Philippines’ Travel and Quarantine Guidelines for Returning OFWs (Updated January 31, 2022)
Effective February 21, 2022, the classification of countries/territories/jurisdictions as Green, Yellow, and Red shall be temporary suspended for international arriving Filipinos and foreign nationals.
Negative RT-PCR test result taken within 48 hours prior to departure from the country of origin
No facility-based quarantine required
Self-monitor for any sign or symptom until the 7th day from arrival
Below are the proofs of vaccination against Covid-19 recognized as per IATF guidelines:
a. World Health Organization (WHO) International Certificates of Vaccination and Prophylaxis
b. VaxCertPH
c. National state/digital certificate of the foreign government which has accepted Vax CertPH under a reciprocal arrangement unless otherwise permitted by the IATF.
II. Unvaccinated, Partially Vaccinated, Unverified
Negative RT-PCR test result taken within 48 hours prior to departure from the country of origin
Facility-based quarantine until the release of the negative results
5th day swabbing
Self-monitor for any sign or symptom until the 14th day from arrival
The local government units (LGUs) of the passenger’s destination and their respective barangay health emergency response teams are tasked to monitor arriving passengers undergoing home quarantine.
Pre-Boarding Requirements to prepare
Confirmed flight ticket – check the travel requirements first before booking a flight
Mandatory online registration – BOQ E-Health Declaration Card: https://onehealthpass.com.ph/e-HDC/ To be done at least 3 days before the flight – declare your personal information, health status, and travel history. Save a copy of your unique transaction number and QR code which will be presented upon check-in
Negative PCR test done within 72 hours before boarding
During the Flight
Ensure that you follow minimum health protocols such as wearing of face masks and face shields, proper hand hygiene, social distancing.
Present your unique transaction number and QR code from BOQ E-Health Declaration Card registration.
Fill-up the following forms:
Health Declaration Form
Bureau of Customs Form
Arrival Card
Things to Note:
Having an alcohol spray or sanitizer handy is recommended.
Carry a black pen to avoid sharing and maintain minimal contact with other passengers when filling-out required forms.
Upon Arrival / Disembarkation from the aircraft
Listen to the briefing to be conducted by the Philippine Coast guard.
Submit the health Declaration form, proceed for a temperature check and follow instructions to the designated waiting areas. You must fill out the OWWA Project Care Slip.
Clear with immigration and submit your arrival card
Proceed to the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) desk. Present the OHP QR code and submit the OWWA Project Care Slip.
Claim your baggage and exit the terminal
For vaccinated passengers, you can arrange for pickup while unvaccinated passengers will be picked-up by a shuttle/bus that will take them to designated quarantine hotels for the 14-day quarantine.
Things to Note:
For concerns, OFWs may contact OWWA 24/7hotlines below:
Metro Manila: 1348
Regional: (02) 1348
International (+632)1348
Tel No. 8891-7601 to 24.
For updated arrival guidelines, please check the Philippine Embassy’s article here and PAL’s article here:
Before You Travel
With Covid-19 still present, it is good to be prepared before deciding to travel back to the PHilippines and know the current situation in the country.
Flight capacity is not yet 100%. Make sure to regularly check flight updates from the airline’s website and social media accounts for any last-minute cancellation or flight rerouting
Be early at the airport. Pre-boarding and disembarkation procedures take longer than usual due to Covid-19 protocols in place. Allocate more time to accommodate these procedures and avoid flight delays or cancellations.
Use of face shields are a must in public places and transportation, unlike other countries which only require face masks.
Be prepared for changes and updates in travel restrictions by making sure your visa has at least 6-months validity – in case you need to stay longer in the country due to sudden travel bans or restrictions.
Family activities are limited and traditional pre-Christmas or Christmas eve traditions such as Simbang Gabi, Caroling, Christmas parties and others might need to be foregone, for now.
At the Quarantine Hotel
Check in at your hotel and wait for the schedule of your RT-PCR test. Please be reminded that your scheduled test may be postponed the next day or at a later date for any unforeseen circumstances (e.g., typhoons, flash floods, strikes, shift in stricter community quarantine status, etc.).
Things to Note:
Day 1 starts on the day you arrive in the Philippines.
If you develop COVID-19 symptoms (e.g., dry cough, shortness of breath, loss of taste and/or smell, etc.) at any time before your scheduled test, please inform the hotel you are staying in so a medical or BOQ officer can assess and check up on you immediately.
Going Home
If you test positive, the BOQ shall transfer you to a designated hospital for further medical management.
If you test negative, your test result and quarantine certificate will be released within 24 hours from your swab schedule. You are allowed to check out only until your negative result is released. Present your test result to the assigned quarantine personnel at your hotel for clearance. For a hard copy of your certificate, printing services will be available at your hotel. To follow up on your test results, please contact OWWA or your respective LMAs.
Once you are cleared, you may contact your relatives to pick you up and bring you home.. You may coordinate with OWWA or use the OWWA Uwian Naportal for further transportation needs after your final point of arrival.
Please complete your 14-day quarantine or self-isolation under the monitoring of your LGU and Barangay Health Emergency Response Teams (BHERT).
Updated as of November 30, 2021
Christmas is a very special time for Filipinos and the travel ban during the past year due to Covid-19 pandemic, has made overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) even more eager to spend the holidays with their families in the Philippines this year.
With the holiday season just around the corner, it is good to know if this is possible with Philippines’ current travel and quarantine regulations for returning OFWs. For domestic workers from Hong Kong, Singapore or Saudi Arabia, here are the latest travel guidelines for you to prepare your holiday plans.
The Philippines’ Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF-EID) has categorized countries into Red, Yellow and Green rosters with Red considered to be high risk, Yellow to be moderate risk and Green countries to be low risk. Each category has updated testing and quarantine protocols for arriving passengers as follows:
Hong Kong & Saudi Arabia
(Green list countries, updated as of Nov 29, 2021)
Fully-vaccinated Filipinos from Hong Kong & Saudi Arabia, are now required to undergo facility based quarantine despite having a negative RT-PCR test taken within 72 hours prior departure.
Previous protocol no longer requiring fully-vaccinated individuals to undergo quarantine when they fly to the Philippines is suspended due to the Omicron variant.
Requirements for those with a negative RT-PCR test taken within 72 hours prior departure:
Facility based quarantine until release of negative results
3rd day swabbing
Self-monitoring until 14th day from arrival
Requirements for those without a negative RT-PCR test
Facility based quarantine until release of negative results
5th day swabbing
Home quarantine until the 10th day from arrival
Unvaccinated, partially vaccinated OFWs with unverified vaccination status need to be quarantined. They shall take a swab test on the fifth day of isolation and will be released once they get a negative result. They are also required to be under home quarantine until the 14th day of their arrival.
Singapore
(Yellow list country)
Fully vaccinated travelers from yellow-listed countries will have to undergo facility-based quarantine.
For those with negative RT-PCR test taken within 72 hours prior departure:
Facility based quarantine until release of negative results
3rd day swabbing
Self-monitoring until 14th day from arrival
For those without a negative RT-PCR test
Without a negative RT-PCR test
Facility based quarantine until release of negative results
5th day swabbing
Home quarantine until the 10th day from arrival
Meanwhile, unvaccinated, partially vaccinated, or individuals whose vaccination status cannot be independently verified by Philippine authorities as valid and authentic, they shall go through facility-based quarantine and take an RT-PCR on the seventh day. They shall be released when they get a negative result but are required to continue home isolation until their 14th day.
Note: The testing and quarantine protocols of Minors shall follow the testing and quarantine protocol of the parent/guardian traveling with them, regardless of the minor’s vaccination status, and country of origin.
The Philippine government (OWWA) will shoulder the costs for hotel accommodations and food during the OFW’s quarantine period. Other hotel fees due to required extensions will be shouldered by the employment agency.
Be informed about OFW regulations before you book your flight tickets home. We want you to celebrate Christmas with your family and enjoy the holidays together. Bon voyage!
We will update this article as we get more information.