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Traveling During COVID: Travel Requirements to Enter the Philippines

Written by Patrick

While we strive to provide you with the updated information regarding the travel requirements to enter the Philippines, we strongly encourage you to double check with the local government unit of your destination.

COVID-19 pandemic has significantly affected the world, including the travel industry.  Tourism activities were limited, if not totally prohibited.  But as the situation improves and the travel ban has been lifted, several tourist destinations in the Philippines have opened their doors to local and foreign tourists.

However, despite the easing of travel restrictions, there are still some requirements a foreign tourist needs to comply with in order to be allowed entry to the Philippines and at the same time manage COVID-19 situation.

Aside from the entry requirements already in place, below are additional travel requirements to enter the Philippines:

Vaccinated travelers

  • Proof of vaccination recognized by WHO International Certificate of Vaccination and Prophylaxis, VaxCertPH, or other proof of vaccination permitted by Inter-Agency Task Force (IATF).
  • Registration via the eTravelPortal within 72 hours prior to departure or upon arrival in the Philippines.  Those who were not able to register prior to departure can register via special lanes setup for arriving passengers.

Unvaccinated travelers

  • Unvaccinated travelers 15 years old and above are required to present a negative laboratory-based Rapid Antigen Test taken 24 hours prior to departure, otherwise they will be required to undergo testing upon arrival in the airport.  Those who test positive for Covid-19 will follow quarantine guidelines set by the Department of Health.
  • Unvaccinated children aged 14 years old and below must be accompanied by a parent or guardian who complies with their own requirements.
  • Unvaccinated children aged 14 years old and below who are unaccompanied shall comply with the requirements and follow quarantine procedures for unvaccinated travelers aged 15 and above.
  • Registration via the eTravelPortal within 72 hours prior to departure or upon arrival in the Philippines.  Those who were not able to register prior to departure can register via special lanes setup for arriving passengers.

The requirements are similar for returning Filipinos or foreign tourists.

Proof of Vaccination

Vaccinated travelers can use one of these proofs of vaccination as part of the travel requirements to enter the Philippines:

  • WHO ICV.  ICV, which stands for International Certificate of Vaccination, is a certificate of vaccination approved by the World Health Organization (WHO).  While ICV is not mandatory to travel abroad, ICV serves as a proof of vaccination and is recognized by the member countries of WHO. You can get your ICV from the country where you got your COVID-19 vaccine.

    In the Philippines, you can request for an ICV at the Bureau of Quarantine Offices by booking an appointment through www.icv.boq.ph.  The certificate costs P300 and an additional P70 convenience fee.
  • VaxCertPH.  VaxCertPH is a national/state digital certificate of the Philippines.  It is accepted not only in the Philippines but in many other countries as well.

    Below is the list of countries where VaxCertPh is accepted:
  1. Albania
  2. Argentina
  3. Armenia
  4. Australia
  5. Austria
  6. Azerbaijan
  7. Bahrain
  8. Belgium
  9. Brazil
  10. British Virgin Islands
  11. Brunei Darussalam
  12. Cambodia
  13. Canada
  14. Chile
  15. Colombia
  16. Czech Republic
  17. Denmark
  18. Ecuador
  19. Egypt
  20. Estonia
  21. France
  22. Georgia
  23. Germany
  24. Greece
  25. Hong Kong SAR
  26. India
  27. Indonesia
  28. Iraq
  29. Ireland
  30. Israel
  31. Italy
  32. Japan
  33. Kazakhstan
  34. Kuwait
  35. Macau SAR
  36. Malaysia
  37. Maldives
  38. Malta
  39. Monaco
  40. Myanmar
  41. New Zealand
  42. Oman
  43. Palau
  44. Papua New Guinea
  45. Peru
  46. Portugal
  47. Qatar
  48. Romania
  49. Samoa
  50. Singapore
  51. Slovenia
  52. South Korea
  53. Spain
  54. Sri Lanka
  55. Switzerland
  56. Syria
  57. Thailand
  58. The Netherlands
  59. Timor-Leste
  60. Tunisia
  61. Turkey
  62. United Arab Emirates
  63. United Kingdom
  64. United States of America
  65. Uruguay
  66. Vietnam

Citizens from these countries may also use their national/state digital certificate in the Philippines as part of the reciprocity agreement.

For Filipinos, VaxCertPh can be requested through https://vaxcert.doh.gov.ph 48 hours after getting your second dose; however it will be valid 14 days after being fully vaccinated.  The request of this certificate is free of charge and appearance at the DOH or any Philippine government office is not necessary.

Vaccine Brands Accepted in the Philippines

Below are COVID-19 vaccine brands approved for use in the Philippines

  • AstraZeneca
  • Covaxin
  • Covovax
  • Janssen (Johnson&Johnson)
  • Moderna
  • Pfizer-BioNTech 
  • Sinopharm
  • Sinovac-CoronaVac
  • Sputnik V 
  • Sputnik Light

Tips for Traveling in the Philippines in Times of COVID-19

Traveling to the Philippines, or any other country in the world, has become more challenging since COVID-19.  Below are some tips to ensure your travel is as hasslefree as possible.

  • Know the travel requirements of your local destination.  Requirements and restrictions may vary from one city or province to another so knowing such essential information can help you better prepare for your trip.  Most local government units have official websites and social media pages where you can find vital information or better yet, ask questions or clarifications.
  • Prepare your travel documents and requirements in advance and place them where you can easily access them whenever necessary.
  • If possible, pre-book your accommodations, flights, and even activities such as tours.  Know that while most local government units have eased their vaccination requirements, some hotels and attractions still prefer to accommodate fully vaccinated guests only.
  • The use of masks is not mandatory but it doesn’t hurt to bring some should the need arise.
  • Stay hydrated and strengthen your health by eating right, getting enough sleep, and taking vitamins regularly.  Getting sick while traveling is not a pleasant experience, moreso in the Philippines where government hospitals are always crowded and private hospitals are expensive.

READ MORE: Frequently Asked Questions about the Philippines

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About the Author

Patrick

Patrick is an entrepreneur, digital nomad, explorer, and photographer. Patrick is always in search of fun and adventure. He is well travelled throughout the world, and although location independent, his home base is Phoenix, Arizona in the USA. Patrick loves island lifestyle which is no wonder why he is so interested in spending time in the Philippines with it’s over 7,000 islands. Patrick created this site to share his knowledge of and experiences in the Philippines with Filipinos as well as other foreigners.

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