IMPACT — MEDIUM

The Philippine government has reminded stakeholders that accreditation applications are due by May 15.

Key Points:

  • New and renewal applications for the July 1, 2023, to June 30, 2024, accreditation period are due by May 15.
  • Complete applications must be filed at the BIAU Room 208 Extension, Bureau of Immigration Main Office, Intramuros Manila for Evaluation.
  • A list of required documents to complete the accreditation application is available here.

Additional Information: Once the application has been processed, applicants will receive an Order of Payment Slip to pay required fees. Those who have questions regarding the process can contact authorities at (02) 8-465-2400 or this email.

BAL Analysis: Those who need to apply for new or renewal accreditation should do so by the May 15 deadline.

This alert has been provided by the BAL Global Practice Group. For additional information, please contact berryapplemanleiden@bal.com.

Copyright © 2023 Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP. All rights reserved. Reprinting or digital redistribution to the public is permitted only with the express written permission of Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP. For inquiries, please contact copyright@bal.com.

IMPACT — MEDIUM

The Philippine government has expanded its eTravel System, requiring more travelers to register when entering or leaving the country.

Key Points:

  • As of April 15, all air and sea travelers including crew members must register through this website.
  • Inbound travelers must register within 72 hours of their scheduled arrival time.
  • Outbound travelers must register within 72 hours but no later than three hours before their scheduled departure time.
  • Beginning May 1, Philippine authorities will no longer accept paper-based arrival and departure cards.

Additional Information: More information regarding the expansion of the eTravel System is available here.

BAL Analysis: Philippine authorities expanded the eTravel System to streamline entry and exit procedures and decrease immigration processing times.

This alert has been provided by the BAL Global Practice Group. For additional information, please contact berryapplemanleiden@bal.com.

Copyright © 2023 Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP. All rights reserved. Reprinting or digital redistribution to the public is permitted only with the express written permission of Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP. For inquiries, please contact copyright@bal.com.

IMPACT — MEDIUM

The Philippine government has announced the accreditation application window.

Key Points:

  • New and renewal applications for the July 1, 2023, to June 30, 2024, accreditation period open April 1 and are due by May 15.
  • Complete applications must be filed at the BIAU Room 208 Extension, Bureau of Immigration Main Office, Intramuros Manila for Evaluation.
  • A list of required documents to complete the accreditation application is available here.

Additional Information: Once the application has been processed, applicants will receive an Order of Payment Slip to pay required fees. Those who have questions regarding the process can contact authorities at (02) 8-465-2400 or this email.

BAL Analysis: Those who need to apply for new or renewal accreditation should do so beginning April 1 and should be aware of the May 15 deadline.

This alert has been provided by the BAL Global Practice Group. For additional information, please contact berryapplemanleiden@bal.com.

Copyright © 2023 Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP. All rights reserved. Reprinting or digital redistribution to the public is permitted only with the express written permission of Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP. For inquiries, please contact copyright@bal.com.

The Philippine government’s annual reporting period for foreign nationals is open until March 1.

Key Points:

  • Foreign nationals must report in person to participating Bureau of Immigration offices on or before March 1 and bring their:
    • Original registration identity card (ACR I-card).
    • Valid passport (except for refugees and stateless nationals).
  • Philippine authorities will not allow representatives to report on behalf of foreign nationals for the 2023 annual report except under limited circumstances. Individuals must schedule an appointment for the 2023 annual report.
  • Individuals who fail to report by March 1 may face administrative fines or other penalties.

Additional Information: All registered foreign nationals, including those who hold immigrant visas, nonimmigrant visas or alien certificate of registration identity cards, must complete the annual reporting requirement within the first two months of each calendar year.

BAL Analysis: Foreign nationals are reminded to complete registration procedures as early as possible to avoid the rush before the deadline.

This alert has been provided by the BAL Global Practice Group. For additional information, please contact berryapplemanleiden@bal.com.
Copyright © 2023 Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP. All rights reserved. Reprinting or digital redistribution to the public is permitted only with the express written permission of Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP. For inquiries, please contact copyright@bal.com.

IMPACT — MEDIUM

The Philippine government recently replaced the One Health Pass with a new eTravel platform.

Key Points:

  • As of Dec. 2, all travelers must register through the eTravel platform at least 72 hours before arrival in the Philippines.
  • To register, travelers are required to provide basic biographical information, travel details and health declarations, including vaccination details.
  • Once registration is completed correctly, travelers will receive a QR code that must be shown to appropriate authorities before departure and upon arrival.
  • Travelers who receive a green QR code qualify for express entry upon arrival; travelers who receive a red QR code will be interviewed upon arrival and may have to undergo a facility-based quarantine and take PCR tests.

Additional Information: Travelers who are unable to register through eTravel before departure or are unaware of the requirement can register upon arrival. More information regarding the Philippines’ COVID-19 entry and health requirements is available here.

BAL Analysis: Philippine authorities replaced the One Health Pass with the eTravel platform to streamline the entry process and simplify data collection for the those providing health declaration and arrival information. The response to the COVID-19 pandemic continues to develop, and BAL will provide additional updates as information becomes available.

This alert has been provided by the BAL Global Practice Group. For additional information, please contact berryapplemanleiden@bal.com.

Copyright © 2022 Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP. All rights reserved. Reprinting or digital redistribution to the public is permitted only with the express written permission of Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP. For inquiries, please contact copyright@bal.com.

IMPACT — MEDIUM

The Philippine government announced its mandatory annual reporting period for foreign nationals will open Jan. 1, 2023, and will close March 1, 2023.

Key Points:

  • Foreign nationals must report in person to participating Bureau of Immigration offices on or before March 1, 2023, and bring their:
    • Original registration identity card (ACR I-card).
    • Valid passport (except for refugees and stateless individuals).
  • Philippine authorities will not allow representatives to report on the behalves of foreign nationals for the 2023 Annual Report except under limited circumstances. Individuals must schedule an appointment for the 2023 annual report.
  • Individuals who fail to report before March 1, 2023, may face administrative fines or other penalties.

Additional Information: All registered foreign nationals, including those who hold immigrant visas, non-immigrant visas or alien certificate of registration identity cards, must complete the annual reporting requirement within the first two months of each calendar year. Temporary Visitor Pass and Tourist Visa holders are exempt from the annual reporting requirement.

BAL Analysis: Foreign nationals are reminded to complete registration procedures as early as possible to avoid the rush before the deadline.

This alert has been provided by the BAL Global Practice Group. For additional information, please contact berryapplemanleiden@bal.com.

Copyright © 2022 Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP. All rights reserved. Reprinting or digital redistribution to the public is permitted only with the express written permission of Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP. For inquiries, please contact copyright@bal.com.

IMPACT — MEDIUM

The Philippine government has revised its COVID-19 entry requirements.

Key Points:

  • Fully vaccinated travelers do not need proof of a negative COVID-19 test taken before or after arrival to enter the country; however, they must show proof of an official COVID-19 vaccination certificate to enter the country.
  • Travelers who are 15 and older and not fully vaccinated against COVID-19 as well as travelers who are under the age of 15, traveling alone and not fully vaccinated against COVID-19 must have proof of a negative antigen test taken with 24 hours before departure or take an antigen test upon arrival to enter the country.
  • Travelers who are under the age of 15, traveling with an adult or guardian and not fully vaccinated against COVID-19 must follow the entry requirements that pertain to the adult or guardian with them to enter the country.
  • Travelers, regardless of their vaccination status or departure country, must have a passport with at least six months of validity, a valid visa (if applicable), and a valid departure ticket (for temporary visitors) to enter the country.

Additional Information: Individuals who test positive for COVID-19 after arrival must undergo a mandatory quarantine. Travelers are considered fully vaccinated against COVID-19 if they receive two doses of a two-dose vaccination or a single dose of a single-dose vaccination more than 14 days before their intended departure date.

BAL Analysis: The response to the COVID-19 pandemic continues to develop, and BAL will provide additional updates as information becomes available.

This alert has been provided by the BAL Global Practice Group. For additional information, please contact berryapplemanleiden@bal.com.

Copyright © 2022 Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP. All rights reserved. Reprinting or digital redistribution to the public is permitted only with the express written permission of Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP. For inquiries, please contact copyright@bal.com.

IMPACT — MEDIUM

The Philippine government announced that it will replace the One Health Pass with the E-Arrival Card in November.

Key Points:

  • Beginning Nov. 1, travelers must hold an E-Arrival Card instead of the One Health Pass to receive expedited entry processing.
  • Travelers must register for the E-Arrival Card through this website within 72 hours before departure.
  • To register for the card, travelers must submit travel details, biographical information, vaccination status and health declarations.
  • After registration, travelers will receive a QR code to show airline staff before departure and to Philippine authorities at the airport upon arrival.

Additional Information: Travelers who are unable to register for the E-Arrival Card before departure or are unaware of the requirement can register upon arrival. If travelers do not receive a QR code after registration, Philippine authorities will check their vaccination card or, if applicable, check the test results of their pre-departure PCR or rapid antigen test.

BAL Analysis: The response to the COVID-19 pandemic continues to develop, and BAL will provide additional updates as information becomes available.

This alert has been provided by the BAL Global Practice Group. For additional information, please contact berryapplemanleiden@bal.com.

Copyright © 2022 Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP. All rights reserved. Reprinting or digital redistribution to the public is permitted only with the express written permission of Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP. For inquiries, please contact copyright@bal.com.

IMPACT – MEDIUM

The Philippine government has resumed its requirement that foreign nationals submit biometrics when applying for visa renewals and when registering under the Alien Registration Program (ARP).

Key Points:

  • Philippine immigration authorities had previously exempted foreign nationals from the biometrics requirement to limit physical contact during COVID-19.
  • Authorities recently reinstituted the requirement, citing the need to make sure records are complete and accurate.

Additional Information: Immigration authorities have resumed issuing emigration clearance certificates (ECCs) to foreign nationals who have been in the country for more than six months. Foreign nationals must retrieve their ECC from an authorized immigration office at least 72 hours before the foreign national’s departure.

BAL Analysis: The response to the COVID-19 pandemic continues to develop, and BAL will provide additional updates as information becomes available.

This alert has been provided by the BAL Global Practice group. For additional information, please contact berryapplemanleiden@bal.com.

Copyright © 2022 Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP. All rights reserved. Reprinting or digital redistribution to the public is permitted only with the express written permission of Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP. For inquiries please contact copyright@bal.com.

IMPACT – MEDIUM

The Philippine government has permitted the entry of certain Ukrainian nationals.

Key Points:

  • As of April 1, Ukrainian nationals are permitted to enter the Philippines if they:
    • Are fully vaccinated against COVID-19 with an approved vaccination.
    • Carry or possess acceptable proof of COVID-19 vaccination.
    • Have proof of a negative PCR test taken with 48 hours before departure or a negative antigen test taken within 24 hours before departure.
    • Undergo seven days of self-monitoring for COVID-19 symptoms from the first day after arrival in the Philippines.

Additional Information: Children below the age of 12 who are traveling with fully vaccinated foreign parents are exempt from the vaccination requirement. More information regarding the application process is available here.

BAL Analysis: Employers and employees are reminded that actions taken as a result of the invasion of Ukraine may change with little or no notice.

This alert has been provided by the BAL Global Practice group. For additional information, please contact berryapplemanleiden@bal.com.

Copyright © 2022 Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP. All rights reserved. Reprinting or digital redistribution to the public is permitted only with the express written permission of Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP. For inquiries please contact copyright@bal.com.