- Also see: Southeast Asia Travel COVID-19 Overview
- Also see: South America Travel COVID-19 Overview
LATEST PHILIPPINES COVID-19 NEWS:
- 8th September 2022 – The Philippines removes its outdoor mask mandate across the country. Masks are still required indoors at this time. Source.
- 25th March 2022 – The Philippines has eased border requirements once more. From April 1st, fully vaccinated travellers will be able to enter without an exemption document. Source.
- 10th February 2022 – The Philippines reopens to fully vaccinated international tourists after two years. Source.
Disclaimer: COVID-19 travel restrictions are changing every day and the following information reflects South East Asia’s Backpacker’s understanding of the current rules for entry. While we update this article regularly to ensure the information is as current as it can be, we cannot be held responsible for any errors or omissions.
Can you travel to the Philippines right now?
Yes. The Philippines officially reopened to international tourists on 10th February 2022.
Vaccinated Travellers:
Fully vaccinated travellers can enter if they are from one of 150 countries that have visa-free travel to the archipelago.
Please see here for the Philippines’ list of recognised vaccines.
Unvaccinated Travellers:
Unvaccinated foreign travellers were banned from entering the Philippines after 16th February 2022. Unvaccinated or partially vaccinated travellers must have an approved visa as well as a travel exemption to enter the Philippines or you may be refused entry. In addition, unvaccinated travellers are required to show evidence of pre-arranged accommodation at an accredited facility on arrival to immigration.
Unvaccinated Travellers May Be Permitted To Enter Cebu
According to online news sources, including CNN Philippines, as well as anecdotal reports on social media, unvaccinated foreign travellers may be granted permission to enter Cebu even though the rest of the Philippines remains predominately open for only double-vaccinated travellers.
Reports indicate that the Governor of Cebu issued an executive order allowing the entry of tourists even if they are unvaccinated. Travel restrictions would still include following current health protocols on arrival at the Mactan-Cebu International Airport including PCR testing and mandatory hotel quarantine prior to gaining permission to enter Cebu.
See our list of the cheapest quarantine facilities in Cebu here.
Entry Requirements
Before you enter the Philippines, you will need:
Required Entry Documents
- A valid visa or be eligible for visa-free entry
- Covid vaccination certificate
- Onward travel no later than 30 days after your arrival
- Travel Insurance
- RT-PCR test 48 hours prior or lab-based ATK test taken within 24 hours
One Health Pass QR code
From 3rd May 2022, passengers must register with One Health Pass (OHP) 48 hours prior to departure. All passengers will be provided with a barcode after a COVID-19 test and vaccination certificate have been received. All passengers are required to check the (OHP) profile within 1-4 hours of their departure to check if a QR code has been granted in order to qualify for the express lane on arrival.
Insurance
If you’re entering the Philippines visa-free you must have travel insurance for COVID-19 treatment with a minimum coverage of $US35,000USD. This cover needs to include COVID-19 hospitalisation and treatment costs in the policy. recommend SafetyWing for travellers.
SafetyWing is the travel insurance of choice for scores of backpackers!
- Subscription style insurance
- Offers COVID-19 cover
- Available after your trip has started
COVID-19 Tests Required
If you are fully vaccinated and have had a booster jab, you don’t need to test for COVID-19 prior to your visit.
If you’re not fully vaccinated, you will be required to provide a negative COVID-19 test result (PCR taken no earlier than 48 hours prior to your departure or lab-based ATK taken within 24 hours of departure) to the Philippines and be able to show this at the airport counter.
Upon Arrival
Quarantine Period
Fully vaccinated travellers no longer need to quarantine on arrival in the Philippines. However, they should self-monitor for the first 7 days of their trip.
Local COVID-19 Rules and Regulations
The rules and regulations below are only meant to serve as a guide and the situation is prone to change rapidly without warning. For more information on local rules and restrictions visit the Philippines Government Inter-Agency Task Force Quarantine Guidelines.
- FACE COVERINGS – Face coverings are no longer mandatory outdoors but are still required indoors at this time. Also see: Best face masks for travel.
- SOCIAL DISTANCING – This is still mandatory across the country.
- CURFEWS – Not at present.
- PUBLIC TRANSPORT – Masks should be worn. You must be fully vaccinated to use public transport in Manila. You should carry proof of your vaccination status at all times. The ‘Traze Contact Tracing’ app will need to be used if you are boarding a flight at Ninoy Aquino International Airport.
- VENUES AND GATHERINGS – Hotels and guesthouses in the Philippines are open though operating in many areas with less staff. Contact the relevant Philippine Tourism Department Office for advice on local accommodation options.
- MOVEMENT OF PEOPLE – Restrictions differ depending on the city/barangay. Check the Philippines Department of Tourism for the most up to date advice.
Resources:
- US Embassy in the Philippines.
- Philippines Government Inter Agency Task Force Quarantine Guidelines.
- Facebook Group: Philippines Visas and Immigration for Foreigners in the Philippines.
- The Humanitarian Data Exchange
- https://www.officialgazette.gov.ph/downloads/2022/02feb/20220203-RESO-160B-RRD.pdf
Nikki Scott | Founder & Editor
Nikki is the founding editor of South East Asia Backpacker and The Backpacker Network. In her early twenties, she left her home in the North of England on a solo backpacking adventure and never returned! After six months on the road, she founded a print magazine that became legendary on the Banana Pancake Trail. The rest is history.
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Are there any requirement for transit passengers?
Requirements for transit passengers vary according to the airport, you should check with the airline you plan to travel with.
well july 1 thailand release there health pass form so thats good like most countries now no need to fill in form prior to flight.As no pcr is now required to enter p pines will they also realease the one health pass like other countries r doing ,it not only increases more tourism but then its less complicated to travel.
the one health pass was according to my filipno son, was talked about its release as to other countries like thailand who no longer have it in use,but to date its still there to be filled in,yet as created a lot of confusion over the last few months as they change it without given notice and it has become more of a hinderence than a help.as p pines has relaxed the vaccine pcr etc and other rules.if they did take it off their tourism would go up even more ..
the one health pass was according to my filipno son, was talked about its release as to other countries like thailand who no longer have it in use,but to date its still there to be filled in,yet as created a lot of confusion over the last few months as they change it without given notice and it has become more of a hinderence than a help.as p pines has relaxed the vaccine pcr etc and other rules.if they did take it off their tourism would go up even more ..
So whether or not you have been vaccinated, you must quarantine in the Philippines for 10-14 days at your expense, is there an average cost per day ?
Quarantine is now 7 days for fully vaccinated travellers (see the latest news above, on 30th June, the rules changed from 14 days to 7 days). You can see the cost of budget hotel quarantine in Manila here: https://southeastasiabackpacker.com/manila-quarantine-hotels/
Hi there. Thanks for the info. Would you know of rules for those who have received complete/2 vaccinations? Thanks!
Hi there! At the moment, the rules are the same regardless of whether or not you have been fully vaccinated. We will update this page if that info changes. All the best!