Immigration update: Philippines | Entry of foreign nationals starting 1 August

Foreign nationals with specific visa categories are allowed to enter Philippines starting 1 August 2020

On 16 July 2020, Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Disease (IATF-EID) released resolution No. 56 allowing foreign nationals on certain visa categories to enter the Philippines.

Who will be affected?

Foreign nationals with the following visa categories:

• Section 13 series visa of the Philippine Immigration Act, as amended (13 visa, 13(a) visa, 13(b) visa, 13(c) visa, 13(d) visa, 13(e) visa and 13(g) visa)
• Foreign nationals granted a legal residence status under The Alien Social Integration Act of 1995 or RA 7919
• EO 324 visa
• Native-born

Background

Following the implementation of the Enhance Community Quarantine (ECQ), the Bureau of Immigration (BI) has issued Immigration Memorandum Circular No. JHM-2020-002 temporarily restricting foreign nationals to enter the Philippines, except for the following categories:

• Accredited Foreign Government and International Organization officials and their dependents;
• Foreign spouses and children of Filipino nationals;
• Foreign airline crew members

Subsequently, the Bureau of Immigration extended the travel restrictions until further notice pursuant to the implementation of the General Enhanced Community Quarantine (GCQ) and to prevent the spread of COVID 19. In addition, an exclusion order shall be issued against the foreign nationals who will not abide with the travel restrictions imposed.
The exempted categories as per the Immigration Memorandum Circular No. JHM-2020-004, Foreign nationals with Long-Term visas (immigrant visas under Sec. 13 of CA 6133; RA 7919 and EO 324 including native-born foreign nationals) shall be allowed entry to the Philippines starting 1 August 2020.

Impact

  • Foreign nationals under the visa categories shall be allowed entry to the Philippines subject to the following conditions:
    1. Must have valid and existing visas at the time of entry. However, no new 9(a) entry visa application shall be accepted;
    2. Must have a pre-booking with an accredited quarantine facility;
    3. Must have a pre-booking with a COVID-19 testing provider; and
    4. Subject to the maximum capacity of inbound passengers at the port and date of entry.

 

  • Foreign nationals with long term working visas such as 9(g) visa, 9(d) visa, EO 226 visa and 47(a)(2) visa are still not allowed to enter the Philippines until the travel ban is lifted. Alternatively, the Foreign nationals may seek travel ban exemption from the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) but it is still subject to approval.

 

  • Since there is still no discussion as to when the travel ban will be lifted, Foreign nationals who will not fall under the abovementioned visa categories and exemptions will have to postpone their travel to the Philippines indefinitely.

 

Implementation

Effective 1 August 2020.

Santa Fe Analysis

Santa Fe Relocation is monitoring the situation closely and will provide updated information once available.
Should you have any questions, please contact the following:

Ma. Emmariza Ola
Immigration Manager
Santa Fe Relocation
Philippines
Tel.: +63 917 848 6830
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.

 

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