Entry situation for Philippines?
 

Just wondering if Philippines is planning to reopen to visitors anytime this decade? I haven't heard any news.

Still very limited entry for visitors to Philippines (Basically need a residence visa or family ties). It was just starting to open up a little bit with the reduction of quarantine requirements and some talk of letting vaccinated tourists in. But that has all stopped due to the increase in cases. It is coming clear that Omicron is making its way through the Philippines as well. So not likely to be any movement on opening up to visitors until that wave has passed.

Philippines is opening up for fully vaccinated tourists with negative PCR tests. They are opening on February 10th.

Good news! I really hope it's that simple like they said it would be for fully-vaccinated tourists. More pressures on some risk-averse countries such as Singapore and Thailand who seems putting hurdles that deter tourists. I just hope Philippines don't panic and backtrack if cases go up

I do not think so. The Government has been under pressure from everyone to open up. As for Thailand, it looks more like typical Thai government incompetency. I did ask the Thai visa people what happens if the PCR test comes back as Inconclusive? They only say it has to be negative. I hope the Philippines has better sense.

I'd love to hear anyone's recent experience of being a tourist and entering PH from February, 2022 onward.

Latest from the Philippines is that travel insurance was scrapped. This site is very informative and helpful:

Only for Balikbayans and residence visas. Tourists still need it.

To be safe I entered at the beginning of April with my dual-citizen (Phil.-U.S.) wife, rather than joining later.

We had copies of our U.S. vaccination cards, which were checked at the airport, hotels, ferry, and medical facilities. We needed an antigen test the day before the departure of our first itinerary segment to the Philippines. No arrival testing.

Heading to MNL on Tue. looking forward to visiting the Philippines. My first time. will feed back on the experience of arrival

Any talk or plans yet about reducing or eliminating COVID entry requirements? I thought that PH may have followed Malaysia, Singapore, Vietnam's lead to remove COVID requirements for vaccinated travelers in competition for tourist money.

I've read conflicting info on different entry requirements for PH for July 2022. Would anyone be so kind as to share what the current covid entry requirements are for PH circa July 2022?

Look it up on Sherpa travel to be sure you're getting current information specific to your situation.

As a vaxxed American, I was admitted earlier this week with a vax card and a completed and accepted online PH health registration in advance of travel.

Are we also required to have an onward ticket too? I was thinking to book a refundable one. Looks like they recently dropped the testing and travel insurance requirements?

Another question for you or anybody..

Do they take your temperature when entering Philippines? I can't imagine how it feels if you happen to have a cold and have a slight fever the day of the flight and then get thrown into forced quarantine at a Philippines gov. motel for a week or two at your own cost.

Yes you need an onward ticket to enter the Philippines unless you have a residency visa (and the airlines are normally very strict on checking to make sure that you do have one when checking you in)

Yes on the way to immigration there is a temperature camera you have to walk past.

So...a slightly different twist/question. Arriving late at night in Manila and staying at either the Hilton or Marriot and then flying out the next morning domestically. Basically, in transit with a long layover. I'm assuming I can leave the airport and then come back without a visa. What Covid protocols do I need to be aware of ?

If you are connecting domestically then you will need to clear immigration and customs at Manila. Most countries can enter for 30 days without a visa

To enter the Philippines you will need an onward ticket out of the Philippines. You will also need to complete the one health pass. If you are not fully vaccinated (which means having at least one booster shot as well as the original shot(s)) then you will also need a PCR test within 48hrs or a RAT within 24hrs of departure.

May I add that also if you are going to Boracay you would have to complete a separate online registration. I am presuming that it would be the same to the Aklan Province.

Unfortunately not. Boracay has is owns rules, requirements and systems.

Each local government unit still sets their own procedures for entry. To get the latest info for your destination go to https://s-pass.ph/

For Boracay the latest info can be found here https://aklan.gov.ph/guide-for-tourists/

Are there any specific requirements you know for Davao? I'm flying to Davao for the first time. I also curious if you have any thoughts about safety in Mindanao in 2022? I'm staying in South Cotabato, Kidapawan, and Davao. I've been robbed twice in Philippines in the past (Manila, Baguio).. only country out of 90 in 20 years of travel where I've had things stolen. I hope it's not okay to go without mask outdoors in Mindanao? I'm not worried about COVID.. am worried about terrorism, theft, etc.

Re: Requirements for Davao - there’s a useful summary on the Philippine Airlines website (I imagine the same details apply no matter which airline you use to get there). Unfortunately I’m unable to post a link - newbie, haha - but it’s the first result that came up on Google when I entered “Davao entry requirements”.

Cheers.

Here you go: https://www.philippineairlines.com/e...hinThePH/Davao

We will be arriving in DVO with Singapore Airlines this Saturday, 7/16. Will report any update or changes to the entry requirement.

A couple US citizens, fully vaccinated with booster.
We are flying into El nido in October. From what I read was a little bit confusing.
1. Tourists fully vaccinated do not have to submit RT-PCR test or antigen test prior to boarding with proof of documentation.
2. Looking at the El Nido website, they are requiring: (This was updated May 2022)

• Vaccination Card and / or Vaccination Certificate from the Vax Cert (https://vaxcert.doh.gov.ph/)
• Approved S-PASS (Travel Coordination Permit)

NOTE: RTPCR SPECIMEN MUST BE EXTRACTED WITHIN 72 HOURS BEFORE BOARDING ANY AIR CRAFT OR SEA VESSEL PRIOR ON THE DATE OF TRAVEL.

So, do we need to have a negative test prior to boarding? Thanks.

If you have the booster shot, no need for RT-PCR test. You do have to complete the One Health Pass to get the QR code.

When arriving in the Philippines you will not need a PCR test just complete the one health pass on line.

Then when travelling to El Nido you will need to get travel permission from the local government unit through the S- Pass system. But again it looks like fully vaccinated do not need to get a test before travelling,

Thanks.

Yeah thanks! I'd love to hear how it goes for you. I'll be traveling shortly after you.

I checked the link above it looks like it only shows "ID" as the only requirement? Lol

I am sorry that I saw this late as I have been traveling too. Actually in Mindanao. I was in Davao and the City itself is very safe. Masks is mandatory but I have seen people go about riding without masks. When you enter a Mall in Davao they may ask for the national QR code on vaccination. Obviously foreigners do not have this so they give you a slip of paper where you fill in your name and current address and a contact phone number. Some Malls do this while I have been in some where they do not.
Now Cotabato and Kidapawan is not Davao so I would be a lot more careful there. I was also in Davao Oriental and Davao Del Norte for a fair bit of time and riding around. I have been doing this since 2017 and so far have not faced any issues. Only one was one guy trying to insist he wanted to test ride my cruiser. Obviously I refused.
Losing things in the hotel room or getting mugged or pick pockets are different. I even dropped my passport and when I went back to the places I have been ( it was within 45 mins or so) they had it behind the counter.

Thanks for sharing this info!

Are people wearing our required to wear masks outside in Mindanao or only indoors still?

Masks are still required inside and outside. However outside the rule is not strictly enforced and you will see a lot of people either not wearing one or wearing it around their chin,

Just a heads up for those planning to travel to Bacolod. Be sure you have your vax card handy. They are checking it at the arrival area after you collect your baggage and they take pictures of it, too.