LIST OF “GREEN” COUNTRIES IDENTIFIED UNDER IATF RESOLUTION 157-B

“Green” List countries/jurisdictions/territories are those classified by the IATF as “Low Risk” countries/jurisdictions/territories. The protocols for “Green” List countries/jurisdictions/territories in all ports of entry in the Philippines shall be observed.  

Bangladesh, Benin, Bhutan, British Virgin Islands, China (Mainland), Côte d’Ivoire (Ivory Coast), Djibouti, Equatorial Guinea, Falkland Islands (Malvinas), The Gambia, Gana, Guinea, Hong Kong (Chinese Special Administrative Region), India, Indonesia, Japan, Kosovo, Kuwait, Kyrgyzstan, Montserrat, Morocco, Niger, Oman, Pakistan, Paraguay, Saba (Special Municipality of the Kingdom of Netherlands), Saint Barthelemy,  Senegal, Sierra Leone, Sint Eustatius, Taiwan, Timor-Leste (East Timor), Uganda

Vaccinated

  • Negative RT-PCR test result has taken within 48 hours prior to departure from the country of origin 
  • No facility-based quarantine required
  • Self-monitor for any sign or symptom until the 7th day from arrival
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Reconsider your need to travel to the Philippines overall due to the impacts of COVID-19.
Reconsider your need to travel to the Philippines overall due to the impacts of COVID-19.

LIST OF “YELLOW” COUNTRIES IDENTIFIED UNDER IATF RESOLUTION 157-B

“Yellow List” countries/jurisdictions/territories are those classified by the IATF as “Moderate Risk” countries/jurisdictions/territories upon recommendation of the sub-Technical Working Group on Data Analytics, the protocols for “Yellow” List countries/jurisdictions/territories in all ports of entry in the Philippines shall be observed. 

All other countries/territories/jurisdictions not identified as “Green” or “Red”

Vaccinated

  • Negative RT-PCR test result taken within 48 hours prior to departure from the country of origin  
  • Facility-based quarantine until the release of the negative results
  • 5th-day swabbing
  • Home quarantine until the 7th day from arrival

NOTES:

  • The testing and quarantine protocols of Minors shall follow the testing and quarantine protocol of the parent/guardian traveling with them, regardless of the minor’s vaccination status, and country of origin.

RT-PCR test exemption of minors 3 years old and below as of December 14, 2021

  • Asymptomatic minors 3 years and below, shall not be required to present a negative RT-PCR test result.
  • Symptomatic minors 3 years and below shall be subject to the usual testing, and quarantine procedures for international arriving passengers.

LIST OF RED COUNTRIES IDENTIFIED UNDER IATF RESOLUTION 157-B

“Red” List countries/jurisdictions/territories are those classified by the IATF as “High Risk” countries/jurisdictions/territories, upon recommendation of the sub-Technical Working Group on Data Analyticsthe protocols for “Red” List countries/jurisdictions/territories in all ports of entry in the Philippines shall be observed.  

Antigua and Barbuda, Aruba, Canada, Curacao, French Guiana, Iceland, Malta, Mayotte, Mozambique, Puerto Rico (U.S.), Saudi Arabia, Somalia, Spain, U.S. Virgin Islands 

Vaccinated

  • Negative RT-PCR test result taken within 48 hours prior to departure from the country of origin 
  • Facility based quarantine until the release of the negative results
  • 5th day swabbing
  • Home quarantine until the 7th day from arrival

NOTES:

 

  •  All passengers, whether Filipinos or foreigners, merely transiting on the above-mentioned countries and were not cleared by Immigration will not be restricted. 
  • The testing and quarantine protocols of Minors shall follow the testing and quarantine protocol of the parent/guardian traveling with them, regardless of the minor’s vaccination status, and country of origin.  

RT-PCR test exemption of minors 3 years old and below as of December 14, 2021

  • Asymptomatic minors 3 years and below, shall not be required to present a negative RT-PCR test result.
  • Symptomatic minors 3 years and below shall be subject to the usual testing, and quarantine procedures for international arriving passengers.

Foreign nationals allowed to enter into the country shall be subject to the following additional protocols:

  • Beginning 16 February 2022, proof of full vaccination shall be made a requirement for entry of all foreign nationals allowed to enter the Philippines.
  • A fully vaccinated individual is someone who has more than or equal to 2 weeks after having received the second dose in a 2-dose vaccine; or more than or equal to 2 weeks after having received a single-dose vaccine.

For purposes of validating vaccination status, the following shall be observed:

A. In lieu of the POLO certification, OFWs and their spouse, children, parent/s traveling with them vaccinated abroad may present their national digital/physical vaccination certificate of the foreign government where they were vaccinated without the need of a reciprocity agreement.

B. (i) Filipinos who are non-OFWs vaccinated in the country or abroad, and (ii) foreigners vaccinated in the Philippines – either their VaxCertPH digital vaccination certificate, Bureau of Quarantine/World Health Organization-issued International Certificate of Vaccination or Prophylaxis (ICV), or the national/state digital certificate of the foreign government where they were vaccinated, which has accepted VaxCertPH under a reciprocal arrangement unless otherwise permitted by the IATF.

C. For foreign nationals vaccinated abroad: WHO-issued ICV, or the national/state digital certificate of the foreign government which has accepted VaxCertPH under a reciprocal arrangement unless otherwise permitted by the IATF.

VaxxcertPH
Philippine's LGUs could coordinate with DICT in making VaxCertPH available to their locality.
IMPORTANT INFORMATION ON COVID-19 VACCINATION CERTIFICATE ACCEPTANCE/RECOGNITION UNDER IATF 154-E & 157
Upon the recommendation of the Department of Foreign Affairs, the national COVID-19 vaccination certificate of the following countries shall be accepted/recognized for purposes of arrival quarantine protocols as well as for interzonal/intrazonal movement, in addition to such other countries/territories/jurisdictions whose proofs of vaccination the IATF already approved for recognition in the Philippines, and without prejudice to such other proofs of vaccination approved by IATF for all inbound travelers.
Armenia, Belgium, Canada, France, Germany, Kuwait, New Zealand, Sri Lanka, Thailand, United States of America, Oman, Colombia, Iraq, Monaco, Italy, Tunisia, and Vietnam.

The Bureau of Quarantine, the Department of Transportation – One-Stop-Shop, and the Bureau of Immigration are directed to recognize only the proofs of vaccination thus approved by the IATF.

BEFORE YOU FLY AND DURING CHECK-IN

1. All travelers should register to the Bureau of Quarantine e-Health Declaration Card (e-HDC) including children. Declare your personal information, health status, and travel history. 

Register as early as 3 days within your departure date through https://www.onehealthpass.com.ph/e-HDC As required, please ensure to upload a clear photo of your Vaccine Card/Certificate and RT-PCR test result taken within 48 hours prior to departure. Both photos must be in JPG/JPEG format. The BOQ will determine the number of quarantine days upon the arrival.

Accurately and completely fill out all required fields including the e-HDC. Upon completion, please ensure to save a copy of your unique transaction number and your QR code which will be required upon check-in. Failure to present the OHP QR code may result in the non-acceptance of the flight.

For non-OFWs, you may also pre-pay for your RT-PCR Test. Your test may be conducted by our DOH-accredited partner, Detoxicare Molecular Diagnostics Laboratory. A payment portal link is available after successfully registering to the One Health Pass. If your travel plans change, you may also request a refund of your prepaid test anytime. Please follow the refund guidelines found in the payment confirmation email.

Payment may also be made at the hotel on your swab day via cash in PHP or USD, card, AliPay, WeChat Pay, GCash, and PayPal.

2. Ensure to have a confirmed booking at a hotel accredited by Tourism and Health Agencies. Please click here for the list of Quarantine Hotels in Manila.

3. Upon check-in, sign the Declaration and Waiver Form presented by our check-in agent, indicating that you are healthy and fit to travel.

DURING THE FLIGHT

4. Accomplish the Bureau of Customs Form and Arrival Card.

WHEN YOU ARRIVE

5. Upon arrival, listen to the briefing conducted by the Philippine Coast Guard.

6. Undergo a temperature check, present the BOQ One Health Pass QR Code upon deplaning, and proceed to the designated waiting area.

7. Present your proof of vaccination to the dedicated Bureau of Quarantine (BOQ) representative for re-verification at the Department of Transportation One-Stop-Shop (OSS).

8 Proceed to the hotel desk and present your vaccine card and certificate. Hotel coordinators shall verify your hotel booking or assist you in your reservation if you have not made one yet. You shall also make the transportation arrangement to your hotel at these desks. If you have not made a pre-arranged hotel transfer, accredited taxis are available. A sticker will be placed at the back of your passport upon verification.

9. Clear with immigration and submit the Arrival Card.


10. Claim your baggage at the designated carousel and clear with Customs Check. Submit the Bureau of Customs Form.

11. Proceed to your booked hotel through your preferred mode of transportation.

Philippines Bureau of Quarantine
Bureau of Quarantine (BOQ) is mandated to ensure security against the introduction and spread of infectious diseases, emerging diseases and public health emergencies of international concern (PHEIC).

AT THE QUARANTINE HOTEL

For passengers arriving from “Green” countries
*You will no longer be required to undergo a facility-based quarantine

For passengers arriving from “Yellow” countries and fully vaccinated passengers with positive RT-PCR test arriving from ‘’Green” countries
*Check-in at your hotel and wait for your scheduled test which is on the 5th day of your quarantine stay.

For passengers arriving from “Red” countries
*Check-in at your hotel and wait for your scheduled test which is on the 7th day of your quarantine stay.

If you test positive, the BOQ shall transfer you to a designated hospital for further medical management.

If you test negative, your test result will be released within 24 hours after your swab test is taken. Your Unified BOQ Quarantine Certificate is autogenerated in the OHP. You will be able to download and print this certificate through the “Track Swab Test” portal on the OHP website by entering your QR code reference number and last name. For other concerns, you may send an email to bo*****@gm***.com or he*********@gm***.com.

ALSO READ: Philippines ‘No Vax, No Ride’ policy is being enforced in Manila

For non-Filipinos or Foreign Travellers

  • In compliance with Philippine regulations, laboratory partners must secure a photocopy of your passport and proof of accommodation/residence in the Philippines.
  • If you develop COVID-19 symptoms (e.g., dry cough, shortness of breath, loss of taste and/or smell, etc.) at any time before your scheduled test, please inform the hotel you are staying in so a medical or BOQ officer can assess and check up on you immediately. You may be required to undergo an RT-PCR test.
  • You may call the BOQs landline at (02) 5318-7500, or through these mobile numbers: 0961-899-0779, 0951-210-8105, or 0926-629-0723.

GOING HOME

For passengers arriving from “Green” countries
*You can undergo self-monitoring for any sign or symptom until the 7th day from arrival.

For passengers arriving from “Yellow” countries and fully vaccinated passengers with positive RT-PCR test arriving from ‘’Green” countries
*Once cleared, you can call your relatives and respective Local Government Units (LGU) to pick you up or arrange for your transportation going home. You are required to undergo home quarantine until the seventh day, with the day of arrival being the first day.

For passengers arriving from “Red” countries

*Once cleared, you can call your relatives and respective Local Government Units (LGU) to pick you up or arrange for your transportation going home. You are required to undergo home quarantine until the fourteenth day, with the day of arrival being the first day.

ALSO READ: EU Makes COVID-19 Vaccination Certificates start February 1, 2022

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