The Philippine government has eased COVID-19 entry guidelines.

Key Points:

  • Beginning today, foreign nationals can enter the Philippines without having an Entry Exemption Document (EED) if they have:
    • The required proof that they are fully vaccinated against COVID-19 with an approved vaccine.
    • A negative PCR test result taken within 48 hours before arrival or a negative antigen test taken within 24 hours before departure.
    • A passport with at least six months of validity from their date of arrival in the Philippines.
    • Obtained travel insurance that covers COVID-related health issues for at least $35,000 for the duration of their stay.
    • A valid onward or return ticket.
  • Foreign nationals who meet these requirements will not have to undergo a facility-based quarantine. Instead, they must self-monitor for COVID-19 symptoms for the first seven days after arrival.

Additional Information: Foreign nationals who hold valid EEDs issued before April 1 will be allowed to enter the country if they meet the aforementioned requirements (excluding the travel insurance).

BAL Analysis: Philippine authorities intend to allow more travelers who are fully vaccinated against COVID-19 to enter the country. Travelers should continue check entry requirements before planning travel to the Philippines. 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 eased its COVID-19 quarantine and testing requirements for those entering the country as of Feb. 27.

Key Points:

  • Fully vaccinated Philippine citizens and foreign nationals are no longer required to quarantine upon arrival; instead, they must self-monitor for COVID-19 symptoms for the first seven days after arrival.
  • Philippine citizens who are not fully vaccinated must undergo a facility-based quarantine until they receive a negative PCR test taken on their fifth day after arrival and then quarantine at home until their fourteenth day after arrival. Foreign nationals who are not fully vaccinated are not allowed to enter the country.
  • Children who are not fully vaccinated must follow the quarantine requirements applicable to their parents or accompanying guardians traveling with them.

BAL Analysis: Philippine authorities intend to allow more travelers who are fully vaccinated against COVID-19 to enter the country. Travelers should check entry requirements before planning travel to the Philippines. 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 added countries to its list of approved COVID-19 vaccination certificates.

Key Points:

  • As of Feb. 24, Philippine authorities recognize vaccination certificates from Albania, Argentina, Azerbaijan, Brazil, the British Virgin Islands, Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, Chile, Denmark, Ecuador, Egypt, Estonia, Greece, Indonesia, Ireland, Israel, Macao, Malaysia, Maldives, Malta, Myanmar, Palau, Papua New Guinea, Peru, Portugal, Romania, South Korea, Spain, Syria, Timor Leste and Uruguay.
    • The Philippines now accepts vaccination certificates from 64 countries/regions, including Australia, Canada, India, Singapore, the U.K. and the U.S.
  • Individuals who have proof that they are fully vaccinated against COVID-19 will self-monitor for seven days upon arrival instead of having to undergo a mandatory quarantine.

Additional Information: More information regarding the Philippine’s entry and health requirements is available here.

BAL Analysis: Philippine authorities intend to allow more travelers who are fully vaccinated against COVID-19 to enter the country. Travelers should check entry requirements before planning travel to the Philippines. 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’s annual reporting period for foreign nationals is open until March 1.

Key Points:

  • Foreign nationals or their representative must report in-person to participating Bureau of Immigration offices on or before March 1and bring their:
    • Original registration identity card (ACR I-card).
    • Valid passport (except for refugees and stateless nationals).
  • Individuals must schedule an appointment for the 2022 annual report through this website.
  • Individuals who fail to report before March 1 may face administrative fines or other penalties.

Additional Information: Foreign nationals holding 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.

The Philippine government has updated its entry requirement for all travelers and suspended its color-coded travel lists.

Key Points:

  • As of Feb. 1, authorities have temporarily suspended the green, yellow and red travel lists.
    • Fully vaccinated travelers, regardless of departure country, must have proof of a negative PCR test result taken within 48 hours of departure and self-monitor for COVID-19 symptoms for seven days after arrival.
    • Travelers who are not fully vaccinated must have proof of a negative PCR test taken within 48 hours of departure, quarantine at a designated facility for five days, take an additional PCR test on the fifth day after arrival and quarantine at home until the fourteenth day after arrival.
  • Beginning Feb. 10, nationals of non-visa required countries can enter the Philippines if they:
    • Are fully vaccinated against COVID-19 with an approved vaccine.
    • Have a passport with at least six months of validity at the time of arrival.
    • Hold a return ticket to their country of origin.
    • Follow current testing and quarantine requirements for fully vaccinated international arriving travelers.

Additional Information: Children below the age of 18 from non-visa required countries are exempted from the COVID-19 vaccination requirement. Authorities will not count fully vaccinated nationals of non-visa required countries toward the daily arrival quota.

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 updated its green, red and yellow country lists and modified its testing and quarantine requirements for each list.

Key Points:

  • Green List. There are 32 countries and regions on the green list, including China, India and Japan.
    • Testing and quarantine requirements for green-list travelers is available here.
  • Red List. There are 14 countries and regions on the red list, including Canada, Saudi Arabia and Spain.
    • Individuals who have been in or traveled through a red-list country within 14 days of intended arrival are now allowed to enter the country.
    • Testing and quarantine requirements for red-list travelers is available here.
  • Yellow List. All countries and territories not listed on the green or red list are categorized as yellow.
    • Testing and quarantine requirements for yellow-list travelers is available here.

Additional Information: Beginning Feb. 16, individuals must be fully vaccinated to enter the Philippines. Proof of vaccination requirements and exemptions for the requirement are available here. The Bureau of Immigration (BI) is currently operating at a 30% on-site work capacity until at least Jan. 21; those using BI services should expect delays.

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.

The Philippine government has launched a new Philippine Economic Zone Authority (PEZA) visa that replaced the Special Nonimmigrant Visa.

Key Points:

  • Qualifying foreign nationals are now eligible for new PEZA visas.
    • The work visas are valid for up to two years and renewable 30 days before their expiration date.
    • PEZA visa holders and their dependents are exempt from registration requirements and have multiple entry privileges.
  • Foreign national who are approved to receive a PEZA visa will also receive a physical card not previously available for the Special Nonimmigrant Visa.
    • This card will serve official government issued documentation for the foreign worker.
  • PEZA-registered enterprises can submit their foreign employees’ PEZA visa applications to the PEZA zone administrator or manager where their enterprise is located.

Additional Information: Valid and preexisting Special Nonimmigrant Visas will retain their validity until their expiration date. After that, individuals can apply for a PEZA visa through the renewal process detailed here. More information regarding the new PEZA visa is available on this website.

BAL Analysis: The new PEZA visa will streamline application processes for foreign nationals and adjudication times by reducing the number of government authorities overseeing immigration application processing.

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

Copyright © 2021 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 updated its color-coded travel lists and proof of vaccination requirements.

Key Points:

  • As of Nov. 16, authorities listed the Netherlands and Faroe Islands on the country’s red list.
    • Travelers who have been in red-list countries within 14 days of intended cannot enter the country unless they are returning on a repatriation flight.
  • As of Nov. 16, there are 44 countries on the green list including India, Indonesia, Japan, Saudi Arabia, South Africa and the United Arab Emirates.
  • Countries not listed on the green list or red list are categorized as yellow.
  • Foreign national and Philippine citizens traveling from green and yellow countries can enter the Philippines if they adhere to the corresponding entry requirements.
  • Testing and quarantine requirements for fully vaccinated, unvaccinated, or partially vaccinated foreign nationals and Philippine citizens traveling from green, yellow or and countries can be found here and here.

Additional Information: Authorities now recognize vaccination certificates from Australia, Czech Republic, Georgia, India, Japan, the Netherlands, Samoa, Turkey and the U.K. More information regarding proof of vaccination requirements can be found here.

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 © 2021 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 published a travel restrictions guide for those allowed to enter the country.

Key Points:

  • Individuals cannot enter the country if they are coming from or have been in a red-list country within 14 days of intended arrival.
  • Individuals must adhere to the health and entry requirements corresponding to the green, yellow and red lists; yellow-list countries are those not on the red or green list.
  • The following individuals can enter the country if they meet the aforementioned requirements:
    • Philippine citizens who hold a valid Philippine passport/identification certificate.
    • Former Philippine citizens and those traveling with a Philippine or former Philippine citizen, spouse or parent who are nationals of non-visa required countries.
    • Foreign nationals with valid and existing visas.

Additional Information: Individuals who hold a 9(a) visa are required to have an entry exemption document (EED) from their country’s foreign post except for foreign spouses, parents and/or children of Philippine citizens. Those who are exempt from having an EED and who are not traveling with a Philippine citizen must have a visa that says, “EED not required per IATF resolution no. 128 (s. 2021).”

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 © 2021 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 updated its COVIVD-19 green, yellow and red lists and its entry requirements for vaccinated and unvaccinated travelers.

Green-list entry requirements:

  • Fully vaccinated foreign nationals arriving from green-list countries must:
    • Have proof of a negative PCR test taken within 72 hours of departure.
    • Self-monitor for COVID-19 symptoms for 14 days.
  • Foreign nationals who are not fully vaccinated or whose vaccination status cannot be validated arriving from green-list countries must:
    • Undergo a facility-based quarantine until they receive a negative PCR test taken on the fifth day of quarantine.
    • Quarantine at home until their fourteenth day of arrival if they are released from the facility based quarantine.
    • Have a quarantine-hotel reservation for at least six days.

Yellow-list entry requirements:

  • Fully vaccinated foreign nationals arriving from yellow-list countries must:
    • Undergo a facility-based quarantine until they receive a negative PCR test taken on the fifth day of quarantine.
    • Quarantine at home until their tenth day of arrival if they are released from the facility based quarantine.
    • Have a quarantine-hotel reservation for at least six days.
  • Foreign nationals who are not fully vaccinated or whose vaccination status cannot be validated arriving from yellow-list countries must:
    • Undergo a facility-based quarantine until they receive a negative PCR test taken on the seventh day of quarantine.
    • Quarantine at home until their fourteenth day of arrival if they are released from the facility based quarantine.
    • Have a quarantine-hotel reservation for at least eight days.

Additional Information: Foreign national minors who are not fully vaccinated must carry out the aforementioned quarantine requirements; a parent/guardian must join the child in the quarantine facility for the full duration of the quarantine.

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 © 2021 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.