IMPACT – MEDIUM

The Bureau of Immigration recently announced it will lift the antigen test requirement for outbound travel beginning Nov. 1.

Key Points:

  • Travelers will still need to comply with requirements to present negative COVID-19 test certificates if they are required by the country of destination.
  • Travelers leaving under a tourist visa will also need to present a round-trip ticket, and will be required to sign a declaration acknowledging the risks of travelling, which will be given to them by the airline upon check-in.
  • Travelers arriving in the Philippines are required to have a pre-booked accredited quarantine facility before they arrive, and are subject to the maximum capacity of inbound passengers set by airport authorities. After they have completed the immigration inspection procedures, arriving passengers will proceed to the one-stop shop in the airports, where they will be tested and referred to their assigned quarantine facility.

Background: Also effective Nov. 1, foreign nationals with investor’s visas, 47A2 visas from the Department of Justice, and visas from the Aurora Pacific Economic Zone, the Freeport Authority and the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority will be allowed to enter the Philippines.

Analysis & Comments: Lifting the antigen test requirement for outbound travel will make leaving the Philippines easier, but some travel requirements remain in place. The response to the COVID-19 pandemic continues to develop, and Deloitte will provide additional updates as information becomes available. Please check Deloitte’s COVID-19 Digital Map, available here, for information on travel restrictions and immigration changes in other countries.

Rest of World Source: Deloitte. Deloitte refers to one or more of Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu Limited (“DTTL”), its global network of member firms, and their related entities. DTTL (also referred to as “Deloitte Global”) and each of its member firms are legally separate and independent entities. DTTL does not provide services to clients. Please see www.deloitte.com/about to learn more. Deloitte Legal means the legal practices of Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu Limited member firms or their affiliates that provide legal services. For legal, regulatory and other reasons, not all member firms provide legal services. This includes Deloitte Tax LLP in the United States which does not provide legal and/or immigration advice or services. This communication contains general information only, and none of Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu Limited, its member firms or their related entities (collectively, the “Deloitte network”) is, by means of this communication, rendering professional advice or services. Before making any decision or taking any action that may affect your finances or your business, you should consult a qualified professional adviser. No entity in the Deloitte network shall be responsible for any loss whatsoever sustained by any person who relies on this communication. © 2020. For information, contact Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu Limited.