In depth
On 18 March 2021, the IATF issued Resolution No. 103, temporarily suspending the entry of foreign nationals beginning 12 am of 22 March 2021 to 11:59 pm of 21 April 2021, subject to limited exceptions.
On 15 April 2021, the IATF issued Resolution No. 110, extending the ban on the entry of foreign nationals until 30 April 2021. However, a new exemption to the travel ban was added, allowing those with "valid entry exemption documents duly issued by DFA prior to March 22, 2021" to enter the Philippines.
Thus, until 30 April 2021, only the following foreign nationals are allowed entry into the Philippines
- diplomats and members of international organizations, and their dependents, provided they hold 9(e) or 47(a)(2) visas, as the case may be, at the time of entry;
- foreign nationals involved in medical repatriation duly endorsed by the Department of Foreign Affairs - Office of the Undersecretary for Migrant Workers Affairs (DFA-OUMWA) and Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA), provided they have valid visas at the time of entry;
- foreign seafarers under the "Green Lanes" program for crew change, provided they hold a 9(c) crew list visa at the time of entry;
- foreign spouses and children of Filipino citizens travelling with them, provided they have valid visas at the time of entry;
- emergency, humanitarian, and other analogous cases approved by the National Task Force Against COVID-19 (NTF COVID-19), or their duly authorized representative, provided the foreign nationals have valid visas at the time of entry;
- foreign nationals with valid entry exemption documents duly issued by DFA prior to 22 March 2021.
The BI Amended Advisory summarizes the documentary requirements for the entry of foreign nationals under the foregoing exemptions as follows:
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Requirements |
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a. Diplomats and members of international organizations and their dependents
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- 9(e) visa or 47(a)(2) visa
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b. Foreign nationals involved in medical repatriation
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- DFA endorsement
- OWWA endorsement
- valid visa
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c. Foreign seafarers
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- 9(c) visa for crew change
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d. Foreign spouses and children of Filipino nationals
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- must be travelling with Filipino national
- valid visa
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e. Emergency, humanitarian and other analogous cases
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- approved by chairperson of NTF COVID- 19 or representative
- valid visa
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f. Foreign nationals with valid exemption documents
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- DFA exemption duly issued prior to 22 March 2021
- valid visa
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All arriving Filipino nationals shall be allowed entry.
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*Authored by Quisumbing Torres, a member firm of Baker & McKenzie International, a Swiss Verein. Please contact QTInfoDesk@quisumbingtorres.com for inquiries.
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