Immigration update: Philippines | Travel guidelines for inbound foreign passengers
On 30 April 2021, the Bureau of Immigration has released an advisory on the implementation of the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF) Resolution No. 113, series of 2021 allowing certain foreign nationals to enter the Philippines.
Who will be affected?
a. Foreign nationals who are holders of valid visas issued by the following government agencies:
• Bureau of Immigration (Immigrant and Non-Immigrant Visas)
• Board of Investment (Special Investor’s Resident Visa)
• Department of Justice (47(a)(2) Visa)
• Philippine Economic Zone Authority (47(a)(2) visa)
• Cagayan Economic Zone Authority (CEZA working and dependent visas)
• Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (Subic-Clark Working and Dependent Visas, Subic-Clark Investor’s Visa)
• Clark Development Corporation (Subic-Clark Working and Dependent Visas)
• Authority of the Freeport Area of Bataan (FAB Investor’s Visa, FAB Working Visa)
• Aurora Pacific Economic Zone and Freeport Authority (Special Investor’s Resident Visa, Special Resident Visa, Working Visa, Dependent Visa)
Background
On 27 April 2021, the IATF issued a resolution No. 112 series of 2021 restricting entry to foreign nationals coming from India or those with travel history to India within the last 14 days prior to arrival to the Philippines. The travel restriction is effective from 29 April 2021 to 14 May 2021.
On 29 April 2021, the IATF issued a resolution No. 113 lifting the travel restrictions to foreign nationals under the exempted categories pursuant to the previous IATF resolutions and Bureau of Immigration advisories. Foreign nationals under the said categories will be allowed to enter the Philippines starting 1 May 2021 subject to immigration and quarantine protocols.
Impact:
1. Foreign nationals who are holders of valid visas issued by the following government agencies will be allowed to enter the Philippines:
• Bureau of Immigration (13 series Visas, Permanent Resident Visa, Temporary Resident Visa, 9(d) Visa, 9(e) Visa, 9(f) Visa, 9(g) Visa, Special Visa for Employment Generation, EO 226 Visa)
• Board of Investment (Special Investor’s Resident Visa)
• Philippine Economic Zone Authority (47(a)(2) visa)
• Cagayan Economic Zone Authority (CEZA working and dependent visas)
• Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (Subic-Clark Working and Dependent Visas, Subic-Clark Investor’s Visa)
• Clark Development Corporation (Subic-Clark Working and Dependent Visas)
• Authority of the Freeport Area of Bataan (FAB Investor’s Visa, FAB Working Visa)
• Aurora Pacific Economic Zone and Freeport Authority (Special Investor’s Resident Visa, Special Resident Visa, Working Visa, Dependent Visa)
2. Foreign nationals who are holders of valid Special Resident Retiree’s Visa are still not allowed to enter the Philippines unless they have a travel ban exemption document issued by the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA).
3. Foreign nationals who do not have any valid visa and will enter the Philippines under a tourist or 9(a) visa are not yet allowed to enter the country unless they have the following documents:
– Travel ban exemption document issued by the DFA
– Valid 9(a) entry visa issued by the Philippine Embassy/Consulate
4. Foreign travellers coming from India or those who have travel history to India within the last 14 days prior to arrival to the Philippines will not be allowed entry even if they belong to the exempted categories.
5. Former Filipinos (non-restricted nationals) who are qualified to the Balikbayan Program are allowed to enter the Philippines visa free. Those foreign restricted nationals are allowed to enter the country but they have to secure a valid 9(a) entry visa from the Philippine Embassy/Consulate prior to arrival to the Philippines.
6. Foreign spouses and children of Filipinos are allowed to enter the Philippines provided that they are travelling with the Filipinos. Non-restricted nationals are not required to secure a 9(a) entry visa prior to arrival to the Philippines.
7. The entry of foreign nationals under the exempted categories is still subject to the following conditions, except for holders of a valid 9(e) visa:
– With valid visas at the time of arrival to the Philippines except for those non-restricted nationals who are qualified under the Balikbayan Program
– With pre-booked accommodation for at least 7 nights in any of the accredited quarantine hotels or facilities
– Subject to COVID-19 testing on the 6th day from the date of entry. It will be conducted at the quarantine hotel or facility.
– Subject to the maximum capacity of inbound passengers at the port and date of entry (1,500 capacity/day)
8. Those who will fail to present any of the entry requirements and those who will fail to comply with the protocols will be denied entry. An exclusion order will be issued against the foreign national and will be directed to board the next available flight back to the country of origin.
Implementation:
Effective 1 May 2021.
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:
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
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