(30 November 2020) ADVISORY UPDATED SUMMARY OF PHILIPPINE TRAVEL RESTRICTIONS AND EXEMPTIONS
A. Exemption due to the Balikbayan Visa Program (Republic Act 6768)
Pursuant to Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF-EID) Resolution No. 85 dated 26 November 2020, and with reference to Republic Act No. 6768, as amended, the following shall be exempted from the temporary suspension of visa-free privileges starting 07 December 2020:
Filipino citizens’ foreign spouses and children, regardless of age, who are traveling with them; and,
Former Filipino citizens, together with their foreign spouses and children, regardless of age, who are traveling with them.
The entry of above-mentioned foreign nationals shall be subject to the following conditions:
They must be nationals permitted/allowed to enter the country visa-free under E.O. No. 408, s. 1960;
They must have a pre-booked quarantine facility;
They must have a pre-booked COVID-19 testing at a laboratory operating at the airport; and
They are subject to the maximum capacity of inbound passengers at the port entry and during the date of entry.
Further, the entry of the above-mentioned foreign nationals shall be subject to the implementing guidelines to be issued by the Philippine Bureau of Immigration (BI).
Other foreign spouses and children who do not belong to the above categories, are still subject to existing travel restrictions. They may apply for visas, as appropriate, provided they are exempted from the temporary suspension of visa issuance, as outlined below.
(note: The BI has issued a reminder to former Filipinos who wish to avail of the Balikbayan privilege to present their old Philippine passports or a copy of their birth certificate to the immigration officer upon arrival, while their spouses and children shall present their marriage certificates and birth certificates, respectively; it is likewise recommended that they queue together for easier verification and processing; see https://www.facebook.com/officialbureauofimmigration/posts/1879401788865186)
B. Exemption due to official capacity or employment
Foreign Government and International Organization officials accredited to the Philippines, and their dependents;
Foreign airline crew; and
Foreign seafarers/
Foreigners who belong to the above-mentioned categories are exempted from restrictions but are required to apply for a visa.
C. Exemption as holder of a valid long-term/immigrant/resident visa
Foreign nationals who are already holders of the following visas, valid at the time of entry, will be allowed entry into the Philippines:
Section 13 series of Commonwealth Act No. 613, as amended, which includes:
13 Quota, 13(a), 13(b), 13(c), 13 (d), 13 (e), 13(g) visas
Temporary Resident Visa (based on CA 613, Section 13a (marriage to Filipino)
Temporary Resident Visa (based on MO ADD-01-038/ADD-02-015 (Indian nationals)
MCL-07-021 Permanent Resident Visa (based on CA 613, Section 13a (Chinese nationals)
Native Born Visa (based on CA 613, Section 13c (for foreigners born in the Philippines with at least 1 Permanent Resident parent);
RA 7919 visa
EO 324 visa
SIRV under EO 226 (not applicable to SIRV under EO 63)
D. Exemption as holder of a valid special non-immigrant/investor visa
Special visas under Executive Order 226 (Omnibus Investment Code) as amended and Republic Act 8756;
47 (a-2) visas;
Visas issued by Aurora Pacific Economic Zone and Freeport Authority (APECO), Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA), Authority of the Freeport Area of Bataan (AFAB), Cagayan Economic Zone Authority (CEZA) and Clark Development Corporation (CDC); and,
Section 9(d) of EO 613, as amended
E. Additional requirements/conditions
All foreign nationals who qualify for the exemptions above shall be subjected to the following additional conditions:
They must have a valid and existing visa at the time of entry;
They must have a pre-booked registration with an accredited quarantine facility;
They must have a pre-booked COVID-19 testing provider; and
The entry shall be subject to the maximum capacity of inbound passengers as set by the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF-EID).
The travel restrictions are reviewed regularly by the Philippine government and maybe eased should the situation in the country continue to improve.
Further information can be found at the Consulate’s website: https://www.sydneypcg.org/visas
Any queries may be sent via email to sydney.pcg@dfa.gov.ph / sydneypcg.atn@dfa.gov.ph. END