Philippines: Journey restrictions from international locations with confirmed circumstances of COVID-19 B117 pressure lifted, efficient 1 February 2021

In the letter

On January 28, 2021, the Inter-Agency Task Force (IATF) issued Resolution No. 97, Access hereAbsolute travel ban lifted for 35 countries due to the newly discovered COVID-19 strain in the UK.

Foreigners can enter the Philippines from February 1, 2021, regardless of their country of origin, provided they are qualified for entry in accordance with the current IATF resolutions.

In the deep

According to IATF Resolution No. 97, foreigners who are “permitted to enter the country under the relevant IATF Resolutions” can now enter the country under the following conditions:

1. With a valid and existing visa at the time of entry;
2. With pre-booked quarantine accommodation for at least seven nights in an accredited quarantine hotel / an accredited quarantine facility;
3. Subject to COVID-19 exam on the sixth day from the date of arrival; and
4. Subject to the maximum capacity of arriving passengers in the port and the date of entry.

Holders of the following visas are qualified for entry according to previously issued IATF resolutions:

1. Visa issued under Section 13 of CA 613;
2. Visas issued under RA 7919 (The Alien Social Integration Act of 1995) to qualified foreigners who entered the country before June 30, 1992;
3. Legal residence under EO 324 for qualified foreigners who entered the Philippines before January 1, 1984;
4. Born Visa;
5. Holders of visas issued under MCL-07-021 (Chinese nationals married to Filipino nationals) and MCL-08-003 (South Korean nationals married to Filipino nationals);
6. Persons with visas issued in accordance with EO No. 226 or the Omnibus Investments Code as amended (including Special Investor Resident Visa) and Republic Act No. 8756 (RHQ and ROHQ visas);
7. Those with 47 (a) (2) Ministry of Justice visas (including work visas issued by PEZA);
8. Visa issued under Section 9 (d) of CA 613;
9. Individuals with visas issued by the Aurora Pacific Economic Zone and Freeport Authority, Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority, Bataan Free Port Authority, Cagayan Economic Zone Authority, and Clark Development Corporation;
10. Foreign seafarers with 9 (c) visas; and
11. 9 (e) and 9 (g) visa holders departing after December 17, 2020.

In addition, a foreigner with a valid visa that falls under the following categories will be permitted to enter the Philippines:

1. Foreign spouses of Filipino nationals; or
2. Foreign parents of underage Filipino children and Filipino children with special needs, regardless of age.

Foreign nationals who are not subject to the above provisions must apply for a travel ban exemption from the FDFA with the approval of a government agency in order to be able to enter the Philippines.