Immigration update: Philippines | Country classifications for the entry of foreign nationals

The Inter-Agency Task Force (IATF) has adopted the “Yellow” and “Red” classifications, in addition to the “Green List” for countries based on their respective incidence rates and case counts as primary criteria, and testing data as secondary criteria.

Who will be affected?

Arriving Passengers at any of the Philippines international ports.

Background

On 03 September 2021, the Inter-Agency Task Force (IATF) released Resolution No. 136 where it adopted the “Yellow” and “Red” classifications, in addition to the “Green List” for countries based on their respective incidence rates and case counts as primary criteria, and testing data as secondary criteria. Subsequently, Travel restrictions currently in place for India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Nepal, United Arab Emirates, Oman, Thailand, Malaysia, and Indonesia shall be lifted effective 06 September 2021. International travellers coming from the aforementioned countries shall comply with the appropriate entry, testing and quarantine protocols depending on their “Listing.”

Definition of Green, Yellow, and Red List Countries

The Inter-Agency Task Force (IATF) adopts the “Yellow” and “Red” classifications, in addition to the “Green List” for countries based on the criteria mentioned.

Green List Countries

American Samoa Anguilla Anguilla Australia
Benin Burkina Faso Cameroon
Cayman Islands Chad China
Comoros Republic of the Congo Djibouti
Equatorial Guinea Falkland Islands Gabon
Grenada Hong Kong (Special Administrative Region of China)
Hungary
Mali Federated States of Micronesia Montserrat (British Overseas Territory)
New Caledonia New Zealand Niger
Northern Mariana Islands Palau Poland
Saba Saint Pierre and Miquelon Sierra Leone
Saint Eustatius Slovakia Taiwan

“Green” countries are those classified by the Department of Health as “Low Risk” countries.
Individuals, who are fully vaccinated in the Philippines regardless of travel history, or those vaccinated abroad who stayed exclusively in “Green” countries in the past fourteen days prior to their arrival in the Philippines, shall be governed by the following guidelines:

1. Shall be required to undergo a seven (7) day facility-based quarantine upon arrival, with the date of arrival being the first day.
2. Undergo Reverse Transcription Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-PCR) testing on the fifth day of facility-based quarantine with day one being the date of arrival. Should the RT-PCR test yield a negative result, the individual shall complete the seven-day facility-based quarantine; but if found positive, he/she shall follow the prescribed isolation protocols.
3. Upon completion of the seven (7)-day facility-based quarantine, the BOQ shall issue a Quarantine Certificate indicating therein the individual’s vaccination status.

Yellow List Countries

“Yellow List” countries are those classified by the IATF as “Moderate Risk” countries.
The inbound international travel of all persons, regardless of vaccination status, coming from or with travel history within the last fourteen (14) days prior to arrival in the country from “Yellow List” countries, to any port of the Philippines, shall be governed by the following entry, testing and quarantine protocols:

1. All arriving travellers shall undergo fourteen (14) days quarantine upon arrival. The first ten (10) days of which shall be observed in a quarantine facility, with the remainder to be completed under home quarantine in their respective local government units of destination;
2. Reverse Transcription Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-PCR) testing shall be conducted on the seventh day with Day 1 being the day of arrival. Notwithstanding a negative test result, the arriving traveller shall complete the facility-based quarantine period of ten (10) days;
3. The Bureau of Quarantine shall ensure strict symptom monitoring while in the facility quarantine for 10 days; and
4. The foregoing shall be subject to special protocols approved by the IATF or the Office of the President for certain classes of travellers or ports of origin.

Red List Countries

“Red List” countries are those classified by the IATF as “High Risk” countries.
The inbound international travel of all persons, regardless of vaccination status, coming from or who have been to “Red List” countries to any port of the Philippines shall not be allowed. Only Filipinos returning to the country via government-initiated repatriation, non-government-initiated repatriation, and Bayanihan Flights may be allowed entry subject to the following entry, testing and quarantine protocols:

1. All arriving travellers shall undergo fourteen (14) days quarantine upon arrival. The first ten (10) days of which shall be observed in a quarantine facility, with the remainder to be completed under home quarantine in their respective local government units of destination;
2. Reverse Transcription Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-PCR) testing shall be conducted on the seventh day with Day 1 being the day of arrival. Notwithstanding a negative test result, the arriving traveller shall complete the facility-based quarantine period of ten (10) days;
3. The Bureau of Quarantine shall ensure strict symptom monitoring while in the facility quarantine for ten (10) days;
4. The foregoing shall be subject to special protocols approved by the IATF or the Office of the President for certain classes of travellers or ports of origin;
5. All passengers, whether Filipinos or foreigners, merely transiting through a Red List country shall not be deemed as having come from or having been to said country if they stayed in the airport the whole time and were not cleared for entry into such country by its immigration authorities;

Implementation

Effective 06 September 2021

Santa Fe Analysis

We are monitoring any new updates closely and will provide additional information once available. We will provide you with an update on the countries that will be included on the Yellow List and the Red List once we have the information on hand. Each and every individual’s circumstances are different on their own merits. Therefore, it is best to approach us should you have any questions. Please contact the following or your respective case consultants.

Joanna Caraig
Immigration Manager
Santa Fe Relocation
Tel.: +63 917 848 6830
Email: Joanna.Caraig@santaferelo.com

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

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