TripZillaA cause for celebration: On 10 Feb 2022, the Philippines finally reopened its borders to fully vaccinated foreigners travelling inbound for tourism and business purposes. Now, international travellers may finally tour the country’s 7,000+ islands once more, provided that they accomplish all entry requirements and follow safety protocols set by the Philippine government.
Considered among the countries with the longest lockdowns since the pandemic broke out in 2020, the Philippines took almost two years to prepare for the return of international travellers. It first closed its borders in March 2020; then, in December 2021, plans of reopening the Philippines’ international borders were postponed due to an Omicron variant surge seen across the globe.
Philippines reopening: two years in the making
Image credit: Cris Tagupa
In many ways, the long-awaited reopening of the Philippines’ borders to international travellers is seen as both a beacon and springboard for the country’s economic recovery. The Philippines’ tourism department has confidently prepared to welcome foreigners back and assure their safety in local destinations.
Among these steps to ensure international tourists’ safety is the SafeTravels Stamp awarded to the Philippines’ Department of Tourism (DOT) by the World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC). The SafeTravels Stamp accredits countries by evaluating “health and hygiene global standardised protocols” implemented during the COVID-19 pandemic.
“While this will be the first time the Philippines is opening its doors for foreign leisure travelers since the start of the pandemic, the tourism industry has prepared for this development for close to two years. Tourism workers have been vaccinated and the observance of health and safety protocols at every destination remains to be a priority,” notes Tourism Secretary Bernadette Romulo-Puyat in a statement released by the Philippine News Agency.
Can you travel to the Philippines?
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In the Philippines, the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF) oversees COVID-19 management and response. It has currently suspended green, yellow, and red list classifications for inbound travel to help kickstart tourism recovery initiatives; however, the IATF requires all foreign visitors 18 years old and above to be fully vaccinated before entering the country.
Unvaccinated individuals, as well as those with incomplete travel documents, will not be allowed entry into the Philippines.
What are the Philippines’ entry requirements for foreign travellers?
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Whether for business or leisure, travel requirements for entry into the Philippines are:
- Valid visa (if not from a non-visa required country of origin; see list here)
- Passport with at least six months’ validity
- Return ticket to their country of origin or an outbound ticket to their next country of destination
- Proof of full vaccination against COVID-19 (WHO international certificate of vaccination and prophylaxis; VaxCertPH; or a national digital certificate of their country of origin’s government which accepts VaxCertPH as proof of vaccination)
- For the unvaccinated or partially vaccinated, remotely supervised/laboratory-based Rapid Antigen Test result taken 24 hours before departure. Read the One Health Pass Entry Guidelines for more info.
Are there any digital tools that can help with travel planning in the Philippines?
Prior to departure, be sure to acquaint yourself with the following digital channels:
- For travel inspiration, head to DOT’s official website, philippines.travel.
- The same website features an entire section dedicated to travel updates and advisories issued by the IATF.
- Download the Travel Philippines app, which is currently being improved to hold up-to-date information and recommendations on safety-accredited accommodations. So far, it has been updated with details for trips within Manila, Boracay, and Bohol. The app’s online homepage also includes a Help Center, which will connect you to other government agencies that could offer helpful information on protocols.
Where should I go first?
Image credit: Cris Tagupa
Considering the Philippines boasts 81 provinces and 145 sunny cities, we’d ask the same question, too. Where to start? We recommend choosing Manila, Boracay, Cebu, or Davao as your base. For tour inspiration, consider visiting:
You can also embark on a heritage immersion trip with these cool cultural activities in the Philippines.
Whatever you choose to do, know that the Philippines is glad to welcome you back. Travelling around these parts of Southeast Asia is definitely #MoreFunWithYou. So, what are you waiting for? Ready those Philippines entry requirements stat!
For more information, please visit please visit philippines.travel and TPBPhls’s official Facebook page.
Brought to you by Tourism Promotions Board – Philippines.
