Planning to travel to and around the Philippines? Here are the important things you should know first!
Is the Philippines open for tourism?
International travelers: Yes, the Philippines is open to all fully vaccinated international tourists. Those from non-visa-required countries need to present a negative RT-PCR test taken within 48 hours of departure from the country of origin or a laboratory-based negative antigen test taken within 24 hours prior to departure from their port of origin. Fully-vaccinated foreigners from visa-required countries will not need an exemption document to enter the country but will still need to follow the immigration, visa, and testing procedures set by the government.
Domestic travelers: Yes (to re-opened destinations only and with restrictions)
Traveling within the Philippines is allowed for domestic tourists but is limited to select destinations and with restrictions. Some destinations only allow leisure travel for local residents.
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Before traveling, you might want to check the live weather forecast and updates to make your trip even easier and safer for you. You can also get the latest report for land traffic in Metro Manila and major parts of the Philippines.
Can Foreigners Travel to the Philippines?
Yes, the Philippines is open to all fully vaccinated international tourists. Those from non-visa-required countries need to present a negative RT-PCR test taken within 48 hours of departure from the country of origin or a laboratory-based negative antigen test taken within 24 hours prior to departure from their port of origin. Fully-vaccinated foreigners from visa-required countries will not need an exemption document to enter the country, but will still need to follow the immigration, visa, and testing procedures set by the government.
Is it safe to travel to the Philippines now?
In terms of health, the national government and the local government units have safety guidelines in place to lessen the spread of COVID-19. These include the wearing of face masks, social distancing, and the requirement of a negative COVID-19 test result and/or a vaccination card or certificate when crossing local borders. Following these rules will reduce your chances of contracting the disease.
Are US citizens allowed to travel to the Philippines?
Yes, but only for those who are fully vaccinated. This is because the United States of America is one of the non-visa required countries.
Fully vaccinated foreign nationals of non-visa required countries
- Negative RT-PCR test result taken within 48 hours prior to departure from the origin country or a negative laboratory-based antigen test taken within 24 hours prior to departure from the origin country.
- Outbound tickets to their origin country or next country of destination
- A passport that is valid for at least 6 months at the time of arrival
- Proof of their fully vaccinated status. The following are accepted:
- An International Certificate of Vaccination (ICV) from the World Health Organization
- A VaxCertPH digital vaccination certificate
- A national/state digital certificate of the foreign government where they were vaccinated, which has accepted VaxCertPH under a reciprocal arrangement.
For Balikbayans
- Must come from a non-visa required country under EO 408
- Those traveling with their Filipino spouses and parents need to provide proof of filiation
- Negative RT-PCR test result taken within 48 hours prior to departure from the origin country or a negative laboratory-based antigen test taken within 24 hours prior to departure from the origin country.
- Proof of their fully vaccinated status. The following are accepted:
- An International Certificate of Vaccination (ICV) from the World Health Organization
- A VaxCertPH digital vaccination certificate
- A national/state digital certificate of the foreign government where they were vaccinated, which has accepted VaxCertPH under a reciprocal arrangement.
Requirements for fully vaccinated travelers
Fully vaccinated inbound travelers, regardless of country of origin, will no longer be required to undergo facility-based quarantine provided they can present proof of their fully vaccinated status.
They can present an International Certificate of Vaccination (ICV) from the World Health Organization, a VaxCertPH digital vaccination certificate from vaxcert.doh.gov.ph, or a national/state digital certificate of the foreign government where they were vaccinated, which has accepted VaxCertPH under a reciprocal arrangement.
Requirements for unvaccinated and partially vaccinated travelers
Unvaccinated and partially vaccinated foreign nationals will not be allowed entry into the country except for the following cases:
- Children below 18 years old
- People medically unable to receive the vaccine as certified by a public health authority from their country of origin
- Foreign diplomats and their dependents/9(e) visa holders
Requirements for children below 12 years old
Children below 12 years old who cannot be vaccinated will follow the protocols of their parents or accompanying guardian.
Is an International Certificate of Vaccination (ICV) required by the Bureau of Quarantine (BOQ) to enter the Philippines?
An International Certificate of Vaccination (ICV) is accepted as proof of a traveler’s fully vaccinated status, but other documents may also be accepted in its place. These include a VaxCertPH digital vaccination certificate or a national/state digital certificate of the foreign government where they were vaccinated, which has accepted VaxCertPH under a reciprocal arrangement.
How to get an ICV
ICVs are issued by the country where you got the vaccine. If you got your vaccines in the Philippines, you can get your ICV by booking an appointment via icv.boq.ph. It costs PHP300, and a PHP70 convenience fee will also be charged. Alternatively, you can apply for a vaccination certificate via vaxcert.doh.gov.ph to prove your fully vaccinated status when entering the Philippines.
What to Do Upon Arrival at a Philippine Airport
After you land in the Philippines, you need to follow the guidelines set by the IATF. These include wearing face masks and face shields, filling up a Case Investigation Form (CIF), and using the Traze Mobile App. For the complete requirements and procedures for each airport, check this arrival guide.
Is quarantine required for international travelers entering the Philippines?
Yes, unvaccinated or partially vaccinated international travelers are required to undergo facility-based quarantine for 6 days and will be released when they get a negative result from the RT-PCR test to be taken on the 5th day. They will also need to undergo home quarantine afterward until the 14th day from their arrival. The local government unit will be monitoring those under home quarantine.
What To Do During the Stay at the Quarantine Hotel
From the airport, you need to go directly to your quarantine hotel. Wait for the confirmation of the schedule of your test. Should you exhibit symptoms before your scheduled test, you need to inform the hotel staff immediately so a medical officer can assess you.
On the day of your test, present your passport and the other required documents. If your test results are negative, you will be released for home quarantine. However, if your test results are positive, you will be transferred to a hospital for treatment.
Airlines Flying to the Philippines
These airlines have flights to the Philippines:
- Philippine Airlines - The flag carrier currently has flights from Australia, Canada (including Vancouver (YVR) to Manila), Hong Kong, Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, South Korea, Taiwan, Thailand, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom, Vietnam, and the USA, including Los Angeles (LAX) to Manila, San Francisco (SFO) to Manila, Hawaii (HNL) to Manila, and New York (JFK) to Manila routes.
- All Nippon Airways (ANA) - The airline has flights from Japan.
- AirAsia - The airline as flights from China, Hong Kong, Malaysia, Singapore, South Korea, Taiwan, and Thailand.
- Aseana Airlines -The airline has flights from South Korea.
- Cebu Pacific - The ailine has flights from Hong Kong, Japan, South Korea, Singapore, and United Arab Emirates.
- China Airlines - The airline has flights from Taiwan.
- Emirates - The airline has flights from the United Arab Emirates.
- Etihad Airways - The airline has flights from the United Arab Emirates.
- Japan Airlines - The airline has flights from Japan and the USA.
- JetStar - The airline has flights from Singapore.
- Korean Air - The airline has flights from South Korea and the USA.
- Malaysia Airlines - The airline has flights from Malaysia.
- Qatar Airways - The airline has flights from Qatar.
- Singapore Airlines - The airline has flights from Singapore.
- Thai Airways - The airline has flights from Germany, India, Italy, Netherlands, Norway, Pakistan, Sweden, and Thailand.
- Turkish Airlines - The airline has flights from Turkey.
For airfare and transportation, you may check PISO FARE promos or you can directly compare air, sea and land travel fare and prices here:
Vaccines accepted in the Philippines
There are currently 8 COVID-19 vaccines which have Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) from the Philippine Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Here is the list:
- Pfizer-BioNTech
- AstraZeneca
- Sinovac-Coronavac
- Sputnik V
- Janssen
- Covaxin
- Moderna
- Sinopharm
If you are vaccinated can you travel without COVID test?
Yes, fully vaccinated travel is available in the Philippines, but not for all destinations. Several destinations in the Philippines have opened to fully vaccinated tourists, exempting them from the requirement of obtaining a negative RT-PCR or rapid COVID test for travel.
Here is the list of destinations fully vaccinated travelers may visit without having to undergo a COVID-19 test:
Destinations in Luzon without RT-PCR for fully vaccinated:
- Abra
- Albay
- Baguio City
- Bataan
- Batangas
- Benguet
- Bulacan
- Cagayan
- Camarines Norte
- Camarines Sur
- Cavite
- Clark
- Coron
- El Nido
- Ilocos Sur (including Vigan)
- Isabela
- La Union
- Laguna
- Masbate
- Metro Manila
- Nueva Ecija
- Nueva Vizcaya
- Occidental Mindoro
- Oriental Mindoro
- Pampanga
- Pangasinan
- Puerto Princesa
- Rizal
- Sagada
- Subic Bay Freeport Area
- Tagaytay
- Tarlac
- Zambales
Destinations in Visayas without RT-PCR for fully vaccinated:
- Aklan
- Biliran
- Bohol
- Boracay
- Capiz
- Cebu
- Dumaguete City
- Eastern Samar
- Guimaras
- Iloilo City
- Iloilo Province
- Leyte
- Negros Occidental
- Negros Oriental
- Ormoc
- Siquijor
- Tacloban
Destinations in Mindanao without RT-PCR for fully vaccinated:
- Bukidnon
- Butuan City
- Camiguin
- Cotabato
- Davao City
- Davao de Oro
- Davao del Norte
- Davao del Sur
- Davao Oriental
- General Santos City
- Misamis Occidental
- Sarangani
- Sultan Kudarat
- Sulu
- Surigao Del Norte
- Surigao Del Sur
- Tawi-Tawi
- Zamboanga City
- Zamboanga del Norte
- Zamboanga del Sur
- Zamboanga Sibugay
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
- Is travel to the Philippines allowed right now?
Unvaccinated travelers are not allowed to enter the Philippines. Travelers who are unable to present acceptable proof of vaccination will be subject to quarantine in a government facility until the release of a negative RT-PCR test taken on the fifth day, followed by home quarantine until the 14th day. - Is quarantine still required in Philippines?
Unvaccinated, partially vaccinated, and passengers whose vaccination status cannot be verified shall be required to complete a facility-based quarantine at the first port of entry into the Philippines, regardless the onward domestic destination. - Is Philippines open for tourism?
Is the Philippines open for tourism? International travelers: Yes, the Philippines is open to all fully vaccinated international tourists. - Do foreigners need to quarantine in Philippines?
Once admitted into the country, fully vaccinated foreign nationals are no longer required to observe mandatory facility quarantine but shall self-monitor for any COVID-19 signs and symptoms for seven (7) days, with Day 1 as the date of arrival in the Philippines. - What is the best time to visit Philippines?
The best time to visit the Philippines is between the months of November and April which are the summer months in this Southeast Asian country. The wet season is from June to October and brings about quite a bit of rain with warm temperatures.
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