The Philippine government has updated its entry requirement for all travelers and suspended its color-coded travel lists.

Key Points:

  • As of Feb. 1, authorities have temporarily suspended the green, yellow and red travel lists.
    • Fully vaccinated travelers, regardless of departure country, must have proof of a negative PCR test result taken within 48 hours of departure and self-monitor for COVID-19 symptoms for seven days after arrival.
    • Travelers who are not fully vaccinated must have proof of a negative PCR test taken within 48 hours of departure, quarantine at a designated facility for five days, take an additional PCR test on the fifth day after arrival and quarantine at home until the fourteenth day after arrival.
  • Beginning Feb. 10, nationals of non-visa required countries can enter the Philippines if they:
    • Are fully vaccinated against COVID-19 with an approved vaccine.
    • Have a passport with at least six months of validity at the time of arrival.
    • Hold a return ticket to their country of origin.
    • Follow current testing and quarantine requirements for fully vaccinated international arriving travelers.

Additional Information: Children below the age of 18 from non-visa required countries are exempted from the COVID-19 vaccination requirement. Authorities will not count fully vaccinated nationals of non-visa required countries toward the daily arrival quota.

BAL Analysis: The response to the COVID-19 pandemic continues to develop, and BAL will provide additional updates as information becomes available.

This alert has been provided by the BAL Global Practice group. For additional information, please contact berryapplemanleiden@bal.com.

Copyright © 2022 Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP. All rights reserved. Reprinting or digital redistribution to the public is permitted only with the express written permission of Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP. For inquiries, please contact copyright@bal.com.

IMPACT – MEDIUM

The Philippine government has updated its green, red and yellow country lists and modified its testing and quarantine requirements for each list.

Key Points:

  • Green List. There are 32 countries and regions on the green list, including China, India and Japan.
    • Testing and quarantine requirements for green-list travelers is available here.
  • Red List. There are 14 countries and regions on the red list, including Canada, Saudi Arabia and Spain.
    • Individuals who have been in or traveled through a red-list country within 14 days of intended arrival are now allowed to enter the country.
    • Testing and quarantine requirements for red-list travelers is available here.
  • Yellow List. All countries and territories not listed on the green or red list are categorized as yellow.
    • Testing and quarantine requirements for yellow-list travelers is available here.

Additional Information: Beginning Feb. 16, individuals must be fully vaccinated to enter the Philippines. Proof of vaccination requirements and exemptions for the requirement are available here. The Bureau of Immigration (BI) is currently operating at a 30% on-site work capacity until at least Jan. 21; those using BI services should expect delays.

BAL Analysis: The response to the COVID-19 pandemic continues to develop, and BAL will provide additional updates as information becomes available.

This alert has been provided by the BAL Global Practice group. For additional information, please contact berryapplemanleiden@bal.com.

Copyright © 2022 Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP. All rights reserved. Reprinting or digital redistribution to the public is permitted only with the express written permission of Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP. For inquiries, please contact copyright@bal.com.

The Philippine government has launched a new Philippine Economic Zone Authority (PEZA) visa that replaced the Special Nonimmigrant Visa.

Key Points:

  • Qualifying foreign nationals are now eligible for new PEZA visas.
    • The work visas are valid for up to two years and renewable 30 days before their expiration date.
    • PEZA visa holders and their dependents are exempt from registration requirements and have multiple entry privileges.
  • Foreign national who are approved to receive a PEZA visa will also receive a physical card not previously available for the Special Nonimmigrant Visa.
    • This card will serve official government issued documentation for the foreign worker.
  • PEZA-registered enterprises can submit their foreign employees’ PEZA visa applications to the PEZA zone administrator or manager where their enterprise is located.

Additional Information: Valid and preexisting Special Nonimmigrant Visas will retain their validity until their expiration date. After that, individuals can apply for a PEZA visa through the renewal process detailed here. More information regarding the new PEZA visa is available on this website.

BAL Analysis: The new PEZA visa will streamline application processes for foreign nationals and adjudication times by reducing the number of government authorities overseeing immigration application processing.

This alert has been provided by the BAL Global Practice group. For additional information, please contact berryapplemanleiden@bal.com.

Copyright © 2021 Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP. All rights reserved. Reprinting or digital redistribution to the public is permitted only with the express written permission of Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP. For inquiries please contact copyright@bal.com.

IMPACT – MEDIUM

The Philippine government has updated its color-coded travel lists and proof of vaccination requirements.

Key Points:

  • As of Nov. 16, authorities listed the Netherlands and Faroe Islands on the country’s red list.
    • Travelers who have been in red-list countries within 14 days of intended cannot enter the country unless they are returning on a repatriation flight.
  • As of Nov. 16, there are 44 countries on the green list including India, Indonesia, Japan, Saudi Arabia, South Africa and the United Arab Emirates.
  • Countries not listed on the green list or red list are categorized as yellow.
  • Foreign national and Philippine citizens traveling from green and yellow countries can enter the Philippines if they adhere to the corresponding entry requirements.
  • Testing and quarantine requirements for fully vaccinated, unvaccinated, or partially vaccinated foreign nationals and Philippine citizens traveling from green, yellow or and countries can be found here and here.

Additional Information: Authorities now recognize vaccination certificates from Australia, Czech Republic, Georgia, India, Japan, the Netherlands, Samoa, Turkey and the U.K. More information regarding proof of vaccination requirements can be found here.

BAL Analysis: The response to the COVID-19 pandemic continues to develop, and BAL will provide additional updates as information becomes available.

This alert has been provided by the BAL Global Practice group. For additional information, please contact berryapplemanleiden@bal.com.

Copyright © 2021 Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP. All rights reserved. Reprinting or digital redistribution to the public is permitted only with the express written permission of Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP. For inquiries, please contact copyright@bal.com.

IMPACT – MEDIUM

The Philippine government recently published a travel restrictions guide for those allowed to enter the country.

Key Points:

  • Individuals cannot enter the country if they are coming from or have been in a red-list country within 14 days of intended arrival.
  • Individuals must adhere to the health and entry requirements corresponding to the green, yellow and red lists; yellow-list countries are those not on the red or green list.
  • The following individuals can enter the country if they meet the aforementioned requirements:
    • Philippine citizens who hold a valid Philippine passport/identification certificate.
    • Former Philippine citizens and those traveling with a Philippine or former Philippine citizen, spouse or parent who are nationals of non-visa required countries.
    • Foreign nationals with valid and existing visas.

Additional Information: Individuals who hold a 9(a) visa are required to have an entry exemption document (EED) from their country’s foreign post except for foreign spouses, parents and/or children of Philippine citizens. Those who are exempt from having an EED and who are not traveling with a Philippine citizen must have a visa that says, “EED not required per IATF resolution no. 128 (s. 2021).”

BAL Analysis: The response to the COVID-19 pandemic continues to develop, and BAL will provide additional updates as information becomes available.

This alert has been provided by the BAL Global Practice group. For additional information, please contact berryapplemanleiden@bal.com.

Copyright © 2021 Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP. All rights reserved. Reprinting or digital redistribution to the public is permitted only with the express written permission of Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP. For inquiries, please contact copyright@bal.com.

IMPACT – MEDIUM

The Philippine government has updated its COVIVD-19 green, yellow and red lists and its entry requirements for vaccinated and unvaccinated travelers.

Green-list entry requirements:

  • Fully vaccinated foreign nationals arriving from green-list countries must:
    • Have proof of a negative PCR test taken within 72 hours of departure.
    • Self-monitor for COVID-19 symptoms for 14 days.
  • Foreign nationals who are not fully vaccinated or whose vaccination status cannot be validated arriving from green-list countries must:
    • Undergo a facility-based quarantine until they receive a negative PCR test taken on the fifth day of quarantine.
    • Quarantine at home until their fourteenth day of arrival if they are released from the facility based quarantine.
    • Have a quarantine-hotel reservation for at least six days.

Yellow-list entry requirements:

  • Fully vaccinated foreign nationals arriving from yellow-list countries must:
    • Undergo a facility-based quarantine until they receive a negative PCR test taken on the fifth day of quarantine.
    • Quarantine at home until their tenth day of arrival if they are released from the facility based quarantine.
    • Have a quarantine-hotel reservation for at least six days.
  • Foreign nationals who are not fully vaccinated or whose vaccination status cannot be validated arriving from yellow-list countries must:
    • Undergo a facility-based quarantine until they receive a negative PCR test taken on the seventh day of quarantine.
    • Quarantine at home until their fourteenth day of arrival if they are released from the facility based quarantine.
    • Have a quarantine-hotel reservation for at least eight days.

Additional Information: Foreign national minors who are not fully vaccinated must carry out the aforementioned quarantine requirements; a parent/guardian must join the child in the quarantine facility for the full duration of the quarantine.

BAL Analysis: The response to the COVID-19 pandemic continues to develop, and BAL will provide additional updates as information becomes available.

This alert has been provided by the BAL Global Practice group. For additional information, please contact berryapplemanleiden@bal.com.

Copyright © 2021 Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP. All rights reserved. Reprinting or digital redistribution to the public is permitted only with the express written permission of Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP. For inquiries, please contact copyright@bal.com.

IMPACT – MEDIUM

The Philippine’s Bureau of immigration (BI) recently suspended its “Order to Leave” (OTL) for foreigners who have overstayed their visa during the pandemic.

Key Points:

  • As of Sept. 9, BI suspended the OTL for foreigners overstaying their temporary visitor’s visas who have:
    • Reached the 24-month maximum stay for visa-required nationals.
    • Reached the 36-month period maximum stay for non-visa required nationals.
    • Overstayed as of March 1, 2020, regardless of whether they have been in the country beyond the total allowable period.
  • Foreign nationals who have overstayed their visas are still required to pay immigration fees and penalties but are not required to leave the country.

BAL Analysis: BI made its decision to suspend the OTL due to COVID-19’s effects on domestic and international travel. The response to the COVID-19 pandemic continues to develop, and BAL will provide additional updates as information becomes available.

This alert has been provided by the BAL Global Practice Group. For additional information, please contact berryapplemanleiden@bal.com.

Copyright © 2021 Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP. All rights reserved. Reprinting or digital redistribution to the public is permitted only with the express written permission of Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP. For inquiries, please contact copyright@bal.com.

IMPACT – MEDIUM

The Philippine government has announced it will adopt color-coded country lists to clarify entry requirements for individuals planning travel to the Philippines.

Key Points:

  • Once the system is implemented, individuals, regardless their vaccination status, who are traveling from or have been in a yellow-list country within 14 days of intended arrival must:
    • Undergo a 14-day quarantine upon arrival; the first 10 days must be carried out at a designated facility.
    • Take a PCR test on the seventh day of quarantine. If the test results are negative, individuals may finish the quarantine at home or another suitable location; however, the first 10 days must be completed at a quarantine facility even with a negative test result.
  • Individuals, regardless of vaccination status, who are coming from or have been in a red-list country within 14 days of intended arrival, are not allowed to enter the Philippines. Filipinos returning on repatriation or Bayanihan flights may be allowed to enter the country if they:
    • Undergo a 14-day quarantine upon arrival, with first 10 days carried out at a designated facility.
    • Take a PCR test on the seventh day of quarantine. If the test results are negative, individuals may finish the quarantine at home or another suitable location.
  • Passengers who only transited through a red-list country will be allowed to enter the Philippines, provided they meet other entry requirements.

Additional Information: The Philippine government has yet to issue a list of yellow- and red-list countries at this time. As of Sept. 6, officials lifted the entry ban on travel from Bangladesh, India, Indonesia, Malaysia, Nepal, Oman, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Thailand and the United Arab Emirates

BAL Analysis The response to the COVID-19 pandemic continues to develop, and BAL will provide additional updates as information becomes available.

This alert has been provided by the BAL Global practice. For additional information, please contact berryapplemanleiden@bal.com.

Copyright © 2021 Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP. All rights reserved. Reprinting or digital redistribution to the public is permitted only with the express written permission of Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP. For inquiries, please contact copyright@bal.com.

IMPACT – MEDIUM

The Philippines’ Bureau of Immigration (BI) recently announced that foreigners abroad may be able to receive work visas before entering the country.

Key Points:

  • Currently, the 9(g) work visa is only available to foreign workers who are already in the country.
  • Philippine-based employers may apply for the visa on behalf of a foreign national. Once the application is processed, it will be forwarded to the foreign service post closest to the foreign national’s current location.
  • Once the change takes effect, foreign nationals will have to enter the country within 90 days of receiving the 9(g) visa. Upon arrival, they must register at the bureau.

Additional Information: Employers of foreign workers must still apply for an alien employment permit (AEP) with the Department of Labor and Employment on behalf of the foreign national. Officials have yet to release guidelines with regard to the AEP application process. Employees who do not receive an AEP will not receive the 9(g) work visa. An AEP is a pre-requisite for the 9(g) visa, therefore employers cannot apply for the 9(g) Visa until the AEP is issued.

BAL Analysis: The change was made to help ease entry processes amid the ongoing pandemic. Travelers should note that entry from some countries remains restricted at this time. The response to the COVID-19 pandemic continues to develop, and BAL will provide additional updates as information becomes available.

This alert has been provided by the BAL Global Practice group. For additional information, please contact berryapplemanleiden@bal.com.

Copyright © 2021 Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP. All rights reserved. Reprinting or digital redistribution to the public is permitted only with the express written permission of Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP. For inquiries, please contact copyright@bal.com.

IMPACT – MEDIUM

The Bureau of Immigration (BI) recently extended entry restrictions for 10 countries until at least Aug. 31.

Key Points:

  • Individuals traveling from, or who have been in, Bangladesh, India, Indonesia, Malaysia, Nepal, Oman, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Thailand, or the United Arab Emirates within 14 days of intended arrival are barred from entering the Philippines until at least Aug. 31.
  • Travelers who transited through one of the aforementioned countries and did not leave the airport are not affected by the ban.

BAL Analysis: The response to the COVID-19 pandemic continues to develop, and BAL will provide additional updates as information becomes available.

This alert has been provided by the BAL Global Practice group. For additional information, please contact berryapplemanleiden@bal.com.

Copyright © 2021 Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP. All rights reserved. Reprinting or digital redistribution to the public is permitted only with the express written permission of Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP. For inquiries, please contact copyright@bal.com.