Immigration update: Philippines | Bureau of Immigration measures following Coronavirus outbreak

Bureau of Immigration Advisory on Temporary Travel Ban

On 5 February 2020, the Bureau of Immigration (“BI”) has issued a Temporary Travel Ban Advisory for foreign nationals coming from China and its Special Administrative Regions as a precautionary measure against the 2019 Novel Coronavirus (2019-nCoV).

Who will be affected?

  • All foreign nationals who will be coming from China, Hong Kong and Macau and Taiwan.
  • All foreign nationals who have been to China, Hong Kong and Macau and Taiwan in the last 14 days prior to the arrival to the Philippines
  • Transiting passengers from China, Hong Kong and Macau and Taiwan.
  • Filipinos who will travel out of the country going to China, Hong Kong, Macau and Taiwan

Exemption

  • Filipino nationals
  • Foreign nationals who have Philippine permanent visa

Background

Initially, the Bureau of Immigration had suspended the issuance of Visa Upon Arrival for Chinese nationals to lessen the volume of Chinese nationals travelling to the Philippines.  However, in response to the growing health threat caused by the 2019 Novel Coronavirus (2019-nCoV), the Philippine government has immediately implemented the travel ban of foreign nationals entering the country who previously travelled from China, Hong Kong and Macau. In addition, transiting passengers from these areas shall not be allowed entry.

Impact

All foreign nationals who will be affected by this travel ban will be directed to return to the country or place of origin and will not be allowed to enter the Philippines.  On another note, those who are included in the exempted list will be allowed to enter the country provided that they will undergo an assessment and a 14-day quarantine being implemented by the Bureau of Quarantine (BOQ) upon arrival.

Implementation

Effective immediately

Santa Fe Analysis

  • The Bureau of Immigration has not set a specific date as to when they will lift the travel ban. Hence, foreign nationals who are affected by the said ban will have to postpone their travel plans indefinitely.
  • Sponsoring entities/companies in the Philippines who will be hiring foreign nationals who are covered by the temporary ban should delay the employment start date of the foreign employees until the ban has been lifted.

Santa Fe Relocation will monitor the situation closely and provided updated information once available.

Should you have any questions, please contact the following:

Ma. Emmariza Ola
Immigration Manager
Santa Fe Relocation
Philippines
Tel.:     (632) 795 2438
Email:   Emmariza.Ola@santaferelo.com

Robert Day
Group Head of Immigration Operations
Santa Fe Relocation
D: +44 7990 021125
Email: Robert.day@santaferelo.com

 

To read more immigration updates, click here

About our Immigration Services
Our immigration services manage thousands of visa applications every year for a multitude of international companies. Our experienced immigration experts and migration agents handle the immigration process for you and provide simple reporting and guidance on immigration matters.

About us
Santa Fe Relocation is a Global Mobility company specialising in managing and delivering high-quality relocation services worldwide. Our core competence is providing services that help corporations and their employees as well as individuals and their families to relocate and settle in new places. These services are delivered to a consistently high standard, locally and globally, and managed through our own operations around the world. For more information, visit us at www.santaferelo.com

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