The Interagency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases of the Philippines stated in a resolution dated 26 November that, starting December 7, 2020, the following may be allowed entry privileges to the Philippines under Republic Act No. 6768 or the “Act Instituting the Balikbayan Program”:
- Filipino citizens’ foreign spouses and children, regardless of age, who are travelling with them
- Former Filipino citizens, together with their foreign spouses and children, regardless of age, who are traveling with them
The entry of the above-mentioned foreign nationals shall be subject to the following conditions:
- They must be nationals permitted/allowed to enter the country visa-free entry under Executive Order No. 408, s. 1960;
- They must have a pre-booked quarantine facility;
- The 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 of entry and during the date of entry.
The entry of the above-mentioned foreign nationals shall be subject to the implementing guidelines to be issued by the Bureau of Immigration.
The Philippine Mission notes that Swiss, French, Italian and German nationals are allowed visa-free entry under Executive Order No. 408 (i.e., they can, before the pandemic, enter the Philippines without a visa and stay in the country for up to 30 days). Foreign spouses and children of Filipino and former Filipino nationals who are not allowed visa-free entry still need to apply for visas, as appropriate, in line with existing travel restrictions.
The Philippine Mission reminds as well that quarantine requirements upon arrival remain in place. Visit https://e-cif.redcross.org.ph/ for more information about some of the arrival formalities. For a list of hotels inspected by the Department of Health for quarantine purposes, visit http://quarantine.doh.gov.ph/.