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Updated 2 December 2021
Emerald green rice paddies, white sandy beaches, captivating underground rivers and caves, along with the unmistakably unique cultural heritage, many rightfully consider the Philippines as their dream destination.
However, the Philippines is now implementing a travel ban extending to a number of countries worldwide. So which countries are affected by the Philippines travel ban? Is entry possible for countries outside the ban list? Here is the latest information on the Philippines travel ban.
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Countries banned from entry.
Following an increase in coronavirus cases in those areas and the new Omicron variant, the Philippines has added to its “red list” or areas considered high-risk fourteen nations covered by a travel ban. Travel curbs in these fourteen countries will be until December 15.
- South Africa
- Botswana
- Namibia
- Zimbabwe
- Lesotho
- Eswatini
- Mozambique.
- Austria
- Czech Republic
- Hungary
- Netherlands
- Switzerland
- Belgium
- Italy
Inbound international travel of all persons, regardless of vaccination status, coming from or who have been to Red List countries/jurisdictions/territories within the last 14 days before arrival to any port of the Philippines will not be allowed entry into the country.
Only Filipinos returning to the country through government-initiated or non-government-initiated repatriation and Bayanihan flights may be allowed entry subject to the prevailing entry, testing, and quarantine protocols for countries under the red list-facility-based quarantine for 14 days with testing on the 7th day, with day 1 being the date of arrival, notwithstanding a negative RT-PCR result.
The Philippines entry requirements
The Philippines is not currently open for tourism. At present, only some eligible foreigners are allowed entry into the country. All arrivals to the Philippines must mandatorily download the Traze App to generate and scan their QR code when entering in, boarding from, and upon arriving in all Philippine Airports.
Eligible travellers to the Philippines
At present, the categories of travellers allowed entry are as follows:
- Filipino nationals
- For countries that are under the Green and Yellow List, only the following foreigners are allowed to enter the Philippines:
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Balikbayans under RA 6768 – This is limited to nationals from non-visa required countries under EO 408 and former Filipinos and those travelling with a Filipino or former Filipino spouse or parent.
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Foreign nationals with valid and existing visas – Those with a 9(a) visa are required to present an entry exception document from the country’s foreign post abroad.
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- Non-Filipino/Foreign spouse and minor children or children with special needs of a Filipino national
- Non-Filipino/Foreign parent of a minor Filipino child (18 years old and below) or a child with special needs (regardless of age)
- Former Filipinos (Balikbayan Program), Dual Citizens
- Spouse/Children of Former Filipino Nationals (Balikbayan Program)
- Accredited foreign government and international organization officials and their dependents
- Non-Filipino/Foreign seafarers with 9(c) visa
Testing and quarantine requirements
Filipinos returning to the country through government-initiated or non-government-initiated repatriation and Bayanihan flights may be allowed entry subject to the prevailing entry, testing, and quarantine protocols for countries under the red list-facility -based quarantine for 14 days with testing on the 7th day, with day 1 being the date of arrival, notwithstanding a negative RT-PCR result.
All other eligible arrivals from green and yellow list countries, to the Philippines, will have to go through the following rules:
For fully vaccinated travellers:
- must present a negative RT-PCR test taken within 72 hours prior to departure
- will go through a facility-based quarantine until the release of negative results
- swabbing on day 3.
- will have to self-monitor until the 14th day from arrival.
For travellers without a negative RT-PCR test report:
- facility-based quarantine until the release of negative results
- swabbing on day 5
- will have to home quarantine until the 10th day from arrival
For travellers who are unvaccinated, partially vaccinated or whose vaccination status cannot be independently validated:
- facility-based quarantine until the release of negative results
- swabbing on day 7
- will have to home quarantine until the 14th day from arrival
Please note that children and infants are not exempt from the quarantine and testing requirements. For minimized discomfort, infants will be swabbed through the mouth.
Allowances for vaccinated arrivals
Travellers who are fully vaccinated in the Philippines regardless of travel history must:
- undergo a 7-day quarantine
- an RT-PCR test administered on the 5th day of their quarantine stay
- carry sufficient proof of their vaccination during their travel.
To be considered fully vaccinated, at least 14 days have elapsed following the administering of the second dose or at least 14 days after having received a single-dose vaccine.
Please note that this is only applicable for travellers who have been fully vaccinated in the Philippines by accredited local vaccine administrators and Local Government Units.
Filipino nationals and non-Filipinos who received their vaccination outside the Philippines are NOT eligible for the exemption and reduced mandatory quarantine.
