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As one of the top destinations in Southeast Asia for tourism, the Philippines is a popular place to travel to, and with the lifting of most Coronavirus restrictions around the globe, this beautiful archipelago is also reducing its restrictions. So the question to ask is: Is the Philippines open for tourists for the 2023 holiday season?
Is the Philippines Open for Tourists Now?
The simple answer is YES, though there are certain requirements for travelers to enter the country. Since the main restrictions have been lifted, including the requirement to enter a 14-day quarantine and even the requirement to be fully vaccinated, the options for travel to the Philippines are now back on the table.
Current Entry Requirements to the Philippines
1. Tourists need to get fully vaccinated to enter.
While many restrictions have been lifted, there is still a requirement to be vaccinated under Philippine rules in order to enter the country. Travelers should have had official COVID-19 vaccinations in the form of the two primary shots or the single-dose vaccination for this to be valid, and have been completed more than 14 days prior to travel.
If you get fully vaccinated, you are free to visit Philippines.
Alternatively, unvaccinated and partially-vaccinated travelers must be able to present a Rapid Antigen Test result taken at least 24 hours prior to the date and time of departure from the country of origin. Failure to present the test result will result in being required to undergo a laboratory-based Antigen Test on arrival, or be refused entry.
Minors under the age of 15 years that are not vaccinated will be permitted entry under the guidance and monitoring for COVID-19 symptoms by their parents or guardians.
2. Tourists need to have travel insurance for COVID-19.
As of May 30, 2022, under IATF-EID Resolution 168, the requirement for foreign travelers to the Philippines to have mandatory COVID-19 insurance was lifted. However, while it is no longer a requirement, travelers should still take out cover in case they get COVID-19 while traveling. As there is no free medical treatment for foreign nationals in the Philippines, insurance should be a must-have for travelers anyway.
3. Tourists need to have valid tickets for your return journey.
As with any country where travelers enter freely, there is a requirement for that traveler to actually leave when their trip is over. Therefore, it is a requirement of entry to the Philippines to be able to show a pre-booked and paid-for flight ticket out of the Philippines at the end of your trip, to either your home country or your next destination.
4. Your passport should be valid for at least 6 months.
While there is no need for a visa for many travelers to the Philippines, there is a requirement to have a valid passport for entry, and since that entry can be for up to 90 days in some cases, the passport must be valid for a period of at least six months from the date of entry to the archipelago.
A valid passport (least 6 months) is necessary for your Philippines tour.
5. You must register your travel on the eArrival Card.
Following the ending of the OneHealthPass for entry to the Philippines, this was replaced by the eArrival Card, which incorporates the former health declaration checklist. The eArrival Card serves as a health declaration and contact tracing system to make movement easier into and around the country for tourists. All tourists are required to register prior to arrival at https://onehealthpass.com.ph/OHP-NEW-DESIGN/Register.html
More FAQ about the Philippines Travel Restrictions
1. Do I need to go through quarantine when arriving in the Philippines?
As of this year, there is no requirement for foreign travelers to go through any form of quarantine on entry into the Philippines. The requirement of quarantine has been lifted in favor of vaccination and recent Rapid Antigen Testing.
2. Are COVID-19 tests required to travel to the Philippines?
If you are fully vaccinated, then you do not need to have any form of testing for entry to the Philippines. However, unvaccinated and partially-vaccinated travelers must provide proof of Rapid Antigen Testing taken at least 24 hours prior to travel or undergo testing on arrival at their own expense. Children under 15 do not need to be vaccinated or have test results.
3. Do I need to wear a face mask in the Philippines?
As of October 28, 2022, the wearing of facemasks in indoor and outdoor locations in the Philippines is voluntary. However, there are exceptions, and masks will still be required in healthcare facilities, medical transport vehicles, and all types of public transport. Business owners are permitted to set their own rules, and masks may be required in some stores and malls.
You can decide whether to wear a mask when visiting attractions.
4. Are public transportation and restaurants open in the Philippines?
All public transport is now running at full operations, and trains, buses, taxis, jeepneys, and traysikels can now operate without social distancing requirements at full capacity.
Similarly, almost all restaurants and food establishments are also now open, and can operate at full capacity, without requiring customers to sit one seat apart.
Conclusion
While travel restrictions have been lowered in the Philippines, there are still some requirements for COVID-19 that are left in place, including certain testing requirements, vaccinations, and in some cases, masks.
But these requirements are merely suspended, not removed, and may change at a moment’s notice should the COVID-19 state in the country increase. It is recommended that travelers monitor the situation before you travel to the Philippines by following our blog for regular updates.
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