Immigration update: Philippines | Lifting of Entry Exemption Document (EED)

    The Inter-Agency Task Force (IATF) released Resolution No. 165, which lifts the requirement for the Entry Exemption Document (EED), effective 01 April 2022. The resolution also lifts the interim application for visa issuance of 9G under IATF Resolution No. 131-A.

    Who will be affected?

    a. Arriving Passengers at any of the Philippines international ports.
    b. Foreign nationals from visa required countries intending to apply for a 9(A) Visa at foreign service post.
    c. Foreign nationals intending to come to the Philippines for long term employment.

    Background

    The Entry Exemption Document (EED) was a requirement to regulate the entry of foreign nationals, who intend to visit the Philippines for business related purposes. On 24 March 2022, the Inter-Agency Task Force (IATF) released Resolution No. 165, which lifts the requirement for the EED effective 01 April 2022.

    The visa applications under IATF Resolution No. 131-A was implemented on 05 August 2021 as an interim approach for foreign nationals who are still overseas and are intending to enter the Philippines for employment purposes. This shall no longer be applied beginning 01 April 2022.

    Impact and Assessment
    Lifting of Requirement for Entry Exemption Document (EED)

    Effective 01 April 2022, the EED will no longer be required for the application for 9(A) Visa at a foreign service post.

    Foreign nationals from visa required countries, who intend to apply for a 9A Visa at a Philippine Embassy or Consulate, are no longer required to:

    • Request for a travel ban exemption (TBE), from a Philippine government agency.
    • Present an EED for their application for a 9A Visa and their arrival in the Philippines.

     

    Those with valid subsisting EEDs issued prior to 01 April 2022 shall be allowed entry and should meet all entry requirements before and after arriving in the Philippines:

    • Visa required foreign nationals, who hold valid EEDs, must still apply for a 9A Visa at a foreign service post near them and meet the visa application requirements.
    • If the EED is no longer valid on or before their intended travel date, there is no need to apply for another EED, and they may proceed with applying for a 9A Visa.

     

    Individuals with ongoing TBE/EED applications are considered as not holding a valid EED.

    • These individuals have already expressed their intention to visit the Philippines for business purposes.
    • The purpose has not changed and they have an option to proceed with an application for a 9A Visa on or after 01 April 2022.
    • Specific details will be shared once the relevant Philippine Government Agencies release their guidelines.
    Lifting of interim application for visa issuance under IATF Resolution No. 131-A

    With the new rules on the entry of foreign nationals, IATF Resolution No. 131-A dated 05 August 2021 allowing the interim application for visa issuance shall no longer be applied beginning 01 April 2022.

    • 9G Visa applications under 131-A shall no longer be applied for beginning 01 April 2022.
    • 9G Visa applications under IATF No. 131-A, which are still in progress and were filed prior to the effectivity date of 01 April 2022, will proceed as submitted.
    • Specific details will be shared once the Bureau of Immigration (BI) and the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) release their guidelines.
    Entry Requirements Full Vaccinated Foreign Nationals

    Foreign nationals may enter the Philippines without the need of an EED provided they also comply with the entry and departure formalities:

    1. Are fully vaccinated, as defined below, except for minor children below twelve (12) years of age traveling with their full-vaccinated foreign parent/s;
    2. Carry/possess an acceptable proof of vaccination, as set out in Section 3 below;
    3. Present a negative RT-PCR test taken within forty-eight (48) hours or a negative laboratory-based Antigen Test taken within twenty-four (24) hours, prior to the date and time of departure from the country of origin in a continuous travel to the Philippines, excluding lay-overs; provided, that , he/she has not left the airport premises or has not been admitted into another country during such lay-over;
    4. Have a valid passport for a period of at least six (6) months at the time of their arrival to the Philippines;
    5. Except for foreign spouses and/or children of Filipino citizens and former Filipino citizens with Balikbayan privileges under RA No. 9174, including their foreign spouse and/or children who: (i) are not balikbayans in their own right, and (ii) are traveling with them to the Philippines, have valid tickets for their return journey to the port of origin or next port of destination not later than thirty (30) days from the date of arrival in the Philippines, AND
    6. Obtain, prior to arrival, travel insurance for COVID-19 treatment costs from reputable insurance providers, with a minimum coverage of USD35,000 for the duration of their stay in the Philippines.

     

    Once admitted into the country, they are no longer required to observe facility-based quarantine but shall self-monitor for any sign or symptom for seven (7) days with the first day being the date of arrival. However, they are required to report to the local government unit (LGU) of their destination should they manifest any symptoms.

    Who is considered to be fully vaccinated?

    A foreign national shall be deemed fully vaccinated only if he/she is fully compliant with the following requisites:

    1. Received the second (2nd) dose in a 2-dose series or a single dose vaccine more than fourteen (14) days prior to the date and time of departure from the country origin/port of embarkation.
    2. The vaccine is included in any of the following:

    a. Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) List or Compassionate Special Permit (CSP) issued by the Philippine Food and Drug Administration (see list HERE); OR
    b. Emergency Use Listing of the World Health Organization (see list HERE).

    What is the acceptable proof of vaccination?

    The following shall be the only acceptable proof of vaccination, which shall be presented prior to departing/boarding from the country of origin/port of embarkation and upon arrival in the Philippines:

    1. World Health Organization International Certificate of Vaccination and Prophylaxis (normally requested at the relevant government agency in the country where the vaccine was obtained); OR
    2. VaxCertPH (Information available HERE); OR
    3. National or state digital certificate of the country/foreign government which has accepted VaxCertPH under a reciprocal arrangement (List available HERE); OR
    4. Other proof of vaccination permitted by the IATF.
    What if I do not have an acceptable proof of vaccination as stated above?

    Foreign nationals who fail to fully comply with the requirements discussed above shall be denied admission into the country and shall be subject to the appropriate exclusion proceedings.

    Implementation

    Effective from 01 April 2022.

    Santa Fe Analysis

    We are monitoring any new updates closely and will provide additional information once available.
    Should you have any questions, please contact the following or your respective case consultants.

    Joanna Caraig
    Immigration Manager – Philippines
    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


    To read more immigration updates, click here

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