2021 is on for an optimistic start! In case you’re wondering, is the Philippines open for tourism in 2021? Can foreigners enter the Philippines now? What are the travel restrictions? How can I simplify my travel preparations?
Let this blog give you straight answers as well as some helpful tips for future Philippine travelers like you. You may also like our FB page to catch the latest travel updates we post online.
Traveling in the “new normal”. Inside the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) in Manila, Philippines
A secret hidden beach in Palawan Island, Philippines | Source: Shutterstock | Photo ID: 1628566375
Guided by the prevailing “new normal” in the tourism industry, the Department of Tourism (DOT) is keen on regulating tourism activities in these areas. The entire web of the Philippine tourism industry worked hard to get to this point and creating a safe travel experience is certainly the top priority. The crucial importance of health and safety at the height of a global pandemic cannot be underestimated.
For a complete list of reopened Philippine destinations, you may visit this link.
Selected Foreigners Can Enter the Philippines Starting February 16, 2021
The international travel ban in the Philippines was lifted on January 31, 2021. Moreover, the country expands the list of foreigners who can enter the country in 2021.
Beginning February 16, 2021, the following “qualified foreign nationals” are now permitted to enter Philippine borders:
- those with visas issued as of March 20, 2020, and still valid and existing at the time of entry, and who were not permitted to enter the country under previous resolutions;
- holders of valid and existing Special Resident and Retirees Visa and Section 9 (A) visas
- foreign spouses of Philippine nationals
- foreign minor children and foreign children of Filipino nationals;
- foreign parents of minor Filipino children;
- foreign seafarers;
- foreign airline crew;
- accredited foreign government and international organization officials and their dependents;
- those with valid long-term visas such as:
-Temporary Resident Visa (based on CA 613, Section 13a [marriage to a Filipino];
-Temporary Resident Visa (based on MO ADD-01-038/ ADD-02-015 [Indian nationals]);
MCL-07-021
-Permanent Resident Visa (based on CA 613, Section 13 a [Chinese nationals married to Filipino citizens]); and
-Native Born Visa (based on CA 613, Section 13c [for foreigners born to foreign parent/s with permanent resident status in the Philippines])
- foreign investors with valid visa;
- those with pre-arranged employment visa; and
- balikbayan traveling with their spouse and dependent children | Source: news.abs-cbn.com
To answer the question: can foreigners enter the Philippines now? YES, if you fall under any of the above-mentioned categories.
IMPORTANT: Qualified foreigners intending to travel to the Philippines are advised to CHECK FIRST with the nearest Philippine Embassy or Consulate before making any travel arrangements. Have your travel documents checked by the right authority to verify if indeed you can be allowed to enter the Philippines.
Philippine Travel Requirements for Inbound Travelers
All inbound Filipino travelers and foreign nationals traveling to the Philippines must meet the following entry requirements:
1) Complete the online Electronic Case Investigation Form (e-CIF) prior to your arrival. Upon completion of the e-CIF, you are given a QR Code which you need to present upon arrival at the airport.
2) Pre-booked accommodation in an accredited quarantine hotel for at least 7 nights. Voluntary re-swab can be requested on the 6th day from the date of your arrival.
3) RT-PCR testing immediately upon arrival
- Government-designated help desks are positioned at the points of entry to assist you and verify your travel requirements.
- The cost of RT-PCR testing is Php 4,000 per test per person. The test result will be emailed to you within 24-48 hours.
- The voluntary re-swab can be pre-arranged under the same testing laboratory to be conducted at your respective quarantine hotel on the 6th day.
- If the traveler tested negative twice (1st day and 6th day), he/she would be endorsed to his targeted destination where he will continue strict quarantine for additional days to complete the 14-day mandatory quarantine.
- A Quarantine Certificate can be processed online via quarantinecertificate.com. You need to present the two negative RT-PCR test results together with the Quarantine Certificate for clearance from your hotel.
Manila Travel Advisory: International Arrival Procedures at NAIA
Philippine Travel Advisory 2021 Infographics by DOT-Metro Manila
Mandatory Local Travel Requirements
Receiving provinces (destinations like Bohol, Boracay, Palawan, etc) also require a set of travel requirements that you need to secure prior to your arrival at the destination.
Depending on the locale, travel documents listed below may be required:
- Negative RT-PCR test result
- Medical Certificate
- Travel Pass / Authority (Learn the Step-by-step Process of Getting a Travel Authority on this blog)
- Acceptance Letter
IMPORTANT NOTE: Different provinces, cities and/or municipalities may require different sets of documents. Thus, it is strongly recommended that you directly contact the concerned local government unit (LGU) for proper guidance.
Domestic flight to the Philippines via Cebu Pacific airline
Philippine Travel Advisory 2021
Philippine travel advisory changes from time to time depending on the current health developments and/or present conditions. There is nothing constant as far as COVID-19 advisory is concerned. Thus, it is best to always check with the right sources and remain updated.
Here is a quick link to Philippine government offices that may answer your individual concerns:
Philippine Department of Tourism 24/7 hotline | Source: DOT-Metro Manila
So… Can Foreigners Enter the Philippines Now?
Yes, but not all.
At this point, only certain categories of foreigners (listed above) are allowed entry to the Philippines. Until COVID-19 is totally eradicated, safety protocols and travel restrictions are given emphasis. This way, we can help mitigate the potential spread of the virus and increase travelers’ confidence to travel to the Philippines.
In fact, everyone (the public sector, businesses, local community as well as the traveling public) is enjoined to consistently abide by the existing travel protocols to collectively sustain the recovery tourism industry.
Simplify Your Travel Preparations: Contact a Philippine Travel Agency
If you want to simplify your travel preparations, then you also have the option to hire a reliable travel agency in the Philippines. Save time and effort by letting a travel specialist do the work for you, for a fee of course.
Be assisted in coordinating with the right offices, processing your travel documents, booking your hotels, flights, transfers, etc and more. Have someone to troubleshoot your problems and minimize your travel worries so that you can focus on other essential things like your family or work.
Kapwa Travel is a reliable inbound travel agency in the Philippines. We have a reliable network of tourism partners, direct contact with government offices, a good list of accredited hotels and tried-and-tested tours that we can easily organize for your individualized travel to the Philippines. We charge reasonably for the professional travel services we provide.
If you think you need someone like us, then feel free to get in touch with us. We will be happy to take care of your travel and welcome you to the Philippines! 🙂
Kapwa Travel Office, an inbound tour company in the Philippines
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