After around two years of being closed for tourism – due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic – the Philippines is now the easiest country in Southeast Asia for tourists to enter. With the likes of Thailand, Malaysia, Vietnam and Indonesia – taking steps to lessen the travel requirements for visitors, the Philippines will be hoping that their minimal requirements for travelers will pose as somewhat of an incentive for those looking to head to the region.
What are the Philippines’ current travel requirements?
On 10 February 2022, the Philippines started to welcome back visitors to their sun-kissed shores – with those entering the country being required to do very little in order to enter. In fact, the requirements for fully-vaccinated travelers are so minimal – with the below being all that is required to visit this beautiful country.
Here are the current travel requirements in a little more detail.
- Visitors from 150 countries – including the likes of the United States, Canada, United Kingdom, Australia, and New Zealand – can enter without having to obtain a visa.
- Fully-vaccinated visitors do NOT need to quarantine.
- Visitors are required to take a COVID-19 PCR test no longer than 48 hours before departure – and show a negative test result upon arrival.
- There is NO requirement to take another COVID test upon arrival, however, visitors are to self-monitor for 7-days.
Can people who are unvaccinated also visit the Philippines?
Yes, they can. However, the requirements for those who are not fully vaccinated, including the following on arrival:
- Quarantine at a government facility upon arrival into the country.
- Take a COVID-19 PCR test on day 5 after arrival.
- Self-quarantine for a further 14 days after leaving the government quarantine facility.
It is important to note, however, that the above requirements do not apply to those under the age of 18.
What do these requirements mean for the Philippines tourism industry?
Well, it is surely going to be ‘music to the ears’ for those that are dependent on tourists coming into the country – with the Philippines having welcomed in excess of 8 million international tourists during pre-pandemic times (2019).
And, with the outbreak of the Omicron variant having disrupted the Philippines’ original plans for reopening – earlier in the year – the nation’s tourism industry will be hoping to see a healthy rise in the number of visitors entering the country.
What about other countries and their travel restrictions?
As recently reported – there are a number of nations that are beginning to relax their entry requirements for tourists. However, none of these nations are quite as relaxed as the Philippines – with each of them still having further requirements for travelers.
Thailand – visitors can enter through the ‘test and go’ programme, however, are still required to book two nights (day 1 and day 5) at an SHA++ accommodation – and take two COVID-19 PCR tests on day 1 and day 5.
Vietnam – with a plan to reopen to tourists from 15 March, visitors are likely to be required to quarantine for one day upon arrival, as well as take a pre-departure and on-arrival COVID-19 PCR test.
Malaysia – although the country is yet to confirm its reopening, Malaysia is looking to start welcoming back tourists from early march. Reports are suggesting that visitors will NOT need to quarantine, however, they will be required to undergo pre-departure and on-arrival COVID-19 screening.
Indonesia – although NOT looking to waive quarantine requirements for visitors just yet, Indonesia is hoping that by April those looking to visit the world-renowned tourist destination of Bali will be able to do so without quarantine.
The above is sure to be exciting news for travelers looking to – once again – head to the far east to enjoy all that the fascinating region of Southeast Asia has to offer.
